Bases Open Jan. 1, 2019 0000UTC!!!
 

In a stark departure from it's past communication, CX DFO executive made a sweeping change in the company staffing policy with cold, calculated, definitive wording firming up any opaque vision in this realm. We are prepared, immediately, regardless of how the vote the Union is about to pass, open bases world-wide, staffing anyone in any country they wish to be based in, with immediate effect on January 1, 2019 at 0000UTC. The letter was devoid of any loop-holes in language such as "planning", "communicate as soon as possible", "this is planned on," "with the assumption of", "further details to follow", "in the meantime", "we anticipate", "an initial estimate", "our expectation is...", "details to be clearly defined in the future...".

Pilots wishing to be based in a country of their choice need not report to work in Hong Kong that day, however should report to the airport in the country of their choosing the first duty day they are scheduled. Pilot's at Cathay were overjoyed with this news, promising to vote in immediately the TA the Union will be recommending shortly. With large pay rises, bases open, things are definitely looking up!

I bet, that initially, only a few slots will be made available to see how senior the bases will go. As long as ARAPA officers will bid for those vacancies, more base slots will be made available. As soon as it hits HKPA officers seniority no more slots will be available. At that time commuting rosters on COS18 will be made available.

Dan,

Basings can not be on POS18. As the base areas have labour laws and negotiated CBA's all those new base vacancies will enjoy the applicable CBA of the respective base area.

The DFO has also stated that those already on a base may put their base slot up for auction.

This has been the most obvious move for years. Living in Hong Kong is not possible for anyone but the very rich and is costing Cathay a fortune.. If you have property in HKG you can do it - if not, you can't.
Make Hong Kong the hub where pilots stay in a Hotel and then go back to base. Increase population on bases where pilots do not need expat benefits like Housing allowance. Command courses either on base or not, but you return immediately to your base as a Junior Captain. Acknowledge Base Labour Laws - THAT'S WHERE ALL THIS "OBVIOUS" STOPS.
All pilots come through HKG for regulatory items and other ground training. Stay in Hotel (on allowances) then go back to Base.
Labour Laws……...

Stay The Curse
 

The OP's sarcasm seems to have bypassed a few.

BTWn, no HKPA pilot will ever see a base slot.

Pretty hard to have operating revenue if the pilots don't operate the aircraft...

Thirty commands in New York on the first
Ring in New Year with great cheer see a show
I'm so excited I could simply burst
What things I can do with all that new dough !

Bases
 

And just what ground breaking expectations did you have of the Jellyfish ? He, as others have, will do zero regarding bases other than "dangle" them in front of naive, ill informed flight crew who will, in anticipation, vote for their own demise.. Been there, done that..

#CXit

If anyone votes for the TA expecting a base they really need their head examined .We received 13th month to sway us to voting yes. Now they are using bases to get the majority across the line .Guaranteed bases will not be a thing once the vote goes through. Just go back and read base updates for the last 6 years .nothing has changed. Same old rheroric just said by a different manager .think carefully. You have been warned

I thought it was a beautifully crafted letter. Not a single statement that bound the company to anything, just more promises of possibly opening bases with a lot of caveats, ifs, ands, buts. Might even be the next thing they sign off on after 25 year housing.
I really liked the comment “variation from target sickness rates”. Like the cabin crew needing 5 years without sick leave as part of the consideration for extension beyond 55, will you be ineligible for a base of you’ve had too much sick leave?
I’ll believe the offer when I see the NTC and get to read the fine print. Until then it’s just another mirage of a carrot.

does that mean you and your colleagues will vote in a sub standard deal just in the hopes of getting a base. If so you are playing right in to the companies hands

Why on earth would the based unions NEED more membership? If there are any groups in CX who are moderately happy with their contracts, its the based pilots. They're not going to voluntarily reduce or destroy their own contracts.