Che, you haven't got your facts right and I question your motives for your post.
The company anticipated much of the fleet to be grounded when the 49ers were fired; they could then tear up contracts due to an 'illegal' strike and rehire on their own (reduced of course), terms; a 'lockout'. CX, or its consultants, may have 'read the manual' after a mass resignation by Australian domestic pilots in 1989 which resulted in a very similar situation which in that case eventually worked in management's favour.
CX was embarrassed when a strike wasn't called, and the boys sat at home on Reserve while our passengers flew in the dodgy chartered aircraft that had been pre-booked.
With the ongoing legal costs, compensations, bad press, ill-will etc CX are still paying the price for this ill-advised action over a decade later. Subsequent legal action by based 49ers led to foreign tax authorities investigating CX's basing structure and costing the shareholders more money.
Further publicity about the infamous 'Star Chamber' hit the press, coincidentally, after the illegal flypast by a management pilot in a CX B 777 with passengers on board on its delivery flight. There's also a book about to come out on the 49ers which will again bring some public attention to the whole disaster. I'm sure that it will sell reasonably well in Hong Kong. Hardly a victory for Cathay Pacific, Che.
The AOA emerged smaller due to 'quitters', but the remaining core financially assisted the 49ers for years and became the basis for a much stronger group with no illusions as to the scruples and competence of who we work for.
And what's more, many CX pilots are tired, pizzed off, are suffering dreadful rosters and disruption due to crew shortage, and there are more and more alternate jobs out there; there have been 12 resignations from Australian FO's alone with, anecdotally, many more to come from North America. Response to CX's rip-off 'fast track cadet' scheme was distinctly, and embarrassingly, underwhelming. They are supposedly attempting damage control, but once your swimming pool has been pooped in, it takes a long time for your friends to come back to it after it has been cleaned; further crew shortage.
Many CX crew feel that there would be nothing to lose with taking a hard line regarding the AHK issue. Prospective AHK joiners should do their research thoroughly as to the real situation and who they will be working for. Rant over.
Last edited by Captain Dart; 18th Feb 2011 at 04:55.