The open threat from Ms. Thompson the Director of Flight Operations
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: America
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The open threat from Ms. Thompson the Director of Flight Operations
The email offends me personally and professionally on so many levels and must be addressed. I would like the AOA to suspend any meetings until this is retracted and an apology made by Ms. Thompson.
I dare you to do something rash Ms. Thompson. Please test our resolve. You have been the biggest problem since you came here. You sound panicked honestly. Panicked and pathetic. You are running the airline into dangerous waters.
I was actually thinking of going to VM's party May 13th but for sure will not be attending now. I think no one should go and we should protest in front of CX city instead. Come on Rod!
I will be voting NO as the threat made up my mind today. We have already given away too much and opening talks with threats is completely unacceptable.
I dare you to do something rash Ms. Thompson. Please test our resolve. You have been the biggest problem since you came here. You sound panicked honestly. Panicked and pathetic. You are running the airline into dangerous waters.
I was actually thinking of going to VM's party May 13th but for sure will not be attending now. I think no one should go and we should protest in front of CX city instead. Come on Rod!
I will be voting NO as the threat made up my mind today. We have already given away too much and opening talks with threats is completely unacceptable.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oooohhh, scary (hahaha). Completely agree. The funny thing is, she talks about the other associations as thought 'their' pilots are all agreeable with her. They have just as much contempt for her as the rest of us. Completely agree visionary, there is nothing left to do but strongly adhere to our current course. In case she is forgetting, 'we' are doing nothing more or less than 'doing our jobs' as per our contract. For those that can, if there is any lingering doubt as to staying in CX or seeking a more rewarding career elsewhere...well, you can stop doubting. Run from this place as fast and as far as you can. The most toxic working environment in the industry. What a legacy this woman is building.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Polar Route
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Negotiating with this lot is a never ending exercise in futility. AT was correct on all points right up to the end, where she threw down her ultimatum and set a deadline. Effectively, she just said, "You better agree to what we want or else..." Earth to CX management, that is not negotiating in GOOD FAITH, and it condemns the process to certain failure. This isn't high school, and I'm not giving you my lunch money.
So, I'll ask the questions... Or else what? What will you do? You think you have options? Show your hand. I dare you. Want to wrap up the freighter operation and let other operators skim what little profit there is in CX cargo? Go ahead! See how your investors like that, especially after building that massive cargo terminal. Watch how many pilots leave when their 747 bases are closed. How does that solve your crewing problem? Who will train all these Boeing to Airbus conversions? KA? Good luck. Does EADS have a few dozen extra trainers sitting around doing nothing? I think not. And who will train the new joiners while all these fictional Boeing to Airbus conversions occur? Yeah, that's what I thought... nobody!
In short, I call your bluff. You better put a darn good rostering proposal down on the table, or your cards will be bared for all to see. I seriously doubt your term as DFO lasts much longer if that happens. This isn't high school, and you aren't playing truth or dare. This is real life. Time to join the rest of the civilized world and negotiate in GOOD FAITH. You have just as much to lose as we do, probably more. Or do you like Mainland Coke bottling?
So, I'll ask the questions... Or else what? What will you do? You think you have options? Show your hand. I dare you. Want to wrap up the freighter operation and let other operators skim what little profit there is in CX cargo? Go ahead! See how your investors like that, especially after building that massive cargo terminal. Watch how many pilots leave when their 747 bases are closed. How does that solve your crewing problem? Who will train all these Boeing to Airbus conversions? KA? Good luck. Does EADS have a few dozen extra trainers sitting around doing nothing? I think not. And who will train the new joiners while all these fictional Boeing to Airbus conversions occur? Yeah, that's what I thought... nobody!
In short, I call your bluff. You better put a darn good rostering proposal down on the table, or your cards will be bared for all to see. I seriously doubt your term as DFO lasts much longer if that happens. This isn't high school, and you aren't playing truth or dare. This is real life. Time to join the rest of the civilized world and negotiate in GOOD FAITH. You have just as much to lose as we do, probably more. Or do you like Mainland Coke bottling?
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So you are going to fire me if I work in accordance to my job contract? If you fire him or her or me or us, you are not just firing one. You will be firing more than just 49. Go on, try and break your uncle record. I dare you too 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well said Dan. She seems to think that the AOA is the 'problem'. She needs to look in a mirror. The AOA and it's stance is only a reflection of the resolve, anger and determination of almost 3000 pilots. I include ALL the aircrew in that claim, as she is trying to isolate the HK AOA. The entire pilot body, no matter what their affiliation is united in contempt and anger against the misrule in this airline. Go ahead Anna, issue your 'threats'. Meanwhile, the airline is foundering and pilots are leaving, in ever more increasing numbers. Perhaps you can actually make a positive decision for a change, one that improves the lives, career prospects and desire to work for CX. Somehow I think that is the last thing on your mind. You'll be long and gone, like all the other failed DFO's, and this airline will continue to drift. I won't be dictated to by someone who is clueless about aviation (ettiquetes!), who will be here for the proverbial '5 minutes' and who has nothing but selfish aims
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: hongkong
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Careful boys. Don't ever think you have Swire over a barrel. Talk is cheap. They will have contingencies planned if the talks fail.
Move freighters to Air Hong Kong, with the 747 pilots going to the straight onto the A350? A330's to Dragonair? No training ban there. Either way, upgrades come to a halt at Cathay magically have all the pilots they need. Much easier to convert than upgrade. They will have far more plans than these and none of them are going to be good for those wanting to upgrade.
Maybe we should wait and see what the AOA can achieve and not have predetermined opinions. TV, how can you say that you are voting no when the meeting hasn't happened yet?
Ok, no doubt I'll be shot at dawn for stating this view but I recall we went into contract compliance for a pay deal and better rostering. We've achieved one and there is a meeting next month to discuss the other. Lets see what happens eh?
I for one don't look upon the email as a threat, more a warning stating that they have a plan if the talks fail and it aint going to be good for Cathay pilots.
Move freighters to Air Hong Kong, with the 747 pilots going to the straight onto the A350? A330's to Dragonair? No training ban there. Either way, upgrades come to a halt at Cathay magically have all the pilots they need. Much easier to convert than upgrade. They will have far more plans than these and none of them are going to be good for those wanting to upgrade.
Maybe we should wait and see what the AOA can achieve and not have predetermined opinions. TV, how can you say that you are voting no when the meeting hasn't happened yet?
Ok, no doubt I'll be shot at dawn for stating this view but I recall we went into contract compliance for a pay deal and better rostering. We've achieved one and there is a meeting next month to discuss the other. Lets see what happens eh?
I for one don't look upon the email as a threat, more a warning stating that they have a plan if the talks fail and it aint going to be good for Cathay pilots.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They always have a 'plan'. The thing to remember is that they are usually flawed, short term, self damaging and ultimately the joke of the industry. My 'plan' is to keep doing my job to the LETTER OF MY CONTRACT. Frankly, who on earth cares about an 'upgrade', when all that will do is tie you even closer to a failed airline, and drag you deeper into an unhappy and unsatisfying career. The ONLY result that is acceptable is that this type of management is eradicated once and for all from this airline. We deserve better, but we will only realise that outcome if we finally show collective resolve. It is obvious that the training ban is finally panicking them. Threats were always to be expected. Oh the irony: she mentions the new talks, but then undermines them before they even get started by backing them up with a threat. She has failed before she even got started. She doesn't realise that we have all reached the point where threats no longer work. She has just stiffened my resolve to resist this pathetic, disrespectful and offensive style of management once and for all. Thanks Anna, you've made my decision easy.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Polar Route
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is that like Obama's "red line" for Syria? Or is this one a different color? Who has ever seen a line in the sand that they didn't want to jump over and kick dirt on from the other side?
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: hongkong
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Frankly, who on earth cares about an upgrade
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Honky
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's going to be a massive hit to morale if direct entry FO/Capt/training capt happens. What if we've given them a reason to offer direct entry at even lower COS? Will it all be worth it? This is something that WILL affect anyone wanting to upgrade.
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Honky
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What makes you think they won't do something that's bad for us? They've done it when times are relatively "good", how much more will they love to stick the knife in when they actually have a reason to do it.
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Here ---> X
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
She seems a bit stressed.
She really should take a vacation. That can't be good for her health over the long term, she'll pop a vein.
How about 2 weeks without pay, with the guarantee of an extended housing deal when she comes back?
Come on Anna, you can even make it in time for the cherry blossom!
She really should take a vacation. That can't be good for her health over the long term, she'll pop a vein.
How about 2 weeks without pay, with the guarantee of an extended housing deal when she comes back?
Come on Anna, you can even make it in time for the cherry blossom!
How do you force people to take a training job ..? Not worth the money,grief,agro,rosters and cancelled leave anyway..
Training 'out house' will produce exactly what you find in the outhouse.
Training 'out house' will produce exactly what you find in the outhouse.