Cathay Interview... Say what???

[A19]

Very informative thread. I have an interview next month for an SO position, I was lucky enough to get my hands on Handling the Big jets, but what is the best way to study for the written?

 

[Bjammin]

The time from SO through JFO and on to FO seems to change from day to day and then it depends on who you ask. I've heard anywhere from 3 years to 8 years.

I used the ATP oral exam guide for the written test along with some basic aerodynamics info and got 26 out of 30 correct. Guess it was good enough.

 

[A19]

Thanks alot!

 

[EA6BDriver]

BJam,
Can you spell out what the changes are for the new contract stuff for 2007 that is being discussed on PPrune? In essence, it sounds like a "C Scale" for both pay and schedules for people brought on board in 2007. I'm sure there's more to it than that, but tough to follow some of the threads on the other board.

Thx.

 

[Bjammin]

The union voted both the new conditions of service (which included the new pay scale) and the new rostering practices down. It will be interesting to see what management and the union now come up with. I think everyone is happy with the current way we are rostered. We just need to find good common ground on how to fill pilot positions quickly without pissing current pilots off. The airline is expanding big time and some pilots are leaving to go back to the carriers they were furloughed from or going to UPS/FedEx.

Personally, I think if the airline wants to fill all these airplanes it has on order it has to make the job more inticeing to prospecive pilots. Positive changes are coming. They have to.

 

[(o) (o)]

Cathay is one of the last "OLD SCHOOL" airlines. They fall under Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department not the FAA.

It is extreamly professional atmosphere, but also somewhat of a squadron mentality. It pays very good, lots of benifits (cash retirement and per diem, great medical plan), good flying, new equipment, well funded, great professional people to fly with, 6 weeks paid vacation a year, and Hong Kong is an outstanding overnight.

They are very concerened with long haul rest issues. If I fly tired, it's my fault, not because I didn't have the chance to sleep long and hard.

The con's: A little anti-americanism (Mostly from Brits and Aussies, but if you don't push the US's agenda on them it's usually pretty tame), Long Haul ain't for everybody, you don't have the job protections that you have in the states (but they have NEVER furloughed), you spend alot of time in ANC as a freighter guy, and you don't bid for trips just your days off.

That's about it.

The pro's out way the cons by far. People are scared about working for an oversees company, but I live in San Diego, fly out of LAX and am home over 17 days a month. I fly with mostly US guys or Candians, don't speak a word of Chinese, and am only accross the pond 4 days a month.

Look at the careers section of www.cathaypacific.com and see for yourself.

I guess a spelling test wasn't part of the interview??

 

[(o) (o)]

I have concluded that Cathay Pacific is a place I will hang my hat if given the opportunity.

So did the 49 guys that were fired to make an "example" to the rest.

Cathay is a good job if you're furloughed from somewhere or trying to get a crack at the big jets with shiny glass screens.

I wouldn't consider it a career job.

Too many variables, plus it's run by the Brits, need I say more?

 

[masedogg19]

I guess a spelling test wasn't part of the interview??

L-O-S-E-R

Hey, look!! I can spell.

 

[Bjammin]

I guess a spelling test wasn't part of the interview??

You know, I don't have to pass info along. I just like to help out guys that may be interested in Cathay or the Navy, but with comments like these it makes me wonder if i'm wasting my time.
So i'm not the best typist or speller, sorry, but at least i'm passing along the best info I have and try to be decent and kind to people on these boards.

Thanks for being such a professional.

 

[hdodo]

(o) (o):Take your negative energy elsewhere

I guess a spelling test wasn't part of the interview??

Bjammin is one of the good guys who has been kind enough to impart his knowledge about two respectable sectors of aviation. Your negative comments (in jest or not) are not welcome here. Please let the professional aviators discuss important issues amongst fellow professionals and keep your man pleaser shut.

Don't you have a Dungeons and Dragons forum you are missing out on right now?