Mikes actions during the 49er episode are well documented in the book. He was one of the few people in a position of influence to stand up to what was a moral travesty. He was and is a much better man than most of those who criticize him. If you don't have anything good to say, then perhaps just spend some time looking at yourself in a mirror. Sad image huh?

Mike was brave when others were floundering. He set the bar pretty high regarding what he expected of New Joiners (everybody actually) and was normally fair. He gave over 30 years of his life to Cathay Pacific Airways and has endured tragedy and, lately, illness. Whatever your experiences are of this guy, let's wish him well for a long and happy retirement. His kind don't come around very often.

I wish i'd flown with Mike; rostered once, did the research on his likes and dislikes, expected him to fly a half-average approach, expected to get some grief for mine. For those who just got on with it, rather than whine about him, I know few who wouldn't have a beer with him.

A character indeed to whom i wish a long happy retirement. If our current managers had half the moral compass or backbone this man had, maybe we would be in a better place.

Well, there you go. We all remember him differently, but some have mentioned that he had great qualities. That being the case, maybe those less charitable amongst us might have the maturity to not take a kick at him now that he has left. Overall, he was a good man who dedicated most of his working life to the company.

...oh, and Michael Hunt, you say 'that's not what we are talking about here'. Well, in case you missed it, many of us ARE talking about his other qualities here. Everyone is a complete person. Just because you didn't have anything to do with him outside of the airplane doesn't mean many of of the rest of us didn't. He was (is) a great bloke in many respects, and yes, he was difficult at times in the airplane. Many of us thought him a good operator, so on balance your opinion is no more valid than mine and many others. The main point is, he has now left the company, suffered more than most in many respects and deserves to not be attacked anonymously. If he didn't like your flying, at least he told you to your face...

All the Best Mike.
A pleasure to fly [and occasionally argue!!] with you.

Absolutely. The world is full of opinions and individual experiences but I doubt any of this would come as news to Mike and I think he enjoyed having this reputation and actively nurtured it with his antics.
So if he reads any of this rubbish I would imagine he would be having a quiet chuckle to himself.
Perhaps it all was a 30 year piece of performance art which makes him a modern day genius.... Who knows.

Would love to know what happened to my original post by the way? Seems to have disappeared.
Bizarre

He's got his particular ways of doing things, but his heart in in the right place and he's an excellent trainer for those willing to be trained.

He's always had my respect and I wish him all the best.

hmm. that's exactly how you sound actually. basically, you sound like a child. :rolleyes:

And if you knew you were right and stood up to him, he became your friend for life. I'd buy him a beer any day.

Exactly my experience Dora. Mike gave me a hard time about vnav on the -400. Funny thing was, he was wrong. After a good natured argument, he started laughing, patted me on the shoulder and apologised, admitting he was wrong and commending me for fighting my corner. You are correct, friend for life after that. He was right far more than he was wrong, and expected a high standard. I don't see a problem. He also came from a background that didn't tolerate 'precious' personalities, and those that couldn't accept criticism and correction. He is a good man, and it's pathetic and disappointing that there are those out there who feel it appropriate to kick someone anonymously, without considering the whole person. He endured much more than most these past few years (personal family tragedy and health), and I can only wish him and his family the very best for the future.

Didn't know MFL, but saw him around. I think it's just sad that guys are slagging Him anonymously on here after he retires. If you had a problem with him, confront him politely. The two above seem to have had good experiences doing just that. I find this to be the case with all the CX bullies I have run into during my decade here. It's weakness and insecurity that are like blood in the water for these types. Some of us weren't babied through civilian flight schools and cadet programs. Believe it or not, there is value in that old school methodology, not that you'd ever know it from our timer wasting CRM class.

Mike did one or two of my PCs in the -400, I never had a line flight with him. The PCs were fair with good grades and pertinent debrief points. I had few beers with him over the years (including during my initial course), and the guy always had great stories that would make me laugh. I'll miss seeing him around.

I've found that of all the checkers I've heard horror stories about in 12 years, those stories turned out to be completely overrated when I actually did a PC or LC with them. That doesn't mean I liked each and every one, but they were generally fair if you came prepared.

I wish Mike all the best in his retirement.

I agree. No matter what your issues were with the man, it's quite poor form to slag him off anonymously on the internet upon retirement.

Mike did my training on the classic when I first arrived in Cathay. He didn't suffer fools and I liked that about him. I enjoyed his company in the ground on long layovers (some 7 days) and he had great stories to tell. As for his flying skills I thought he was similar to all of us... Good days and bad days. In his military days he flew on a special forces squadron in UK and Middle East. Stay well Mike

Regarding my post on this thread, #30, referring to the prior post, which I described as being written and sounding like a child: I see you deleted the post. I will assume you had a change of heart after reading all the other comments. I hope so, and commend you if you did so for the right reasons. Seems like a few others have had a twinge of conscience and are deleting their posts.

Nope, Didn't delete my original post. It was deleted for me.
I Stand by what I wrote which I think was a very reasonable synopsis of what I witnessed in my few years on the jumbo way back when.
I thought the behaviour was wholly unacceptable and extremely unproductive from a training perspective and I most definitely did not come up through the ranks the easy way before Cathay.
In Mike's defence that type of behaviour was rampant at the time and was tacitly endorsed by the fleet office.
Fortunately we seem to be moving on from that era which can only be a good thing.

Well, that's what I call 'doubling down'. :rolleyes: I do concur with your last couple of comments however. I still think that kicking a man on the way out the door is unnecessary, petty and immature, and the many of us here who think well of him is enough to win that argument.

Hmmmm.... Birds of a feather, flock together, and I guess if is deemed important to the flock then trainers like ML should be lauded. Personally I've always considered listening, flexibility and teaching to be the way ahead.

Socially, each to their own, no judgement, it takes all types etc; however, for all Mike's supporters, you do realise that there's an enormous, overwhelming silent majority saying nothing to be polite but not... that... upset....

As far as 'kicking a man as they go out the door' I wouldn't be too sure.
I would be absolutely floored if I didn't see his face pop up on a " welcome to our latest sim instructor" newsletter in the coming months.....Invest in a "clicker" pen boys. It ain't over yet.