Cathay Interview... Say what???

[Bjammin]

They are backlogged, but hopefully management will recognize the only thing holding back expansion is the training deparment and will make some drastic changes. When that happens, hold on for the ride!

Guys are getting called ahead for people that don't show up for class.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

Bj,

CXs' training department is flat-out now, but a permanent increase in size for a temporary growth spurt is not the way they (we) do it here. When I joined in '90 commands were thick n fast (3 years to the LHS, and that is before CXF), we were crying out then that things needed to be expanded...

They didn't, and they were completely vindicated when it all slowed down and became 10 or even 11 years to command.

CX is not a "boom-bust" cycle the way things are in the US. Easy does it every time.

 

[unwashed]

This is the best and most informative thread I have ever read. Congrats to all who have participated and good luck.

 

[Fit59]

When I was hired in July they informed me that I wouldn't be in class until 2007. About 1 month later they called and put me in an early November class. Don't believe the projection, almost everyone I know is being put into earlier classes. Congrats and good luck!

 

[hdodo]

Can any of the current Cathay guys shed some light on how long it is going to take to hear from the company regarding an interview? I sent in an app in Feb 05 and have since updated twice via the mail-in update forms. I don't have any PIC turbine time and only 200 jet hours, but I figured my international C-130 experience would help my chances of getting called. So far I have heard nothing. Are there many guys getting hired there with a bunch of turboprop experience but little jet time? Last question for now: When they do contact me will it be via snail mail or email? Thanks in advance.

 

[hdodo]

I applied for an SO position(forgot to add that to the previous post)

 

[PilotSkydiver]

Can any of the current Cathay guys shed some light on how long it is going to take to hear from the company regarding an interview? I sent in an app in Feb 05 and have since updated twice via the mail-in update forms. I don't have any PIC turbine time and only 200 jet hours, but I figured my international C-130 experience would help my chances of getting called. So far I have heard nothing. Are there many guys getting hired there with a bunch of turboprop experience but little jet time? Last question for now: When they do contact me will it be via snail mail or email? Thanks in advance.

I just got a call about 2 hrs ago... I put my stuff in FEB 06. Unfortunately my ATP written had expired but the HR lady was very nice and told me to re-apply as soon as I got a new one completed. She also said I would most likely go to the bottom of the pile again so at least another 6 months till a new interview. The call was kinda out of the blue since I'd never updated my stuff.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

Will and have they hired without an ATP? Is RJ time of value? Or does it just check off the jet time box for them?

 

[Bjammin]

I don't know if they hire without an ATP, but RJ time is fine. My sim partner had only RJ time.

C-130 time should be fine as well. As far as how long to hear from them, I've had friends get called in 2 weeks from putting in an app to as long as 2 years.

Good luck to all.

 

[hdodo]

bjammin and capt. undies:
About how long does it take to go from a SO to a Junior FO to FO?

 

[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?