Interesting spin from the AOA in their latest missive...


Prompted by the “49ers Hit List” which recently leaked into the public domain, we asked you:

If you have or were to receive a Sickness letter, known as an “Absence Management Programme” letter, how would it affect you?

· It would have no effect as I think Management are genuinely concerned for my welfare
· It would have no effect but I don’t think Management care for my welfare
· I think it is intimidation and it would have no effect on making me operate if I was unfit to fly
· I think it is intimidation and it would have an effect on making me operate if I was unfit to fly

We did have two voters who thought that Management are genuinely concerned about their welfare. The vast majority, however, (well over 90%) regard such letters as intimidation. Worryingly, a significant minority (over 42%) recognise that it is intimidation, but ARE intimidated by Cathay Pacific into letting it have an effect on their decision whether they are unfit.

This sends out an alarming signal, with potential ramifications for Flight Safety. Are Cathay Pacific managers so unaware of the effects of their industrial decisions on the Flight Safety of the airline? And would the travelling public vote with their feet if they knew pilots are being intimidated into flying when they are unfit?


Let's scare away all the passengers, shall we?

not_the_aoa,

Your initials must be N.R. or you are one of the two voters who are naive enough to actually believe management are genuinely concerned about your well being :ugh::ugh:

Speak to someone who's received the second sickness letter, your opinion on the "interesting spin from the AoA in their latest missive" will change quickly.

Having more than 30 sick days this year - my answer is simple. They can go an fack them self. No effect. Have fun dudes. :eek::ok:

Hey and lets not forget that there is now monetary incentive now to come to work sick ! Cause if you call in sick, it will eventually affect any profit share you get...................

Wait a minute this would be the year to...............

Got to run to the Doc's ..Later !

I think I was due to get a Sickness Management letter......


....but somebody's nicked it from my mailbox:D

Now I can track when to have the next visit to the Doc, and not draw fire from our compassionate, flight crew loving Crew Industrial Relations manager (the bomb-throwing Ukranian).

Let's scare away all the passengers, shall we?

Maybe you should be directing that rhetorical question at the 3rd floor. They're the scum that run the "Absence Management Programme", not the AOA

To Not The AOA
I think you might not understand what the word 'spin' means. If the question is asked directly whether sickness management program affects your decision of whether to work and 42% answer yes then how is reporting that spinning it? That was the question- it hasn't been influenced to make it sound bad- it actually is bad. If your interpretation is also that the passengers should be worried by this then that is up to you and would likely be a fairly logical conclusion. If you want to take it up with anyone take it up with the 42% who answered yes. I guess you are thinking the union should not be asking the question so we don't get an answer we don't want to hear? I don't think our representatives should follow that line of thinking- do you?

Do you get the "we are concerned about your wellbeing" letter on the 5th or 6th occassion you are sick in a 12 month period?

Shortly after your 6th period of illness/injury/sickness, you may expect a "how can we help you?" letter.

I hear a reply is always polite, should you believe that also, you may consider helping by saying "This is my doctors name and contact number, he will tell you all the medical information that is relevant that you are entitled to know". Unfortunately, doc/patient confidentiality may mean the information likely to be passed will possibly equate to zilch/zip/zero! But hey, you tried to help.

Alternatively, keep a rolling tally of your sickness days, I hear many people are so sick that it is seldom for a single day. Anecdotally, fatigue and a worn down immune system means they are often unfortunately sick for many days at a time. However, being conscientious, whenlooking like breaking the 6/12 threshold, thereby causing the company more admin work, many crew magically manage to pull back from that 8499 call by being able to stay fit through exercise, vitamins and the otherwise healthy lifestyle for which we as pilots are so widely known.

Lets help the company save time, trees and money with those "we are concerned about you" letters, so keep it at or under 5/12 and all will be well.

Now lets see, 5 x ~5 = ~25, plus my 42 plus their 89= ~156/365:ok:
Looks like my work here is done - stay healthy boys!!;)