Hero< That sounds much more like it and if you are right then there is a simple solution cash incentives.
I believe that BA does it for the LHR HKG route and all other long haul sectors. It would be flown by volunteers only but there would be a large cash incentive for the crews to fly for that long. I believe BA pays £1000 to a captain for the round trip so lets start the bidding at HK$20000 per round trip to NYC for a Capt lesser amounts for the other crews. No I'm not trying to get at anyone because of rank . It's based on salary scales.
They need the extra flight time and I see no reason that we should give it to them for nothing
Seems to me that the birds are coming home to roost.
Thrust as for 411 he only has 641 posts versus your measly 240 odd . Don't bother replying to him. If he has that much time to post he is obviously an unemployed wanabee