Cathay, in their infinite wisdom have a system that is unique in the world regarding promotion on a Base. As a based FO you have a huge decision to make when Command Course ( don't get me started) time comes up. Not just a few well thought out sectors under the guidance (stop it) and help of the Training (!) Dept to assist in changing seats, but a complete and utter life-changing move for you and your Family to Hong Kong for, basically the rest of your career. Certainly for about 10 years by which time most kids will be long gone. Oh and 60-odd sectors to prove yourself all over again. Can you go back on your Base as an FO if you fail the 'Course'? You are joking right!
So here we have the predictable result which is that over a hundred perfectly capable FOs have decided to stay on their Bases, with their Families and forego a Command for ever. What a criminal waste.
Well done to our forward thinking "Leaders".
