Tosh? Here's some facts.
The CLH (not LH!) contract would have begun to run down in March but would not have ended until August next. Until last September a further extension seemed likely.
It was stated by management that when the contract ended they predicted employment for all those who wanted it would be available on the 145. At the time the transfer to bmi was running (seven last spring, seven to go this autumn and more this spring), and other airlines were recruiting hard. The biggest concern was where to find enough crews, (captains in particular), for the new aircraft. It was a totally realistic proposition that all who wanted it would get a place on the 145 as and when the 146 ran down.
One assumes they would have been treated like the Saab transfers. It is obvious they would have been bonded and have to join the base bid system. They would also have been bound by the 12 months since latest type rating rule for bmi transfer. The pay deal would have virtually closed the gap between the two fleets by then. No big mystery there.
That they were a special case was a peculiar notion held by a few 146 pilots and probably the one that made them most unpopular.
While the majority got on with the job a minority shouted the odds about how they should be given preferential transfers to bmi. It was a commonly stated view that the "Barbie Jet" was a backward career move.
No-one was conned or lied to but some weren't in touch with reality and could only hear the sound of their own braying.
As for the crew council. One of those being criticised now did all the research for that 145 pay deal. He was involved in the negotiations and was also present at a meeting convened because some people felt the former chairman had sold the 145 pilots out. He was the one who kept his cool.
Finally, if you want to name someone else on this site use your own name to do it. That way if you libel them you will have to face the consequences.
[ 20 November 2001: Message edited by: Bash ]
[ 20 November 2001: Message edited by: Bash ]
[ 20 November 2001: Message edited by: Bash ]