This does not bode well...
 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...-idUSKCN1UZ197

https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-o...ts-11565360471

World News
August 10, 2019 / 8:30 AM / Updated an hour ago

Cathay Pacific suspends pilot arrested in Hong Kong protests

BEIJING (Reuters) - Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) said on Saturday it had suspended a pilot arrested during anti-government protests in Hong Kong and that “overly radical” staff would be barred from crewing flights to the mainland.

The move followed China’s aviation regulator demanding the airline prevent staff involved in some of the protests in Hong Kong from operating flights to China, describing it as a safety issue.

The broadside poses a major commercial challenge to Cathay, which already reported tumbling bookings last week as a result of the anti-government protests gripping Hong Kong.

The airline said on Saturday in response to customer queries that the pilot had been removed from duties on July 30 “in line with our standard process” and had not flown since July 15.

“We express no view whatsoever on the subject matter of any proceedings to which he may be subject,” the company added in a statement.

For the past two months Hong Kong has been embroiled in increasingly violent anti-government street protests, which a Chinese official described last week as the greatest crisis since its return from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

The Cathay pilot, whom the company did not name, was among over 40 people charged with rioting, during clashes with police near Beijing’s main representative office in the city.

In a separate memo on Saturday, Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg told staff that in order to comply with the new regulatory demands it would not allow any crew supporting protests in Hong Kong to staff flights to the mainland from midnight on Aug. 10.

“Cathay Pacific Group employees who support or take part in illegal protests, violent actions, or overly radical behavior shall be immediately suspended from any activity involving flights to the mainland,” he said.

The memo added that the airline would submit identification details of all crews flying to or over mainland China to authorities there for approval.

“Cathay Pacific Group’s operations in mainland China are key to our business,” he said

Pretty clear who is calling the shots here....
 

“We do not condone any activities that jeopardize the stability of Hong Kong,”
In other words we will do what we are told. Oh dear. :=

Honestly !!! Just a question - what you think would happen if one does not hand over the phone for example.

Just did a quick google and from what I saw even the likes of USA, Canada & Aus are able to search your devices if they have reason to believe you have done something illegal, so I guess for China the current climate may be a good enough reason :confused:

Could be anyones guess what would happen...

I just wouldnt take my phone with me on a flight to China.

If i desperately needed it down route, I'd just check it in.

They can’t live without instabook and facegram these days!

You can't access either in China anyway.... probably one of the few advantages of going there actually!

CHINA, tracks absolutely everyone... That means, HK & Mainland, where you are , where you spend, where you travel, where you bank, and the second you cross the border - facial recognition (more than likely in HK as well)....

ENJOY, as now the company you work for is bending over for those across the border in defiance of world wide, UN declared Human Rights...

Thank you #Merlin

ENJOY !!!!!!!!!

#CXit

The West lulled itself to sleep, singing the lullaby that Chinese economic growth would result in a liberalised China.
With Winnie set for life the West belatedly wakes to the reality of a tyrannical dictatorship. Sleep replaced by the nightmare that Chinese expansionism is real, its intent clear.
For those of us observing HK it is very clear that this sets the tone for Chinese intent. Either we resist or we succumb, but the actions of those souls in HK ought remind us that the stakes are high.

The retreat of globalsation ought give pilots/flight attendants cause for concern. Flying into regions that the company (safe away from security forces) still deem "good for business" may not be good for one's personal rights, privacy and property.

1 Mill at the airport?????

Apple Daily is reporting suspected sabotage on a CX plane on the ground in China, but I'm not allowed to post the link...

I used to ponder what would herald the end of Hong Kong. I now actually believe we have passed that point, it just hasn't sunk in yet. This party is over. Don't doubt it. We'll all look back at this summer and realise that the end descended suddenly, and for many of us it is now too late. Get yourselves and your families out of here. It's finished.

Certainly a lot of people - the Airport Authority has announced that there will be some limitations on aircraft movements after 1800L due to severe crowding in the terminal building.

(Sadly, I am unable to post links)

Just for the benefit of readers not familiar, what or who is the " Angry Pink Menace"?

That the CCP are massing troops in Shenzen is a concern.
The moment the tracked vehicles cross into Hong Kong, then the SAR free trade zone is done.
Whilst not the "centre" it once was, it has clout and the potential is that things get messy and fast.
The ramifications for Winne are substantial and all of a sudden Taiwan is well aware what awaits.

Cxorcist, I suggest those Golden Handcuffs will soon be replaced by the real kind. Hong Kong is finished. I doubt there is any turning back from this. Even if the protestors now back down (highly unlikely, nor should they), the mainland authorities will begin to rule HK with a rod of iron. CX will become collateral damage in this epic test of wills. We have one of the most pathetic, pandering, mendacious and venal managements, so you can be sure that they will make things worse for every employee. There is no more career here. It is over. Accept that and get out while there is still an option for you and your families.

That's all well and good, but how will this all affect the value of my hong kong apartment?

Several years ago - at the time that the UK gave Hong Kong to China - there was a massive flood of ex-Hong Kong residents to Vancouver, BC and the surrounding area. The huge difference in real estate prices between Hong Kong and BC meant that they could buy mansions with the cash they'd gotten selling their tiny apartment in HK. Caused huge resentment among the long term residents - particularly since the people moving in would by a nice house with a yard, bulldoze it, and built a huge yard-less "MacMansion" on the site. They passed several laws to try to limit the damage but for the most part they didn't work or were too late.
BC is still feeling the long term effects.

typical airline management, beg the staff for help when the airline is in trouble, !!!!can the staff when the staff are in trouble...

You must be fun at parties!

...especially when I bring my handcuffs :E (kidding aside, it IS over, and we all know it)

When comparing EK and CX as potential employers, EK had the disadvantage that it was located in an unstable region with the ever present danger of conflict, whereas CX had a stable and peaceful home base under the protection of China. If this goes on much longer, reverse rostering from home countries may need to be implemented for those with families. I know a CX skipper who moved his wife and children to Australia last year which he must rate as one of the best decisions he ever made.

History serves up the best lessons. Mate of mine was ready to join Iranair in 1978. His Dad tried to put him off and himself, had lived and worked in Iran for 30 years. Mate listened to very high authority advice and stayed put in the UK. His Dad also stayed put, but , in Iran. Sooner than ever imaginable, he found himself in the back of a RAF Herc being evacuated out. Kissed goodbye to 30 years, a house on the shores of the Caspian, a three bed apartment in North Tehran , four cars and a bundle of loot still in the local bank. He was accommodated by my mate in the Uk but went through his stash in a Swiss Bank within the year. He died of a massive stroke weeks later.

Me & my friend looked hard at CX. The latter a CX failure after several attempts. It all looked too good for me and although selected, never took up the offer.

Mt friend was eased out of GF in 2009. Weeks later, civilians were being shot in a public square. Bahrain is still not the relaxed, open, friendly place that it was.My mate, actually considered retiring in Bahrain until we slapped him around, a bit.

Air Profit, drop the handcuffs quick. Look back at history. The present is about to change very rapidly.

Slowjet : couple of "ouches" - of course I don't consider myself a CX failure, rather, wrong colour and being born in India, 1978 DFO decided that I must be Indian. I had a lot of fun with that for decades. Second "ouch" was that my departure from GF was not "eased". More like a severe kick in the ollies. That being clarified, events in HK remind me of Iran, HK & the ME. Gypsey pilots go where the work is or where the grass looks greener. Most of us are aware of the pitfalls and have contingency planning. My heartfelt fear is for those in these areas who carry no contingency or reserve fuel. Big wake-up call coming.