Pathetic. 'Cost' or 'costs' came up in the few paragraphs 11 times by my count, along with a whine-fest about First World labour laws. And, implied, sickness rates had better decrease to keep your base viable, especially you Yanks and Canucks. No mention, of course, of the savings in housing, education and in many jurisdictions, government-subsidised health cover. Reserve? 'Costs' involved. Of course, Hong Kong-based crew diligently answer their phones in the hotels to cover disruption or roster change, unlike you based swine. And other single hub airlines like Singapore don't have basings and are sooo much better off (but we won't mention Hong Kong housing costs, the large expatriate proportion of the work force or the increasing CX crew turnover).
After yet another year's prevarication they will come up with a revised basing package with reduced conditions (e.g. long range PX in Coach/Economy) and a token few slots so that they can say they are not entirely lying when their lips are moving. This will help them attract more gullible newbies for those double-Second Officer crews, and will keep hope alive for the rest of the plebeians who decide to hang on in quiet desperation.
Last edited by Captain Dart; 28th Feb 2018 at 20:25.