Cathay Pacific

Minima-No-Contact

Minima-No-Contact

Well-Known Member
Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone here has been through the Cathay interviews? I completed stage one and have been offered stage two in Hong Kong in a few weeks.
Obviously with Cathay, Ive been doing a rediculous amount of prep... but any first hand accounts would be appreciated. Had a quick look on PPRUNE but theyre a miserable lot with nothing good to say about anything!

For those wondering, stage one was completed in SYD a couple of months back now, consisted of a 30 min paper - nothing overly difficult (IF you've done some study) and then an interview. The interview was fairly tough, but relaxed environment. The HR guy quizzed me on Hong Kong, my life, career, motivation etc... and then the Tech guy (747-400 Skipper) quizzed me on tech stuff. (Tough stuff only if you havent prepped).
Hours when called up for round one, were approx 4500 total, almost 2000 jet.

Round 2 should be interesting, up in HK for the interview, sim ride, aptitude testing, medical... etc etc...

Cheers,
MNC
 
Congrats on getting through round one. I know nothing that would help. I assume you have been over at pprun a bunch already?
 
I looked at posts on pprune for several days to get an idea of overseas opportunity. They do seem like an unhappy lot not only at CP but everywhere else too, Emirates, Qatar, Korean, Dragonair etc. Typhoon Pilot opinion makes it sound pretty decent. I have heard Cathy is one of the toughest technical interviews. You really must know your stuff if you passed through round one. How long did you study for?
 
I talked it over with Nessa and sent in my app a couple of weeks ago. It's one of those "Hey, it'd be cool if it happened" things. She's all for moving to Hong Kong if it comes down to it, though. Although, I don't have a CLUE how to push buttons to get an interview over there.
 
Well I don't really have anything that would help you, but congratulations on passing the first stage and good luck with the second stage! I did have a former professor that flew the as an FO on the 74 and he seemed to like it, except he resigned after a couple of years to spend more time with his kids.
 
*update*

Just got word a couple of hrs ago, I was successful after final interview!! I couldnt be happier, I have a start date for later this year!

6 months of study paid off, and am looking forward to the move to Hongkers.
Cheers,
MNC
 
Minima-No-Contact said:
*update*

Just got word a couple of hrs ago, I was successful after final interview!! I couldnt be happier, I have a start date for later this year!

6 months of study paid off, and am looking forward to the move to Hongkers.
Cheers,
MNC
Click to expand...

Sweet!!! :nana2:I have heard that Cathay's interviews are one of the most extensive, difficult in the world. Congrats!
 
Minima-No-Contact said:
*update*

Just got word a couple of hrs ago, I was successful after final interview!! I couldnt be happier, I have a start date for later this year!

6 months of study paid off, and am looking forward to the move to Hongkers.
Cheers,
MNC
Click to expand...

Freekin CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:rawk::rawk:


Cathay sounds like a BAD ASS GIG!

Keep us all posted on it!
 
Minima-No-Contact said:
*update*

Just got word a couple of hrs ago, I was successful after final interview!! I couldnt be happier, I have a start date for later this year!

6 months of study paid off, and am looking forward to the move to Hongkers.
Cheers,
MNC
Click to expand...

Congrats!
 
Minima-No-Contact said:
*update*

Just got word a couple of hrs ago, I was successful after final interview!! I couldnt be happier, I have a start date for later this year!

6 months of study paid off, and am looking forward to the move to Hongkers.
Cheers,
MNC
Click to expand...

Wow congrats! I might need to chat with you further soon about your experience and thoughts about CP. Among the many thoughts and career moves in my head, they are near the top.

6 months of paid study time off? That rocks! :rawk: I think I would virtually live in a coffee house for most of that time!
 
Congrats. Cathay has been quite effective as a UPS training ground. We've hired lots of their guys recently with many more in our hiring pool.
 
Also...did you apply for the second officer of first officer program? I am little confused as to how exactly this works. Thanks!
 
Congratulations, I hope to join you in 1-2 years! I have 2 friends there and they enjoy it.

Other than the stuff discussed in the study notes and from pprune, were there any "out of the ordinary" questions? Also, for the questions regarding # of a/c, did you use the website info or wikipedia (numbers conflict)?
 
bike21 said:
Also...did you apply for the second officer of first officer program? I am little confused as to how exactly this works. Thanks!
Click to expand...

The requirements for SO are 1000hrs with the ATP written exams complete. Most people get hired with much more, the lowest I have heard is 2500hrs.

For direct entry FO, the requirements are higher. They want jet time or heavy t-prop (i.e. >20,000kg) PIC or millitary time. The exact requirements are on their website.

As an SO, you usually go on the 747, 340 or 777. All basings are in Hong Kong and you fly the passenger routes. You usually work as an SO for 3-4 years, then upgrade to junior FO. I have a freind who just upgraded to JFO on the 777 who spent 3.5 years or so on the 747.

As an FO, you go to the 747 cargo a/c based in your resident country (or wherever you have a right to live). They have cargo bases in Canada, USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc. If you want to switch to the pax operations, you will need to relocate to HKG.
 
Thanks much Chris! I should have read the website a little more close I guess :) Do you know if you can get based out of HKG eventually on the pax side? Or it is cargo only being based outside of HKG? APC says there are pax bases at SFO and LAX though.

Looks like I will have the time to apply for an FO position when the time comes. Who knows though...too many paths to choose from :)
 
It's my understanding that pax bases are in HKG. If you are are hired as an SO, you are guaranteed to be in HKG. The cargo bases are all over the place, like EU, north america, australia, etc.

If I'm wrong, Minima-no-contact please correct me!

Make sure you do a lot of research! Read up on pprune, wikipedia, etc. Lots of good info on the internet. I'd recommend applying as soon as you can, and keep updating your profile every 6 months. I have spoken to people who got asked during the interview "why did you wait to apply, why didnt you apply when you had 1000hrs?" or, "why didn't you update your profile regularly?"
 
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