Forthcoming Book on The 49ers
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Hello,
We regret to inform you that the following items have been delayed as we are still awaiting stock from our suppliers :
John Warham "The 49ers"
Estimated arrival date: April 14 2011 - April 27 2011
One of Amazon's aims is to provide a convenient and efficient service; in this case, we have fallen short. Please accept our sincere apologies.
You have not been charged for this item. We do not debit money from your payment card until just before your items are dispatched. We will send you a dispatch confirmation email on the date of dispatch.
Sincerely,
Customer Service Department
Amazon.co.uk
We regret to inform you that the following items have been delayed as we are still awaiting stock from our suppliers :
John Warham "The 49ers"
Estimated arrival date: April 14 2011 - April 27 2011
One of Amazon's aims is to provide a convenient and efficient service; in this case, we have fallen short. Please accept our sincere apologies.
You have not been charged for this item. We do not debit money from your payment card until just before your items are dispatched. We will send you a dispatch confirmation email on the date of dispatch.
Sincerely,
Customer Service Department
Amazon.co.uk
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More of a Critique, Please.
Thanks for your words, BusyB.
However, as one who is still awaiting his Amazon copy, I would appreciate an amplified, objective critique if you have the time. From anyone, actually.
However, as one who is still awaiting his Amazon copy, I would appreciate an amplified, objective critique if you have the time. From anyone, actually.
I have great respect for the Cathay Pilots but I find it a little difficult to sympathise with any Professional Airline Pilot only flying 70 hours a month.
Not knocking it, you deserve the contract you negotiate for and obtain but, by most standards thats not a heavy workload !
Not knocking it, you deserve the contract you negotiate for and obtain but, by most standards thats not a heavy workload !
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A GREAT read.
Just finished this book after downloading it from Amazon onto the iPad. I read it constantly over the past few days and couldn't put it down until I had worked my way through to the last page. A great read.
As an outsider but someone closely linked to a few of the names mentioned and a frequent operator into HKG over the past 15 years I have a small insight into the validity of this book. It brought back some sad memories of the appalling way in which Cathay went from an admired airline that many of us would have loved to fly for, to a deep pit of animosity and despair that was occasioned by the awful behaviour of their management.
The book begins with John's account of his start in aviation which, although interesting, I found a little self serving. John had a colourful start in aviation but hardly unique and many have walked the same path. The book took off for me when he started his account of the dispute between management and the AOA. This starkly accurate and gripping story is one that is hard to believe except that I know it is true. The despicable actions of management are best read for oneself as to try to repeat them here would only dilute their impact. The book continues into a fascinating account of the legals that finally revealed to us all what lying bastards were employed by Swire to do their dirty work.
I finished the book with mixed feelings. The guilty had hardly been made to pay for their crimes whereas the victims of their vicious campaign paid dearly and continue to do so. Had CX management been tarred and feathered and paraded up and down the runway at Kai Tak before being drowned in the canal of sewage that ran down the side of the runway I might have felt satisfied. As it is, all I can hope is that this story is read by as many pilots as possible.
Join your Union and stick together for dear life or this story might just become yours!
As an outsider but someone closely linked to a few of the names mentioned and a frequent operator into HKG over the past 15 years I have a small insight into the validity of this book. It brought back some sad memories of the appalling way in which Cathay went from an admired airline that many of us would have loved to fly for, to a deep pit of animosity and despair that was occasioned by the awful behaviour of their management.
The book begins with John's account of his start in aviation which, although interesting, I found a little self serving. John had a colourful start in aviation but hardly unique and many have walked the same path. The book took off for me when he started his account of the dispute between management and the AOA. This starkly accurate and gripping story is one that is hard to believe except that I know it is true. The despicable actions of management are best read for oneself as to try to repeat them here would only dilute their impact. The book continues into a fascinating account of the legals that finally revealed to us all what lying bastards were employed by Swire to do their dirty work.
I finished the book with mixed feelings. The guilty had hardly been made to pay for their crimes whereas the victims of their vicious campaign paid dearly and continue to do so. Had CX management been tarred and feathered and paraded up and down the runway at Kai Tak before being drowned in the canal of sewage that ran down the side of the runway I might have felt satisfied. As it is, all I can hope is that this story is read by as many pilots as possible.
Join your Union and stick together for dear life or this story might just become yours!
Last edited by Old Pilot; 17th Apr 2011 at 20:50. Reason: typo
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Good Review, Old Pilot
Thanks for the review, Old Pilot.
I couldn't wait for Amazon and read the e-version. It took me 3 days too - the hardback arrived on Day 3
Your summary says it all. I think a non-aviator might gain some better perspective of the later chapters having read how a "typical" (ho-ho) pilot builds his career in the early days. I have to admit at having had quite a few chuckles at the beginning, too.
I wonder whether the "average" pilot will discount The 49ers' tale as boring history? It seems to me that the cycle continues today e.g. look at AHK freighters and compare with ASL. To me, like "On Wooden Wings" and "Flying the Line", John's story is almost as essential for a professional aviator as re-checking the memory items after leave. I think it will become a classic.
It's just too tempting not to highlight one chapter out of a 400+ page book: Chapter 23 "Betrayal". It starts with the quote by Winston Churchill: ‘An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile – hoping it will eat him last.’
It's rather tragic, but the actions taken in that chapter sealed the fate of The 49ers by turning the AOA's strategy around. So much for "Teamwork before all else. NO POLITICS! We are all on the same team; we succeed or fail as a team".
I feel - looking at the overall result - the AOA failed as a team. The fact that the "opposition" broke the Law isn't really relevant - we should have been able to deal with it and produce a better outcome. Those Judas's amongst us should hang their heads in shame. Those sucked in by the Judas' spin have learned a bitter lesson. Let everyone else learn from those mistakes - we can't afford to keep re-inventing the wheel in unionism.
Unfortunately, I'm flying tomorrow and will be unable to make the book-signing, so will miss the tea and biccies at Bookazine. Nonetheless, I congratulate John Warham, on not only an excellent book, but also for such inspirational leadership over some 15 years.
Court of Final Appeal here we come!
(PS If you haven't read it -do so!)
I couldn't wait for Amazon and read the e-version. It took me 3 days too - the hardback arrived on Day 3
Your summary says it all. I think a non-aviator might gain some better perspective of the later chapters having read how a "typical" (ho-ho) pilot builds his career in the early days. I have to admit at having had quite a few chuckles at the beginning, too.
I wonder whether the "average" pilot will discount The 49ers' tale as boring history? It seems to me that the cycle continues today e.g. look at AHK freighters and compare with ASL. To me, like "On Wooden Wings" and "Flying the Line", John's story is almost as essential for a professional aviator as re-checking the memory items after leave. I think it will become a classic.
It's just too tempting not to highlight one chapter out of a 400+ page book: Chapter 23 "Betrayal". It starts with the quote by Winston Churchill: ‘An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile – hoping it will eat him last.’
It's rather tragic, but the actions taken in that chapter sealed the fate of The 49ers by turning the AOA's strategy around. So much for "Teamwork before all else. NO POLITICS! We are all on the same team; we succeed or fail as a team".
I feel - looking at the overall result - the AOA failed as a team. The fact that the "opposition" broke the Law isn't really relevant - we should have been able to deal with it and produce a better outcome. Those Judas's amongst us should hang their heads in shame. Those sucked in by the Judas' spin have learned a bitter lesson. Let everyone else learn from those mistakes - we can't afford to keep re-inventing the wheel in unionism.
Unfortunately, I'm flying tomorrow and will be unable to make the book-signing, so will miss the tea and biccies at Bookazine. Nonetheless, I congratulate John Warham, on not only an excellent book, but also for such inspirational leadership over some 15 years.
Court of Final Appeal here we come!
(PS If you haven't read it -do so!)
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It's available in Bookazine, Dymocks, Swindon and the airport.
If you're in HK on evening of 21st then you should take advantage of the book signing at 5.30pm, Bookazine, 3/F Prince's Building (Central).
If you're in HK on evening of 21st then you should take advantage of the book signing at 5.30pm, Bookazine, 3/F Prince's Building (Central).
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Gobbleydegook: You hit on an area that may not have been clarified in the book.
The initial industrial action,IIRC, took the form of a type of contract compliance ( WOE campaign - withdrawal of enthusiasm ) The AOA then instigated, perhaps under the influence of advice given by ALPA, several days of "mass sick-outs". This was never admitted by the AOA as being industrial action - the official line was "our members are too stressed to come to work".
The logic being that you can not be fired whilst on sick leave.
This in my opinion was a grave error of strategy which precipitated the backlash from DT. A dirty response to underhand, unacknowledged tactics.
The initial industrial action,IIRC, took the form of a type of contract compliance ( WOE campaign - withdrawal of enthusiasm ) The AOA then instigated, perhaps under the influence of advice given by ALPA, several days of "mass sick-outs". This was never admitted by the AOA as being industrial action - the official line was "our members are too stressed to come to work".
The logic being that you can not be fired whilst on sick leave.
This in my opinion was a grave error of strategy which precipitated the backlash from DT. A dirty response to underhand, unacknowledged tactics.
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Some reviews...
Here are some reviews from the Amazon website. If you've read the book then please share your thoughts on Amazon.
I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting (well, lie in actually, jet-lagged in a hotel).
I was, like Kelvin, in Hong Kong when the earlier events related in this book took place: pilots and engineers demoted or dismissed for minor or non-existent errors or differences in opinion. Also like Kelvin, I had the opportunity to leave before the disgraceful events of 2001 took place. Several of my friends were dismissed as 49ers but I didn't really appreciate how awful things were until I read this book.
This should be compulsory reading for all airline pilots, particularly those considering a move to HKG.
Well done John, great book!
Chris Parker.
John's book should be compulsory reading for all commercial pilots ( union and non-union alike). There are , also , salutory lessons there-in for other industry employees . It is gritty and sets out the FACTS about the debacle that was the sacking of the 49'ers from Cathay Pacific all those years ago. John calls it as he sees it and a spade is definitely a shovel. His writing is matter of fact , yet still holds his reader gripped by the twisting and wriggling of the developing court-case. Pilots need to read this on their next stop-over and their wives will enjoy it too.. mine did!
Airline managers would do well to read and learn from this also, remembering John's assertion that with responsibility comes ACCOUNTABILITY!
Do not hesitate to buy this book, you will find it a superb read.
Sandy Easton.
This is a sad story, and also an uplifting one about the resilience of the human spirit when faced with dramatic changes to their lives. I have to declare an interest here, as I was a 747 Captain with Cathay Pacific but retired before this whole issue came to a head. In fact, had I not done so, I'm convinced that I also would have been one of the 49ers!
The fascinating thing for me is the exposure of all the "behind the scenes" activity in this book. As a Member of the Union, I was only told what I needed to know and trust my colleagues to do their best for me. This I happily did - along with many others. The revelations about false information, deceit, disregard for the welfare of the crews and arrogance of Management is an object lesson for all. The transcripts of the Court case are fascinating - you can virtually see Cathay Management wriggling on the hook as their falsehoods are dissected with the rapier of a very competent QC!
There are lessons for all to be learnt here. A fascinating read, and not only for those in the aviation world.
Kelvin Sharman.
This book gripped me from the very beginning; for me, it was one of those "couldn't put it down" reads. It may well serve as an unofficial aviation bible for anyone who finds themselves in a similar position to the author. It will also appeal to the layman as Mr. Warham has written the book in a no nonsense way and done away with the `bells and whistles'.
The book starts with the author explaining how he got into aviation and worked his way up through the ranks and became a senior pilot on the Boeing 747 with Cathay Pacific Airways. Later, as well as being a pilot, Mr. Warham also became a prominent member of the HKAOA (Hong Kong Aircrew Officer Association) and then the Chief Negotiator with the CPU (Cathay Pilots Union). Whilst holding this position with the unions their main aim was to negotiate a better rostering practice for the pilots in an attempt to make the operation safer for themselves and the passengers they carried, and to reduce the stress the pilot's were under, which can ultimately cause something known as `cumulative fatigue'. The senior management however had little interest in the union's efforts and their pleas went largely ignored.
Cathay Pacific then sacked 49 pilots and in effect threw them out of their jobs and defamed them in the press and industry at large to the point where they became virtually unemployable. Cathay claimed that they were not sacked because of their union activities but because they were "not acting in the company's best interests", something the 49ers vehemently disagreed with and they eventually proved that this was not the case.
In a bitter twist and at a crucial point in the negotiations the union is suddenly split and one of the author's union colleagues and best friends, who also fought for the same issues and sat by his side throughout the negotiations, jumps ship without mentioning his intentions and tries to set up a break-away union on his own. This only serves to undo a lot of work which had taken years to set up just when it seemed the CPU were making progress with the Cathay management.
Throughout his career Mr. Warham obviously tried to uphold and pass on valuable legacies handed down to him by his father and his Uncle, who both fought in the RAF in WWII, and people in the industry who left a lasting impression on him. Two great quotes in this book are "the best we can hope for is to put as much back into it as we derive from it and leave our profession in a better condition than when we entered it", and later on when some of the senior Cathay management find themselves on the witness stand and wishing they were somewhere else entirely is "with responsibility comes accountability".
The author reveals how the Director of Flight Operations for Cathay Pacific at the time had a degree in `Zoology' - go figure! - and no experience whatsoever in the aviation industry prior to joining the airline. He explains how he'd seen the airline go from working with the staff to working against them, and he lays the blame squarely with the men at the top, The Swires of London, for their mismanagement of the airline.
I had some (what I later found out to be) misconceptions not only about commercial pilots but also the airline industry itself. I now have a better understanding of how the aviation industry operates and also how the legal system works in Hong Kong, and for me this book was a real eye-opener.
A very important point made by the 49ers (only 18 of them "the hard men" managed to stay the full course and later termed themselves the `Band Of Brothers') was that at no time had any of them breached the terms of their contracts. Mr. Warham states, as it currently stands no one employed in Hong Kong from any profession, regardless of their seniority within that company, can expect any protection from their contract of employment. As, in a court of law in Hong Kong their contract will be worthless. The author tells how he's still a shareholder in Cathay Pacific and how he would one day like the airline to succeed and be an airline that people are proud to represent.
A very well-written book that left me wondering whether or not there will be a sequel.
Bluetooth Whizz.
I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting (well, lie in actually, jet-lagged in a hotel).
I was, like Kelvin, in Hong Kong when the earlier events related in this book took place: pilots and engineers demoted or dismissed for minor or non-existent errors or differences in opinion. Also like Kelvin, I had the opportunity to leave before the disgraceful events of 2001 took place. Several of my friends were dismissed as 49ers but I didn't really appreciate how awful things were until I read this book.
This should be compulsory reading for all airline pilots, particularly those considering a move to HKG.
Well done John, great book!
Chris Parker.
John's book should be compulsory reading for all commercial pilots ( union and non-union alike). There are , also , salutory lessons there-in for other industry employees . It is gritty and sets out the FACTS about the debacle that was the sacking of the 49'ers from Cathay Pacific all those years ago. John calls it as he sees it and a spade is definitely a shovel. His writing is matter of fact , yet still holds his reader gripped by the twisting and wriggling of the developing court-case. Pilots need to read this on their next stop-over and their wives will enjoy it too.. mine did!
Airline managers would do well to read and learn from this also, remembering John's assertion that with responsibility comes ACCOUNTABILITY!
Do not hesitate to buy this book, you will find it a superb read.
Sandy Easton.
This is a sad story, and also an uplifting one about the resilience of the human spirit when faced with dramatic changes to their lives. I have to declare an interest here, as I was a 747 Captain with Cathay Pacific but retired before this whole issue came to a head. In fact, had I not done so, I'm convinced that I also would have been one of the 49ers!
The fascinating thing for me is the exposure of all the "behind the scenes" activity in this book. As a Member of the Union, I was only told what I needed to know and trust my colleagues to do their best for me. This I happily did - along with many others. The revelations about false information, deceit, disregard for the welfare of the crews and arrogance of Management is an object lesson for all. The transcripts of the Court case are fascinating - you can virtually see Cathay Management wriggling on the hook as their falsehoods are dissected with the rapier of a very competent QC!
There are lessons for all to be learnt here. A fascinating read, and not only for those in the aviation world.
Kelvin Sharman.
This book gripped me from the very beginning; for me, it was one of those "couldn't put it down" reads. It may well serve as an unofficial aviation bible for anyone who finds themselves in a similar position to the author. It will also appeal to the layman as Mr. Warham has written the book in a no nonsense way and done away with the `bells and whistles'.
The book starts with the author explaining how he got into aviation and worked his way up through the ranks and became a senior pilot on the Boeing 747 with Cathay Pacific Airways. Later, as well as being a pilot, Mr. Warham also became a prominent member of the HKAOA (Hong Kong Aircrew Officer Association) and then the Chief Negotiator with the CPU (Cathay Pilots Union). Whilst holding this position with the unions their main aim was to negotiate a better rostering practice for the pilots in an attempt to make the operation safer for themselves and the passengers they carried, and to reduce the stress the pilot's were under, which can ultimately cause something known as `cumulative fatigue'. The senior management however had little interest in the union's efforts and their pleas went largely ignored.
Cathay Pacific then sacked 49 pilots and in effect threw them out of their jobs and defamed them in the press and industry at large to the point where they became virtually unemployable. Cathay claimed that they were not sacked because of their union activities but because they were "not acting in the company's best interests", something the 49ers vehemently disagreed with and they eventually proved that this was not the case.
In a bitter twist and at a crucial point in the negotiations the union is suddenly split and one of the author's union colleagues and best friends, who also fought for the same issues and sat by his side throughout the negotiations, jumps ship without mentioning his intentions and tries to set up a break-away union on his own. This only serves to undo a lot of work which had taken years to set up just when it seemed the CPU were making progress with the Cathay management.
Throughout his career Mr. Warham obviously tried to uphold and pass on valuable legacies handed down to him by his father and his Uncle, who both fought in the RAF in WWII, and people in the industry who left a lasting impression on him. Two great quotes in this book are "the best we can hope for is to put as much back into it as we derive from it and leave our profession in a better condition than when we entered it", and later on when some of the senior Cathay management find themselves on the witness stand and wishing they were somewhere else entirely is "with responsibility comes accountability".
The author reveals how the Director of Flight Operations for Cathay Pacific at the time had a degree in `Zoology' - go figure! - and no experience whatsoever in the aviation industry prior to joining the airline. He explains how he'd seen the airline go from working with the staff to working against them, and he lays the blame squarely with the men at the top, The Swires of London, for their mismanagement of the airline.
I had some (what I later found out to be) misconceptions not only about commercial pilots but also the airline industry itself. I now have a better understanding of how the aviation industry operates and also how the legal system works in Hong Kong, and for me this book was a real eye-opener.
A very important point made by the 49ers (only 18 of them "the hard men" managed to stay the full course and later termed themselves the `Band Of Brothers') was that at no time had any of them breached the terms of their contracts. Mr. Warham states, as it currently stands no one employed in Hong Kong from any profession, regardless of their seniority within that company, can expect any protection from their contract of employment. As, in a court of law in Hong Kong their contract will be worthless. The author tells how he's still a shareholder in Cathay Pacific and how he would one day like the airline to succeed and be an airline that people are proud to represent.
A very well-written book that left me wondering whether or not there will be a sequel.
Bluetooth Whizz.
Last edited by 6feetunder; 21st Apr 2011 at 00:15.
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Facts not Fiction
Having read the book, which was at pains to separate fact from fiction, and perused the judgments, I feel a little clarification is required following on from The Handover's and BuzzBox's comments.
Firstly, 4 independent referees (i.e. the HK judges to date), have summarised the events - or the history. There is no evidence put forward by the Company of any "sick-out" immediately prior to 9th July 2001.
The line of "our members are too stressed to come to work" was back in 1999, and was a result of CPA having given termination notices to 700 pilots. Fair call, I would say.
Contract Compliance (CC) had been on and off for about 5 years. The WOE campaign was in about 1987…
The Handover is correct that you shouldn't be fired whilst on sick leave (Employment Ordinance protection) however you do have to report one day… one of The 49ers was fired immediately on return to work on 11th July. Therefore, the other 49ers all must have been at work on 9th July - so hardly a "mass sick-out".
There is plenty of oral evidence from the likes of Tyler, Chen, Barley and Rhodes that The 49ers were fired pursuant to the union EGM decision to take Limited Industrial Action (LIA) - "the trigger" as one of the judges remarks. On 3rd July Maximum Safety Strategy (MSS) was implemented - all of which was about operations and nothing to do with sick leave procedures.
So, all in all, I'm afraid the facts don't support The Handover's statements, sorry, except for the "backlash" and "dirty response" to which I would say followed "above board, published tactics" i.e. CC, LIA and MSS.
However, I'm not going to disagree with BuzzBox as I can't vouch either way - except I do recall that Rhodes published a graph showing "spikes" in sick rates - but these were all AFTER 9th July. I agree that the Company was backed into a corner - Tyler, Chen and Rhodes testified as much.
The main difference is that the AOA and its members were taking LEGAL action and CPA management took ILLEGAL action. It seems, however, that it is the "innocent" victims that have suffered the most.
Firstly, 4 independent referees (i.e. the HK judges to date), have summarised the events - or the history. There is no evidence put forward by the Company of any "sick-out" immediately prior to 9th July 2001.
The line of "our members are too stressed to come to work" was back in 1999, and was a result of CPA having given termination notices to 700 pilots. Fair call, I would say.
Contract Compliance (CC) had been on and off for about 5 years. The WOE campaign was in about 1987…
The Handover is correct that you shouldn't be fired whilst on sick leave (Employment Ordinance protection) however you do have to report one day… one of The 49ers was fired immediately on return to work on 11th July. Therefore, the other 49ers all must have been at work on 9th July - so hardly a "mass sick-out".
There is plenty of oral evidence from the likes of Tyler, Chen, Barley and Rhodes that The 49ers were fired pursuant to the union EGM decision to take Limited Industrial Action (LIA) - "the trigger" as one of the judges remarks. On 3rd July Maximum Safety Strategy (MSS) was implemented - all of which was about operations and nothing to do with sick leave procedures.
So, all in all, I'm afraid the facts don't support The Handover's statements, sorry, except for the "backlash" and "dirty response" to which I would say followed "above board, published tactics" i.e. CC, LIA and MSS.
However, I'm not going to disagree with BuzzBox as I can't vouch either way - except I do recall that Rhodes published a graph showing "spikes" in sick rates - but these were all AFTER 9th July. I agree that the Company was backed into a corner - Tyler, Chen and Rhodes testified as much.
The main difference is that the AOA and its members were taking LEGAL action and CPA management took ILLEGAL action. It seems, however, that it is the "innocent" victims that have suffered the most.
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Book launch
Not sure how many of you went to this The 49ers Book Launch but their entire stock was sold out.