C5skippy

Anyone out there have some good gouge on the CX written test you take with the interview.
C5

cessnaxdriver

Hey C5Skippy,

I took the interview back in June in SFO. 30 questions, I studied Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators, Handling the Big Jets by Davies, and Meteorology. I found that those books helped me pass the exam and interview. So definitley know aerodynamics, meteorology, and basic aircraft performance. I was ask questions on swept wing characteristics, Clearway requirements, and typhoons. Don't sweat the written, but definitely study those books and ANY info on CX and Hong Kong for the interview part.

I am waiting my course date for DEFO

Good Luck

Xdriver

SuperLolo

"Preparing for your Cathay Interview" by Capt XYZ has a bank of questions/answers that are similar to the CX written test. None of them showed up when I took the exam. But, it can be helpful to have an idea on what type of questions they like to ask when you're studying the books mentioned above. Good luck.

ps. You guys know that after Jan08, you will be joining on CoS 08, right? It's supposed to be some kind of a C-scale. Make sure you know what you're getting yourselves in to before making the jump.

cessnaxdriver

You guys know that after Jan08, you will be joining on CoS 08, right? It's supposed to be some kind of a C-scale. Make sure you know what you're getting yourselves in to before making the jump.[/quote]


Still Beats the US Airlines!!

Five Green

SuperLolo is correct.

For those joining after Jan 01, 2008 there will be a new set of conditions for all pilots joining on a base. These new conditions have been imposed by the company without agreement from the Hong Kong Aircrew Offcers Association.

The new conditions give the company the ability to circumvent the higher salary and more restrictive work rules under the current agreement. Under current growth rates time to command under the new payscale (and due to other changes) will be about 13 years. On the FO scale alone the new pay scale will result in a loss of about $65,000.

Additionally, Cathay is reorganizing it's based aircrew operations over the next 24 months to meet more stringent tax regulations in Europe and North America. This will result in more deductions from your salary.

If you are set to joining after Jan 1 be sure to carefully review the new conditions.

Good luck.

go43andrti

You say that this is applicable to 'on base' crews. I just fininshed my second interview. I received a payscale from the company while I was there. The scale is substantially higher than what is posted on this site. I am hoping that you are either mistaken, or I understood you correctly when you said 'on base'.

Also, I understand that the upgrade could be a little as 2 years, and as much as 5. Again, is what you are saying applied to Hong Kong base only? I certainly hope so. For what it is worth, the first year Capt. pay on the 74 is 181,000/year. That seems pretty good to me.

Any imput would be GREATLY appreciated.

Regards

4everFO

A 2 year upgrade would have to be on the freighter, and that pay is no where near 181,000, it is more like 123,000 USD w/ a US base. If you do take the 2 year upgrade, and pass, you will most likely be stuck on the freighter, flying the crappiest schedules in the company for the better part of a decade.

The UNIFIED FO scale, known on the line as "C" scale, will be introduced JAN 1 and apply to all new joiners outside of Hong Kong. If you join as a DEFO after the first of the year you will not be classified as a PAX or freight FO you will simply be an FO. If you get the -400 you will be required to fly both fleets and be stuck on a base outside of Hong Kong for a minimum of 4 years. The sh!t part for the guys already with the company is that a guy joining after the first of the year will be sitting with me on the -400F flying across the pacific making more money than I am. Now, you might say that I will get even and then surpass him eventually because I am on the "B" scale. Well, if they recruit DEFOs in North America, then there will be no vacancies for us guys coming off our freighter commitment, so will be therefore stuck on the freighter, with freighter pay, working the crappiest schedules in the company. Not to mention it will be a crap shoot to think they are going to train us on the 777 out of the kindness of theirs hearts so that we can transfer to the PAX fleet and get a substantial ($29,564/year) pay raise.

Good luck,

FO

SuperLolo

Capt Andretti, you're right in that the new unified DEFO payscale is higher than the current DEFO B-scale. In the long run though, I think you will actually make less (just like 5 Green said) compared to the Freight FO guys who transfer over to the pax fleet (who will be on the pax B-scale).

I guess 2-3 yr to command on the freight is accurate. That's if you MAKE IT THROUGH THE COMMAND COURSE. I'm assuming you're goin for rapid command. The last time I heard, only one made it through the rapid command course (and he was ex-CX). So, good luck to you and to those who are thinking about joining CX.

Sike

I am sad to say that what 4EverFO has said is very accurate. Things are going to have to change next summer during the planned negotiations with company. The post retirement health insurance issue will also have to be resolved before Cathay becomes a long term destination of choice for U.S. guys.