Cathy Pacific questions

[Fly-By-Cable]

Just wondering if cathy guys and gals can shed a little light on a few issues.

What are competitve mins?
Cass? any off line non-rev?
US Jr assigned bases? Freight or cargo?
What aircraft 200/400?

and in general are you happy?

Thanks alot for any info. I'm really interested in CX but can't seem to find alot about them.

 

[i'mbatman]

do a search here or on pprune and you'll find all your answers....you'll have plenty of time to research since it was announced they are asking for unpaid leave from flight crews and NO hiring for SO and FO in 2009.

 

[Bjammin]

Unfortunatly, we are going through tough times like everyone else, but we will come out the back end better then most.

I LOVE it here. Was on the freighter for 3 years and have been on the PAX -400 for a number of months now.

ID-90's on Amercian and many foreign carriers.

Unified pay scale means you can fly almost any aircraft and be based at any base in North America.
LAX, ORD, ATL, JFK, SFO, and maybe some day DFW and MIA.

Don't trust PPRUNE, it is full with a bunch of ninnies.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

thanks. I have heard that a min of 3 years is required on the freighter -200 before they let you go to pax. JFK is a pax base isn't it? That's what I would be hoping for. Also how are they about 121 PIC? I know the mins don't require it but it seems hard to imagine that anything but would be competative. thanks for the info

 

[Bjammin]

The freighter contract no longer exsists. You can start on any fleet at any base. It was on the -400 and was actually not a bad gig. Now it is one unified pay scale, which is actually more stable and allows for more options. The 1st year pay went up quite a bit, but you don't get the big bump like we did when you move to the PAX fleet. The scales are about equal over a 10 year period.
As far as PIC goes it seems to vary depending on your background. I have no idea what competitive hours for a civilian are, but looking at your profile you look to be in good shape.
JFK is, I think, freighter only for now, but will be also a PAX base for the 777 very soon, if it isn't already.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

The profile is actually my brothers account, i'm just using it for this one question. I'm an rj fo, have the jet time just won't upgrade for years, like everyone else. But the thing is I have no interest in any US major due to how terrible work conditions and pay has gotten. And US majors and certain cargo are the ones that typically require 121 pic. Don't get me wrong i don't have a problem paying dues to get to where I wanna go, I just don't wanna go anywhere but Cathy. I think i'll wait til i get another 1000 jet before appling at CX, maybe that will help me become a little more competative. By then maybe things will be getting better for you guys too. Thanks again for the info

 

[Sioux115]

There has been lots of RJ FO's hired recently, including me. If you have the mins. definatley apply now and keep updating because who knows what will be competitive when the interviews start again. When I started the process I had 4000tt and 2500 Rj and at that time I was interviewing for an FO spot. During the rest of the process several airlines went TU and the competitive mins shot up over night. Its all about timing.

 

[CommanderHoek]

Hate to disagree again

Um, I do not like to flame so I won't. CX is not that great. In fact from what I understand it is a mess. Many crew are taking the company to court. Direct entry Captain's, Direct Entry FO's on bases current FO's want, no upgrades for SO's, many different contracts etc...It is getting very ugly and the pilot's union at CX has had enough. I am sorry to you Bjammin and glad that you are happy but their are MANY that are very upset.

 

[fareview]

The profile is actually my brothers account, i'm just using it for this one question. I'm an rj fo, have the jet time just won't upgrade for years, like everyone else. But the thing is I have no interest in any US major due to how terrible work conditions and pay has gotten. And US majors and certain cargo are the ones that typically require 121 pic. Don't get me wrong i don't have a problem paying dues to get to where I wanna go, I just don't wanna go anywhere but Cathy. I think i'll wait til i get another 1000 jet before appling at CX, maybe that will help me become a little more competative. By then maybe things will be getting better for you guys too. Thanks again for the info

Your singular mission of getting on with CX is admirable. You continue however to spell it CATHY ...might want look into that.

fv

 

[MED]

Um, I do not like to flame so I won't. CX is not that great. In fact from what I understand it is a mess. Many crew are taking the company to court. Direct entry Captain's, Direct Entry FO's on bases current FO's want, no upgrades for SO's, many different contracts etc...It is getting very ugly and the pilot's union at CX has had enough. I am sorry to you Bjammin and glad that you are happy but their are MANY that are very upset.

I agree with this fellow 100%

 

[RemoveB4Flght]

I have worked two different airlines that had I would have skipped if I had followed the opinion of either

1) those working there who are disgruntled, or

2) those who have never worked there and are solely basing their opinions off things that they have heard "from a buddy" or read on forums or other sites.

I had overall great experiences with both, yes there were days, but I didn't spend my days peeing vinegar becuase I was juniored, or my drop request didn't get approved.

I don't care where you are, or who you're flying for, there will always be unhappy people. This is true of any industry. Some people advance and have a great experience, while others flounder in misery.

All I am saying is that if that's exactly what this guy wants... he might find himself happy there regardless of the conditions that others seem to avoid.

 

[Bjammin]

Um, I do not like to flame so I won't. CX is not that great. In fact from what I understand it is a mess. Many crew are taking the company to court. Direct entry Captain's, Direct Entry FO's on bases current FO's want, no upgrades for SO's, many different contracts etc...It is getting very ugly and the pilot's union at CX has had enough. I am sorry to you Bjammin and glad that you are happy but their are MANY that are very upset.

You can't say that in general AT ALL. I have been here for almost 4 years and have had absolutly nothing but positive experiences as well and 80% of the people I fly with. Some have gone, tried something they thought might be better, and come crawling back and the company took them back!
I have had many personal issues including being with a USN reserve unit, an attack in Anchorage by 2 thugs, and a very injured wife. The company has always come through in spades. They will take care of the guys that have got screwed by some of the direct entry garbage, and for new guys it's a better deal then it was when I got hired, what's wrong with that? Should it get worse?
We have people that have come from SWA, FedEx, and many older guys just looking for a positive change.
I don't know where you work and would never try to speak intelligently to you about your work conditions.
Some people may be pissed off, just like anywhere and they are always welcome to chime in with their opinions, but be careful going off the word of buddies. If I listlened to some of my buds I would be smoking weed at Grateful Dead concerts for a career.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

beej

I'm an 18 year "veteran" with CX - I started here long before 'B" scales, ASL, CXF, CoS '94 and CoS 99, MSS, 49'ers, SARS and you.

You are sorely mistaken if you think this company are benign or benevolent. They are business people, no more, no less - money is their G*d, people are numbers and if/when you ever have a run-in with them, you will see their true colours.

I'm not suggesting that your happiness is the result of too much MSG at the Headland, but a dose of reality antidote in your case may be somewhat overdue.

They are a good employer as airlines go (I wouldn't still be here otherwise) and I'm smart enough to know that tenure is everything in any occupation, but these are NOT nice people that we work for.

There are pleasant individuals here of course, the equipment is nice, the routes are interesting and they haven't laid anyone off - yet - and there are a lot worse places to work, granted.

But the "be all and end all" - no way - as I fear we are about to discover.

You're an optimist, I'm a realist. The ONLY difference between you and me is experience.

 

[Bjammin]

If being an optimist makes me somehow inferior to you, fine. You want to look for evil in dark corners, that's you business, I tend to think that if I work hard for this company that maybe they will pay me and keep me around for a while. What else can I ask for?
You want me to have a reality antidote? Me reality is that I have had nothing but great experiences here. From captains that have taken my family under their wing when they got stranded in Hong Kong to the way they called every other day after my wife had extensive surgery, not to see when I was coming back to work, but to see if we needed anything.
The pay, per-diem, 6 weeks leave, and most importantly, the awesome people I get to fly with and party with in Hong Kong all make my reality pretty darn good. Why would I tell any other story then my own?

You wish me bad tidings? Why? So I can see your reality? Maybe i'll get s--- upon at some point and then you can say "Na Na, told you so." But until that happens, don't try to sway me into your negitivity. I tend to think positive people make for better freinds. I can only hope that some of the great people i've met here consider me positive.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

It's good to get two different opinions. 18 years with the company i'm sure you've seen alot and I value your experience. On the other hand I've never heard of an airline that doesn't only consider pilots as a number. And doesn't only care about making the mighty dollar. I'm defenetly glad to hear about the positive things though. Good pay, days off and good people to work with are truely the most important things to me. As far as a pat on the back from management, well they can keep it.

 

[seatrumpeter]

No classes in '09 and enought people in the pool for anticpated '10 classes. No interviews in '09. Plenty of time to study then. For an '11 start date.

Oh well... Things can change.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

oh yes Beej, I forgot one "event" in my tenure with CX...

VSS

That was the "Voluntary Separation Scheme" in '99.

Le plus ca change le plus ca le meme chose

 

[poydras]

Go to work on time, no hassles.
How much fuel you want?
CFP fuel is good.
takeoff A/P on. CTWO+ brief. land. shutdown checklist.
26 of everymonth,paycheck is in!!!
Health ins; almost everything is covered 100%.
15% ret. scheme.
happy or not is up to you what to make of a flying job.
PS 18-19 days off...now I am really happy!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mxer]

While I don't work there, most carriers have similar issues. I try to go by one simple rule. Once the door closes, management stays on the ground. Your getting paid to do something that you use to think was fun. And, your not in a factory. Those are the ones that really work for a living.

 

[unwashed]

There has been lots of RJ FO's hired recently, including me. If you have the mins. definatley apply now and keep updating because who knows what will be competitive when the interviews start again. When I started the process I had 4000tt and 2500 Rj and at that time I was interviewing for an FO spot. During the rest of the process several airlines went TU and the competitive mins shot up over night. Its all about timing.

Nice picture of the former PH logo. You still there?