Pilot extensions
 

Any one heard about some 55'ers getting extensions on B scales AND retaining their base slots ?

Any one heard about management pilots trying to stir it up?

I'm pretty sure that several London Based pilots have been extended and will retain their Basings - thereby BLOCKING those slots TFN.
That is bloody unacceptable.

I believe 3 senior captains have been extended. Two of them are listed in the latest Crew's News as retiring in October.
As a B-scaler I hope they have extended on A+ pay. Anything less would be sending the wrong message to the company, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have accepted a B-scale deal. Like one senior captain said at a recent AEB lunch "it is still better than going to KAL or SQ".

- It's True

- They have taken B-scale

- The relevant F/O's will get A-scale bypass.

- They are a disgrace.

Names please. As they are already in the public domain that should be OK with Tai Pan.

Be patient for another few days, then you will get the confirmation from the bus's roster to see if the Captain/Captains suposed to be retired in October are still on.

What does the AOA think about these people extending on B-scale salary? One would think that it is not in the spirit of CC. I suppose they probably aren't members anyway.

ONE SIMPLE WORD FOR THEM.... "SCABS". And should be treated that way.

Some months ago I sighted a copy letter from Cathay to the AOA stating that a Captain had been extended past age 55. The letter confirmed that both the most senior FO and SO were to get bypass pay. It would appear the company has followed the correct procedure as detailed in my Terms of Service (Veta 9.1 1/7/99) and no fellow pilot has been financially disadvantaged.

Assuming the most recent extentions follow this pattern, would Cloud Cuckooland kindly explain why those individuals who choose to extend are "a disgrace" and equally, would Legstretch explain why these individuals are worthy of the most distasteful label "scab"?

Liam G.

Very simple. regardless of all of your hype about bypass pay, some of us are actually sick of sitting in the seat we are and want to move up a rung.

If these old farts have not had the sense to plan for their financial future and relax and enjoy time with mum and the kids something is wrong.

I for one, as I'm sure others will as well, will go sick if I am rosters with these scabs.

Oh sorry to hurt your feeling not scabs. They don't care about the rest of us and our progression, so it is a discrace!!!

It's a free World and if some guys want to work till 60 why not? 55 is back in the ark as we all live longer lives now.

Legstretch,

You seem to have a unique definition of scab. Judging by your previous posts, not only on this thread, your definition is "anyone senior to Legstretch preventing him from being DFO!"

I don't believe many support your views and any that do will only do so for their own self-serving means.

As an aside, just how many months have you had to endure being an SO?

Liam G.

Legstretch, Liam & amused: They are a disgrace not becuase they are financially disadvantaging anyone or because they want to keep flying.

Point 1: The company wants 60

Point 2: Maybe a deal can be done after negotiation and a vote - who knows? We want something good in return though.

Point 3: The actions of these three severely undermine the position of the rest of us before things even get off the ground by volunteering to come back on REDUCED conditions.

According to an earlier post, Nick Rhodes has already broached the subject of retirement at 60 with the AOA. Apparently, it is in the minutes of the meeting. If the AOA refuse to discuss the subject, the door is open for the company to take action within the existing arrangement of bypass pay.
Sounds to me, Legstretch, that you are not yet ready for your command.

Legstretch, I was extended to age 57 but lost check and training status, which I happily accepted. Did that make me a scab? Let us know your feelings when you reach the age of 55 mate!

Scab is a silly word to use here. Extensions are no problem as long as the next on the list of F/O's and S/O's get bypass pay.

There is no guarantee that the bypassed would pass their upgrade so it could even be of benefit to them!

Extensions are temporary and have been a way of life in CX for many years. It's nothing new and I know the extensions existed as normal policy with AOA approval long before anyone affected by it even joined CX. It is a stop gap measure that has little effect on the majority. Commands and upgrades are going on as fast as is possible under the current constraints in the training system.

Some of you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. The only thing that does slightly disturb me is the basing issue. By the way, on the record, I'm for retirement at 55 but I can live with extensions as long as agreed policy is followed.



[This message has been edited by Thrust (edited 15 September 2000).]

If this happens - these guys are holding up the seniority list by stopping me and everybody else, who wants it, getting onto a base. Another theft of the goal posts !

Extensions have always been around, and are part of your COS. However some things have changed since the concept of extensions was included in the "Blue Book" COS of the 70's & 80's. B scales and basings spring to mind. The original idea was that extensions would be allowed, as long as no one junior was disadvantaged, at that time the only disadvantage was financial, hence bypass pay. I think the system still adequately addresses salary issues, it obviously does not address basing issues. Every base opening has an enormous financial benefit for the company and huge personal value for those wishing to leave HKG. The present situation, if it is true is hardly disadvantageous to CX, if the following formula is remotely correct.

1 V Snr A Scale Capt + 1 V Snr A Scale FO = 1 B Scale Capt + 1 V Junior Capt

As for the Capt's in question. How sad to reach 55yrs old, and not have anything else you can or want to do, other than sit in an aluminium tube for 10-15 hrs 6 times a month. Save your invective gentlemen. They are not "scabs" just poor, sad, lost souls, who have nothing else to live for but 4 gold bars & Cathay Pacific.


[This message has been edited by Checkmate (edited 15 September 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Checkmate (edited 15 September 2000).]

I'm with you this time Check Mate, it is a very said state of affairs when all one has at the end of a great career is no friends or family they wish to spen time with and no interests other than flying long haul aeroplanes. Maybe though its something more personal than this, like the fact that once retired these poor chaps just become Jo citizen and simply can't live without the ego inflating and lofty status of Captain Four Bars.

As far as bypass pay is concern the playing field has change somewhat since the Blue Book was written. In the old days one could expect a command in less than fours years. Who then would be concerned being bypassed for six months and at the same time paid a captains salary. I have spent eight years in this airline and have been bypassed for fours of those years and not paid a penny of bypass pay. I fact I have had negative bypass pay applied.