This has turned into a very interesting debate. On balance, I have great sympathy for Piet. Regardless of what "would" have happened now under the present circumstance, I believe he is right that the lack of backbone amongst our pilots overall has led to this denouement of our COS. Unfortunately, once they began training local pilots, added bases and then selectively played one group against another over the past 25 years, the outcome is not in doubt (just to be clear, I am not picking on the local pilots, many of whom I consider dear colleagues....just that their situation means they would always collectively be more prone to agree to play the company's game, as this is their home and they really don't have any other option).
The real problem was that on a few specific issues (Trainers joining against a ban), we really did shoot ourselves in the foot. I know from the inside that prior to the defections, the company was in a world of hurt with their training capability (PC was throwing his toys against the wall daily on this point). They were even considering contracting with outside vendors to do the training. Once the defectors made their move, the company's biggest problem was solved. I suppose the karma aspect is that they are suffering the pay cuts now like all the others, so they ironically enabled the company to prevent proper improvement to our contracts, contracts that may have changed just enough to more legally protect what we had. Too late now.
Ultimately, I believe it's all too late. If you look at the history of CX since the early 90's, it has been the slow implementation of the "death of a thousand cuts" strategy to bring us to the point we are at today. I must admit it took longer than I thought it would, but it has now reached a point that there is truly nothing left to cut.
The only strength the pilots have remaining is to leave. Hopefully there will be a resurgence in our industry that leaves CX management on the back foot. If there is a better option going forward (or even a similar option), I suspect that many will not forget what CX has done and will leave and take that option. Who could possibly trust their careers, their family's future and security to what is obviously a cold and heartless organisation, one that will victimise you at any time they wish if they choose to make an example of you. There can surely be no point in enduring in HK with such an employer.
In closing, I think Piet largely represents the more honest assessment of the situation, and for anyone left at CX, or who moves to another airline at some point, his sentiments represent the dynamic that would have likely resulted in a better outcome for us all. Again, it's too late now for such hopes at CX.
Last edited by mngmt mole; 11th November 2020 at 15:50.