I emailed CX recently. I just wanted an idea of what they expect from direct entry pilots. I really wanted to work for Cathay so I really wanted to know. The answer I got from HR is they no longer hire direct entry pilots. They have 3 different hiring/training programs for Second officers. No experience, 61 weeks. 250 hours, 30 weeks. 1500 + ( no ATPL required) 12 weeks.

So, that is a training period, then second officer life in HK. Personally, I'm not sure I could survive it (Student loans :-p ). I have an ATP and a MBA all from my own loans.

 

I have to say, the evolution of employment conditions has gotten very discouraging.

 

You'll find a big thread on Cathay's SO program on Pprune.org. Take it all with a grain of salt - but it really does not sound good. I would avoid it...

 

I get the impression they would rather just train their pilots from the ground up. Not sure how this is going to work when it comes to captain qualifications.

 

I think you are giving them way, and I do mean way too much credit, this is not about training from the ground up within the company culture or anything that noble, this is about cheap labor. If in the future they find themselves starving for quality commanders, they just pull the DEC card and voila'

 

No comment regarding the new recruitment policy, but contrary to popular belief, it is not that easy to hire DEC's at CX.

1.) Per the conditions of service, direct entry captains are not allowed at CX. They have to be hired as FO's... then rapid command upgraded on the freighter. Even that is no longer allowed. (good luck passing training as a DEC at CX anyways!)

2.) The only reason it happened briefly on the freighter in 2008 was there were several retired CX and British British Airways skippers on the market when Oasis went bust who were readily available and current with Hong Kong CAD 747-400 P1 ratings. And even they were hired as FO's initially.

 

I agree that it is unlikely that DEC's will happen at CX, my point was to illustrate that they are not worried about future supply of talent for command due to their cadet programs and attrition due to retirement, but your arguments about how difficult would be to pass training, well, those same arguments have been made of EK, and DEC's have now joined the line.

 

No, it isn't.

PX on the freighter has for a while been a contentious issue. the outcome of negotiations on the subject, has been for all crew to voluntarily elect to sign a form which gives them permission to be PXed on the freighter. Many haven't, but many have; it is a big help for a lot of the based guys getting home.

I haven't, but I do zero PXing, as it is.

I'll be back soon, with an account of first-hand experience, which hopefully will answer someof your questions.

 

What isn't true? The post that I said was 100% true was the fact that all new hire SOs are now told that their employment offer is based on them signing a letter stating that they will passenger on the freighter.

FO.

 

all of it.

All aircrew were given a consent form to PX on the freighter. If it was signed, and returned, you were consenting to being PXed on the freighter. If you didn't, you were automatically removed from freighter PXing.

This has nothing to do with new joiners. They are given the same form as everyone else, with the same rights.

My personal belief that the feedback from said forms will form part of the ongoing review on basings. There was a subtle hint in the accompanying letter from management. Given that SOs aren't based, and do almost zero PXing, I can say with some certainty that the freighter PXing issue revolves around FOs and CNs. Naturally, given the freight network in our base countries, if based folks decide against being PXed on the freighter, it is going to impact base operations.

I can answer the bulk of anyone's questions on this programme, as I am 2 years into it. Happy to share good points, bad points and all in between...