Yes very true RP. I think the way forward now is along a quite different line.It was interesting hearing about tactics that were in the past very predictable.
I also wondered whether Management would go to the press with this one. They may take a little more time to make sure that their
PR company do an extra good job here.
Their advisors (puppeteers) will now be considering all forms of retaliation.If it reflects badly on them I think we can expect to see some desparate moves in the near future. Dismissals for trivial things were mentioned, although they can only afford to do that once or twice. Also a new contract in our mailboxes would seem an obvious move too. The other usual move is to get wetleased aircraft on standby. I for one would love to see this happen. It is very expensive to do, and if the action does not go ahead (who knows) it is still ....very expensive to do. I guess also they will be concerned about the availability of suitably rested crews to operate the late night courier contracts. There are heavy financial penalties for late arrivals on those.They must be keen to ensure that the crew fatigue level does not rise to high over the next few months.
In the near future when this does become public news I think the biggest effect will be a pax move to other carriers for the short term. As pointed out, the power control tactics by Management may then well be overridden by the HK governments' desire to see the airline maintain it's clean image.