The earthquake in Taipei the other day damaged telecommunications cables to most of SE Asia, Hong Kong especially. The internet has been degraded by about 50 percent. CX and other businesses are frantically trying to go through other vendors, but it may take a couple of weeks.

When you are hired at CX they put you through a license conversion course. You end up having to take between 4 and 8 written exams, then the practical exams for the type and instrument rating are accomplished on your sim checks. Someone earlier mentioned having to take a "NASA type physical" but I believe he is referring to JAL. The medical at CX is comprehensive, but no more so than an FAA 1st class medical. They will do a blood test and a chest X Ray, but that's the only difference.

Hong Kong is a lot of fun, and I could see myself living there for a few years. As a HKG based pilot CX will pay for your housing. As a year 1 SO I think its about 24K HKD a month, then after your 2nd year its over 50K HKD a month. That's $3000 and $6400 US respectively. Granted they will not pay you that in cash, but you won't have to worry about rent or your HK mortgage. That plus the flat HK 16% tax, the 13th month pay check, excellent health benefits and retirement scheme and the total compensation for an SO (or based pilot) blows away most US carriers (even majors). Weigh all the options, but I think CX is one of the top career choices for a pilot.