Cathay Pacific

[Cpt. Underpants]

"hotac"

= Hotel Accomodation. Always good, the only exception is in LHR, at a miserable hotel at the airport. Fortunately, there is a complimentary shuttle to the City and some nice towns are a short busride away.

what are the skeds like on the short-haul AC (A330 & 777)

Short Haul is relative. We fly up to 9:30 on a single leg on the A330 (HKG-MEL) and the 777 flies up to 8:00 (HKG-DBX). Most of the 'Bus Drivers are CCQ'd - flying the A330/A340/A340-600 on the same ticket, and sometimes on the same day. Average days off, about 12-14 on the 777/Airbus, sometimes up to 5 consecutive. Depends on how much flying you're doing and the type of credit hours you're accumulating. Guaranteed minimum is 84 hours, and scheduling often get most pilots up to 83:55 on a regular basis.

How to apply?

http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/careers/paths/0,,86808,00.html

It also says "all direct entry pilots are employed on the freighter fleet". But I understand some newhires are on the pax fleet?

Yes and no. D-E F/O's to the freighter (all based outside of HKG) S/O's (not FE-P's) - inflight cruise pilots or Designated Eater/Capt's Sexual Advisor/Seat Warmer etc. - B744 or A340, HKG based.

 

[propjob27]

Underpants:

Are most of the captains, FOs, Junior FOs Asian? As a white guy in a subordinate position, how is it flying with a different culture like that?

Thanks!

 

[On Your Six]

I hear that CX is very multicultural with a lot of Australians and Americans/Canadians. Like Emirates, you'll find people from all backgrounds and countries. I assume the freighter operation is quite Caucasian given that its bases are located in the US/Canada and UK/France. I hear nobody wants to fly with the dirty French though.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

Only about 10% of the pilot group is Asian. Most local Chinese are not interested in aviation as a career path. There is no "aviation culture" here, and there is much more money to be made outside flying. Some ex-cadets (CX has a cadet program) have quit CX to get into business.

I am a Captain and have never flown in a "subordinate" position with any of our Asian crew, but I have flown with many Asian S/O's and F/O's. They are trained to the same standards as every one else. You should know that most of our Chinese pilots were raised in Hong Kong during the "colonial" era, and received all English type schooling or were schooled abroad. For most, there is no cultural gap.

I don't make a habit of taking straw polls on the flightdeck but I have never heard anything negative from any of our F/O's etc., on flying with Chinese Captains.

6's assumption on the make-up of the freighter fleet is accurate.

May I suggest that if you have any reservations about flying with Chinese/Asians, then CX is not for you. There is no place for xenophobia or racism here.

 

[propjob27]

My question was not meant to be a "racist" one. Thanks for the answer.

Another question. Do you lose your USA ATP when you "transfer" to your ICAO ATPL? Or do you simply get a completely new ATP as well as keep your old one?

Thanks.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

You keep the ATP subject to all the recency (currency) and medical requirements, as you would back home. The Hong Kong ATPL is issued on the strength of a current ICAO ATP (US Qualifies) but requires the candidate to write and pass a couple of subjects on the syllabus of the Hong Kong ATPL - like Hong Kong Air Law.


Consider yourself lucky - when I arrived in Hong Kong we were required to write and pass the UK CAA exams - considered by many to be the equivalent of writing final exams on a four year science degree. Ah, the good old days...men were men, sheep were frightened, gay meant "happy" and women were double-breasted...

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

Cpt. Underpants,

Got any info on the second officer payscales.

Thanks.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

Sorry, I don't really know, but USD45000 basic rings a bell. There are also housing and education (for the rats) allowances, 13th month, profit share etc, etc. I believe it all tops out at about USD60 000. (USD = US Dollars). Taxes are a flat 16%. Takes 10 minutes to complete a tax return, .40c to mail it in. No H&R Block offices here.

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

Cpt. Underpants,

Thanks for your info.

 

[Creamer]

Commuting to HK from ANC?

Capt Underpants,

I'm currently looking for a career airline and I really like what I've read about CX. Thanks for the excellent info you have given us. Here is my question. Is it feasible to commute from ANC to HK if forced to be based in HK? Is ANC a junior cargo hub? Anchorage is where I'd like to put the anchor out.

What is the hiring outlook for CX? Thanks.

 

[propjob27]

Underpants:

Do you happen to know if its better to email the Resmue to [email protected] , or to send a hard copy to the address on the website?

Is there someone specific to address a cover letter to?

Thanks.

 

[toad572]

Just email it

Hi emailed my resume last year with no cover letter. Just typed a few words on the email to them and attached the resume to it. Got the app. 4 weeks later. Just got the call to expect Phase II some time early next year, so I'd say just email it and save the postage. Good Luck.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

Hi Creamer

Sorry about the delay - been out flying. A HKG-ANC vv commute is not feasable at the moment. It would have been pre-9/11 but all the Inland Security B-S has CX staging HKG-YYZ vv (Toronto) through YVR (Vancouver) instead. I don't see it changing soon, especially as ANC is only a freighter base at the moment. You could always try for the freighter operation, but sooner or later you'll have to spend time in HKG.

As I have said in the past, if you can't see yourself living in HKG for a significant part of your career, then maybe CX isn't for you.

 

[cole]

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

Thanks

 

[Jetdriver69]

Jump seating

Is it tough to jumpseat with US airlines as a Cathay employee? I have my first interview 13 Sept and really don't want to move to Chicago if I get that far in the hiring process. I read that AA has a code share agreement with Cathay, but does that extend to commuting pilots. Thanks

jet