Fair cop HFX, I find it difficult to differentiate between those people who took upgrades - ergo replacing the 49ers- and those who take jobs lower down the food chain to replace the upgradees and fill new slots made available by expansion. My point is that management at CX have effectively split the pilot body since the inception of B grade salaries, then ASL etc. I know that all courses are filled with well qualified newbies until early next year, I know that all interviews - both initial and final are also full, I know that all command courses are being readily filled. Therefore the ban is impotent. The bigger problem is that the newbies are joining the company and not the union, and all upgrades to replace the old farts will be at the Company's discretion and obviously only those deemed to be 'company loyal' will get a guernsey. You would give up your slot and more credit to you for that because I doubt the chance would come around again for you. But all the 'company loyal' folk would not, so once again, in my opinion, it would a vain sacrifice. This 'measured restraint' in industrial action has been ongoing now for about ten years and where has it got us? 50 odd good folk unemployed, an effective 4 per cent pay cut for AOA members and the company bottom line is well in the black. The contract issue day came and went with the company placing conditions of service in the manuals. They are smart, they didn't reduce anything. We must go forward and emotional as it was, publicity stunts like yellow bus trips won't cut the mustard. Have a chat to members of the public or ground staff and get an idea of the depth of feeling against the AOA. I will not slag the AOA executive but I honestly feel their strategies will not work in Hong Kong - or most anywhere else these days. We need common sense and good judgement now, we need to get back to the table with management and they won't be bullied back. Would a new committee be more effective? Maybe not, but it would be an indication on the AOA's part that they want to talk not fight. I have said for a long time now that all industrial action must be stopped - it's not working anyway. Thank you for your reasonable response and good luck.