Cathay Pacific
07-02-2010, 09:35 AM
#91
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Left Out
Posts: 188
Originally Posted by SUX4U
The company has discovered a new way of saving costs on expat packages for SO's by recruiting world wide for Cadets to fill those positions on local terms (no housing/kids education, etc).
FO
07-02-2010, 09:37 AM
#92
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Left Out
Posts: 188
Originally Posted by IndyAir Guy
I have only gotten overtime twice in my 2.5 years at CX and that was during my initial IOE and then on a conversion course to a different type. I know guys that have been here 5+ years and have never gotten overtime. Dont forget we dont bid. However, I know a lot of HKG based guys that get overtime all the time. If your on a fleet/base that is understaff then yes, you'll get overtime.
FO
07-02-2010, 01:53 PM
#94
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Left Out
Posts: 188
Originally Posted by IndyAir Guy
4Ever- I have not said my base, and do not wish to. The company offered the conversion and it was aworded on seniority.
You experiences in this company are a lot different than most other people hired as FOs....different as in you have had a seemingly better experience.
FO.
07-02-2010, 02:52 PM
#95
On Reserve
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Sorry I havn't been on APC in a little while. Anyway, I believe FG answered most of the questions.
.
Some thoughts about Cathay as a career for those considering:
Remember, CX is a Hong Kong airline and although they maintain bases around the world, the perks of the job(i.e., housing, education allowances, 13th month extra pay, variety of flying) are only for HK based crew. While HK is a great city and has a lot to offer, it's not the USA and you will miss home. There are many guy's on a base that would not have taken the job if that wasn't the offer. There are also many guys in HK trying to get out...and yes, willing to give up the "perks". Other guys would leave HK tomorrow but can't give up the "perks".
Now, being on a base is great, even without the "perks". The biggest regret is the flying. One word to describe long-haul flying....BORING! There is nothing exciting about 14-16 hour flights over the vast Pacific or the North Pole. The first few times are fun, then it becomes old, real fast.
Yes, the schedules are hard to beat. PAX flying typically works out to 3 RT's per month. You will work base to HK and back to base. Every once in awhile, you will do some inter asia flying, but mostly just back n forth to HK. If it's all about time off, and it is for a lot of guys, then great....but if you still look up every time a plane flys overhead, then you will miss "flying" dearly. I used to do about 20-25 takeoffs/landings in a typical month. Now I do 1, maybe 2 per month. That makes staying current and proficient rather difficult.....and at CX, you better stay on your game or they will have no problem sending you packing.
Overall, if you want to go to and live in HK, then no hesitation. If you're only interested in a base, then be aware of what long-haul flying is really about and decide for yourself. It's not for everybody.
.
Some thoughts about Cathay as a career for those considering:
Remember, CX is a Hong Kong airline and although they maintain bases around the world, the perks of the job(i.e., housing, education allowances, 13th month extra pay, variety of flying) are only for HK based crew. While HK is a great city and has a lot to offer, it's not the USA and you will miss home. There are many guy's on a base that would not have taken the job if that wasn't the offer. There are also many guys in HK trying to get out...and yes, willing to give up the "perks". Other guys would leave HK tomorrow but can't give up the "perks".
Now, being on a base is great, even without the "perks". The biggest regret is the flying. One word to describe long-haul flying....BORING! There is nothing exciting about 14-16 hour flights over the vast Pacific or the North Pole. The first few times are fun, then it becomes old, real fast.
Yes, the schedules are hard to beat. PAX flying typically works out to 3 RT's per month. You will work base to HK and back to base. Every once in awhile, you will do some inter asia flying, but mostly just back n forth to HK. If it's all about time off, and it is for a lot of guys, then great....but if you still look up every time a plane flys overhead, then you will miss "flying" dearly. I used to do about 20-25 takeoffs/landings in a typical month. Now I do 1, maybe 2 per month. That makes staying current and proficient rather difficult.....and at CX, you better stay on your game or they will have no problem sending you packing.
Overall, if you want to go to and live in HK, then no hesitation. If you're only interested in a base, then be aware of what long-haul flying is really about and decide for yourself. It's not for everybody.
07-03-2010, 10:15 AM
#97
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Posts: 208
4-Ever: you are correct, I think my experience with CX has been above average. Some times you get the bear and some times it gets you. I'm sure I'm due for my fair share of getting the short end of the stick.
BoeingMyWay: I would have to completely agree with your statements. It seems to me that people want what they can't have. A lot of the DEFOs on the base who can't go to HKG because of the base lock want to go and the guys in HKG who can't get a base want one.
BoeingMyWay: I would have to completely agree with your statements. It seems to me that people want what they can't have. A lot of the DEFOs on the base who can't go to HKG because of the base lock want to go and the guys in HKG who can't get a base want one.
07-03-2010, 10:53 AM
#98
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: Captain
Posts: 89
Originally Posted by ryguy
I'm coming from a bit of a different perspective than Indy since I'm on the 744 and relief qualified. When the fleet changed over to the 777 out of LAX, they sent a lot of folks to the 777 and most if not all of them were relief command qual'd. Most of the folks left on the 744 are not in North America. What that means is I'm working a lot more than usual. I was actually rostered into overtime on the published roster for the first time since I've been here. That means they planned me to go to 92 hours before things started to go sideways during the roster month. I ended up with 99 and in the 90's again the next month.
Of course I am doing mostly freighter flying which tends to have much greater roster disruptions. Every month though I am right up against the 84 hour mark. For me though, as a commuter, I like the longer trips and greater days off in a row. I've looked at a lot of the 777 rosters in LA and while the trips are shorter, there seems to usually be two trips that are fairly close together. For me that would be bad since I don't want to commute for just 2 or three days at home.
As for Ronin's overtime question. They do guard it as much as they can. If they send you into overtime you can be certain they had no choice. If and when you get it, the pay is very good so they hate to give it out unless they are stuck.
Of course I am doing mostly freighter flying which tends to have much greater roster disruptions. Every month though I am right up against the 84 hour mark. For me though, as a commuter, I like the longer trips and greater days off in a row. I've looked at a lot of the 777 rosters in LA and while the trips are shorter, there seems to usually be two trips that are fairly close together. For me that would be bad since I don't want to commute for just 2 or three days at home.
As for Ronin's overtime question. They do guard it as much as they can. If they send you into overtime you can be certain they had no choice. If and when you get it, the pay is very good so they hate to give it out unless they are stuck.
Also, one more pay question...
APC says 1st. year FO is $6519.00 per month+(hourly)$400month?+%15 of 6519=$977.00? Soooo..$6519+400+977=$7896.00 per month once on-line...is that about right gents.for 1st year FO? And Im assuming it is just base salary while in training? Which is what 4months or so? Thanks in advance for any info. Just trying to pay the mortgage and raise the kids..lol
07-03-2010, 12:44 PM
#99
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Left Out
Posts: 188
Originally Posted by Ronin47
Hey Ry...just to follow up on a previous post. Since it seems alot of U.S. based pilots went to the 777, are the 74/U.S. guys understaffed? If so would the 74/Freighter out of ORD be an option for new hires with the 10 74-8's and the 11 74-BCF's on order?
Also, one more pay question...
APC says 1st. year FO is $6519.00 per month+(hourly)$400month?+%15 of 6519=$977.00? Soooo..$6519+400+977=$7896.00 per month once on-line...is that about right gents.for 1st year FO? And Im assuming it is just base salary while in training? Which is what 4months or so? Thanks in advance for any info. Just trying to pay the mortgage and raise the kids..lol
Also, one more pay question...
APC says 1st. year FO is $6519.00 per month+(hourly)$400month?+%15 of 6519=$977.00? Soooo..$6519+400+977=$7896.00 per month once on-line...is that about right gents.for 1st year FO? And Im assuming it is just base salary while in training? Which is what 4months or so? Thanks in advance for any info. Just trying to pay the mortgage and raise the kids..lol
I am not exactly sure of the pay scales but first year FO based in the US with everything included would pull down between 85-100 starting from day on in training. You get all the duty pay and retirement money from date of joining. Training also gets you about 500 US dollars a week in allowances, plus any allowances when you layover during training (except if you get back to your home base).
FO
07-03-2010, 12:48 PM
#100
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Any one open
Posts: 47
$400 for the hourly is a tad bit low. About $550-$600 would be closer for FO 1-4 on average. This is obviously without any over time, which starts at credit hours in excess of 84. At SFO 1 hourly rates increase.
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