Cathy Interviewing in the US next month

[Bjammin]

LAX isn't all that senior. My buddy got LAX as his first base in the PAX fleet after flying 3 years on cargo. I don't know what the schedule is like but my buddy only worked an average of 13days/month.
I'm tyring to do reserves as well. At the interview they said I needed the chief pilot's permission. My buddy did the reserves and It did not seem to be a problem. Our reserve unit is EXTREAMLY flexible though.

 

[General Lee]

Do you only do LAX-ANC-HGK, or do you do other routes?


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[center]

but you only work an average of 13 days per month.

That is very interesting to hear. What company is it? It sure is not CX. Sure I get that some months, but average, not a chance. I would say about 15-16.

 

[psysicx]

Thats still not bad?How long are upgrades on the cargo side and what aircraft are based at LAX on the pax side.And is it possible to be in the reserves?

 

[MED]

holy cow.. 5 bux!! you know what you can get for 5 bux in bkk?!


Yeah, hepatitis, HIV, malaria, etc.etc.

 

[MED]

Thats still not bad?How long are upgrades on the cargo side and what aircraft are based at LAX on the pax side.And is it possible to be in the reserves?

You can't fly for CX and be in the reserves, they are foreign carrier, why woulld they care about US reserves?

 

[Bjammin]

My buddy who was with Cahay for over 3 years based out of LAX on the 747-400F was also a reservist in my Navy Squadron in Kingsville, TX. He did it just fine and he lived in Phoenix, a double commute!!
I think you just need premission from the chief pilot to do it and not have it interfere with your job.


By the way, Cathay Pacfic is owend by a British company called The Swire Group. The Chinese have some interest, but little.

 

[Bjammin]

I'm sorry, Cathay not Cahay. I always do that.

 

[center]

By the way, Cathay Pacfic is owend by a British company called The Swire Group. The Chinese have some interest, but little.

That is a totally incorrect statement.

Swire owns less than 45 %. CITIC (China government investment vehicle), CNAC, CTS, which are all Chinese companies, as well as pivate Chinese family investments, and Chinese issued stock make up the majority of the ownership. Cathay at one time was a Britsh owned and run company. It has not been for quite some time now. 1997 to be exact.

I guess this information did not come up at either of your interviews.

 

[Bjammin]

Sorry Center, I read that in a company letter somewhere.

By the way are you happy with the company? So far I can't tell, but seem a little bitter.
I have read ALL of your posts because you work for the company i'm about to devote my life to and I wanted to get an idea of the type of people that work there.
A little about me.
I have wanted to be an airline pilot all my life and am EXTREAMLY excited about working for what seems to be such an awsome company. I studied very hard for the interview and am humble in my acceptence.
Even though I am prior military and have fought for my country over Iraq, I am not a huge pro-american, or right wing pig. I love the US and will defend her in any debate, but realize that America is not the "Beat all, end all of countries". I will listlen and try to understand any point of view.
I have traveled the world as the son of a Delta pilot and have seen many people hate me because of my nationality. I have heard chants of a thousand people out my hotel window of
"DOWN, DOWN USA! How many babies are you going to kill today!"
So far I have not seen that behavior at Cathay, but have heard many rumors. Can you put some light on that?
I don't have the best information on the company, but will try my best to get the information correct and get it to the people that ask for it. Obvously you have more info, but if you don't answer these questions , I will to the best of my ability.
You have only disputed my info, and rightly so, but when are you going to give me some useful advice, or welcome me to the company.
Please PM me so we can talk. I'm sure you want to find out more about the future people of your airline and I'm sure I can learn a ton from you.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

OK, before I start, I can't answer any questions re the freighters. I don't fly them and haven't wanted to fly them since ASL was created. Besides, I am on the Bus (340/330) and a HKG based "A"-scaler (where the money is). Flying the freighter is all outside of HKG and significantly less remunerated than any HKG based pax fleet pay.

• Reserves. No, CX does not care BUT THEY WILL NOT HONOUR ANY RESERVE COMMITMENTS THAT YOU HAVE. They are not obliged to, and receive no tax breaks if they do (as US companies do). If you want to stay active in the reserves, that's all on your own time (days off). CX will NOT schedule you days off in order for you to meet your reserve duties.
• Jumpseating. In your dreams. You have to hold at least an ID 90 ticket and can only jumpseat on non-training CX PAX flights. You need to ask ahead of time, and receive the approval of the captain(s) of the sector(s) involved. EG, HKG-YYZ requires two approvals, one for HKG-ANC, the next for ANC-YYZ.
• Bases. US bases on the freighter are JFK, ORD and LAX. Pax bases at JFK, SFO and LAX.

Hope that this gen is useful.

Cheers

Undies.

 

[center]

I am not any more bitter than any other pilot here, or anywhere. (Dry Humour)

But if a prospective candidate at a CX inteview, (who read your statement indicating that Cathay is not really a Chinese, but British airline) decided they were going to re-hash that statement, they would most definately be shown the exit in an expidited manner. Possibily with a security escort depending on who was conducting the assement.

Cathay is a Chinese airline based in China. Hong Kong is part of China. This is a part of the job. If someone has issues with working for the Chinese, then this is not the company for them. To work here, you must be open to ALL sorts of backrounds; ethnic AND aviation wise. Your life at this company is governed by your performance, and your attitide. Seniority does not control all aspects like in US companies.

The pilot group here is one of the best, and I say that not because they can fly perfect ILS's, but because they are good people who are open well rounded individuals. If you are looking forward to joining an environment filled with some wonderfull talented individuals, albeit not a perfect company, then I welcome you. As will everone else.

See you at the pub!!

Feel free to PM me.
My Hello Kity city friend Capt Underpants has a wealth of knowledge as well.

 

[Bjammin]

Thanks guys,

Now thats some information I can use.
I want to stay in the reserves so long as it does not interfere with my Cathay job. The moment I see a problem, the reserves lose big time. I have 5 years to go before I can get a reserve retirement and would like to try to get it, but if not, no big deal.
I truly thought Cathay was owned mostly by the Swire Group. I am sorry for misleading everyone.
I look forward to working with any culture as long as they don't treat me with disrespect because of my nationality. I am a very open to learning the ways of Cathay and will tote the company line gladly. I could tell by the interview after party that Cathay has some great social characters in it, and if the hiring guys can throw down like that, I can't wait to see what line pilots can do.
I look very much forward to my Cathay carrer and hope we can all meet at Dakota's for a pint.

 

[b757driver]

Just curious. I got an application from them last month from a job fair. Although their literature does not give a hint of an age limit, since this is not a US company, do they have an actual age limit? here do they interview in the US? NYC & LAX? And do they provide transportation and accommodation during the selection procedure or is that the candidates' responsibility?
Just trying to make an informed decision before I put pen to paper! Thanks

 

[Bjammin]

I believe the age limit is 46, but over to Capt. U or center on that one.
Their first interview is either in NYC, LAX, or SFO and they pay for zilch. The 2nd , should you be asked, is in Hong Kong. They will pay for your ticket from a Cathay Point of Origin to HK, for your room during the 2 day interview, and give you per diem. It's a sweet deal.
Put the pen to paper, I think you will like what you find.

 

[BigShotXJTdrvr]

What is the tax situation for a U.S. citizen on income earned working for Cathay?

 

[Bjammin]

When you are hired and working in the states, you actualy don't work for Cathay Pacific directly, but for a company called USA Basing Limited so you pay the regular income tax just like everyone else and not the Hong Kong tax.
If you move to HK then you will be an employee of Cathay Pacific and will pay the much more resonable Hong Kong flat fee tax of I think around 16%.

 

[Spooky 1]

Sorry if this is just a little of the subject but for those who are intersted in the history of Cathay, they should for a book call "Beyond Lion Rock". Sorry I do not have the publisher or authors name. It can be found in any number of loactions if you are in HKG. Fairly large paperback with balck and white photos of some of the original aircraft and pilots.

Interesting that the original founders and pilots were Americans, and their first airplane (C47/DC3) came out of Agusta, GA. Very good read and would give the new applicant some historic background on this great company.

Maybe some of the Cathay guys can direct you to a better source for obtaining this book. I would not be suprised if it was not avaialble at the aviation books stores up in Vancouver or Toronto.

 

[blade230]

Actually I believe it was one Australian (Kantzow), and one American (Farrel) who started Cathay.

 

[Spooky 1]

Actually I believe it was one Australian (Kantzow), and one American (Farrel) who started Cathay.

I stand corrected. I think Farrel was from Texas? Its been along time since I read the book.