SCMP Letter "Fat Cat Pilots"
From the SCMP letters to the editor 15/12/2000;
No sympathy for militant, fat cat pilots.
"I refer to the letter from a "Senior Cathay Captain" (SCMP, Dec 8th) who saw fit to tell us how "sick" he was of the Cathay Pacific dispute.
May I report by advising your correspondent how "sick" we, the public, are of the attitude of such militant pilots.
We are sick of hearing of seven-figure annual remuneration; sick of exorbitant non-accountable housing allowances facilitating ownership of three-story homes, penthouse flats and live-aboard yachts; sick of waiting in a doctor's surgery and overhearing how "stressed" pilots will occupy themselves upon receipt of their sick-chits and sick of listening to gripes about reductions to their considerable benefits.
Many of us suffered during the last dispute with cancelled flights, delays and the uncertainty of whether our business and vacation trips would materialise.
The proposal that industrial action may target our impending holiday period is "sickening".
Let me say to the Cathay pilots- you have little sympathy from the public.
Times have been hard for all of us, not just a few fat-cat pilots. Please do us all a favour and get on with your job.
You're already very fortunate to be in such a position."
THOMAS MacINTYRE (sic)
Discovery Bay.
.
.
.
.
Well,..... do I detect a lack of sympathy? A little resentment? A little embitterment? A LOT of jealousy? I think so!!!!
What an ignorant letter in every sense of the word. This is only the view of one SCMP reader but it shows that the company SPIN DOCTORING has an effect. That coupled with totally inept reporting from the SCMP has this effect on public perceptions. The SCMP articles are so one-sided as to hardly be able to be discribed as "reporting". I for one think we need to get our public information service into high gear.
No doubt future contributors to this thread will dissect the letter and point out how it is almost 100% incorrect. If not I will! The only problem is that it shows that THOMAS doesn't read Pprune so he will remain ignorant. We know the SCMP does but they take no notice (or choose ignorance). This is probably due to the lack of advertising space, we as a group, take out with them.
The whole media saga is sad isn't it?
[This message has been edited by Thrust (edited 15 December 2000).]