Commuting to Cathay

[Varig]

How is life nowdays for a Cathay Pacific F/O? Are most people happy or unhappy?
I am thinking about applying in the near future and would like to get some info.

Thanks in advance.
RL

 

[Bjammin]

I'm very happy here after more then 3 years. Good quality of life, great guys to fly with, great pay, and lots of time off. Some anti-Americanism and a few not-so-nice check captains are the only complaints and I don't run into either of those things offen at all.

 

[SVA_402]

I'd heard that NHFOs were generally going to HKG and then after a few years being able to get US base, is this not the case? How does the cargo side compare to the pax side? How much of an issue is it to switch sides?

 

[skypine69]

Acutally, all DEFOs have to go to a base now. I think the time to wait to go to HK is 4 years. I think that is part of what is causing the issues among folks that already work there.

 

[SVA_402]

Are US based Cathay pilots in CASS?

 

[skypine69]

No jumpseating at CX. foreign carrier. No cass, no jumpseats. ID 90s if you want them. I understand most people buy full fare tickets to get to work.

 

[jayme]

Crew members
Foreign members of crews working on foreign vehicles (for example, flight attendants and members of ships’ crews) do not need a work permit if the vehicle is in Canada for the international transportation of cargo or passengers.

link
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp

I believe the US has the same exemption in the CFRs somewhere. Where the vehicle is registered is more important than where the flight begins.

Sounds like citizens of any country can work for Cathay out of the US or Canada. Not good for natives.

 

[Freddie Spencer]

and why is it not good for natives?

 

[jayme]

Because it means that those few slots in North America can go to citizens of any country. We will have to compete with pilots from all over the world - Mexicans, Europeans, Australians etc. - for those slots.

 

[skypine69]

For what its worth I went to a canadian consulate last week and explained that I wanted to live in the US and commute (either by driving or flying) to canada. I told them that it was a foreign company with foreign registrated AC. I asked if I needed a work visa and was told that I did not. i may have to explain what I was doing every time I went across the border, but a copy of my trip should suffice. I asked about the future with on shore basings, they said if it is a canadian company, i may have to get a work permit, but that should not be too difficult.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

Mexicans, Europeans, Australians

No, not necessarily - unless they want to risk "residence" without a work visa...

 

[jayme]

A Mexican driving up to LAX to start his trip is the exact same as a Canadian driving down to JFK. Or a Londoner non-reving between the US and LHR between trips.

If it's legal, I say go for it. But it just doesn't pass the smell test.

 

[Stugatz78]

newhires

What is the probability of a new hire getting based in LAX? Do you have to live in Hong Kong initially?

 

[Bjammin]

As a DEFO I got LAX right off the bat, even though I wanted JFK. It's probably the most junior American base right now.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Let's not give the mexicans any ideas...

 

[dash8driver]

Is there a system for doing trip trades? How realistic is it to get trades?

 

[CX880]

Are they hiring SOs at U.S bases? I have the mins for the job but wondering if that's competitive for being hired.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

No S/O's hired onto a base, only HKG. If you barely make minimum requirements I would say that you're not competitive enough...I've been flying with former A320 and MD captains in the past few months - as S/O's.

 

[BigShotXJTdrvr]

No S/O's hired onto a base, only HKG. If you barely make minimum requirements I would say that you're not competitive enough...I've been flying with former A320 and MD captains in the past few months - as S/O's.

So what determines getting SO or DEFO? Did those former captains request HK and SO is the only newhire position available there, or is HK SO awarded newhires who would prefer other domiciles, but didn't pass getting DEFO for some reason?

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

Did those former captains request HK and SO is the only newhire position available there

Yes

HK SO awarded newhires who would prefer other domiciles, but didn't pass getting DEFO for some reason

Yes, generally because they wanted to work here but didn't have the hours and/or experience to make DEFO.