Airplaneridesrfun
No, I don't think we have bases for the convenience of the Canadians. It's pure financials. Let's assume there is 55 Canadians on US bases, over 40 are captains. Let's assume they all have to return to Hong Kong. Let's assume all these positions will be up for bid. I guarantee you that there are not 40 Americans who have the seniority to hold a pax command. Let's be generous and say 10 captain positions will be filled, half from HKG based Americans and half from already based FOs. That leaves 20 FO spots open. can they be filled internally? Probably not, but who cares for the matter of this exercise. That means not counting the FOs a net increase of 35 captains returning to Hong Kong at USD 100k/year plus. That's USD 3.5 million/year. Assume there will be hardly any Canadian base slots for Captains available in the next ten years, plus you need around 22 years seniority to hold a spot as it stands at the moment, these captains will stay min. 10 years in Hong Kong. The result a cost of USD 35 million, not including all other expatriate benefits, 13th month and the cost of FOs.
That's why CX will do whatever it takes to keep the Canadians on the base. And if you think that all your actions against the company in this matter will remain unpunished you are kidding yourself. If the company feels that you guys f__ked this up, they will take action against individuals if known or as a group in some form or another.