ASIANA pilots` strike
 

There doesn`t seem to be any coverage here on PPRuNe about the strike at ASIANA Airlines, Korea, although it has obviously impacted heavily on South Korea`s economy (immediate estimates put it at 1/2 billion USD`s), to the extent that the Government has intervened, and ordered the pilots back to work.

The interview I saw on BBC TV, was "amusing" by way of the company spokesperon`s (inadvertant) self-contradiction. He was scathing in stating that these "selfish pilots" (aren`t ALL striking workers described that way!) were greatly inconveniencing the travelling public, and had disrupted freight into and out of South Korea, with costs already exceeding USD500 million.
Ironically though, in an attempt to later downplay their importance, he stated that only about 1/2 of the pilots were on strike.

Imagine what the cost MIGHT have been, had ALL of ASIANA`s pilots pulled the pin!
THAT was where I felt he shot himself in the foot.

They're back to work for 30 days by government order.

Even more amusing were the pictures of the 1800 riot police that were sent to the union camp to force the 400 striking pilots back to work.

My calculations put that at one for each limb and a couple hundred extra for good measure! :ok:

You have to understand that most of those "riot police" are 18-year-old (more or less) conscripts doing their required military service (which includes some of the police forces). Their level of training may not be as high as in some places...

Their level of discipline is pretty impressive though. More scared of their officers than getting whacked by rioters ....

How much training do you need in order to be proficient at whacking someone with a baton?????

From the Korea Times newspaper:

"Of about 400 pilots who participated in the strike, 33 began a two-day restoration program before sitting at the cockpit.

The company plans to have the pilots complete the program, which centers on safety in flight, spiritual meditation and includes a medical checkup.

``The program is designed to help pilots restore their mental, physical and technical capabilities,’’ Asiana labor relations manager Kim Gun said.

Anyone here experienced an airline "restoration" program? :hmm:

Rehab programme
 

Yeah,

Swiss did something similar to their short range pilots who were striking due to exhaustion. They all had to be examined to confirm fitness to fly before being put back on the job.

It is a way of showing who is the boss and showing the public that the company seems to care.