Cathay Pacific

[Sandesh]

Hello fello Aviators,
I was just wondering, have any of you guys considered the Cathay Second officer program? it seems very attractive but i heard there is a lot of downside accodring to Pprune.org forums but nothing is perfect. What do you guys think?

[British Pilot]

Presumably in-flight relief with the AP on, but not actually flying?

I can't imagine you log any flight time in a B-747, and it would surprise me if they actually hired at those minimums. I know minimums are minimums, but they sound extremely low...

[Minima-No-Contact]

Cathay have stated those minimums for some time now. For at least the past 12 months they have not published the fact that you need over 3000hrs to be considered.

For most that join CX, it doesnt matter about logging time as a Second Officer, when you join the company you do so with the intention of being around for most of your career. Dont go there if you are looking to build hours.

Cathay is a great option if you dont mind living in Hong Kong, they have a young fleet of a/c with excellent career prospects. Upgrading to FO on the 777 or 330 after 3 yrs service is the norm at the moment.
Pay is still good, and from what Ive heard CX look after their pilots.

[Timmypig]

Minima beat me to it ..... a mate who flies A330 as a FO at Cathay was a second officer for about 2 years on B744. He's HK based, but manages to get regular HK-Sydney trips, so he can sleep in his own bed from time to time.

In the case of my mate, he had about 4000 hrs, starting in C210s in the bush, then making his way up the GA food chain ..... then B1900s, and finally SAAB 340s for REX before Cathay hired him.

There are very few Chinese HK pilots flying for Cathay. Mainly UK / Aus / NZ / Canadian / US / SAf ..... mix of ex GA and ex mil. The 'S/O' option isn't all that common in the USA, but all Cathay (except freight - it's a different career path) start as S/Os ... as do QANTAS and Air NZ. It's not a dead end, 'cruise pilot' .... although as an S/O there is no handling the aircraft below whatever the company limit is (typically between 5000 & 10000 AGL).

It's not for everyone, as the HK residency requirement is non negotiable (once again, freight fleet is different - UK, European, US, Canadian & Aus bases are available to the freight blokes, but they're all F/O entry).

Hope this helps.

[fly22]

I would love to fly for them. I have been looking at them for a while. Having an Aussie for a wife makes want the option to go back to that part of the world. If not then I could still eventually be based out of SFO or LAX.

[rightrudder86]

Is HK commutable from the states, specifically michigan? Cathay sounds interesting but there's no way i could ever live outside the US.

[adreamer]

It is possible. Get on a flight from AZO to Chicago or Detroit, you can get good connection to other side of Pacific Ocean in about 15 hours or so.

Are you attending Western? live by AZO also

[rightrudder86]

Originally Posted by adreamer

It is possible. Get on a flight from AZO to Chicago or Detroit, you can get good connection to other side of Pacific Ocean in about 15 hours or so.

Are you attending Western? live by AZO also

That's a long commute but it's better than moving to china.
Yeah i'm going to western.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by rightrudder86

That's a long commute but it's better than moving to china.

Man, I wouldn't think so.

Ever been in Hong Kong?

[adreamer]

It takes about 11 ~ 12 hours from DTW to NRT. It probably tag on another 4 hours or so flight to Hong Kong.

Therel are few things that bothers me about China and Hong Kong - SARS, Avion Flu and Communist's government

adreamer

ps: good luck at Western

[fly22]

Thats alright on less person for me to compete with. You only have to be there for 2-4 years. Personally I think it would be a fun adventure.

[Timmypig]

I think ALL mainline Cathay S/Os have to reside in HK. With promotion to F/O home basing in Pac Rim cities and Europe / UK are possible, but not always achievable - company requirements are foremost.

Check the Fragrant Harbour forums that 'other' website .... (not A.Net!)

Home basings for direct entry freight F/Os are possible too, but for freight you'll need more heavy jet time.

[tonyw]

So, Timmy, you mentioned that Air New Zealand and Qantas have second officer programs. Are they similar? Are the mins similar?

Seeing how both of them fly to LAX, I would think it would be possible to live in LA and commute.

[fly22]

I wouldnt want to make that commute. Qantas only has pilot domiciles in SYD and MEL I believe

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by fly22

I wouldnt want to make that commute. Qantas only has pilot domiciles in SYD and MEL I believe

Yeah, and my guess is that ANZ only has them in Auckland, maybe one city on the South Island, and maybe Wellington.

I could ask someone down there, but it's already Saturday in New Zealand and they're probably enjoying a nice autumn day!

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by fly22

I wouldnt want to make that commute. Qantas only has pilot domiciles in SYD and MEL I believe

Out of curiosity, do you (or anyone else) know what the prospects of working for Qantas are? How about converting an FAA license to an Aussie license? How much $$? Competition for hiring at Qantas?