The question has to be asked, "Which group is seen as the greater of the two threats?" The unemployed ex-airline pilot, or G.A. pilot getting (perhaps) his only shot at airlines, both with young families to support - OR, the Training Captains at CX who process these guys, and later the crews who fly with them?
The "Recruitment Ban" would have some meaning if CX were trying to replace existing crews with direct entry Captains (and perhaps, F/O's capable of being upgraded in a short period) - again, the training would need to be done by current CX TC's.
I don't see Second Officers, nor brand new F/O's for that matter, as a threat to the incumbent pilots - EXCEPT, as has been pointed out by others, as a dilution to the percentage of pilots represented by the AOA.
Like it or not, the spotlight DOES fall directly onto the Training Captains simply because the Second Officer positions WILL be filled.
If the Training Captains are not willing to take some action (or INaction), then are the crews rostered to fly with these newly trained S/O's willing to refuse to fly with them?
The "Recruitment Ban" has been issued - are the CX pilots willing to follow that ban and its further implications RIGHT THROUGH?
If not, then a review is in order, I believe, to stop any erosion of the AOA, and to effectively "check" the company's move by ENLARGING the membership of the HKAOA with the new hires.
Last edited by Kaptin M; 16th May 2002 at 20:56.