Flight Crew employed by Cathay Pacific USA

[Jose Jimenez]

Just heard that an FA interviewing for a San Francisco base with Cathay will get the benefit of a 401(k) plan. Sounds like she'll be working for Cathay Pacific USA, which employs the ground staff in the US, along with US working rules, legal protection, FICA and FUTA, and the ability to have a US recognized retirement plan (unlike the pilots working for USAB, Ltd., a Hong Kong registered company). Sort of blows the argument that Cathay doesn't want US-employed crew onboard the aircraft.

Comments?

Would US-based, USAB-employed pilots want the status quo or to work for Cathay Pacific USA, rather than USAB?

[Five Green]

Cathay always has had to go that route with ground staff since there is no arguing that they are permanently based in the US. The cabin crew is a suprise, but maybe that is what market forces are dictating. Of course same does not apply with cockpit crew. We seem to be getting plenty of US applicants without having to coonform to US labour laws. So cannot see the company ever offering it. Not like we can demand it either. What we may want and what we get are two different things.

It is a posotive though as it sets a legal precidence ffoor future "jurisdiction" arguments over say....wrongful dismissal etc.

FG