Cathay Interview... Say what???

[B737Dvr]

Pprune......

Ok, I just got done with Pprune and damn! generally speaking pprune just reaks of all sorts of negativity! I have been on other boards as well and overall that place, no matter what company is being discussed, is just full of &^%$#@!!! there are some tidbits of good objective info, but you need a flak jacket, before going in there! Sounds like some guys got burned, sounds like some guys havent fit in (and are disgruntled) and whatever......so...

questions bbb:

1. what is the deal with the training and or checking dept? are they really old school and you better just shut up and be a good "boy"? is it always check check and how are the examiners and training pilots there?
2. how are the captains that you fly with generally speaking? are there any "skygods" there? are there issues with DEFO's? what is the mentality at cathay city? are you always "on duty" there, or is it a relaxed atmosphere?

basically, can you explain as best as you can what the guys in pprune were talking about and if they are the minority there or a growing faction?

3. what is the deal with the 49 pilots?

thanks man!

 

[ProLine4]

BBB, yes I am positive that I have an Interview with Cathay Pacific Airways! Isnt their 2 letter ID (CK)?
yes, this interim job isnt set in stone yet, but if it does go there it will be this month....the only reason i am doing this is to protect a paycheck, while the CK process takes time.
Good point about showing them your commitment by paying off a training bond, but I just wonder if they would feel that i couldnt honor theirs....but ultimately i think it just depends on how the overall interview is going....

How involved is the process (phase 2 in HKG)? how many day trip is it realistically? is it a one day deal or several day deal on top of your travel days.

Another question I have is how is commuting accomplished in the US? I live in the NYC area and if i dont get it and get ANC or LAX instead, will i have to move there or can i commute?

Thank again man for taking some time to help me out with my questions....i really appreciate it!

Im curious, for you, what is the best part of CK and what is the worst part of it?

Baby Boeing dvr

Cathay Pacific's 2-letter IATA identifier is CX.

 

[jacksjj]

I know it says they only require 1000TT to get on as a SO, but what kind of times do the SOs usually have when they get picked up???

 

[milehye]

FYI for anyone that has a Cathay interview - I have seen interview prep books relating to Cathay on Ebay for way cheaper than I had to pay for them.

 

[Bjammin]

B737dvr


1. Some people in the training department are very old school. Think old time British flyer type stuff. Very picky, but lots of beer. There are 2 sim checkrides and a line check every year as well as some training sims. BE PREPARED!

2. Captains are all outstanding, better then I could have hoped. A bad apple is rare, maybe one in 50 flights. (I'm a bad apple on 1 in 50 flights.:beer

What do you mean issues with DEFO's? I'm a DEFO and have no issues with anybody. If someone has an issue with me I don't know about it. What can happen is SO's with alot of A/C time can be very guarded. They are always on the lookout for someone with more rank, but less time to jump there sh!t, which unfortunatly can happen. I don't fly with SO's much so really don't have much to contribute.

Cathay city during the day is like any office building, be ready to run into senior check captains, chief pilots, all the VP's, and the CEO himeself. Just today I rode up the elevator with the #3 man in the company.
During the night it's time to booze up at the bar. You will see the same people there as well, but there is a definate off the clock feeling.

3. The 49 er's is a very long complex story that continues to this day. It's pretty hard to sumerize it, but things have improved many fold between management and the workers since then, mine and others opinion.

I love it here, the comapny has always had my back personally and has given me many reasons to think this was the BEST choice for me.

Hope this helps, and it is CX! Don't get this wrong.

 

[B737Dvr]

CX...got it!

Hey Bjammin, thanks a million for your insight! If a person has to subscribe to a higher standard during business hours, then that is a challenge to look forward to, and if after hours you can relax.....then that is a good balance!
well, i have done alot more reading since my last post and am up to snuff (as much as i can be) on the 49'ers, and other company stuff!
just got my interview requirements to bring to the 1st one in NYC in sept, so i will be preparing like crazy till then!

thank you again, and i will post my experiences so that others may be helped as well.

regards
B737Dvr

 

[masedogg19]

I may have missed it earlier....but could someone explain the "49ers" for me?....apologies if it has been covered

 

[Bigbeerbelly]

Best you read about it here:

http://www.hkaoa.org/public/hkaoa/resources/Information/Dispute/5000PM%7E1.PDF

 

[masedogg19]

Wow......is this something sent to every newhire?

 

[Bjammin]

That is way old when there were many problems and a hiring ban.

Be VERY careful of prople posting that kind of stuff. It may give you a little insight into something that was a major issue 5 years ago, but it has truly fizzeled out. I just spoke to a 49'er 2 days ago and he was hired back as an FO for 6 months and is now being given back his command on the 744. He has nothing bad to say about the company now.

Please don't think the 49'er issue will effect new-hires in any way but positive.

 

[Bigbeerbelly]

I was just going to post the same thing as Bjammin... This is a very old link straight from the unions website. It should answer your question about what "the 49ers" are, but don't let it cloud your judgement. Cathay is a great place to be.

BBB

That is way old when there were many problems and a hiring ban.

Be VERY careful of prople posting that kind of stuff. It may give you a little insight into something that was a major issue 5 years ago, but it has truly fizzeled out. I just spoke to a 49'er 2 days ago and he was hired back as an FO for 6 months and is now being given back his command on the 744. He has nothing bad to say about the company now.

Please don't think the 49'er issue will effect new-hires in any way but positive.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

Does Cathay require a 4 year degree? Is getting ANC as a base difficult? Also, due they require a ATP for FO or SO positions? Do SO's every get any takeoff's or landings?

 

[Bigbeerbelly]

Does Cathay require a 4 year degree? Is getting ANC as a base difficult? Also, due they require a ATP for FO or SO positions? Do SO's every get any takeoff's or landings?

No,No,Yes,No

 

[ILStoMinimums]

Is getting hired from a RJ or EMB-120 just as strong an option as from a 737, etc?

 

[milehye]

I dont know what the percentage or stats on that answer is, however RJs and EMB-120 is all I have flown for 10 years and I just got hired.