I MUST address inaccuracies in the article ''Cathay pilots world's best paid'' (Sunday Morning Post, May 15).
I have been with Cathay Pacific for 31/2 years and am a first officer. I am in my early 30s and have been a professional pilot for more than 13 years, including nine years in the Canadian Air Force. With more than 4,000 hours flying time, I consider myself junior at Cathay.
Like many colleagues I left my former employer seeking to further my aviation career. Most of us came to Cathay to fly bigger and more advanced aircraft, and to achieve the rank of captain earlier than we would have on our own country's airlines. We are dedicated and committed aviators first and foremost.
As expatriate employees in Hong Kong, we have given up better, more comfortable lifestyles and more secure employment at home for short-term employment at higher salaries.
In this regard, your comparison of Cathay pilots to British Airways or Qantas pilots is illogical and unfair. Our counterparts in other airlines do not pay astronomical rents for sub-standard accommodation, pay the equivalent of university tuition fees to send their children to play school, or deal with Hong Kong inflation. On the surface, our allowances look attractive but most of this money ends up in the pockets of landlords and educational institutions.
Some airlines employ crew who lack the experience and training to handle emergency situations. Not Cathay! We earn and are worth every dollar we make. Our safety record speaks for itself.
