The Latest Act of Desperation
It seems that management are seeking out the more "junior" pilots and engaging them in conversation, the gist of which is to ask them what they are paying for rent, and then suggesting that such sums are affordable and reasonable, as well as the size of apartment (450 sq/ft in Tung Chung, 20K/mo...wow, you LUCKY chap!). They are also telling them that the company is "overstaffed" with pilots and that they are luck to have the job.
This is yet another sign of a management in the throes of desperation (and who amongst you upstairs can be convinced to take part in such a pathetic charade?, the cast of usual characters comes to mind). This airline and it's flight operation is about to implode. Now all they have left in their jar of tricks is a pathetic attempt at reverse psychology. One of the FO's who was involved told me that the manager "reeked" of desperation and insincerity, and it was all he could do to not laugh in his face (quote).
So AT, RH and co, is this really what your vast educational background has brought you to?, trying to manipulate younger pilots who have already made up their mind to leave anyway (as was the FO who relayed this story, awaiting course date back home). It would be funny if it wasn't SO sad and SO pathetic.
Know that every FO/SO is onto your little game, is contemptuous of it, and the managers involved. You lost nearly everyone of our aircrew over the past few years. You have no credibility, and this little stunt only confirms to most of them that the sooner they get out of CX the better. Don't try telling a Canadian/USA/European that he/she should be grateful living in a shoebox, with poor pay, poor benefits and even poorer chances of a stable and properous career. For that they know the answer lies with an airline back home, which at least has sane managers. Needless to say, not much chance of ever finding that here.