It seems we are faced once again with an aggressive, sureptitious, and ultimately dangerous challenge to our careers. And, once again, we see that the issue is mainly in the hands of the Check and Trainers. Will they agree to help train the 'first' group of aircrew who are being hired with the express aim of 'replacing' us in several years time? Gentlemen, be under no illusions, this management is determined to push us right up to the point of serious industrial action, believing that there is NO provocation great enough to provoke us into striking. With this mindset, they are convinced that by using our labour over the next few years, they can 'evolve' the nature of the aircrew body to the point that those of us from the 'traditional' backgrounds can be given their walking papers. There is no doubt that the company intends on hiring first Malaysians, then other regional aircrew (Singapore, Thailand, China, Eastern Europe, etc...) until, within a few short years, they have a 'pool' of aircrew that they can retain, and dispense with everyone of us as and when they feel like it. I advise everyone of us (particularly the Check and Trianers) to begin to appreciate the 'Grand Plan' that is being attempted. If this management succeeds, it will be only a few short years before our careers are over. The only option will be to agree to work on 'local' terms....and who amongst us can tolerate a 'career' based on those conditions? It is time that we all resolved to stop this insanity. If it comes to a strike, then so be it. I was once in C & T, and couldn't stomach the mentality of those at the top of this airline (KB, RF, etc...). Be in no doubt,.....this management is completely and utterly determined to push ahead with a program of devaluing our profession, with the reward being obscene bonuses. I urge all of you to take a stand. Challenge those of us who are in C & T to explain what they are willing to do about this abomination. It is time that those of us who have reaped the best rewards this career had to offer, now show that they possess character, and do what is right. Resign from C & T in protest and disgust. Use whatever excuse you need....but do it. If you don't, you will surely be sowing the seeds of your OWN destruction, never mind the destruction of the careers of hundreds of your colleagues. We need to show that there is a heavy price to pay for becoming and remaining one of 'Hitlers willing henchmen'... It is timely to remind ourselves of ASL's arrival on the scene. Those of you in C & T who were Flight Engineers trained your own replacements. No sooner where there enough ASL engineers, then suddenly all of you were made redundant. Remember how that felt. To see your dismissal letter in your mailbox, knowing that others of many years less seniority were continuing in employment, and you were now out on the street. Interestingly, some of those same very senior engineers have been rehired into CXF lately, on the bottom of the seniority list, being paid a quarter of their original salary. I believe that this time they intend the same for the pilots. Once they have a pool of 'Command' qualified pilots on the books (remember, they can hire a lot of pilots as FO's, who in fact can be quickly trained as Captains), they will issue an ultimatum (remember 1999...), and the choice will be either resign, or take far worse terms than even B-scale as we now know it. This is the final straw, and we must shut this airline down. The management must be made to realise that the cost of attacking us is far greater than ANY savings they may realise. It is time the AOA stopped treating this management with respect and patience. The management are stalling for time....and time is our enemy. Time for courage, resolve and determination to end this madness....once and for all. OCD