Cathay Pacific

[ToiletDuck]

What's everyone opinions on being an SO there? Is it a deadend career move?

 

[ackattacker]

Only if you think 747 Captain on the worlds #1 ranked carrier is a dead end.

Seriously, what are you holding out for, that NASA Shuttle Pilot slot?

SO's at Cathay get a seniority number just like anybody else and eventually upgrade to Junior FO, FO, and Captain.

 

[ToiletDuck]

Well i'm sure it's one hell of a long shot. I do meet their requirements. They just want 1k hrs and an ATP written ect. I'm at 1800hrs. I figured I'd just place an application and see what happens. I didn't know if it was one of those "promise" programs like gulfstream you see out there where you were hired but never really planned on being moved up the ladder.

 

[ToiletDuck]

On another note I did fly the Shuttle Sim at NASA. Cool but not too impressed

 

[ackattacker]

Well i'm sure it's one hell of a long shot. I do meet their requirements. They just want 1k hrs and an ATP written ect. I'm at 1800hrs. I figured I'd just place an application and see what happens. I didn't know if it was one of those "promise" programs like gulfstream you see out there where you were hired but never really planned on being moved up the ladder.

Put in your application. You are correct that you are not likely to get called with your times but you never know. I think competitive is over 3K hours right now, with some turbine time.

I got the call for an SO interview just a few weeks ago. (interview at the end of March). I currently have about 3900 hours and 1300 turbine, with most of that PIC.

If you are truly interested you should browse over at pprune.org in the "Fragrant Harbour" section. The SO job at Cathay is nothing like Gulfstream. It is a very selective interview. If you get hired at Cathay it should be the last stop on your career ladder, although you should be prepared to move to Hong Kong.

 

[dojetdriver]

Well i'm sure it's one hell of a long shot. I do meet their requirements. They just want 1k hrs and an ATP written ect. I'm at 1800hrs. I figured I'd just place an application and see what happens. I didn't know if it was one of those "promise" programs like gulfstream you see out there where you were hired but never really planned on being moved up the ladder.

Take it for what its worth. Two friends of mine who were hired as DEFO's said that the competive mins for SO were WAY higher than what you have, as well as the published mins. More like 3-4000 with ALOT of turbine SIC.

Good luck applying. If they call you, great, you scored. You win and can rub it in all our faces.

However, if you do get hired, don't bring your backpack on the overnight. Breakdown and buy an ACTUAL roller bag. You won't look like such a doosh.

 

[TX_DFW]

I just finished the SO process in JAN, currently waiting for a class this summer
4300 total
1000PIC turbine
2000SIC jet

 

[ToiletDuck]

Take it for what its worth. Two friends of mine who were hired as DEFO's said that the competive mins for SO were WAY higher than what you have, as well as the published mins. More like 3-4000 with ALOT of turbine SIC.

Good luck applying. If they call you, great, you scored. You win and can rub it in all our faces.

However, if you do get hired, don't bring your backpack on the overnight. Breakdown and buy an ACTUAL roller bag. You won't look like such a doosh.

I said it was a long shot but doesn't hurt to place. More or less wondering about the program. And stop with the backpack bit you don't know what you're talking about. If you read anything prior to posting you'd see that.

PS Nice spelling. 2yr tech degree for the win?

 

[Joblio]

FYI, I was just accepted as a DESO, 3100TT, 1500 Turboprop PIC. About 1000 of that is multi-crew time.

 

[dojetdriver]

I said it was a long shot but doesn't hurt to place. More or less wondering about the program. And stop with the backpack bit you don't know what you're talking about. If you read anything prior to posting you'd see that.

PS Nice spelling. 2yr tech degree for the win?

You are right, I don't know what I'm talking about with the backpack. After all, I was an "idiot" as you say for buying a PNS bag. I should be smart like you and buy a backpack for the overnights.

 

[ToiletDuck]

You are right, I don't know what I'm talking about with the backpack. After all, I was an "idiot" as you say for buying a PNS bag. I should be smart like you and buy a backpack for the overnights.

Where are you coming up with this backpack bit? I said I use one when I travel to carry random things and I have several bags. Yes paying $300 for a roller bag is dumb when you only make $20k to start with.

 

[boxjockey]

Yes but I can attest that the PNS bag will last you for a long time, and you don't have to worry about it falling apart at the most inopportune time, like pulling it through Mexico City on your way to the hotel :angryfire. As far as SO at Cathay. I have been here for a little over three months now. This month I worked 13 days. Next month I work 13 days. Most of my trips start on the night of the first day and are back on the morning of the fourth day. I make 30% more than I did as a captain in the US at a great regional. We are planning to increase our fleet by 43% in the next three years. If you come in and do your job, keep your head low, and stay away from the politics, I think it can be a very rewarding job. Plan on living in HKG for a while. Definitely not a bad thing at all. Put in your application. Do some research. I definitely think your post is a little ignorant if you are comparing us to Gulfstream. Good luck.

box

 

[hyeflyin]

Is it possible to commute from LAX to HKG for the SO position? I know its a long commute, but does the company have any restrictions? If not how soon would you be able to get a U.S. base, specifically LAX? Thanks in advance.

 

[ToiletDuck]

I definitely think your post is a little ignorant if you are comparing us to Gulfstream. Good luck.

box

I didn't compare you to anything. I ASKED if it was like that. I have no idea that's why I'm here asking. There are many places that look good on the surface then you find out something completely different. That's why I came here in hopes of finding out from someone that worked there. So thanks for th info. When I get my time I shoot an application over. 2000hrs where most of it is flight instruction doesn't seem to do the job just yet.

However how are you on the internet on american sites being in Honkong? I thought China limited all that stuff. I know they try not to change HK but just wondering.

 

[Little Bubba]

However how are you on the internet on american sites being in Honkong? I thought China limited all that stuff. I know they try not to change HK but just wondering.

Don't tell anyone, but there is a secret internet cafe in the basement right next to "Strawberries". All americans go there to get on american sites. I even heard of guy that managed to get on "playboy. com"...

 

[ToiletDuck]

Well china did ban google and youtube in the past.

 

[IFlyLow]

Well china did ban google and youtube in the past.

I think before you make a fool out of yourself even more, do a little research on what the HK SAR really is.

 

[ToiletDuck]

I think before you make a fool out of yourself even more, do a little research on what the HK SAR really is.

I know what the HK SAR is I was there when it switched over.

Lighten up Francis.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

How junior is FO in ANC? Is 1900 TT 1700 Tubine SIC competitive?

 

[fareview]

Gents,

you can do far worse (and perhaps in a couple of places better) than a career at CX.

if you want to get a sense of where Cathay are going in the next ten years..go to www.flightglobal.com and read the interview from the head honco...

good luck

respectfully,

fareview