second officer at cathay pacific

[landlover]

anyone know what the pay is like? not listed on the website. time to upgrade to first officer? is it cargo only or passenger only or both? bases? thinking about applying, but basicalllly looking for the rundown on that position.

 

[TWheat61]

I've been told that Second Officers are based out of Hong Kong, pay is approx 4000 per month, and additional 4500 living allowance (apartments are 3500-4000 in HK) and upgrade is approx 3 years to FO.

This is what a Captain told me who has interviewed their a few times.

Later,

 

[ackattacker]

Try a search, some good info was posted here a few months back. Lots of info in the "Fragrant Harbour" section of pprune.org

 

[VVJM265]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=237655

 

[YourPilotFriend]

At the rate china is growing, plus the US dollar falling in about 10 years those salarys will probably equal the US dollar. That's the place to be right now.

 

[Lear70]

At the rate china is growing, plus the US dollar falling in about 10 years those salarys will probably equal the US dollar. That's the place to be right now.

Wow... I agree with you. How strange.

IF you're a single guy, no big need to get home regularly, and want to enjoy some really cool places in the world, the S.O. PASSENGER position overseas is a FANTASTIC opportunity with a good, stable company.

I did a LOT of research on this and, if I wasn't married, I might have taken the interview they offered.

The U.S. Freight side kinda sucks for me, fly to the same 3 or 4 places here in the states all the time, 4-5 year upgrade, then keep flying to all the same 3 or 4 places. I like a little more variety.

The S.O. position seems like a better deal in the long run...

Good luck to you,

 

[jws717]

Do they require an ATP or will the American ATP written work?

 

[boxjockey]

The SO gig is very good. I start class on the 744 in Oct. The starting base pay is 50000 US/yr. Add on top of that 1800/mnth housing, 13th month pay, profit sharing (maybe), per diem of approx 150/day while flying, 15.5% for retirement, no benefit costs, childrens private schooling, etc. If you look at the total comp, it is quite good. Nice apartments can be had for much less than stated above. In Tung Chung near the airport, you can get 1200 sf for around 1000 per month. Use the rest to pocket or pay your mortgage back here like I'm going to do. You work between 8-12 days per month. Start off with 4 weeks vacation, which increases to 6 after you become FO. Upgrade time to JFO is currently about 3 years. Could go either way with all the growth, but the chance of DEFO on the pass side. I am married, and we went to HKG early before the interview to check out the city. Wonderful place to see. Would take it over NYC any day of the week. Cathay is in a perfect position to flourish in the next two decades. They just bought their competition, which also allows them almost 30 destinations in mainland China, up from just two currently. They are making money, have never furloughed a pilot, and have nowhere to go but up. There are drawbacks. The training is very intense. They have more of a checking mentality than a training one. If you learn your place, are good at saying "Yes sir" until you are the "Sir", and have a good work ethic, I think it is a very good place to hang your hat. Take all of this with a grain of salt, but I have been researching and trying to gain employment with this company for years. Hope this helps anyone out.

Box

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

There are drawbacks. The training is very intense. They have more of a checking mentality than a training one. If you learn your place, are good at saying "Yes sir" until you are the "Sir", and have a good work ethic,

Box

I have met a couple of SWA FO's who left Cathay for SWA.

(I have no opinion on which one is better, they sound like they miss the 747 but are happy where they are now)

Their comments mirror those above by Box. Also said upgrade to Captain is not based on seniority but on merit. The FO never gets higher marks in the sim than the Captain. Captain oriented place.

 

[Bigbeerbelly]

Also said upgrade to Captain is not based on seniority but on merit. The FO never gets higher marks in the sim than the Captain. Captain oriented place.

To be more correct, the upgrades are based on seniority, but....
the decision to allow you to go to class is based on a panel that interviews you and decides if you are the right stuff. Similar to what you went through when you got hired at your US airline.

BBB

 

[Bavarian Chef]

To be more correct, the upgrades are based on seniority, but....
the decision to allow you to go to class is based on a panel that interviews you and decides if you are the right stuff. Similar to what you went through when you got hired at your US airline.

BBB

Kinda silly the way they treat FOs, considering the FO is expected to pick up the peices should the CA become incapacitated or mutinuous or sticken by a bad case of gingivitis.

 

[boxjockey]

Some of the thinking is a bit old world, but those things will change with time. According to most that have been there awhile, things have already changed considerably, but it is still a Captains World there.

box

 

['72Gremlin]

Kinda silly the way they treat FOs, considering the FO is expected to pick up the peices should the CA become incapacitated or mutinuous or sticken by a bad case of gingivitis.

An aircraft commander once told me (as the copilot), "You're the most important person on this aircraft." When I gave him the -What-you-talkin'-about-Willis look, he said, "You're the only person between me and stupidity."