TurboDVR42

How does the SO upgrade to FO work?
CX obviously hires DEFOs, so there must be some process for the SOs upgrading

PCLCREW

CX is not hiring DEFO's and havnt for a while... There is a process to upgrade SO's. Right now its about 4 to 6 years to upgrade to FO.
This is a company that I have always wanted to work for, so I have talked to countless SO's and FO's. Moral is getting very low at CX. The current T&C are not good for expats. The only way to do it is to live in a slum apt in Kowloon and have almost nothing to show after rent.
For a studio apt on Kowloon in a nice area will run you almost 2000USD a month. On Hong Kong it can run over 3000USD a month.
For anyone considering CX right now, you NEED to do a lot of homework. If you have a family... oh boy good luck.

4everFO

Right now the upgrade time to Junior FO from SO is 4 years and 1 week (approx...for the guys starting upgrades this summer). That can and will fluctuate. Company just posted a request for more training captains on all fleets due to an increase in training next year. Also, I have heard that SOs are upgrading to JF/O on the 747 now. All of that points to a shorter upgrade time for the guys already on the list. What happens after that is anyone's guess.

As far as how it works, the upgrade candidate does the full type rating course and then more than 50 sectors with training and check captains. After the course is done and you check out as an JF/O, you then have another line check 6 months later that gets you to the full FO rank. I was hired as a FO, so if anyone can add/change the details, please do.

The current contract offer for new joiner Cadet SOs is downright awful. CX is refusing to hire experienced airline pilots and instead is resorting to hiring people that want to be airline pilots. The uptake on the job offers or even the interviews is very low. The general manager aircrew, who theoretically designs the offer, has just been replaced as of August. No one can say for sure what the reason is, but I think that he has f-ed the recruiting stream and now the company is very very short pilots on every fleet and growing massively over the next 9-10 years. My thoughts....the package will return to pre 2009 and everyone will be on expat packages, including all local cadet entry pilots.

Time will tell.

FO

Mink

One would think market forces (that whole supply/demand thingy) will force CX into creating a package for newbies that is worth a $h%+. It seems the hiring glacier is starting to move across the industry. Qualified applicants will steer clear of cra%&y deals if they have other options. Hope there are improvements for all involved.

rustypilot

Where are you interviewing?

JD832

The interview is in Toronto.

dhps

Hi there,

Been reading this thread with interest.

I have been invited to interview for SO in London in July, anyone else going?

Hoof Hearted

What exactly does a SO do? I've heard of cruise captains however this doesn't sound like that because they are usually experienced pilots. Could someone define the job description of a second officer for me please. Thanks....

Long Haul

A cruise relief pilot, or second officer is on board for flights longer than the maximum for two pilots. At our airline they are not allowed to take off, land or be in either of the pilot seats below 20,000'. (I don't work for CX) While some airlines use two captains on long flights, all of our FOs are type-rated, and assume PIC duties when the captain is sleeping. Our second officers are typically right out of flight school. I have found that it makes for a good method for them to learn the operational aspects of airline work with out throwing them right into the deep end. A major advantage for the CA and FO is that they end up getting more landings.

bignuts

Anyone knows which fleet at CX, 777, 747, A330/340, etc., has the quicker upgrade from SO to JFO?