Cathay Pacific
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2009
Position: 787
Posts: 454
Cathay Pacific
Hi All,
I am new to this forum. I will be graduating from Purdue University in December of this year, and just yesterday was contacted by Cathay Pacific, to interview for a position of Second Officer via the Cadet Pilot route. It appears they will pay for everything, and in 12 months, I will be a second officer on a widebody. Now, before I am told to use the search function, I have. I have looked all over this forum, PPrune's Fragrant Harbor site, and I have exhausted all web resources. Do we have any Cathay Employees on this board? Does anybody know if its really that bad? Currently I have north of 500 hours, and 200 of that is instruction. Right now, It looks like regionals might be an option, but a self made time line has me becoming FO in 5 years, on Cathay. In the very least, I would be building heavy jet, xc time, and getting international experience.
What are your thought?
Thanks!
I am new to this forum. I will be graduating from Purdue University in December of this year, and just yesterday was contacted by Cathay Pacific, to interview for a position of Second Officer via the Cadet Pilot route. It appears they will pay for everything, and in 12 months, I will be a second officer on a widebody. Now, before I am told to use the search function, I have. I have looked all over this forum, PPrune's Fragrant Harbor site, and I have exhausted all web resources. Do we have any Cathay Employees on this board? Does anybody know if its really that bad? Currently I have north of 500 hours, and 200 of that is instruction. Right now, It looks like regionals might be an option, but a self made time line has me becoming FO in 5 years, on Cathay. In the very least, I would be building heavy jet, xc time, and getting international experience.
What are your thought?
Thanks!
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: The Far Side
Posts: 968
Very interesting. How did you get the contact? Did they solicit your entire graduating class, screen and contact some of your class, or was this "out of the blue"? Or, do you just know somebody?
And, is it Cathay proper, or a recruiting agency?
You'll have to balance the contract terms against what might be a very interesting and valuable experience. I don't know much about CX, but I do know a bit about Asia as well as expat contracts (along with many others on this forum). What you might do is post the terms and conditions quoted (if any) and filter the comments. Hopefully somebody who works for CX will post soon.
Your post stuck out because my oldest boy was graduated from Purdue a couple of years ago. He was smart, though - mechanical engineer.
Seriously, I hope this is all that it seems at this point - a terrific opportunity.
And, is it Cathay proper, or a recruiting agency?
You'll have to balance the contract terms against what might be a very interesting and valuable experience. I don't know much about CX, but I do know a bit about Asia as well as expat contracts (along with many others on this forum). What you might do is post the terms and conditions quoted (if any) and filter the comments. Hopefully somebody who works for CX will post soon.
Your post stuck out because my oldest boy was graduated from Purdue a couple of years ago. He was smart, though - mechanical engineer.
Seriously, I hope this is all that it seems at this point - a terrific opportunity.
Last edited by rotorhead1026; 05-11-2010 at 05:17 PM. Reason: CX, not CP
#3
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 26
I don't work for Cathay, but I know several who do, and I see and meet their pilots as I fly around the world. It's a top-drawer, rigorous & standardized training program, they fly modern, relatively new, all-glass wide-bodies, and they give you the chance to see the world.
Ask yourself why you want to be a pilot. Do you want to sit at the gate in, say, Oklahoma City, look over at your captain while he's eating pilfered instant-oatmeal from the Holiday Inn Express and think, "Woo-hoo! Next stop: Shreveport!!", or do you want to start out on a -400 flying from HKG; wondering if you're going to have schnitzel or rolladen tonight in Frankfurt?
Should you end up disliking it or wanting to move back to West Lafayette, the fact that you made it through their training program, your 747-400 or A340 SIC time, and your considerable international operating experience will be more meaningful to any prospective employer than thousands of hours flying a Saab between Muscle Shoals & Tupelo.
This is a no-brainer: in my mind's eye, there's absolutely no question but to take the position at Cathay.
Ask yourself why you want to be a pilot. Do you want to sit at the gate in, say, Oklahoma City, look over at your captain while he's eating pilfered instant-oatmeal from the Holiday Inn Express and think, "Woo-hoo! Next stop: Shreveport!!", or do you want to start out on a -400 flying from HKG; wondering if you're going to have schnitzel or rolladen tonight in Frankfurt?
Should you end up disliking it or wanting to move back to West Lafayette, the fact that you made it through their training program, your 747-400 or A340 SIC time, and your considerable international operating experience will be more meaningful to any prospective employer than thousands of hours flying a Saab between Muscle Shoals & Tupelo.
This is a no-brainer: in my mind's eye, there's absolutely no question but to take the position at Cathay.
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 103
This is a great opportunity. Take it if it is offered.
Not many airlines offer this chance anymore. I know several CX drivers and they have progessed up the ladder nicely since the early-mid 90's.
I have lived in Asia and loved it. Not sure how basing works at CX anymore, but boeing drivers used to be able to pick from several bases worldwide.
I have also worked for US regionals. Do everything do avoid that path, it's depressing.
Airlines are not the same anymore as you can tell from these forums and CX has not escaped unscathed either, but it is certainly one of the better places left.
Congrats & Best of luck to you!
Not many airlines offer this chance anymore. I know several CX drivers and they have progessed up the ladder nicely since the early-mid 90's.
I have lived in Asia and loved it. Not sure how basing works at CX anymore, but boeing drivers used to be able to pick from several bases worldwide.
I have also worked for US regionals. Do everything do avoid that path, it's depressing.
Airlines are not the same anymore as you can tell from these forums and CX has not escaped unscathed either, but it is certainly one of the better places left.
Congrats & Best of luck to you!
#6
Last I heard they were just looking for locals to do the cadet program, I didnt know they were hiring ex-pats again. I had a SO interview scheduled for Oct 2008 but it was canceled 2 weeks prior and all hiring stopped. Apparently, I was to be put in a hiring pool when they resumed.
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2009
Position: 787
Posts: 454
Thanks all, I applied back around January 1, and did not think I would ever here any thing, then I got an email yesterday, letting me know that I had been selected to go to stage one of the interview 4 stages. Rotorhead, this is the real Cathay, not an outside hiring agency. I have read much negativity regarding the way of life for a SO, but personally I find it exciting, and am willing to make sacrifices to succeed in aviation. They began to hire expatriates such as myself in june of last year.
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 769
Word of caution....read the fine print with regards to the Cadet program. I think you give up all housing allowances and maybe schooling allowances as well. Not to familier with the new cadet program, but I understand it has changed alot....and not for the better.
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 84
Don't ask questions, just go to Cathay if you get though the interviews. Do yourself a big favor. Study hard and don't you dare worry about when you'll become FO or Captain. You're coming fresh out of college, no wife or kids (I'm assuming) - no brainier. A lot of people a LOT more experienced than you would take it. Consider yourself lucky and BEST OF LUCK!
#10
Hi All,
I am new to this forum. I will be graduating from Purdue University in December of this year, and just yesterday was contacted by Cathay Pacific, to interview for a position of Second Officer via the Cadet Pilot route. It appears they will pay for everything, and in 12 months, I will be a second officer on a widebody. Now, before I am told to use the search function, I have. I have looked all over this forum, PPrune's Fragrant Harbor site, and I have exhausted all web resources. Do we have any Cathay Employees on this board? Does anybody know if its really that bad? Currently I have north of 500 hours, and 200 of that is instruction. Right now, It looks like regionals might be an option, but a self made time line has me becoming FO in 5 years, on Cathay. In the very least, I would be building heavy jet, xc time, and getting international experience.
What are your thought?
Thanks!
I am new to this forum. I will be graduating from Purdue University in December of this year, and just yesterday was contacted by Cathay Pacific, to interview for a position of Second Officer via the Cadet Pilot route. It appears they will pay for everything, and in 12 months, I will be a second officer on a widebody. Now, before I am told to use the search function, I have. I have looked all over this forum, PPrune's Fragrant Harbor site, and I have exhausted all web resources. Do we have any Cathay Employees on this board? Does anybody know if its really that bad? Currently I have north of 500 hours, and 200 of that is instruction. Right now, It looks like regionals might be an option, but a self made time line has me becoming FO in 5 years, on Cathay. In the very least, I would be building heavy jet, xc time, and getting international experience.
What are your thought?
Thanks!
Lax
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post