Some observations and thoughts...
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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Some observations and thoughts...
Respect and give and take runs both ways. The fact is, CX has little respect for it’s employees. They treat them purely as commodities – a necessary evil in order to generate income. A sign of the times arguably. As has been said before, CX is no longer a true career airline. Companies are often the first to complain about loyalty. But this runs both ways. Many companies are so tied up in saving a buck here, or a buck there, that they lose sight of the fact that employees can cost the company much more than that in good will, lost revenue, pilfered goods (office supplies etc), customer loyalty etc.
Keep your phones in your pockets for 2 months, remain uncontactable on your days off, don’t do discretion(hard for us captains I know), don’t acknowledge crew direct. Time will justify this short term sacrifice.
As for you over 55’s….
I think if you did some digging, you will find that in fact there will be fewer commands this year due to the increased retirement age. Progression not affected eh Phil?
Subtle intimidation continues - from crew control’s ‘are you refusing a duty?’ to being Cat B’d for dubious reasons and words to the effect that you are not working in the company’s interests thrown around every now and again. This clearly indicates they are under pressure to crew flights. Many flights continue to be crewed at the last minute - mainly through good will on pilot's part.
Work to rule is NOT industrial action. It is being touted as such in order to scare people off.
People are not turning up to interviews. People are realizing there are other options which ensure a lifestyle that suits them. Contrary to what Cathay may espouse, it is not the be all to end all of aviation employment any more. It is lagging behind many other carriers (even low cost) in terms of remuneration, lifestyle, career progression and culture.
Give and take. We were ‘urged’ to give much back to the company during SARS and did so fairly willingly. Even then there were subtle threats along the famous line of ‘not working/acting in the company’s interests’ again. Interesting that now when times are good and profits are high, we do not see any real give back from the company.
Crew control are continually asking for favors. What do you think the answer would be if you rang them and asked for a favor?
The company are very flexible on rostering rules when it suits them. But when it comes time for the flexibility to work in your favor (swaps etc), there is none.
The company has for a long time used the lack of official inflation as an excuse for not raising wages. What’s the answer going to be now that inflation is growing at an increasing rate(no – 3% doesn’t cut it!).
Lost cause. In a post you mentioned that we are undermining efforts for a better deal and lack empowerment. Agreed. And I totally agree with your sentiment that the lack of direction from the AOA is no excuse to go into training. It’s called common sense!
Jonathon68. I have just read some of your previous posts and see that you are now in C & T. I disagree that we should wait for the AOA to publically advise us not to take up these positions. The truth is that the current leadership is relatively ineffectual and doesn’t want to spoil their new found relationship with the company. Every time the company gets a whiff of any action or something gets voted down, they do not hesitate to announce their displeasure and it’s set back effect on this new found relationship. The fact that some AOA committee members are in C & T is no justification for you doing that job. You know it doesn’t benefit us by taking the position. You are fooling no one but yourself by trying to justify it. Once you enter that circle, you are in the company’s pockets. Anyone who thinks they can truly work both sides of the fence are being naïve. Once in C & T, you belong to the company and must toe the company line.
Remember also that the company is running below the required crewing levels, relying on goodwill to keep flights crewed up(especially with respect to crewing the freighter – until recently, anyway). The huge savings from this situation go straight into the company and management’s pockets(bonus) – not ours.
A fellow Capt just worked a G day to really help the company out of a bind. Well done and thanks for doing what I suspect was the flight I turned down by not answering my phone (message left). Again my efforts were undermined by someone else’s selfishness.
I think that will do for the meantime. Happy holidays….
Keep your phones in your pockets for 2 months, remain uncontactable on your days off, don’t do discretion(hard for us captains I know), don’t acknowledge crew direct. Time will justify this short term sacrifice.
As for you over 55’s….
I think if you did some digging, you will find that in fact there will be fewer commands this year due to the increased retirement age. Progression not affected eh Phil?
Subtle intimidation continues - from crew control’s ‘are you refusing a duty?’ to being Cat B’d for dubious reasons and words to the effect that you are not working in the company’s interests thrown around every now and again. This clearly indicates they are under pressure to crew flights. Many flights continue to be crewed at the last minute - mainly through good will on pilot's part.
Work to rule is NOT industrial action. It is being touted as such in order to scare people off.
People are not turning up to interviews. People are realizing there are other options which ensure a lifestyle that suits them. Contrary to what Cathay may espouse, it is not the be all to end all of aviation employment any more. It is lagging behind many other carriers (even low cost) in terms of remuneration, lifestyle, career progression and culture.
Give and take. We were ‘urged’ to give much back to the company during SARS and did so fairly willingly. Even then there were subtle threats along the famous line of ‘not working/acting in the company’s interests’ again. Interesting that now when times are good and profits are high, we do not see any real give back from the company.
Crew control are continually asking for favors. What do you think the answer would be if you rang them and asked for a favor?
The company are very flexible on rostering rules when it suits them. But when it comes time for the flexibility to work in your favor (swaps etc), there is none.
The company has for a long time used the lack of official inflation as an excuse for not raising wages. What’s the answer going to be now that inflation is growing at an increasing rate(no – 3% doesn’t cut it!).
Lost cause. In a post you mentioned that we are undermining efforts for a better deal and lack empowerment. Agreed. And I totally agree with your sentiment that the lack of direction from the AOA is no excuse to go into training. It’s called common sense!
Jonathon68. I have just read some of your previous posts and see that you are now in C & T. I disagree that we should wait for the AOA to publically advise us not to take up these positions. The truth is that the current leadership is relatively ineffectual and doesn’t want to spoil their new found relationship with the company. Every time the company gets a whiff of any action or something gets voted down, they do not hesitate to announce their displeasure and it’s set back effect on this new found relationship. The fact that some AOA committee members are in C & T is no justification for you doing that job. You know it doesn’t benefit us by taking the position. You are fooling no one but yourself by trying to justify it. Once you enter that circle, you are in the company’s pockets. Anyone who thinks they can truly work both sides of the fence are being naïve. Once in C & T, you belong to the company and must toe the company line.
Remember also that the company is running below the required crewing levels, relying on goodwill to keep flights crewed up(especially with respect to crewing the freighter – until recently, anyway). The huge savings from this situation go straight into the company and management’s pockets(bonus) – not ours.
A fellow Capt just worked a G day to really help the company out of a bind. Well done and thanks for doing what I suspect was the flight I turned down by not answering my phone (message left). Again my efforts were undermined by someone else’s selfishness.
I think that will do for the meantime. Happy holidays….
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Don’t mind the Management Rick.Shaw, he’s just an unmuzzled sheep-biting hedge pig, who recently screwed up by telling the troops in writing, thus much to the glee of the AOA lawyers, that S.Os were not being upgraded in order of seniority.
Bother, my onuses! As he might say
Bother, my onuses! As he might say
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Which airlines?
I'm a career changer and starting CPL training this year, which airlines are the ones to shoot for these days? From many US pilots, they still consider CX to be better than any regional US airline and on par (US based CX) to the US Majors, though some will take the expat pkg and then tell you that its great. Thanks!
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Inflation
Hi Rick,
one correction. Managements stated position is that wages are driven by market forces and NOT inflation. See NPR's burst a couple of months ago.
This is probably the biggest single reason for not joining this company and the very reason a lot more people are about to leave.
JS
one correction. Managements stated position is that wages are driven by market forces and NOT inflation. See NPR's burst a couple of months ago.
This is probably the biggest single reason for not joining this company and the very reason a lot more people are about to leave.
JS
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Yup there's a bunch of suckers out there who are willing to work the G. I was offered a trip today (Gday) , I politely turned it down.... just checked the roster and noticed the bloke who did the sector was on a G.... WHY... 
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Well said Rick.Shaw! All very valid points, and I totally agree with you on every one.
This company has absolutely no regard for their employees. After years of help from us through some fairly difficult times (911 & SARS), what do we get in return? An imposed COS! Go figure. How everyone can not see this blantant abuse is beyond me! And it's not only us - look at what they're doing to the Cabin Crew and Ground Staff!
The time will come when they will taste their own medicine.
All I can say about the B-scale C & T boys, is that I hope some of these individuals will soon take a good look at themselves and realise what damage they have done. It's still not to late though...
As for working on G-days, just give them the famous Hkg "can not"!
This company has absolutely no regard for their employees. After years of help from us through some fairly difficult times (911 & SARS), what do we get in return? An imposed COS! Go figure. How everyone can not see this blantant abuse is beyond me! And it's not only us - look at what they're doing to the Cabin Crew and Ground Staff!
The time will come when they will taste their own medicine.
All I can say about the B-scale C & T boys, is that I hope some of these individuals will soon take a good look at themselves and realise what damage they have done. It's still not to late though...
As for working on G-days, just give them the famous Hkg "can not"!
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As has been said before, CX is no longer a true career airline
When were they a career airline Rick. ??? Not in the years i'f been here
Companies are often the first to complain about loyalty.
Last edited by Beta Light; 29th Jan 2008 at 05:59.
