Absence Management Program
Cathay Pacific management are obviously becoming desperate as the recent introduction of an illegal absence management program shows.
Pilots who report unfit for duty 6 or more times a year will be denied basings and may have promotions blocked.
Pilots are bound by law not to fly if suffering from illness, fatigue or stress. This new program places pressure upon pilots to report for duty when they are not fit to fly.
Apparently some pilots have made the decision to operate while unfit for duty as they fear the repercussions. This is illegal and extremely dangerous. The ramifications for both the pilot and the company would be disasterous were an accident to occur due to a pilot being ill while flying.
To all Cathay Pacific flight crew : Do not break the law. Do not operate while unfit for duty. To do so puts you in a precarious situation. We have a resposibility to the travelling public to fly our aircraft to the highest possible levels of safety. Yes,the rostering negotiations have failed again but it should not affect safety. Do not be coerced by this illegal management action to fly sick. I would rather jeopardise my flying career than risk the safety of our passengers lives.
I urge all Cathay Pacific pilots to make this policy well known to the public. Contact your local newspaper. Contact your local civil aviation department. Urge them to lobby Cathay Pacific and stop this dangerous and illegal practice.
Finally, to all our pilots. Please do not fly when you are unfit for duty. To do so would be an end to the professionalism we have maintained through these difficult years. You owe it to our passengers, your family and to yourself.
[This message has been edited by CATHAY PATHETIC (edited 28 April 2001).]