Cut and pasted from another thread but very relevant here:
Dragonair has sacked/demoted two pilots. It seems probable that it may lose a looming court case for the 747-400 freighter (where management are obliged to discuss non-HK bases with the pilot union) and is using the threat of then setting up a separate AOC to bypass such a decision. It appears the management line is the pilot union is acting alone as a 'wildcat', when really it is just reflecting the concerns of all it's members. In short, a provocative management style has resulted in a pressure-cooker environment. Real/potential departures of many individual pilots have happenned and are about to increase markedly.
Given the following, wouldn't it be a very silly airline management that p1ssed their aircrew off too much:
Emirates by many accounts about to meltdown. Not enough pilots (recruiting is only replacing those who leave). Pilots at max hours and leave cancelled etc. Currently not increasing pay and conditions but watch this space. 1 aircraft per minute for the next 100 years or whatever they are getting. I believe there were not enough 'traditional' Euro-type pilots so they turned to India & Philippines, but...
India Already melting down. Not enough pilots. Something like 4000 qualified captains needed in the next 2 years? Check out the ever-improving contracts there.
Philippines Major problems, so many pilots leaving that they are having trouble manning flights. Not enough pilots.
Japan Some of the better paying pilot positions (for the present, will only get better) but even then, major problems creeping up. Something like 40% of the ANA and JAL pilot group must leave due age over the next 3 years. There just aren't the replacements. Not enough pilots.
Asia Generally Cathay need 200+ pilots per year. Singapore need many as well. Mainland China is booming and can only train 400 pilots annually when over 2000 are required. Korean, China Airlines, Eva and Asiana all have major replacement/expansion plans and simply too few pilots for this. Not enough pilots.
Qatar/Etihad etc What will they do? they have Not enough pilots.
The answer is of course they will all have to offer the option of workable bases in home countries for expat pilots, better money and sensible rostering. Whoever doesn't will have parked airframes costing lost of $$$$ and it will be their own fault.
Flying schools just aren't producing the numbers they have historically and airforces have both downsized and also don't lose the numbers of pilots they once did.
Yes, there is always an element of 'the grass is greener' with pilots but it is a brave (suggest very stupid) management who choses this time to get aircrew offside.