Voluntary LOAs are here....
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The sad,strange fact of the matter is that with oil now at $47 a barrel,the monumental multi-billion dollar f**k-up in fuel hedging means that this contenscious "unpaid leave" is pure nickel & dime smokescreen.
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voluntary leave; loss of most benefits after the 31st day (including travel, loss of licence, housing etc...), sounds like they're discouraging anyone to take it.
More expectation management I guess....
More expectation management I guess....
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Official Notice
Well the upate says that anyone thinking of unpaid leave should make sure that the system has given out all the contractual leave for 2009. Otherwise if you take unpaid leave you will be robbing someone of contractual leave. Also note that the leave allowance for the year will reduced in a pro-rated formula and you will loose contractual leave.
This unpaid leave just gets more and more costly to take the more you look at it !!
Meanwhile they think that our COS only applies when the company sees fit. The current violation is that the co. has decided that SO by pass pay is not required as it does not reflect the companies current game plan !
FG
This unpaid leave just gets more and more costly to take the more you look at it !!
Meanwhile they think that our COS only applies when the company sees fit. The current violation is that the co. has decided that SO by pass pay is not required as it does not reflect the companies current game plan !
FG
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From the FT......
Cathay puts aircraft orders on hold
By Raphael Minder in Hong Kong and Robin Kwong in Taipei
Published: November 28 2008 17:42 | Last updated: November 28 2008 17:42
Cathay Pacific announced cost-cutting measures on Friday, including the deferral of aircraft deliveries, as the Hong Kong-based airline faced a sharp slowdown in both passenger and cargo traffic.
The airline cut its forecast for 2009 passenger capacity growth to less than 1 per cent, from 6-7 per cent. Tony Tyler, Cathay’s chief executive, also warned that the financial crisis was having “a particularly severe” effect on freight, which accounts for about 30 per cent of its revenues.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
In depth: Airlines - Nov-27
As a result, the airline will ground two of its Boeing 747 cargo aircraft in the Californian desert and put on hold the HK$4.8bn (US$620m) construction of a Hong Kong cargo terminal. It will also offer cabin and cockpit crew unpaid leave next year.
Cathay has ordered 42 passenger and freighter aircraft from Boeing, originally scheduled to be delivered by 2012. Mr Tyler said the airline was talking to Boeing about deferring the deliveries and outstanding payments.
This week, Air France-KLM also announced that it would postpone taking delivery of new aircraft, a trend that is threatening Boeing and rival Airbus.
Jim Proulx, at Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle, said several airline customers had moved their delivery dates but said the aircraft-maker was confident its $276bn-backlog of orders – the equivalent of seven years of sales – was a sufficient cushion to carry it through the downturn.
Mr Tyler indicated that more operational cuts might be required at Cathay given the difficult market conditions.
“We cannot see light at the end of the tunnel at this point,” he said.
The measures come less than a month after Cathay issued its second profit warning of the year, citing lower demand.
Cathay’s problems mirror those of airlines worldwide, but it is among the Asian carriers that are most vulnerable to falling business passenger traffic as a result of job cuts in the financial sector, as well as lower cargo traffic as Chinese manufacturing exports decline.
Earlier this month, David Turnbull, former chief executive of Cathay, told the Financial Times that cargo revenues for Asian airlines were likely to drop off after the Christmas shopping season and could fall as much as 20 per cent by the middle of next year.
The outlook for the Asian aviation sector has worsened rapidly, forcing rival airlines in India to discuss co-operation initiatives and two Chinese state-controlled airlines to seek emergency subsidies.
Separately, Malaysia Airlines reported on Friday that profit in the quarter ending September 30 fell 90 per cent to M$38.1m (US$10.5m), with flat revenues.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines recently forecast that capacity growth for Asian airlines would be flat next year compared with growth of 4-5 per cent this year.
Additional reporting by Hal Weitzman
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
By Raphael Minder in Hong Kong and Robin Kwong in Taipei
Published: November 28 2008 17:42 | Last updated: November 28 2008 17:42
Cathay Pacific announced cost-cutting measures on Friday, including the deferral of aircraft deliveries, as the Hong Kong-based airline faced a sharp slowdown in both passenger and cargo traffic.
The airline cut its forecast for 2009 passenger capacity growth to less than 1 per cent, from 6-7 per cent. Tony Tyler, Cathay’s chief executive, also warned that the financial crisis was having “a particularly severe” effect on freight, which accounts for about 30 per cent of its revenues.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
In depth: Airlines - Nov-27
As a result, the airline will ground two of its Boeing 747 cargo aircraft in the Californian desert and put on hold the HK$4.8bn (US$620m) construction of a Hong Kong cargo terminal. It will also offer cabin and cockpit crew unpaid leave next year.
Cathay has ordered 42 passenger and freighter aircraft from Boeing, originally scheduled to be delivered by 2012. Mr Tyler said the airline was talking to Boeing about deferring the deliveries and outstanding payments.
This week, Air France-KLM also announced that it would postpone taking delivery of new aircraft, a trend that is threatening Boeing and rival Airbus.
Jim Proulx, at Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle, said several airline customers had moved their delivery dates but said the aircraft-maker was confident its $276bn-backlog of orders – the equivalent of seven years of sales – was a sufficient cushion to carry it through the downturn.
Mr Tyler indicated that more operational cuts might be required at Cathay given the difficult market conditions.
“We cannot see light at the end of the tunnel at this point,” he said.
The measures come less than a month after Cathay issued its second profit warning of the year, citing lower demand.
Cathay’s problems mirror those of airlines worldwide, but it is among the Asian carriers that are most vulnerable to falling business passenger traffic as a result of job cuts in the financial sector, as well as lower cargo traffic as Chinese manufacturing exports decline.
Earlier this month, David Turnbull, former chief executive of Cathay, told the Financial Times that cargo revenues for Asian airlines were likely to drop off after the Christmas shopping season and could fall as much as 20 per cent by the middle of next year.
The outlook for the Asian aviation sector has worsened rapidly, forcing rival airlines in India to discuss co-operation initiatives and two Chinese state-controlled airlines to seek emergency subsidies.
Separately, Malaysia Airlines reported on Friday that profit in the quarter ending September 30 fell 90 per cent to M$38.1m (US$10.5m), with flat revenues.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines recently forecast that capacity growth for Asian airlines would be flat next year compared with growth of 4-5 per cent this year.
Additional reporting by Hal Weitzman
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
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monumental multi-billion dollar f**k-up in fuel hedging
On the contrary, it should be viewed as a premium on an insurance policy. If fuel had continued to go up in price the mangers(!) would be applauded.
This still doesn't absolve the mangers from asking staff to pay for their cargo fine.
IMO
On the contrary, it should be viewed as a premium on an insurance policy. If fuel had continued to go up in price the mangers(!) would be applauded.
This still doesn't absolve the mangers from asking staff to pay for their cargo fine.
IMO
Even blind Freddy could see $150/b was not sustainable for the world to function in ANY way.
I hope we are hedging at the current jetfuel price of about $72/b for the next 20 years!! Even if it goes down to $50 big deal, I suspect it will NEVER be this cheap ever again.
I hope we are hedging at the current jetfuel price of about $72/b for the next 20 years!! Even if it goes down to $50 big deal, I suspect it will NEVER be this cheap ever again.
The Reverend
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CPAFAU notice:
After the previous email to warn you about the Company’s announcement about Voluntary Unpaid Leave, we are writing to further caution you to THINK CAREFULLY before you apply for the ULV 2009 for the following reasons:-
For all Monthly Paid Crew, whether you are on 72 or 76 hours COS, if your ULV is not a complete month, you can be rostered to fly the full 72 or 76 hours for the rest of the month without being paid any Excess Flying Pay.
For those who are entitled to housing allowance, you will have to give up the allowance if you apply for more than 30 days.
Your retirement fund and annual bonus/profit sharing will be deducted according to the length of your Unpaid Leave days
Your annual leave will be ADVERSELY affected. Please read carefully the harsh terms in intraCX.
Unlike during SARS, the Company has not negotiated with FAU the reasonable terms when offering the unpaid leave this time – the terms are so harsh that it is as if you are begging them to let you help them or you are allowing to be DOUBLE punished for helping them out
Many flights are very full [average load factor above 80%!!]and some flights are even departing with crew shortage. Those who take UL will be effectively making the rest of us work harder – Management claim that they will endeavour to maintain integrity of network, how can we achieve this by ULV?
Management claim that even if flights are full they are still losing money, does it tell us something about mismanagement
If there is really a surplus of crew or the Company is going to reduce flight frequencies, then we will ALL get MORE time off on FULL PAY if we all DON’T take UL
We should NOT be asked to pay for Management’s bad decisions on price fixing and fuel hedging, voluntary taking unpaid leave is effectively transferring money from our pocket into their pocket for the problems they caused
If the Company is really in trouble and needs our help, why only ask CX HKG based aircrew to take UL? Why are KA employees or other CX employees groups not asked to share the pain, like during SARS
After the previous email to warn you about the Company’s announcement about Voluntary Unpaid Leave, we are writing to further caution you to THINK CAREFULLY before you apply for the ULV 2009 for the following reasons:-
For all Monthly Paid Crew, whether you are on 72 or 76 hours COS, if your ULV is not a complete month, you can be rostered to fly the full 72 or 76 hours for the rest of the month without being paid any Excess Flying Pay.
For those who are entitled to housing allowance, you will have to give up the allowance if you apply for more than 30 days.
Your retirement fund and annual bonus/profit sharing will be deducted according to the length of your Unpaid Leave days
Your annual leave will be ADVERSELY affected. Please read carefully the harsh terms in intraCX.
Unlike during SARS, the Company has not negotiated with FAU the reasonable terms when offering the unpaid leave this time – the terms are so harsh that it is as if you are begging them to let you help them or you are allowing to be DOUBLE punished for helping them out
Many flights are very full [average load factor above 80%!!]and some flights are even departing with crew shortage. Those who take UL will be effectively making the rest of us work harder – Management claim that they will endeavour to maintain integrity of network, how can we achieve this by ULV?
Management claim that even if flights are full they are still losing money, does it tell us something about mismanagement
If there is really a surplus of crew or the Company is going to reduce flight frequencies, then we will ALL get MORE time off on FULL PAY if we all DON’T take UL
We should NOT be asked to pay for Management’s bad decisions on price fixing and fuel hedging, voluntary taking unpaid leave is effectively transferring money from our pocket into their pocket for the problems they caused
If the Company is really in trouble and needs our help, why only ask CX HKG based aircrew to take UL? Why are KA employees or other CX employees groups not asked to share the pain, like during SARS
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Well said FAU..
At least Becky and her team have the balls to speak up..unlike the absolute pathetic AOA..who,as usual,has said nothing about the unpaid leave scheme..
At least Becky and her team have the balls to speak up..unlike the absolute pathetic AOA..who,as usual,has said nothing about the unpaid leave scheme..
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Slapfaan, unpaid leave piece from Tue 2 Dec AOA update follows.
It gives me great pleasure to refute more of your bullsh1t.
Keep the lies coming Moron.
Unpaid Leave
We note with interest that the Company is attempting to weather the current economic storm by offering crew the opportunity to take unpaid leave, as we have, allegedly, a surfeit of pilots. Many of our members are wondering how this can be the case, when they are still unable to take the leave to which they are contractually entitled during 2009. Whilst we understand that individuals may want to make their own personal arrangements, we would suggest that our members explore every avenue towards taking their contractual entitlement to leave prior to applying for unpaid leave.
It is worth noting that individuals who take unpaid leave also have their paid leave entitlement pro-rated; 4 weeks unpaid leave will reduce the paid annual leave entitlement (of an Officer with 42 days leave per year) by 3 days.
It gives me great pleasure to refute more of your bullsh1t.
Keep the lies coming Moron.
Unpaid Leave
We note with interest that the Company is attempting to weather the current economic storm by offering crew the opportunity to take unpaid leave, as we have, allegedly, a surfeit of pilots. Many of our members are wondering how this can be the case, when they are still unable to take the leave to which they are contractually entitled during 2009. Whilst we understand that individuals may want to make their own personal arrangements, we would suggest that our members explore every avenue towards taking their contractual entitlement to leave prior to applying for unpaid leave.
It is worth noting that individuals who take unpaid leave also have their paid leave entitlement pro-rated; 4 weeks unpaid leave will reduce the paid annual leave entitlement (of an Officer with 42 days leave per year) by 3 days.
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Slapfaan
SLAPFAAN:
FIREWALL:
See what happen when you're not in the union Slapfaan, ...........egg on your face. 
unlike the absolute pathetic AOA..who,as usual,has said nothing about the unpaid leave scheme..
Slapfaan, unpaid leave piece from Tue 2 Dec AOA update follows.
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Well,what do ya know - IT'S ALIVE after all!!
Just when everybody thought that the AOA was in it's final death kick..
The words that the AOA uses are very much pussy-foot though,so as not to upset anybody in management,unlike the FAU's response which gets right down to the point..
But then again,the AOA is in bed with CX management, in case anybody out there was wondering...
So, congrats to FIRE WALL and CXtreme,looks like you girl scouts are finally getting something in return for all those subs so faithfully paid every month - a response (neither condemming nor endorsing) the unpaid leave scam!!
Just when everybody thought that the AOA was in it's final death kick..The words that the AOA uses are very much pussy-foot though,so as not to upset anybody in management,unlike the FAU's response which gets right down to the point..
But then again,the AOA is in bed with CX management, in case anybody out there was wondering...
So, congrats to FIRE WALL and CXtreme,looks like you girl scouts are finally getting something in return for all those subs so faithfully paid every month - a response (neither condemming nor endorsing) the unpaid leave scam!!
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Showing your colours
Slapstick :
I hope you realise what you sound like. I am willing to bet that, while down route, you would not have the balls to express you views in such a manner.
You come across as ill-informed and spitefull. Nothing to repect there at all.
You are welcome to your views. Many who share your point of view, have expressed it here with intelligence. If you cannot hold a discsussion without resorting to primary school type retorts and logic, then please don't waste any more of our time here on PPrune. This is after all the "Professional Pilot's Rumour Network"
Peace Out
FG
I hope you realise what you sound like. I am willing to bet that, while down route, you would not have the balls to express you views in such a manner.
You come across as ill-informed and spitefull. Nothing to repect there at all.
You are welcome to your views. Many who share your point of view, have expressed it here with intelligence. If you cannot hold a discsussion without resorting to primary school type retorts and logic, then please don't waste any more of our time here on PPrune. This is after all the "Professional Pilot's Rumour Network"
Peace Out
FG
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So Five Green...if you are so fantastically intelligent and "professional" then why not write something relative to the topic here,instead of slanting off others,who,as you say,are entitled to their own opinions....you 
old prick...
Amazed to see how many people are lining up for the LOAs though,to help out the company in these dire financial times? or simply to enjoy the time off,one wonders!!
On the other hand,that means that the rest of us will be doing the same amount of flying every month,or perhaps even more..which means MORE money in the form of excess pay!!!
"Good night Mr Scott"
old prick...Amazed to see how many people are lining up for the LOAs though,to help out the company in these dire financial times? or simply to enjoy the time off,one wonders!!
On the other hand,that means that the rest of us will be doing the same amount of flying every month,or perhaps even more..which means MORE money in the form of excess pay!!!
"Good night Mr Scott"
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Cabin crew and pilots rush to take unpaid leave
Taipei Times - archives
Hong Kong pilots, attendants rush to take unpaid leave
NO REGULAR LEAVE: A flight attendants union said that the colleagues of those that take unpaid leave will be left with an even heavier workload
DPA, HONG KONG
Monday, Dec 22, 2008, Page 12
Hong Kong’s main airline Cathay Pacific (國泰航空) said yesterday it had been swamped with more than 1,600 requests for unpaid leave next year from cabin crew and pilots.
The airline said it had received requests for more than 55,000 days off after making the controversial offer at the end of last month of non-salaried time off to combat the economic downturn.
Cabin crew have applied for a total of more than 50,000 days of unpaid leave next year — almost a full week for every flight attendant — while pilots had applied for more than 5,000 days.
The applications come from 1,062 flight attendants, some of who have made more than one application, and 200 pilots.
A Cathay Pacific spokeswoman said all the pilots’ requests would be honored while some of the airline’s 7,200 cabin crew would be asked to adjust their requests because of too much demand.
The Flight Attendants Union, which represents more than 5,000 cabin crew, said demand for unpaid leave showed many flight attendants were unable to get the time off they wanted through regular leave.
The union — which distributed a circular to members outlining 10 reasons not to apply for unpaid leave — warned that colleagues of flight attendants who take unpaid leave would be left with an even heavier workload.
The Cathay spokeswoman insisted the scheme was “entirely voluntary” and said flight attendants’ regular leave had been allocated for next year before unpaid leave offer was made.
This story has been viewed 133 times.
Hong Kong pilots, attendants rush to take unpaid leave
NO REGULAR LEAVE: A flight attendants union said that the colleagues of those that take unpaid leave will be left with an even heavier workload
DPA, HONG KONG
Monday, Dec 22, 2008, Page 12
Hong Kong’s main airline Cathay Pacific (國泰航空) said yesterday it had been swamped with more than 1,600 requests for unpaid leave next year from cabin crew and pilots.
The airline said it had received requests for more than 55,000 days off after making the controversial offer at the end of last month of non-salaried time off to combat the economic downturn.
Cabin crew have applied for a total of more than 50,000 days of unpaid leave next year — almost a full week for every flight attendant — while pilots had applied for more than 5,000 days.
The applications come from 1,062 flight attendants, some of who have made more than one application, and 200 pilots.
A Cathay Pacific spokeswoman said all the pilots’ requests would be honored while some of the airline’s 7,200 cabin crew would be asked to adjust their requests because of too much demand.
The Flight Attendants Union, which represents more than 5,000 cabin crew, said demand for unpaid leave showed many flight attendants were unable to get the time off they wanted through regular leave.
The union — which distributed a circular to members outlining 10 reasons not to apply for unpaid leave — warned that colleagues of flight attendants who take unpaid leave would be left with an even heavier workload.
The Cathay spokeswoman insisted the scheme was “entirely voluntary” and said flight attendants’ regular leave had been allocated for next year before unpaid leave offer was made.
This story has been viewed 133 times.
