It will take a S.O about 10 years to get to command a heavy jet with Cathay Pacific. Here in the United States, it takes more than that, and some don't even get there. To hope to fly a 777 as a Captain for United, Delta, Continental, or American is virtually impossible, not to mention how hard it is to get into this companies, and once you do there is not that much stability. Yes getting with Cathay Pacific is extremly hard, but I'm with you Puppyz, once I reach the required time I will apply. (Puppyz make sure you start aplying as soon as you reach 1000, if you check willflyforfood.com, it seems like they like hiring low time pilots for the S.O positions, guys with more than 4k don't seem to do too good). I've also heard that being a S.O. is not at all that bad, you get to travel the world for free, and have a bunch of time off. By the way, once you reach first off. status you get to come back to the U.S.

Anyways everybody has different opinions and different things to consider (family, etc.). Go for it puppyz, I guess by the time I get there you will probably already be a first officer. Goodluck.