Hey FO,

Shhhhhhhh....man don't give away the secrets. That's how I got through my line check. Remember...the ears have walls.

I have a letter of evidence for one of the alternate FAA color vision tests and was wondering if this would be an issue when working for Cathay or any other foregin airline. Thanks,

Ryan

Same with me, I have a SODA for color vision as well.

I have two friends got hired during last two years, both color blind. I belive as far as you have the wavier from FAA, you are fine. You can also e-mail their doctor, before you go for your interview, his name is Robert Cocks, but I don't have his e-mail address. If you are so concerned, you can e-mail him even before applying for CX. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the Info, that was a big help, Hopefully I'll see ya in Hong Kong.

anyone else here waiting for a class date? mine was pushed back 6 months. what's up with that?

Me too
 

I also am waiting for a class date. I interviewed (initially) in late Oct. My last interview was Mid Nov. I have a buddy that got 340 F/O out of Van. What is your status. When did you interview and how did you find out that it's another 6 mos?

Thanks

i interviewed in june and was told to expect end of 07 start of '08 and now talking to a guy who interviewed the day after me he was told nothing available in the US until may or june...and it may have been an "at least" may or june.
he also said the 340 out of vancouver or toronto was available but I don't know how that works without a visa plus if they're getting rid of that thing I don't fancy doing another 5 months of training for a different a/c type.

How hard to get into Cathay as DEFO with mins. I think its 1000hrs.in atp. This is what there web site says.

Cathay is not getting rid of the A340 fleet, just the -600. The 340 may go away eventually but for now the -300 (I think that is what the rest are) will be around for a while.

Also, I do not believe that the 340 is offered in YYZ as that base is starting to convert to the 777. People have gotten the 340 in YVR as new hires this year.

As far as minimums for DEFO, the website has not been updated for a while and I would just apply and see what happens. The majority of people starting are from the North American regionals.

FO

thanx for the input

LifeNtheFstLne, I've got an interview with Cathay next month. I was wondering if you could send me the notes you have that helped you. My regular email is [email protected]. Thanks.

3holer

Anyone know what the current mins/competitive times for SO are?

I have a DEFO (Pax fleet) interview in Sydney at the end of Feb...

- 2500TT (Military Heavy Jet)

Took almost 8 months to get the call so apply, keep your applications updated and keep the faith!

Good Luck to You MayFly!! How's that PR going? Just got mine finalized a few weeks ago!!

Cheers,
JD

No longer pax or freight, just simply a DEFO interview.

FO

4everFO
Does that mean same pay scale for everyone?

YES. Unfortunately.

Not entirely true.....same payscale for all FOs in the same base area
(ie. country). For example a new joiner Canadian based DEFO makes approx. 86,000CAD first year, while his new joiner sim partner based at LAX on the same a/c will make approx. 75,000USD. To add insult to injury, the Canadian based guy, if he is American, will get the same excellent health insurance that the guy at LAX...making the YYZ based pilot's package that much better.

FO

MayFly
Does Cathay honor military leave?

I honestly can't say Tigger17 as it isn't an issue for me. I parted ways with the AF back in Jul and interviewed for an Australian PAX base (DEFO).

I've got some buds doing flying reserve jobs with Cathay...never heard of them having a problem.

Spongebob

I HAVE heard of problems. Not problems I guess, just "issues" to be aware of. US companies are required to allow time off (i.e. dropped trips) for military duty - foreign companies are not. I don't work at Cathay, but have spoken with reservists who do - all of which work their military schedule around the airline schedule (ENTIRELY- i.e. no mil leave). I have been told though, that if a reservist's unit were activated, then said reservist would be put on leave without pay, rather than being fired.

I'm interested in Cathay, but am somewhat hesitant for this very reason.

What kind of quality of life would have folks doing their final flight for the pickup of their brand spankin new 777 out of Paine? Makes for an eventful way to end your career I suppose.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=00a_1204000744

Capt X,Y, & Z 11th Edition, possible typo on technical quiz
 

Does anybody else have the book Capt X, Y, & Z 11th Edition? I have a question about a couple of questions in the technical quiz.

#22 states "A takeoff with more than normal takeoff flap setting will result in:"

The book answer is "longer takeoff distance." But the correct answer should be "shorter takeoff distance."

#67 states "What are the factors taken into account for a RLW (regulated landing weight):"

The book answer is "weight, altitude, and temperature". But the other 2 choices are "engine out overshoot performance" and "both a and". The last choice appears to be a typo because it should read "both a and b" and this should be the correct answer. #43 is pretty much the same question stating the factors for RLW are "engine out overshoot performance (weight, altitude and temperature)."

If anybody else has this book could you take a look at these questions and let me know if you came up with same thing or let me know if I have no idea what I am talking about. Thanks.

3holer

I think you're right for #67, but #22 is correct in the book. "Normal" would be your approved takeoff flap settings (10 or 20 degrees in the 747-200). You are correct about the difference between 10 and 20 degrees. However, in most "heavy jets" an increase in takeoff flaps beyond (again in the 742, 25 or 30) that results in significantly increased drag and a huge hit in acceleration. Very similar to the reason for setting flaps to 20 degrees immediately on a go-around.

HTH
Spongebob

Spongebob,
Thanks for the reply. I always thought a greater flap setting (up to max allowable for takeoff) will decrease takeoff roll, but reduce climb gradient. Looking at the flap section of the CFL chart for the DC-10, CFL goes down as flaps increase to max takeoff flaps (25 degrees). I assumed "normal" to mean the situation where you are attempting to optimize between takeoff roll and climb gradient. But if you are climb gradient limited, this will drive a lower flap setting. If you are runway available limited, this will drive a higher flap setting to reduce CFL. I am probably stressing to much about this interview.

3holer

This was not just your 'run of the mill 777 low pass', though: Chief pilot flying the plane, training captain in the right seat, the CEO in the jumpseat, and 2 pilots "standing" in the flightdeck.:eek:

To be honest, this story only enhances my opinion of the Cathay boys. I had always thought the vast majority of you (the Brit's, mainly) flew with a stiff upper lip, and the American 'cowboy' pilot was looked upon as a maverick - but then I see that it was the senior leadership (and Brits, by golly) who pulled the fly-by. It's a shame that the CEO didn't go to bat for the pilots, even if the maneuver was a bit 'out of character' for a 777. After all, Tex Johnson rolled a 707 in a impromptu show for senior Boeing brass - earned the respect of pilots 'round the world for that one.

Is it correct that all of Cathay's freighter ports are outside of HK?

Is HK the only domicile for the passenger fleet?

Would it be possible for an American to get hired as a DEFO and get sent to a domicile outside of N. America?

Is it correct that the US domiciles are ANC, ATL, JFK, & LAX? Are DFW, ORD, & SFO freighter ports, but not domicles?

Some B744F pilots are now based in HKG but on local terms...no housing, education allowance.

PAX pilots are also based all over the world.

I believe that your initial basing assignment has to be in an area where you have the right to live and work, but once in the company you can go anyway with your seniority and a/c type.

Freighter bases: NYC, CHI, ATL, LAX, and ANC.
Passenger bases (NA): LAX, SFO, YYZ, and YVR.

01Jul08 all freighter FOs and Captains as well as new hires since 01JAN08 are getting pay raises. 6% for me and I am a 2nd year -400F FO. 23% total pay raise since I started in mid 2006.

FO

Just wondering what the new 1st year pay scale is on the freighter?

USA Based Direct Entry FO (PAX and Freight) in American Pesos:
1- 78,228
2- 79,778
3- 81,384 and so on

Canada based DEFO (PAX and/or Freight) in Canadian Dollars:
1- 92,112
2- 93,960
3- 95,844 and so on

These take effect 01JUL08

Do you know what the progression is looking like as of now, from SO to FO to CA? Also, how come CX has JFO and FO? (what is the purpose and difference between the two positions except the pay)?

JFOs are the pilots that upgraded out of the SO position. They are usually restricted to flights within the region so that they get a lot more takeoffs and landings than pilots on the long haul fleets. They also have tighter operation restrictions than a FO.

Right now I am hearing that it is approx 3 years to upgrade from SO to JFO (a little shorter on the A330 and a little longer on the B777). Then 2 years to FO and then approx. 8-10 total years with CX to passenger fleet captain, again depending on the fleet. Freighter captain is much faster...as low as 22 months as of late.

FO

Can I get a Canada base as a US resident? CAD 92,112 = USD 92,901...
That's a significant difference in pay!

Yes you can. Higher salary in Canada plus higher hourly duty pay, plus 15.5% equals a higher amount, plus CIGNA insurance for Americans based up North. Overall a much better package.

FO

Do you need a residency permit in Canada or can you commute? How are the US based crews taking the ~$15K pay difference?

Does anyone know what the tax implications are for Americans who are based in any of these domiciles? I believe there is a set figure that you can earn aboard that is tax free. Something like 87,500.

Americans based in Canada do not get work permits, all that I know of commute to YYZ. The pay difference, yeah it sucks, I have been with CX for 2 years on the freighter in the US and make 72,500USD while these new guys come in and get paid 92Gs and get better trips, while I rot in ANC in each direction.

Tax free income is only if you work and reside abroad. If you live in the US then you are responsible for US income as well as you state's tax, on your entire income.

FO

Hmm. . . make sense on the tax thing.

But even rereading the thread I am confused on who decides on who can be YYZ based or not? Are you not there because you're flying cargo?