!#!#* the ban
I myself am starting to say to hell with the Cathay pilots imposed ban on new hires. There are too many people out there who need work. I just read a thread below where a Brazilian pilot wanted to know about working there. (he's one many that just lost his job)
Here in Canada there are far too many unemployed pilots. Many have sat on the sidelines waiting for this Cathay situation to be worked out. I really think they have lost.
I have great empathy for those who were fired so unjustly. The problem is that given the current airline economy outside of the far and middle east, there are too many pilots willing to take these jobs.
It is quite noble to give up your spot on the lifeboat for women and children, but human reality shows this rarely happens.
The result? People will take these jobs if they really need to. Those waiting will be left only with their principles, and that won't feed their families.
The Cathay ban will fail with time. I think that time is up.
It is too much a burden to continually ask the unemployed pilots to carry the responsiblity of all the others. I know those at Cathay are donating a small portion of their salary (<5% ??) to support those fired. But what are they really doing now?
If they have as much unity and tenacity as they expect the new hires to have, they should take their actions to a next level.
How about sick outs?... Or captains not allowing the first officers to land, thus expiring their takeoff and landing currencies. I'm sure there are many other things they could do. This would be a step in the right direction.
I'll I'm asking is that the Cathay pilots hold themselves to the same moral barometer that they hold others to.
I hope this can be resolved soon. I have too many qualified friends looking for work. I will support them if they should accept employment at Cathay.