The point Endo makes is a valid one and is aimed at promoting unity amongst the "Cathay aircrew", in its widest sense. There is no suggestion of a second window of opportunity for the ASL guys to join the CX list.
It has always been the case that an element of the good work that the AOA does in representing the Cathay aircrew spills over onto ASL, (FTLs, CoS etc) Whether you intended it or not the AOA is now representing the ASL guys to a much greater extent. No better example can be the forthcoming pay negotations.
Officially, the company's position on Freighter pay is that it should reflect market forces and to that end the company monitors the pay offered by our Freight competitors. Equally, Integration was in the company's eyes a no-cost option. In reality however, CXF competes in the market place for pilots against all airlines, not just Freight carriers. CXF are experiencing very real problems, particularly in the US, in both recruiting and retaining pilots. Further in the UK, Dragonair are looking to recruit Classic qualified guys for their Classic Freighters and are offering about 10% over Cathay Freight pay. The company are also alive to the very real prospect that come the second half of 2001 a mass exodus shall occur off the freighters to the pax fleet, as the Veta (ASL signees) hit the required seniority number.
Unoffically, the company is starting to acknowledge that pressures exist to move the Freighter pay upwards. They are also saying that they want one single pay scale for all Freighter pilots, ASl and Veta. In about 2 weeks the negotiations start, and where they lead is anyone's guess, however, consider these questions;
1. Given the extant relationship between the company and the AOA should the AOA even sit down with the company at all?
2. Should the AOA negotiate for the Freighter pay to come in line with B Scales?
3. Assuming that you answered Yes to questions 1 and 2 above, if the company agreed to B scales but stipulated that in return they wanted to be able to roster the Veta Freight guys (not ASL) on the pax fleet; what would your reaction be?
I readily accept that the above is fanciful, but as we know, once negotaitions start ( assumming that they do?) it is very difficult to predict where they may lead.
Here's hoping for a harmonious new year
Liam G.