Cathay Pacific

[Lear70]

Lear 70,

Thanks. Unfortunately you can't roll the TSP (military "401K" plan) into a Roth; only into a traditional IRA or a company 401K, 403a or b, or 457b. Was really trying to ascertain how Cathay's plan worked under the US rules and if any ex military guys have used their plan and rolled over the TSP.

r,
265

Sorry, misunderstood what you meant.

Good luck to ya',,,

 

[VVJM265]

Thanks. Been in the books all days.

 

[Bjammin]

Unfortunatly I don't know about the 401K/TSP thing. I have never been good at saving money. I plan on setting up a Roth IRA and investing with my 15.5%. There's a guy in Hong Kong that ensures 12.5% annual return, but ONLY 12.5% he keeps any extra money made, interesting concept. Any thoughts on this from any money makers out there?

 

[rhinodriver]

There's a guy in Hong Kong that ensures 12.5% annual return...

Do you get to break his kneecaps if he comes in at 12%?

 

[Bjammin]

He'll make up any difference with his own money. Kinda cool.

But again, anything he makes more then 12.5%, he keeps.

Sounds like a win/win.

 

[SMOOTHRIDE]

B Jammin

BJammin;


Tried PM, don't know if it worked or not (made a couple attempts)...


Matt

 

[Bjammin]

Didn't get them. Don't know why

 

[SMOOTHRIDE]

Roger that, I'll try again.

Must be a login thing...

--Matt

 

["#9"]

Met CX at Air Inc fair (DAL) Jan '05.

App in March '05
Offered interview in NYC for Jun '05
Invited to HK for final interview Nov '05

Job offer Dec '05

Knew no one there but studied my rear end off for all the interviews. Semed to go well, but very challenging!!

 

[SMOOTHRIDE]

Congrats!!

Congrats #9!!

Any other intel to share?

Thoughts/things you noticed that were noteworthy?

 

[Birddog]

I have a few of the recommended books for the interview that I would be willing to sell. My interview did not go well so I won't be needing them. I have Syd's Pirates, Beyond Lion's Rock, Handling the Big Jets (older edition), and I think I have a Fly The Wing around somewhere. PM me if you are interested. Good luck to all.

 

[VVJM265]

Birddog,

Sorry to hear that. Would you care to share a little more insight, lessons learned, etc on your CX interview? Thanks in advance and best of luck with the next effort, whoever that might be with.

r,
VVJM265

 

[RP 04]

Birddog,

Why not try again? it took me 2 attempts...

 

[Birddog]

First, the two gentlemen who did my interview were very good at not giving any feed back. I came away from the event slightly optimistic, so I obviously misread it.

As far as I can figure, there are two possible areas where I fell down.

1. The written test. It was not exceptionally hard, but perhaps I completely bombed it. I am not sure where the questions were collected from, but I suspect it may have been from the JAA ATP tests. If I recall correctly there were about 30 questions. A couple of the ones I remember are, "If the pressure rises 8 millibars how much does the pressure altitude change?" "What is the weight of an Imperial gallon of Jet-A?"

2. There were a couple of technical questions in the interpersonal interview which it took me a longer than it should have to work out. One of these was,
"How to shorten the required runway without sacrificing payload when accelerate stop distance is limiting?" After some prompting the answer I came to was to reduce V1 to achieve balanced field. In order to adjust V1 sufficently, you may used reduced thrust in order to lower Vmcg. To arrive there probably took more time and prompting than they cared for. There were a couple more questions like that one.

Other impressions. I probably arrived too early. I interviewed in NY, and left myself plenty of time to get to the interview. I arrived at the office almost 15 minutes early, and, since I was the first interview of the day, found myself riding up the elevator with the two gentlemen who I was going to be grilled by. They also asked me a question about the weather in Hong Kong, and while I knew the answer, I did not elaborate as much as I should have. Perhaps this gave the impression that I did not know as much as I should. I was trying to follow the golden interview rules of 1. Be Polite. 2. Be concise. 3. Never miss an opportunity to shut up and let them talk. I may have taken those last two too far leaving a colder impression than I should have.

It is impossible to overstudy for this event. They will have a tech file on your current aircraft an will ask you detailed questions about it, right down to the thrust rating from then engine and the main gear tire pressure. For the personal questions, page through your log book and try to remember good anecdotes from a variety of situations, but avoid preparing canned responses as they will pick up on this right away. Be completely honest. You might be asked some fairly probing questions about you and your family. Don't make the situation awkward. Finally, don't give the impression that you just woke up yesterday and decided you wanted to work for Cathay. I think they want this to be a carefully considered idea and something you have spent some time researching.

The letter I recieved indicated I was not eligible to re-apply. It was a tough pill to swallow. To all who attempt I wish you best of luck. I still think it is an outstanding company and came away from the process more impressed than ever with them.

 

[fareview]

First, the two gentlemen who did my interview were very good at not giving any feed back. I came away from the event slightly optimistic, so I obviously misread it.

As far as I can figure, there are two possible areas where I fell down.

1. The written test. It was not exceptionally hard, but perhaps I completely bombed it. I am not sure where the questions were collected from, but I suspect it may have been from the JAA ATP tests. If I recall correctly there were about 30 questions. A couple of the ones I remember are, "If the pressure rises 8 millibars how much does the pressure altitude change?" "What is the weight of an Imperial gallon of Jet-A?"

2. There were a couple of technical questions in the interpersonal interview which it took me a longer than it should have to work out. One of these was,
"How to shorten the required runway without sacrificing payload when accelerate stop distance is limiting?" After some prompting the answer I came to was to reduce V1 to achieve balanced field. In order to adjust V1 sufficently, you may used reduced thrust in order to lower Vmcg. To arrive there probably took more time and prompting than they cared for. There were a couple more questions like that one.

Other impressions. I probably arrived too early. I interviewed in NY, and left myself plenty of time to get to the interview. I arrived at the office almost 15 minutes early, and, since I was the first interview of the day, found myself riding up the elevator with the two gentlemen who I was going to be grilled by. They also asked me a question about the weather in Hong Kong, and while I knew the answer, I did not elaborate as much as I should have. Perhaps this gave the impression that I did not know as much as I should. I was trying to follow the golden interview rules of 1. Be Polite. 2. Be concise. 3. Never miss an opportunity to shut up and let them talk. I may have taken those last two too far leaving a colder impression than I should have.

It is impossible to overstudy for this event. They will have a tech file on your current aircraft an will ask you detailed questions about it, right down to the thrust rating from then engine and the main gear tire pressure. For the personal questions, page through your log book and try to remember good anecdotes from a variety of situations, but avoid preparing canned responses as they will pick up on this right away. Be completely honest. You might be asked some fairly probing questions about you and your family. Don't make the situation awkward. Finally, don't give the impression that you just woke up yesterday and decided you wanted to work for Cathay. I think they want this to be a carefully considered idea and something you have spent some time researching.

The letter I recieved indicated I was not eligible to re-apply. It was a tough pill to swallow. To all who attempt I wish you best of luck. I still think it is an outstanding company and came away from the process more impressed than ever with them.

Birddog,

Well done on giving such an honest and complete post. I am sure your feedback will help many a young 'un go further.

One of the finest gentleman I know went through the process twice and did not get it. He was crushed. There are a lot of good people who went through the gaunlet without success - no shame.

He is now with another excellent expat carrier and could'nt be happier.

Never give up.

Good on ya.

fv

 

[Lear70]

I agree... EXCELLENT self-analysis as well as thoughts on the technical interview.

I just sent my email back to the hiring department of "Thanks for the interview call, but no thanks, I'm happy where I am". I haven't received anything back.

Just remember, everything happens for a reason. I didn't get picked up by Southwest and it's been almost two years and no 2nd interview, probably because a previous employer who I had a run-in with was called by someone he knew on the hiring board and took the opportunity to personally torpedo me.

Now I'm with a carrier that is, as far as I'm concerned, a better fit for me. Fun, but not quite as laid back as Southwest, with a better product (IMHO).

Don't be too hard on yourself, sounds like you knew a lot more than I do technically and this is my 5th jet. It will just prepare you that much more for the next interview!

Good luck to you!

 

[Birddog]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. Hopefully someone can use this info to thier benefit.

 

[boxjockey]

BirdDog,

Sorry to hear the bad news. I know how hard you worked to prepare for the interview. The CX interview process is the most challenging thing I have ever endured. I first applied in April 05, updated in June, first interview in November 05, second interview in May 05, now just waiting on the class date. There is a wealth of information on PPrune, especially look for the gouge that was put together by an interviewee back in '02 I think. Very good stuff in there. About 150 pages worth of info. I used this exclusively for the first interview, and most questions I encountered were in the gouge. For the second interview I used Handling the Big Jets by D.P. Davies, Ace the Technical Pilot Interview by Gary Bristow, and the gouge. Most questions I encountered during the second interview were from theses sources. There are a lot of different small tests during the second interview, but as far as I understand it the sim eval counts for about 60% of your total grade, followed by the face-to-face interview. I had the 744 sim, and chose not to do a prep, as I'm flying a glass cockpit jet now. When I arrived, I learned that everyone else I interviewed with had done a prep!!! I believe that most of the time the eval is in the 742 sim. My biggest suggestion would be study hard for the sim profile, and if it is to be in the 742, and you're not used to round dials, get a good sim prep. This is what will make or break you, so invest as much time and effort as you can into the sim. I feel very fortunate to get the job, as all of the canidates I interviewed with were top class. If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to answer them as best I can.

Box :beer:

 

[VVJM265]

Birddog,

Great feedback. All of us about to undergo this "gauntlet" appreciate your candor.

Again, best of luck with your next effort, whereever that may be!
265

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

Cathay buys Dragonair lock, stock and barrel:

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/06/08/cathay.dragonair.reut/index.html

Interesting times ahead...

 

[rhinodriver]

It's True!

http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/aboutcx/press/0,,31342-141126,00.html

 

[Mayday911]

Cathay Pacific and Air China said they planned to set up a jointly owned cargo airline based in Shanghai, to be held 51 percent by Air China and 49 percent by Cathay. Quoted from CNN article.

How would one read into this little tidbit?

Mayday

 

[rhinodriver]

That maybe I should be taking Chinese lessons...