Millerscourt,
I hope you have many hats....because you will have to eat them very soon.
A senior Capt (25yrs+) in SQ is usually one who has many assets..properties and company shares. His typical annual salary will surpass that of CAL. Why he does not want to leave is because of the many formative years spent in this once humble airline. Of late, the arm chair generals instigated some wage cut - in line with the national wage council wage reform. The pilots' union got sucked into accepting the wage cut + no pay leave...out of fear, ignorance and lack of effective leadership.
The wage cut + no pay leave amounts to a 25% pay cut. This is substantial. Unless one has training allowances and at top of his pay scale, CAL salary package begins to look attractive.....considering the lifestyle component. In addition, the latest onslaught on wages, morale, etc. has sucked out the soul of the airline. The sense of belonging is at its ebb. The government is talking about reducing the employer's contribution to the provident fund......akin to further wage cut for local pilots.
Layoff of local and foreign pilots are unnecessary, but only to make a point in the pilots' dispute. The much anticapated cap in future pay scale and reduced benefits made many local Captains look towards other airlines such as CAL.
More than one have finished their interviews and checks. Year end bonuses is the shift factor in determining the timing of resignation.
I wish to put things in the proper perspective....not the picture depicted by some....SQ Captains being timid and wimpy.
Certainly, the talent pool of experienced guys will be sought after by airlines in the region such as CAL. By the way, the CP and DCP of Air Hong Kong is ex- SQ. Another is helping Value Air to get airborne. Many are eyeing the aviation scene in Mainland China...an ideal ground for bi-lingual SQ locals....
wingtips