Base Closures
 

Now the Canadian base is shut, what are they going to do with the non-PR pilots? Will the PR Canadian based pilot have the option of returning to HK?

OZ & NZ closed too. Those with PR can return, non-PR made redundant. Assume CAN same.

Cathay Pacific Airways prepares pilot base closures, leaving hundreds of jobs at risk

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...-base-closures

Cathay Pacific Airways will close its Canadian pilot base and intends to also shut centres in Australia and New Zealand in proposed cutbacks putting hundreds of jobs at risk, the Post has learned.

The carrier’s European and United States cockpit crew bases will also be reviewed later in 2021, according to a memo sent to staff.

The expected closures follow a months-long review of the airline’s overseas cockpit crew operations.

More to follow …

Wow ! some of the most experienced guys in the airline, dumped l

My heartfelt commiserations to all colleagues affected.
Another appalling example of disloyalty to those who have served longest.

First KA now CX based crew. Take whatever you can guys n gals save it for a rainy day. But don't ever fall for the “one family same team same dream nonsense”.
We all went from being an asset to a cost in a heartbeat. Fired by email at 8:30 am🙄

Yep non human resources taking care of it and again cutting the cheapest pilots and flight attendants in the company.

Veruka Salt

Terrible indeed. Where are you getting that only those with PR can return from? Have management put that in writing as far as I am aware they haven't. Any idea how many PR/HK Passport holders we would have on the bases?

From an email sent to the base crew today. Unsure of base numbers, but have heard a number of ~ 130 mentioned for OZ/NZ. Someone will correct me if wrong.

oh ok thanks for the info, so you're saying 130 of those on the bases are PR/Passport holders? So that would leave only a few not able to return? Or have I got that wrong, I hope that a solution is worked out for all.

I think a total of 130 on the OZ/NZ bases. Most of the DEFOs from 2007/08 would be affected. Not wanting to add to anyone’s misery here.

What a company eh! just chucking 120 odd A350 / A330 Command ratings in the bin ! How much will that cost ?

But wouldn't all the Captains be PR? Or you think that none would want to return to HKG, I can certainly understand why you wouldn't want to come back here!

Not necessarily as my kids lost their PR after being overseas for 36 months. I guess the only way to keep it would be to return to HK as a passenger.
I guess quite a few may have positioned to HKG as pax. That would keep it currrent.

Unsure. Can think of a few very senior guys who spent < 5 mins in HK before gaining Oz bases in the early 90s

Really sad to see this happen. Everyone knew the writing was on the wall though. This has unfortunately affected a number of friends who were content with situation and family life as FO's and chose not to come back to HK for a command. It'll be a long road to recovery for those guys.

Its just wrong.

. . . and girls.

My understanding is that the immigration department has said they’re not issuing more (initial) work visas for pilots. So if pilots on bases don’t have their PR (Right of Abode) then it’s obvious they can’t work in Hong Kong. If you lose the right of abode by being absent for 36 months, you gain the right to land. That still lets you work in Hong Kong.

Bangaluru, that is true. There are many that went to bases without PR though. These are the ones who at this time will be unable to work in Hong Kong.

Australia2, and girls...

Bangaluru

I believe that’s correct. As I understand it one loses the right to medical care etc but can still work.

OED needs to be updated/corrected.

permanent
adjective

1. lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely, with the exception of Hong Kong 'Permanent' Residence, and Cathay 'Permanent' Bases...

https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/roa/loss.html

A lesson for all the younger crew to not think of this as a career airline as you see now 1st hand that this Company will drop you at anytime no matter your loyalty, years of service position or how good of a job you have done. Any major airline in the world will treat you a 100 times better and that goes for a lot of flying jobs out there where they actually appreciate you so dont wait around for the time they decide to drop you. Zero security zero seniority equals Zero career

Not even one pilot I met in cx not planning to leave, even local cadets. Good luck CX

If anyone is still under the illusion that there is someway of establishing a career to support, nurture and protect themselves and their families...I can only hope you seek therapy asap. CX is not establishing themselves as arguably the most destructive force in modern aviation.

doublelift

Interesting to know how many you have met, just to add a little context.
Was it two or perhaps even three.

When you fly with guys and gals and talk to them about the POS18 we were strong armed into signing, more often than not everyone has plans to either, relocate their families back to their home countries and commute, leave for another airline once the industry opens up, pursue non aviation roles..... the list goes on and on.

One out of ten would say they’re going to stay and go down with the ship or until they get thrown overboard by the captain (I.e management).

You sound like the type of pilot that sit silently with no body wanna talk with you. Go talk with people and you will know loll

That word leaves a lot of wriggle room!

Yes. Very true!

Commiserations to all involved in CX. Not surprised though.
Out of interest whats with this 36 months for the life of the PR? Is this new? I left HKG at retirement in 2007 and passed through in 2012 using my PR. Is it a new thing? Personally not concerned as I am not ever planning to go back. just curious. Hardly a "Permanent" residency.

Deja, it's the right of abode vs the right to land if you pass the time requirements. It still allows you to work in Hong Kong. You end up losing voting rights and medical benefits.

What about those that do have PR but don’t want to abandon their families for what could be a year and then after that have to try and commute.......
Not to mention under Cos18 as soon as they start in HK they can then be sacked on 3 months notice ( not 6 ) and not even get a ticket home......

Untenable position to be put in.

Cathay will eventually figure out that they could be on the hook for 4 weeks of severance per year of service if they can’t offer the guys jobs in HK. There are a lot of 30 year Capt’s on the base. That could get more expensive to close then to keep open, but that’s not the way it works at CX. They usually just make decisions and follow through regardless.

Do you not think that was already taken into account prior to any announcement?

A company burning billions a month figure they might as well do some house cleaning while waiting for the storm to pass. Severence pay - while certainly significant for the individuals concerned - amounts to no more than decimals in the big picture.

They will come, hat in hand, for another 40 billion HKD of the generous tax payers money, watch this space!

Company waits for Immigration Dept to stop issuing work visas, then closes the bases. Experienced guys down the road, even though their contracts still have redundancy FILO.

Talk of consultation is a lie, it's just box ticking to comply with NZ and Aussi law, the decision has been made.

Talk of bases in the future is also a lie, put out to trick the idiots who still think they have a future at CX.

Bellcrank88, the contract is pretty clear (I have it), its 6 months pay & you are gone in the even of redundancy (you can go back if you have PR). The union will ask for more but that will be futile. Even if you had PR (which I do) how could you go back ? They just can't be trusted, going back would likely prove to be foolish & regretful. I would envisage 3 months on the current half pay deal and then "goodbye" anyway. HK & CX are not ever going to be the same again. Take the six months & put these toxic liars in the rearview. How many times do Pilots need to be lied to before finally learning the lesson. Just a few weeks ago they phoned all Aussies telling them they were "backing us for the long term & working on a return to work with a comprehensive training package". Aussies waited & bided their time for a year, thinking the company was playing the long game, then got cut off with 2 weeks notice. 500 triple seven guys & all without a Permenent HKID will be next

I remember that email with something along the line of “Bases are integral to our operation”. I laughed knowing the only integral part of the company is how many senior execs can screw the company, get their bonus and move on without a care in the world.

it’s a kin to someone setting fire to an orphanage and saying “I saved those kids from a lifetime of heartache”

Surprisingly this weeks "The Weekly Wrap Up" email didn't mention Base closures and staff being unloaded...