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Just finished the 49'ers book!! As others have said it a must read!!! Well done John&co, shame on the star chamber and swire management!!!!
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Presently reached about p120.
One of the difficulties of writing a review is that one would have to be careful about relating similar personal tales without leaving oneself open to legal threats from CX. Interesting read so far - hope to find something with which to disagree - would be boring otherwise. Loved the alleged Eddington 'million dollar morons' comment. I can assure you that ain't just a Cathay management attitude. |
Just finished reading the book. Wow. To repeat what others have said.
"I couldn't put it down". It was a great read and gave a good view from John's position of events that took place. I would recommend this to anyone to have a read. Everyone is entitled to their opinion on the matter but I do like the way John wrote it. Especially all the cricketing terms at the end of the book. Too damn funny. I wonder what his 1st innings total would have been? ps. It gave me a better understanding of the CPU and the AOA history. thanks |
A well written account...it stirred up repressed memories of heroes and villains.
Having lived through it....the book bought back bitter feelings and emotions. Feelings people cannot possibly begin to appreciate without having been there to experience it all first hand. It is an incredible story where the villains and heroes existed on both sides...quite often where you least expected to find them (the AOA under MG for example). This is a story of how not to conduct labour relations, and a case study of how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Well written John W....the bad guys know who they are....the good guys know too....and history will echo through eternity. |
John
I have read the book from cover to cover in one sitting. I doff my hat to you as a true Crusader...and those that went the distance. It ain't over til the Fat Lady sings and for what it's worth you will leave HKG (one way or the other) in better shape than when you arrived. From the moment the bullseye was painted you haven't flinched and for that I commend you. I have always maintained that the pilot group in Cathay devours its own. This goes way back to the days of Paddy and his ilk. It is true testimony to the fact that Muppets can fly. The Swire response was always to the comms they were getting from the front line. Their inability or unwillingness to get further involved is unfortunate. Their inability to second someone into the fray who knows something about the business is tragic. Someone should endow a new Rhodes Scholarship (HKG version) to teach aspiring managers that intestinal fortitude and honour can relieve distressed sleep patterns. In my mind, Barley will always have a special place on the gunnery range...that of target. He showed a singular regard for his own posterior and a total disregard for people he regarded as fellow aviators. May his retirement be restless, troubled and full of self-doubt. Is it any wonder so many of our vintage opted out of the office, the sim and into gardening, dog-walking and much neglected family gratification. No, it is not, and that, in my opinion, is due totally to our colleagues. We can all blame the Swire aristocracy but that is too simplistic. I wish you and Fitzy the very best with the OAA. |
#1
The 49ers - The True Story has gone to #1 on the Dymocks best sellers list in Hong Kong. Dymocks.com.hk. More for Booklovers. Congratulations John.
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I think the Director of CASA might be interested in writing a book review. Can someone send him a copy? :}
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Raptor4, <<write a review>>
Done. Whilst checking my review I read the following which I thought well worth posting. I have not asked permission but, since the review is already on Amazon, I'm sure that the lady will not object. By Jane Doe Firstly, let me congratulate John on a great book that tells a story that needed to be told. Personally, I would have preferred the book to stick more closely to the title and to therefore have less description of his background and long passion for aviation. I, like probably many others, bought the book for the story of the 49ers, not so much for John Warham's autobiography. At this point I should declare my interest......I am the wife of a 49er. From the perspective of one on the inside, John's book captures the long battle, both professional and private, that those proud Cathay Pacific pilots faced and indeed continue to confront even 10 years on. As with any story, there is always more than one side to it. My only true objection is John's depiction of the 18 'hard' men that continued the fight. I think that further information as to why more didn't continue the battle would have made the story more well rounded. The cost both financially and emotionally was just too much for some to bear. Many chose just to try and move on with their lives. John discusses the tragic deaths that occurred, but what of all the other marriages that ended or very nearly did? The sick realisation that after having worked so hard and for so long that everything you valued and held dear could be taken away from you. As I have learnt, men are very much defined by what they do for a living. To see my husband try to explain to outsiders time and time again that he was an International Airline Pilot......but no, he was not actually working at the moment, but we are fighting this in court, but no he probably won't ever work with a major carrier again, etc, etc,.....well, it was simply heartbreaking to watch. There comes a point when a pilot is not just a pilot, but a husband and father as well. In our case, we had very young children and to continue 'the fight' would be to risk our family's future. To step back from the fight was not a decision that I took, but rather a decision that my husband needed to reach on his own. It was a realisation that there were some that needed to pursue the company through the courts for a sense of vindication and for (that much overused phrase) 'closure'. And there were some that had the means, whether financially or emotionally, to rightly call Cathay to account for their actions. These courageous men are in the minority, but are to be applauded for their tenacity. Those that chose not to, for whatever reason, should not be judged for their decision. I encourage all young pilots with stars in their eyes and dreams of working for a prestigious international airline to read this book. Well done John, and thank you. |
I've had two very late nights franticly trying to finish the book.
Extremely revealing book for those outside of the industry and a MUST for any budding pilot as is Handling the Big Jets on the technical side. Sadly there is nothing that I haven't experienced in my career except that John and a substantial number of 49ers had the inflated genitalia to take the bullies on. He touches on the tips of several icebergs re safety, maintenance, fatigue and health problems in the industry. The lack of loyalty he mentions I have seen many times with mates screwing each other for a short term gain which invariably explodes in their faces and ALWAYS ends to the eventual detriment of themselves, the company and the passengers. Can't recommend it highly enough. Well done. |
The 49ers and Handling The Big Jets
Well done John and all on an excellent technical summary of what went on. I am also recommending your book as a must read together with the likes of HTBJ for any aspiring airline candidate. What a disgraceful and sadly ongoing chapter in our careers! Good luck for the future.
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I like the idea that all aspiring Cathay Pacific pilots should have a reading list that includes both "Handling the big jets" and John's book on the 49s.
After all, the first teaches what is good to know about wide body flying. The second teaches you about what you must know about the airline that you are joining. There are those who were there who must continue to vilify the perpetrators until they finally leave CX. And perhaps after. Revenge is a dish best tasted cold... John is most often more conciliatory than those who still harbor revenge strategies against the management structure at that time. |
Just got mine from Relay at the airport - with staff discount. Settling down for a good read!
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John, (and others in the community),
Thank you for producing at great detail the truth. I read the book from cover to cover over a few days - couldn't put it down, mostly out of shocking realisation of these facts. It is mentioned at what stage is the AOA responsible for future CX pilots. Interesting. I interviewed over 3 years ago having served over 4000 hrs of an apprenticeship in Oz GA. Study for the interview....there's another exercise in candle burning whilst holding down a full time flying job.......because that is what it took to get into CX as SO: experience and knowledge. Now all you need is zero to little experience and a naivety beyond comprehension. With this C-Scale iCadet scheme, what is the AOA doing about it? Record profits yet renumeration cut by as much as 60% (over a career) for the new joiners!? A housing allowance allowance package starting at $10k HKD topping out at $36k HKD When these iCadets become a Capt!! And of course, all non factored with CPI or other market forces for the length of one's career. Thank you John for helping me know that the 2 occasions I've turned this offer down is the right decision. CX don't want experience, they want cheap labour and the naive dreams of kids with zero hours experience services that grab for money. When I did interview for CX so long ago now the way to handle the question "What do you think or know of the 49ers" was "I'm sorry, I do not know enough to comment about it". THANK YOU for taking that naive and ignorant answer away. |
Quote from the Q&A after TCT's speech at the FCC on 17 May 2011:
'Tony there's a book coming out about The 49ers, what do you think about that?' 'I'm sure it'll be a best seller.' Finally he got something right. |
Just bought my copy, appropriately with leftover CX allowance. I commend all crew to do the same, then at least John will get something back from CX!
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Contact
Hi John, having read your book, I might be able to cover a bit more of the history.
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I was initially reluctant to read this book, since I thought that reading about those painful times would only rekindle the bitterness and anger which I had felt living through them, as a CX pilot/AOA member. Like many of my Colleagues, I have tried very hard to bury the pain and fury.
I have just (belatedly) bought the book, with the sole purpose of supporting JW's campaign to document what happened. I expected the book to just take up some space on my bookshelves, and gather dust. Incidentally this book is not easy to get hold off, since it seems to sell out pretty quickly at book stores here in Hong Kong! But I picked up the book and read the first few pages. Then the next few pages, and then the rest of the chapter. Before, I realised it, the best part of my day had been spent on the sofa at home.. reading. Surprisingly, this book is an easy read, especially for airline pilots/pilots families and also the regular citizens in Hong Kong and overseas who were aware of the dispute through the newspapers/friends, etc. This is a well written, down to earth practical account of what happened. Most of the information included was already known to me. However, the overall perspective is unique and spot-on. Well done John. This is an excellent book. |
The book is currently available at City Super, Harbour City.
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At the airport too. 2 x copies at Relay (in arrivals) with crew discount.
Pilots are incorrigible. There must be a dozen blokes who have asked to borrow my copy and don't want to pay for a copy themselves. Unreal. Put it on a best sellers list and buy it yourselves!!!! |
Bloody good read John and my congratulations.
Read with interest comments re Gen Sec role, not impressed. |
Excellent book - Insightful, Informative and at times entertaining.
John, many thanks. This book is a credit to yourself and to those that lost their jobs. Very well done |
Anyone know if the 49ers received a copy?
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I'm sure TT bought 47 copies, had them signed by Capt. Warham, and fed-ex'd them to the 49er's.
How's the weather down in Aus nudger? 19 |
Anyone for cricket?:D
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Sacked pilots denied appeal to top court Friday, July 29, 2011 The Court of Appeal has dismissed a bid by a group of former Cathay Pacific pilots to take their claims of wrongful dismissal and defamation to the Court of Final Appeal. The appeal court ruled that the 18 pilots had failed to prove their case was "reasonably arguable as a matter of law," and therefore, not appropriate as questions of general importance. The decision of Court of Appeal Vice President Frank Stock and justices Susan Kwan Shuk-hing and Johnson Lam Man-hon was made last Friday, but the reasons were handed down yesterday. The pilots were also ordered to pay costs. However, their lawyer said they will apply directly to the Court of Final Appeal. The case goes back more than a decade, when 49 pilots who participated in industrial action in June 2001 were dismissed by the airline. Last December, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court ruling that awarded each plaintiff HK$3.3 million for defamation, slashing the amount to HK$700,000. It also overturned the findings of wrongful dismissal. Cathay was originally ordered to pay the 18 pilots a total of HK$56.1 million, but this was reduced by the Court of Appeal to HK$11.9 million. The pilots are appealing this, saying they have suffered huge loss of earnings, and that as professionals they had been accused of being unprofessional. In addition, Cathay has never apologized for the defamation. The pilots also claim Cathay had bypassed Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures in dismissing them. |
Are you surprised?????
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Nope not at all, par for the course unfortunately. :ugh:
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This is soooo wrong!
My heart breaks for these guys..... |
More evidence of which camp the Hong Kong legal system sits in........so blatant it would be funny if it wasn't for the hell these guys and their families have gone through the past 10 years.
Lessons for us all still here - the courts here in HK are not the answer and a waste of our Union's resources. At the end of the day it will take us as a membership to get off our behinds and confront the bully directly......am I dreaming? Believe me it's coming - we will soon have to man up in a big way!! |
If you"re going to read one book this year, make it this one.
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I bought the book a month ago - great read so far.
But who is paying the legal costs? Is there a fund? I'd like to contribute. |
Amazing book. Highly recommended.
b. |
Meccano
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On Wednesday 26 October, an application was heard by the Court of Final Appeal to have the Court of Appeal's ruling overturned. The pilots were successful and their case will now be heard by the Court of Final Appeal. Not a mention of this in the local press here.
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Thanks raptor. I was out of HK and couldn't find any news on the case.
For those of you who haven't read the 49ers book, do yourself a favor and grab a copy be it hard copy or electronic. Good luck fellas :ok: |
Looks like we might get a sequel to this story. can't wait, I hope it has a happy ending for the pilots. :E
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Hmmmm....there might be the odd Judge or two starting to squirm as their judgements and reasoning will be subjected to very close scrutiny from a higher Judicial power...?
Good luck to those afflicted by the bastardry of the evil deeds committed those in management of CX at the time. |
Some of them are still in management now :suspect:. New and recent joiners take note.
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