Cathay Looking For Canadians

[Hilroy]

joy? meh...

Some of us are still excited to the feeling of flying, even at 60. We're not all like you

[altiplano]

Okay... have fun in your Twotter FO Caribbean job at 60... probably right up your alley then...

I like my job fine enough, I like my home life better though and when I want to have fun and be excited in an aircraft I'll buy my own plane.

[co-joe]

If Cx wants Canadians, it's probably because they know we're suckers who will work for no money, will always accept worse wawcon, and won't complain.

[JohnnyHotRocks]

If Cx wants Canadians, it's probably because they know we're suckers who will work for no money, will always accept worse wawcon, and won't complain.

Bingo!!!!

[Boreas]

If the choice is between Jazz and Cathay, as it stands right now and assuming your relatively young and single, Cathay wins hands down.

That being said, the geopolitical situation in Asia doesn't have the best outlook. One can easily end up having to "retreat" to Canada after 5 years as an SO at Cathay... without any additional flight experience to show for it...

I completely disagree. 4 years have gone by for me at Cathay and not going to Jazz was a disastrous mistake. When I was hired, Jazz wouldn't look at me, but now it seems Jazz are recruiting much more. Its far more money at Cathay; but it doesn't go very far in HK. I'm desperately trying to get back to Canada, after a logbook filled with 4 years of SO P2X time which isn't even worth the paper its written on. Plus, if you got hired now you'd be on the new contract.

Everyone can make their own decisions, but there is plenty of info on PPrne for reasons pilots are pouring out of Cathay.

Just my opinion, but I think you should weight in the life experience gained by living abroad and having layovers all over the world a little more - I presume you are young and single as that was the premise of my statement.

Regional flying at Jazz, followed by glorified regional flying at AC (E190/A320) isn't exactly the pinnacle of aviation that some on this forum would have you believe.

[bearitus]

Just got the invite for a second officer interview in Hong Kong. Currently am at Jazz looking at an upgrade by years end. Should I go for it or stick with Jazz/AC? I would be bringing my wife and baby along if I got the job and was wondering if the salary would be enough to rent a decent sized space (1000 square feet or so) and live comfortably in a good area of Hong Kong... From most of the stuff I read on Pprune the second officer job doesn't seem worth it and direct entry FO jobs at Cathay require substantial jet time which I don't have.

[C-GGGQ]

I would have to think stay. Upgrades are a long way off if you go.

[altiplano]

Just got the invite for a second officer interview in Hong Kong. Currently am at Jazz looking at an upgrade by years end. Should I go for it or stick with Jazz/AC? I would be bringing my wife and baby along if I got the job and was wondering if the salary would be enough to rent a decent sized space (1000 square feet or so) and live comfortably in a good area of Hong Kong... From most of the stuff I read on Pprune the second officer job doesn't seem worth it and direct entry FO jobs at Cathay require substantial jet time which I don't have.

I think you'd be crazy to go as an SO... maybe FO.. if you can manage the time family pressures away from home/family... but why stall your career as an SO without a clear path to advance?

You're at Jazz - which really is a pretty good job - close to an upgrade, high probability of AC in a short time...

8-10 year plus Cathay FOs are coming home and joining AC every month right now if that's any indication... they are making a pile more then an SO starting out too...

Hong Kong would be a good experience... but not a good career move from what it sounds for you IMO...

[bearitus]

Just got the invite for a second officer interview in Hong Kong. Currently am at Jazz looking at an upgrade by years end. Should I go for it or stick with Jazz/AC? I would be bringing my wife and baby along if I got the job and was wondering if the salary would be enough to rent a decent sized space (1000 square feet or so) and live comfortably in a good area of Hong Kong... From most of the stuff I read on Pprune the second officer job doesn't seem worth it and direct entry FO jobs at Cathay require substantial jet time which I don't have.

I think you'd be crazy to go as an SO... maybe FO.. if you can manage the time family pressures away from home/family... but why stall your career as an SO without a clear path to advance?

You're at Jazz - which really is a pretty good job - close to an upgrade, high probability of AC in a short time...

8-10 year plus Cathay FOs are coming home and joining AC every month right now if that's any indication... they are making a pile more then an SO starting out too...

Hong Kong would be a good experience... but not a good career move from what it sounds for you IMO...

Thanks for the advice! I think you are right. My only motivation to go to Cathay was the AC starting pay for the first several years with a family to provide for but hopefully I can make it work out.

[altiplano]

Absolutely you can make it work...

I did it too with a toddler and a wife at home not working. Still managed to make all the mortgage payments and didn't accumulate any debt... even got a couple vacations in...

[andy.air]

Just got the invite for a second officer interview in Hong Kong. Currently am at Jazz looking at an upgrade by years end. Should I go for it or stick with Jazz/AC? I would be bringing my wife and baby along if I got the job and was wondering if the salary would be enough to rent a decent sized space (1000 square feet or so) and live comfortably in a good area of Hong Kong... From most of the stuff I read on Pprune the second officer job doesn't seem worth it and direct entry FO jobs at Cathay require substantial jet time which I don't have.

You will make more money as a first year SO than at Air Canada. But there is a huge caveat. This chunk of money is offset by high living expenses in Hong Kong, you will not get a pension, and you would also be joining on the new COS18 contract post December 2018. What this means is that your salary has more to do with how many hours you work, and chances are, you will be making a percentage less than SOs who joined before December 2018. A 1000 sq'ft apartment in Hong Kong may be out of your reach unless your wife finds a job, as rent for such a size is $4500-5000 CAD/month and upwards. A 500-700 sq'ft size is more in your reach.

Things are not as bad as the stuff you read on Pprune (conspiracy theories and all), but they are far from rosy. Upgrades at present are 5 years (and as explained earlier this thread, there is a threat that this figure may increase). Management at CX is pretty weak, and they will not hesitate to throw lies at you. Hong Kong is also becoming increasingly less livable and politically unstable since 20 years ago, which I suspect is part of the reason why expats are going home. In short, there is a high chance that even if you do come out here, you will probably come home at some point anyways--which means it makes more sense to stay at home given that the airline profession is so seniority based.

There are direct entry FO opportunities, but CX don't hire that many of them. You not only need jet time, but you also need time on a jet that meets a minimum tonnage. Even if you do get in this route, you will more likely than not end up on the freighter, which everyone on it is trying to get out of.

Just my 2 cents.

[bearitus]

Just got the invite for a second officer interview in Hong Kong. Currently am at Jazz looking at an upgrade by years end. Should I go for it or stick with Jazz/AC? I would be bringing my wife and baby along if I got the job and was wondering if the salary would be enough to rent a decent sized space (1000 square feet or so) and live comfortably in a good area of Hong Kong... From most of the stuff I read on Pprune the second officer job doesn't seem worth it and direct entry FO jobs at Cathay require substantial jet time which I don't have.

You will make more money as a first year SO than at Air Canada. But there is a huge caveat. This chunk of money is offset by high living expenses in Hong Kong, you will not get a pension, and you would also be joining on the new COS18 contract post December 2018. What this means is that your salary has more to do with how many hours you work, and chances are, you will be making a percentage less than SOs who joined before December 2018. A 1000 sq'ft apartment in Hong Kong may be out of your reach unless your wife finds a job, as rent for such a size is $4500-5000 CAD/month and upwards. A 500-700 sq'ft size is more in your reach.

Things are not as bad as the stuff you read on Pprune (conspiracy theories and all), but they are far from rosy. Upgrades at present are 5 years (and as explained earlier this thread, there is a threat that this figure may increase). Management at CX is pretty weak, and they will not hesitate to throw lies at you. Hong Kong is also becoming increasingly less livable and politically unstable since 20 years ago, which I suspect is part of the reason why expats are going home. In short, there is a high chance that even if you do come out here, you will probably come home at some point anyways--which means it makes more sense to stay at home given that the airline profession is so seniority based.

There are direct entry FO opportunities, but CX don't hire that many of them. You not only need jet time, but you also need time on a jet that meets a minimum tonnage. Even if you do get in this route, you will more likely than not end up on the freighter, which everyone on it is trying to get out of.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the reply. By the sounds of things it seems like the best spot to stay is in Canada and work up the seniority lists here.