Cathay Pacific and the Military

[malterf15]

Does anyone know how Cathay Pacific feels about pilots being traditional reservists/guardsmen in the US military?
I assume they don't have "Mil Leave". Do they have anything similar?

Thanks in advance.

 

[cfdoubleeye]

Mil Leave is a federal law, if you get canned for being a reservist there are a host of veterans organizations and congressmen that will crush them.

If you want to drill or be an active reservist, have absolutely no fear about it.

 

[boxjockey]

It doesn't exactly work that way, since you are working for a HKG carrier. They do not have to give you time to be a reservist, but from what I hear, they are quite understanding.

box

 

[HoursHore]

Here's a previous discussion on the subject.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=79622

 

[Jolly Roger]

Mil Leave is a federal law, if you get canned for being a reservist there are a host of veterans organizations and congressmen that will crush them.

If you want to drill or be an active reservist, have absolutely no fear about it.

Not true. Cathay can do whatever they want, and have in the past. I had a friend who was recalled to the Navy while at Cathay, and the initial response from the CP was "I guess this is where we part ways". Of course that was during the SARS scare, and CX was asking folks to take unpaid leave. Cooler heads prevailed, and he got his job back when he returned.

The bottom line is Cathay expects that any reserve activity you undertake works around the schedule you get assigned each month. You do have some control over your monthly schedule, but nothing like the US bidding system. I am sure some day CX will implement a bidding system, but not tomorrow.

 

[rhinodriver]

There are people that do it but they have VERY flexible reserve units. As stated, they do not need to abide by US law so any reserve obligation is done strictly on your time. The people that I know of still in the reserves are all in training commands so they are pretty much non-deployers. I was told during my interview that you would simply be placed on unpaid leave if you were to deploy. In the end I decided to make a clean break and be home when I am not on a trip. That's why I got out in the first place...

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

As to whether CX is immune is debatable. US based pilots are NOT employed by Cathay, but by a subsidiary, VETA USA. If VETA USA is registered in the USA, then you may have a case.

Talk to G-1.

 

[Bjammin]

I'm in the reserves and was told to expect unpaid leave if called to active duty. I think that's a fair trade. I'm in a training command squadron so my chances of being deployed are next to nil.

I do know of a C-5 guy that got called up and subsequently "quit" Cathay. IT'S RUMOR ONLY, but I hear he didn't tell Cathay the whole truth about his involvement with the reserves and in response Cathay basically told him it would be "difficult" for him if he remained in the company after being deployed.

Bottom line, tell them what's up if you plan on staying in the reserves and, I believe, they will work with you.

If you do try to fight the system, they will bite you back, right or wrong. Is it worth the fight? If your answer is "no" then don't apply to Cathay. If your answer is "yes" don't apply thinking everything will be just ducky if you get called up.

 

[malterf15]

Thanks for the help. Makes sense to me.

 

[cfdoubleeye]

Sounds as if some vet's organizations need to be aware of thier business practices, US company or not. It isn't the company I would turn to for contract work for the US government.

 

[Bjammin]

There is a much bigger world out there then just the U.S.

Why would Cathay even be considered for US Contracts and why would Cathay want any? Hong Kong definatly isn't looking for anything from the U.S. They are doing awesome on their own, even better then when under Brit rule.

More pilots would be much happier if they opened their minds and ventured out into the realm of WORLD aviation instead of just sticking with the same old U.S. carriers. I will never have to live anywhere else then US soil and have better protections then most US pilots, definatly a better schedule and quality of life.

Remember this is coming from a 19 year military veteran who would gladly put it all on the line for Old Glory.