Treykule;
I also wonder if they are CAAC employees, company or whatever, but TIC. This is China. That means a lot of things, including that I will never understand anything here, even if I am here 10 years.
CAAC employees? Yes. Brother in Law of Air China chief pilot? Probably. Cousin of Chief Purser at China Southern. Yes. Taking kickbacks from China Eastern to pass their pilots? Who knows. I would guess yes.
The only thing I know for sure here, is I don't know squat, and will never know squat. I have just had to learn to live with that and be happy every month when they pay me.
Good luck!