Cathay hiring?
 

Wondering if any Cathay folks have any insight on current pilot hiring...is it thriving right now or not?

Also, if you get hired as an FO...what are the chances of being based out of the US? I think I would enjoy CX, but I'm not leaving California!

Hiring like crazy. It is a long process so get started now if you want to be in class a year from now or more. All new FO's are based at outports. There is a very slim chance that you could be offered YYZ or YVR but you can turn it down for LAX.

Good luck

do they take guys with just t-prop time? or do they just take guys with jet time?

I think it depends on the turbo prop and where you are from. If you are Aussie with only T-prop time then probably yes. As an American the competition here generally has jet time these days. I would say that the chances are better if it is a big T-prop. That said, we are short of guys so toss in the app. The good news is that if you prep for the CX interview then you should be prepared for anyones interview, at least on the tech side.

ryguy, what would constitute a "big tprop"?

Certainly C-130/P-3 would constitute a big T-prop. I believe the application still breaks up turbo prop time by large being over 20,000kg MGTOW. That is roughly 44,000lbs., so the ATR and the like would fit into that category.

Basically the best way to find out is to fill out the application and see if you get the call.

Cathay has always had a tough interview, but they've also been quite generous in who they grant interviews to. I've heard of guys who went from Navajos to 747 SO's with them.

RCAC

i wouldn't advertise that you don't wanna leave cali. i think one of the main things they're looking for in the interview is to see your willingness to move around the world if necessary. what do you think ryguy?

I agree, tell them what they want to hear. They want to hear that you will move to HKG in a heartbeat if you had to. They will also tell you that you could spend your entire career in the US and they are correct. However, they still want to hear that you are open and willing to go wherever.

Also, it may be an FO interview but they may ask if you would be willing to be an SO if offered. The answer is "absolutely, I just want to get in with a great company". This is a test ladies and gentlemen, if they want you for an FO slot they will offer it. If they offer you SO then you can make the choice. Cathay doesn't hire to fill classes in two weeks so if you went in for FO and got offered SO, it isn't because they just needed SOs that day. It is most likely that they liked you but something went wrong in your interview or sim. You answering your willingness to be an SO lets them know that you just want to get in to the company. If it is a career stop, may as well get on the seniority list. If you were to answer no to the SO question, chances are you would get a thanks but no thanks instead of the SO offer.

ryguy,

Just rcvd the intial interview E-Mail from Amy for a SFO slot in May. Was curious how long ago you interviewed and if you had any further insight as to how to prapare for interview other than reviewing the ATP book. Any chance of getting ANC or ATL freighter for a newbie?
Thanks in advance for your input.

For those interested:
4800 TT (all mil turboprop)
4670 ME
2550 ME PIC
Submitted app 3/1/08
Interview E-Mail 3/13

KODI,
wow that was a short wait for the interview invite... I was under the impression that the wait period between app and invite was a year or so. but then again, you obviously are very qualified.

Hi!

From what I've heard, if you only know the ATP stuff, you will fail the interview.

Go to pprune.org, and/or search here, go to flightinfo, etc. to learn what you need to know for the interview. It is an extensive list of stuff, including one or two books. They should ask you questions about Hong Kong, the company, etc., etc. We had a guy go who didn't learn all the recommended stuff, and he was asked multiple questions that he had no idea he was expected to know the material that the questions covered.

Good luck!

cliff
ATL

Hey KODI3,

Congrats on the invite, you have plenty of time to study. The one book that everyone has been expected to read is "Handling the Big Jets" by Davies. Many also study "Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators" but any good Aero. book would help for review, also a good meteorology book will help . Go to the Fragrant Harbour Wannabes on PPRuNe and search for the info. Send me a PM with your email address and I will send you some notes that also helped me study.

For company info use the CX website and Wikipedia. You will need to know that stuff as current as possible when you go. Know the names of the officers and company stuff etc., especially the record profit we announced last week. The company made almost a billion US dollars profit in 2007.

As for me, I interviewed in November and December of 2006 and started in July of 2007. Good luck and if you have any more question feel free to ask. A lot of your questions will be answered on PPRuNe so spend some time searching on there. Be careful if you wander into the other Fragrant Harbour forum, there are some angry guys posting in there. For what it is worth I am very happy here.

I just got the email invite from AMY as well for May 7.
I'm looking for the usual intel on what is this first interview all about.
Also Cathay QOL for a family guy like me.

Thanks

ryguy,
thanks for the insight. I have gone to those sights and downloaded/printed most of the gouge there. I also still have my meterology books from primary flight trng.
I am very excited about the opportunity to interview with them, but I am facing a dilemma with my AD retirement date. I retire 1 SEP with terminal LV commencing 1 June. I read on another thread here the second interview for someone else came 5 months later. I have a family with school-aged child, so I am a little concerned about length of time involved with the whole process. Also factored into the transiton anxiety is where to live. I realize the initial invite is for a "potential" offer to continue, and I need to concentrate on passing the initial, but I am going to have to coordinate with my command to possibly move my retirement date back to still have a check coming in while awaiting results.
Due to my junior standing here, I am unable to PM you. Are you able to PM me? Would love to get more info from someone in the know.

Thanks.

Just went to the Wikipedia site. One word, EXCELLENT! Previous company info I came across was dated, but this site is very current and even mentions the incident at Boeing field.

I can't PM you yet so just send an email to [email protected] . I set that up last year when I was getting a lot of questions through here. I still get emails with questions there so it is a bit easier to respond. Just a word to anyone that wants to email, I can't give blind recs to someone I don't know. Also, believe it or not, several of the people that have emailed claim that they have wanted to work for "Cathy" for a long time. Rule number one, get the name of the company right...one even asked about Cathy Specific :eek:

ANC should be a piece of cake and if successful you might jump the list and start earlier than other people that do not want ANC.

FO

Things to consider - look at the situation in Tibet. Be sure you are deal with that kind of dictatorial, heavy-handed aggression from your employer. IFALPA used to be mostly ineffective as the chinese govt doesn't recognize labor unions, not sure if any progress has been made since I was doing research on CX a few years ago.

Sorry I don't have any current info on CX, just looking out for your best interestes in other aspects of working for the Chinese.

Cathay is in China but you do not work for Chinese, you work for Swire Group which is an old school stuffy British organization. I think I would prefer the Chinese.

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

Thanks a lot for the info, much appreciated! :)

commuting
 

4everfo,
What would you say to a guy who's considering commuting from KPHX to one of the US bases. Hopefully LAX.
thanks in advance for your advice.

later

Buy a ticket to work on SWA and non rev (ID90) home, piece of cake. Schedules can and do change but SWA has a no change fee, only pay the difference in fare (I think).

FO

thats what I thought ...thank you.

I'm debating spending the money to fly to LAX next weekend to attend the AIRINC job fair just to meet with the Cathay flight crew recruitment personnel, Kelly Crawford and Paula Rousseaw. Is this a worthwhile investment of time and money?

Additionally, I understand that you must tell them the company line that you would love to work in HK but the fact of the matter is I would want to fly out of JFK. What would my chance be of getting JFK as a base? If it was a likelihood, would I be able to spend my entire career there? Thanks in advance...

I have a class starting in April. I wanted an ORD base, but got a JFK base. Moral of the story is, you never know, but I'm as junior as it gets and I got JFK.

Hope it helps

Cathay
 

Congrats !:D Good luck with your training have fun in HKG.

ORD will probably not be available for a long time as it is overstaffed right now due to the ASL seniority integration (long story). Used to have a limit of 9 FOs based there now there is 21 peeps in the right seat.

I am no accountant but I think that job hunting expenses are tax deductible, so a plane ticket to see some recruiting folks should count. As always, get professional advice!!

FO

Hey 74 ready to finish school.We gotta remember what we forgot!!! See ya Tues. nite in ATL...

Going to the job fair wouldn't hurt. I don't know Paula but I know Kelly and she is really cool. Go and say hello, it will help you stand out if you make a good impression.

You shouldn't have any problem getting JFK as it is junior and will always need people. It shouldn't be a problem to have your entire career out of JFK if you want it. Just tell them what they like to hear about HKG.

Good luck!