Cathay Pacific

[Cpt. Underpants]

CX should pay me for this...

Is hkg the only pax side pilot base? and all the U.S. bases are frieghter only?

No, we have pax bases in Australia (SYD, MEL, BNE, PER), New Zealand (AKL), Europe (CDG, FRA, LHR, FCO) and N America (YVR, YYZ, JFK, LAX and SFO). Some are also freighter bases, and ORD is exclusively a freighter base. To qualify for a base on a pax fleet (this is important stuff) you need:

• LEGAL right of abode in the country.
• Seniority to hold the base.
• The aircraft you're on has to serve the base port at least thrice weekly, and (as an example)

If you're a 777 driver and want to live in LAX, you're S.O.L. 744 flies to LAX and so you would have to transfer to the 744 (not easy, but do-able) then wait for a slot to open, then apply. If you're senior enough to hold the base, fine, if not, then wait your turn. Could take years. So you get your base on the B744, and your command slot comes up...


It will not be on the B744 - so now what? Back to HKG on the Airbus or 777, do the course, pass (maybe) and apply to go back to B744...Not easy, etc...


I've said it once, and I'll say it again. Dont come to CX if you don't see yourself living in HKG for a significant amount of time.

Is it tough to jumpseat with US airlines as a Cathay employee?

Cathay has NO jumpseat agreements with any US carrier. We are not a 135 or 121 carrier, and are not bound by US air regs. Prior to 9/11 America West, AA, UAL and SW sometimes gave J/S to guys, but not any more.


If you want to commute to a base (say, FLL to JFK) you will be operated or deadheaded into JFK and you would have to find your own way to FLL at the end of your pattern and back again to JFK at the commencement of the next...on your own nickel.

CX does have code share agreements, but you will probably have to buy tickets on fullfare or subload to get around. A word of warning: miss a flight because you were bumped on a subload ticket and CX will can you. You either need to buy a full fare confirmed (if you're leaving little room for errors) or travel way ahead of time on a sublo. I know someone who was demoted for three years (held back off command) because he delayed a JFK-YVR flight - he was travelling on subload, got on, and there was severe weather between YYZ and JFK. The flight was turned back, he arrived in JFK an hour after STD, and CX almost fired him.

Caveat emptor.

 

[avgslin]

You are the man Cpt. Underpants

All your information is right on! You should be pay for your information by CX Cpt. underpants, you are just too nice to us pilots.

I, myself is in the process of getting updated on my application. Hope to fly with you someday.

 

[vtwin]

Thanks for the info.

Capt. Underpants,

I am waiting for a start date having sucessfully interviewed last May for US based freighter. Since I don't cross paths outside of message boards with any veteran
CX pilots, I find your posts highly informative. My young son was looking over my shoulder, saw a Captain Underpants post, and reminded me he read all the books.
I thought your username was familiar...

If you know, how long is the average wait for a start date anyway?

Cheers,

vtwin

 

[House_X]

If you want accurate, up-to-date info on CX, pprune.org is the best place to obtain it. By the way, they paint an entirely different picture than what's been described here...

 

[jeff333]

pprune is a venting board. I have a few friends that flew for Cathay in the 90's and said it was a good place to work. They eventually came back to the US to fly for a major. Cathay is what you make of it. Is it a US major airline with all the flexibility in your schedule no. Is it a place that has job security yes. If anyone is interested in Cathay apply. Get the interview, get hired and give it a shot. If you don't like it you can always go somewhere else with your widebody international experience. Cathay called me for an interview 2 weeks after I started at Cactus. If I hadn't got hired at AWA I would have gone and hopefully got the job. Hong Kong is a very neat place. I am sure Cpt. Underpants would agree.

If you want accurate, up-to-date info on CX, pprune.org is the best place to obtain it. By the way, they paint an entirely different picture than what's been described here...

 

[sgu]

application

I recieved my application today! Do I hand write it or do I get it laser print by a pro except for the Hand Written portion only??

 

[jeff333]

I hand wrote mine. Just be neat.

I recieved my application today! Do I hand write it or do I get it laser print by a pro except for the Hand Written portion only??

 

[Lequip]

For those who have gotten called in for an interview, how long a period was it between emailing your resume and being sent your application? Thanks in advance for the info!

 

[sgu]

For those who have gotten called in for an interview, how long a period was it between emailing your resume and being sent your application? Thanks in advance for the info!

It has been 1 billing period since I faxed my resume, so about 4-5 weeks.

 

[Pickle]

Actually...

Cpt. Underpants said: "Cathay has NO jumpseat agreements with any US carrier. We are not a 135 or 121 carrier, and are not bound by US air regs"


ATA will take Cathay Pacific Airways jumpseaters, but the jumpseater in question must be a US certificated crewmembers. Doesn't get you any farther west than HNL, but we can get you to SFO or LAX which are Cathay cities.

 

[Cathay747400]

Really?

ATA will take us? I am a US citizen and have a US ATP. I flew DC9's/MD80's/B757/B747 etc... I still keep my US ATP current. What is the procedure at ATA and will ALL Captain's agree to this?

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

I wuz wrong m'lud...

ATA will take Cathay Pacific Airways jumpseaters, but the jumpseater in question must be a US certificated crewmembers. Doesn't get you any farther west than HNL, but we can get you to SFO or LAX which are Cathay cities.

Effing Brilliant! I stand corrected. That is fantastic. Please let us (pilots) know if there are any other carriers that will take us on the jumpseat, despite the lack of a formal agreement. I wish that CX would offer some reciprocity - that (I believe) is the main issue.

We had a chap commuting to Grand Cayman who spent years getting informal agreements in place - he had some success, but then that fateful morning in September...

 

[center]

For those who have gotten called in for an interview, how long a period was it between emailing your resume and being sent your application? Thanks in advance for the info!

For someone as Bitter and judgemental as you, as I have read in other threads, you would NOT be welcome here at all. But I assume your false courage in displaying your true personality behind anonymity as seen on this website, would be absent in an interview.

Currently time from acceptance-to training date is about 6-7 months.

Some posts on PPrune post a VERY accurate description of what life is like here.

Cheers,

 

[Lolikoka]

More Cathay Questions

Captain Underpants and Cathay747400,

Thanks for all your information - some of us really appreciate it. I've been studying CX for several months, and sent a resume two days ago. Just wanted to clarify a few points and ask you to consult your crystal ball.

(1) What are the chances of the age-55 rule being changed? Is it just to get some of the A-scalers off the property, and then it will change?
(2) Heard somewhere that the freight guys can stay till 60 - true?
(3) Is the medical plan good? Some specifics would be helpful, but I understand this varies by COS, base, etc. No dental plan?
(4) Pay: Understand its "salary" vice "hourly" - correct? I assume it doesn't vary by schedule then.
(5) Vacation: Do you bid for vacation or does the company assign it? Does it affect your pay or do you still receive your regular salary? Is it spaced out throughout the year?
(6) Expatriate benefits for Hong Kong base: understanding that benefits are at company discretion; did these benefits go away during the tough times of SARS and 9/11?
(7) Reserve: How does reserve work? How long?
(8) Military duty: Saw on a previous thread that Red China doesn't appear to be particularly helpful for the guys serving in the US Reserves (Honestly can't blame them). Would CX fire you if you got mobilized to go to Iraq, etc? Should I leave the Marine Corps reserve or find a way to lay low?
(9) Taxes: flat 16 percent to Hong Kong - and no US taxes until over 70K or so?
(10) Hong Kong: can an F/O, wife, and two kids afford to eat and live there?
Sounds like fun - my family is up for adventure.

Sorry for all the questions - just want to know a bit more than I've been able to find in case I get the call. Appreciate all your efforts to answer the questions posed.
Thank you.
Semper Fi

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

CX Stuff

Lolikoka



Slow day in HKG, so I'll try some answers:

1. Age 55 rule. It is going - the DFO mentioned it on his last update, all they're trying to figure out is how badly some want to stay. As a matter of interest, the youngest "A" scaler has 15 years to go...
2. When the intensely disliked ASL was formed, their (ASL) retirement was age 60. Reason was when CX shook the pilot tree (to form ASL) in the USA, a bunch of ex-Eastern blokes fell out. They were all pretty much into their 50's and CX wanted some time from them before they retired. CX integrated the ASL list into the CX list on Jan 1 2000. There have been no ASL hires since then, and only the few that opted not to go onto the CX list (a one-off) will retire at age 60.
3. No dental plan. Medical plan varies from base to base, but is more or less inadequate. You will need a private plan if you want to live in the USA.
4. It's not "salary" but there is a guaranteed minimum of 84 hours stick time. It's too complex to get into right now, but there are varying levels of credit hours multiplyers dependant on how hard the flying is. Overtime (on an exponential scale) is paid after 84 hours. Hit 102 hours and you're getting twice your salary. It happens, but it's rare.
5. Vacation is bid for on a points basis. Some times cost you points (Summer holidays, school holidays, Christmas, etc.) some accumulate points (March - June) etc. Salary is full pay during vacation. You receive 42 days annually, and can bid it however you please. You're a fool if you take 1 - weekly blocks because the wiley characters in Crew Scheduling will use your leave to give you rest.
6. Benefits stayed in full during all the "trying times".
7. Reserve will be (from Jan 1 2005) 30 days annually. No "reserve blocks" or freedom from reserve if you're senior - everyone does it. (P1sses me right off).
8. USMC Reserve duties? You're kidding, right...RIGHT? I would think your chances of keeping a job after the laughing from the third floor (flight ops management) has died down would be about the same as peace in Iraq.
9. Yes.
10. Yes. Definately.

Good luck.