From what I remember from my interview is they asked a lot of 747 questions, specific to the RB211 engine and variants, several weather questions and several aerodynamic questions. They asked one question that I had no clue about, the question was "How can you determine the exact distance from the GPS reciever to the specific GPS satelite while in flight? They were looking for the actual NM distance. Although the answer may have been easy, I had no idea how to determine that unless I had the actual math formula.
I did not get a second interview, and looking back I wasn't too disappointed about it. Cathay is a good airline, but my impression is that they want you to know everything about everything. I have no idea what so ever about company culture, QOL, or anything else. All I can say is that if you have gotten through their tough interview and training , and actually flying the line with Cathay, my hats off to you!

 

Concur with above post. I interviewed for DEFO in May 08 in SFO. Walked out of there feeling I had justed wasted 2hrs of their time as well as mine. I said, "I don't know" to several of there questions. Very technical concerning 747 aerodynamics, CG, fuel transfer, weather map interpretation for Hong Kong, company background and current big wigs, fleet size and bases, etc... I had gathered the required reading and gouge from PPRuNe forums which I studied for weeks prior to interview. Sat with an HR rep and line Captain. Very stone-cold interview with no feedback from 2 interviewers to my responses. They were professional, but it appeared they didn't mind seeing you squirm in the seat. I guess not trying to BS them with answers I didn't have worked because 2 weeks later I was invited to Hong Kong for second interview. However, I received the "We are ceasing interviews at this time" E-Mail which was prevalent in 2008, so that was as far as I got in the process. I still have access to their site which allows me to update my app every 6 months. Not sure if they will resume DEFO interviews for North America any time soon.

 

Anyone at CX know if they will be hiring SO's in the near future? The website says they want 1000TT and valid multi-intrument rating, ATP written, etc... What is it that they REALLY want to see? What kind of minds would be competitive? Is the SO program worth doing to get your foot in the door, or are you better off continuing to build time and trying to get in as a direct entry FO? Thanks.

 

Only hiring SOs via the cadet program that is open to all applicants. Not a good deal at all unless you are from Hong Kong and it is your home.

If you do get on with Cathay expect a 20+ year upgrade to captain even with the airplane orders just announced.

FO