4everFO,
Can you comment on the cargo schedules? How long are the trips? Time off between trips? On PPRuNe I read something like 12 day trips with 5-6 days off. Does this sound accurate?

If I understand the hiring process correctly, as a DEFO, you'll automatically go to Cargo and then wait your turn for pax flying (if that's what you want).

Thanks!

Can anyone tell me who to address a cover letter to for a SO position with CX?
Thx

quick question for some of you cathay guys/girls. I recieved an email from them offering an interview for the middle of april 18th to be exact. I've got recurrent ground school and a p.c check during that time frame. I sent an email to try and reschedule for a different date and explained why. The next day I recieved an email stating that they had cancelled the interviews for the week of april 21. Will me having to reschedule my interview get my name erased off of their list with no chance of ever getting another one or are they flexible with this kind of thing??

I have done 10-12 day trips, but that is usually due to training/checking of some sort in Hong Kong. Most of my trips are 5-7 maybe 8. I have also done North America trips that have been 3 days long. The company does schedule minimum guaranteed days off every month (8-10), with the rest of the days occupied with duty, O days and A days. O days are for things like delays and maintenance issues down route. If they get you while at work and give you an assignment on a O day, you have to do it. If they call you at home for O day work then just don't answer the phone. I have been used on O days 2 times in two years. "A" days are reserve (0600-1400 home base time) but you have 10 hours to report to duty. I have been used once on an A day in two years with the company.

Considering all of that, I would say that I average anywhere from 12 to 21 days free of duty counting Gs, Os, and As. Remember two that we get 6 weeks of leave, so taking 2 weeks at a time, 3 times a year....thats 3 months that you will probably have almost 20 off.

DEFOs are no longer designated PAX or freight.

FO

Hi!

What is personal travel like as an employee of Cathay?

I would like to know about what free/reduced cost travel is available to the pilot and his/her family on Cathay and other airlines. Mexico, Asia, Europe, etc.

Thanx a ton!

cliff
CLL

ID90/ZED on almost everyone....except DAL, they have an ID75 agreement.

Travel on Cathay is expensive but worth it for long trips. Example NYC-HKG-NYC in first class is roughly 2000USD per person. I am not sure about business or economy. Problem is that we have only ID90s on our own airline.Travel around Asia is relatively inexpensive compared to the long haul segments. Dragonair is in house now for travel.

We do get 4 segments a year on Cathay that are free of charge, economy for FOs and FEs and business class for Capts.

FO

Thanks FO. When you say DEFOs are no longer designated PAX or freight...can you clarify please? I understand they give you an offer of jet and city. So does this mean that they mix PAX and freight flying? I must not be fully understanding the process. If they give you an offer of jet and city, can you turn it down while waiting for a certain city. Example...I can live and work in both USA and Europe. Can I turn down an offer to LAX and wait for a European city? Thanks for the help!

On a side note, I'll be in HKG on 22, 23, 28 & 29 March. Can I buy a CX pilot a beer? Would like to hear more about CX. Thanks!

Up until Jan 01 2008 all FOs hired were designated freight only. Only other options to enter the company were as a cadet, or as a SO. DEFO with the freight designation was the only way to get into CX and have a base outside HKG, albeit on a lower payscale. Only guys hired from 01JAN08 and on that are assigned to the -400 fleet will fly freight and passengers. If you get hired on the 777, then passengers only as we do not have any 777 freighters.

You can turn down a city/jet offer to wait for a different basing, but I do not know how many times or for how long. As far as Europe vs US basing options, in recent history you would get into the company much faster if you were destined for a base in the US as the growth in Europe has been less than in North America. Judging by new routes and service (passenger and freight) I would say that that trend would continue. Only thing is if the attrition in Europe picks up due to better offers to current CX pilots. You can always start on a US base and then put in a base transfer request as soon as you finish line training.

FO

Last time I spoke to someone there a couple of months ago, they said that everybody in the EU bases is waiting with baited breath for the onshore contracts, as the higher taxes might make it very unattractive to be based in the EU area and everybody senior enough to bid back to HKG will do so. They were basically predicting an exodus unless CX would significantly raise the Salaries for EU bases.

Do you have any updated information? I'm considering a EU base (London or Frankfurt) if they offer me a position since I hold work permits both in the US and EU.

Thanks!
Sun'n fun

I have no idea what the tax implications are to the EU residents. The buddies I have that are based in Europe have not indicated that they will bid back to HKG, actually most of the bases in Europe on the passenger fleet are reportedly full with the exception of MAN due to the Dragonair Cargo offer.

I have not heard of any new cities in Europe or any increased frequencies to existing cities, aside from seasonal changes. There are two new cities planned for the cargo side (Houston and Miami) as well as increased frequencies to many cities in the US, and some rumored new passenger cities.

FO