Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - CX threatened with lawsuit by flight attendants

Sorry if this has been posted (search this forum on the word 'benefit'and didn't find anything):

Flight attendants are threatening to sue if the company does not settle their claim for unpaid benefits and allowances:

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=68254&sid=19668702&con_type=1&d_str=20080708&fc=2


http://www.angrybackhand.com

Sorry if this has been posted (search this forum on the word 'benefit'and didn't find anything):

Flight attendants are threatening to sue if the company does not settle their claim for unpaid benefits and allowances:

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=68254&sid=19668702&con_type=1&d_str=20080708&fc=2


http://www.angrybackhand.com

I wonder why sometimes service on CX is sometimes substandard...

I do not know what the laws said and whether CX complied, but this is brought up at the wrong time when the airline industry is cutting flights and jobs everywhere. More financial burden on the company may end up backfiring on the FAs. I like to see happy FAs too, but they will not be happy if CX cut jobs.

More financial burden on the company may end up backfiring on the FAs.That was my take - 'be careful what you ask for...'

I do not know what the laws said and whether CX complied, but this is brought up at the wrong time when the airline industry is cutting flights and jobs everywhere. More financial burden on the company may end up backfiring on the FAs. I like to see happy FAs too, but they will not be happy if CX cut jobs.

Yea, I do agree with you guys, but honestly it is pretty crazy what CX starting FAs get paid. I was chatting with CX mgmt and a pilot again last week, and basically here is the deal (I know a lot of you know FAs here, but I think this is the gist):

1.) Starting FAs are paid hourly something around 80HKD/hour. The catch is you only get paid for time in the air. So a 12-hour round-trip to LHR gives you $1920 HKD. If you take salary alone, FAs can make less than $10k HKD/month. In REALITY this isn't exactly true because...
2.) Everyone at CX (pilots, cabin crew) gets the same amount of $$$ for a stipend in each layover place. I don't recall what it is, but something around $100 a day (or possibly it was 100 pounds a day in London? I'm not sure) is about right. However pilots stay over always one day fewer than FAs. So what happens is the pilots, who get paid well anyway, have a blast in their location while the FAs, who are not getting any salary for that time are basically eating noodles and trying to save every last penny of their stipend because their salary is so low. In essence they see their stipends as a vital part of their salary to compensate for the time they're not getting paid.
3.) Regardless, even including the stipend the total compensation as an FA really isn't any better than an entry-level secretary job in HK...and the schedule can put a serious strain on FAs social lives, especially the young ones. I met one 23 year-old FA the other day in J (?!?!?!) who had a very similar story to one I met last year in Y (I think that one was like 22 though). She figured she made all-in $9-14k a month, hated the fact that one day she went to Taipei, two days later went to Dubai, a week later went to NY, then back to Tokyo, and could actually make more with a more regular schedule working locally here in HK.

So yea...kinda a crappy situation all around. CX isn't exactly swimming in profit either right now. Maybe service will improve if real wages fall in HK...and CX doesn't reduce wages.

Yea, I do agree with you guys, but honestly it is pretty crazy what CX starting FAs get paid. I was chatting with CX mgmt and a pilot again last week, and basically here is the deal (I know a lot of you know FAs here, but I think this is the gist):

1.) Starting FAs are paid hourly something around 80HKD/hour. The catch is you only get paid for time in the air. So a 12-hour round-trip to LHR gives you $1920 HKD. If you take salary alone, FAs can make less than $10k HKD/month. In REALITY this isn't exactly true because...
2.) Everyone at CX (pilots, cabin crew) gets the same amount of $$$ for a stipend in each layover place. I don't recall what it is, but something around $100 a day (or possibly it was 100 pounds a day in London? I'm not sure) is about right. However pilots stay over always one day fewer than FAs. So what happens is the pilots, who get paid well anyway, have a blast in their location while the FAs, who are not getting any salary for that time are basically eating noodles and trying to save every last penny of their stipend because their salary is so low. In essence they see their stipends as a vital part of their salary to compensate for the time they're not getting paid.
3.) Regardless, even including the stipend the total compensation as an FA really isn't any better than an entry-level secretary job in HK...and the schedule can put a serious strain on FAs social lives, especially the young ones. I met one 23 year-old FA the other day in J (?!?!?!) who had a very similar story to one I met last year in Y (I think that one was like 22 though). She figured she made all-in $9-14k a month, hated the fact that one day she went to Taipei, two days later went to Dubai, a week later went to NY, then back to Tokyo, and could actually make more with a more regular schedule working locally here in HK.

So yea...kinda a crappy situation all around. CX isn't exactly swimming in profit either right now. Maybe service will improve if real wages fall in HK...and CX doesn't reduce wages.

I agree with you as to the above, however:

CX still experiences massive demand for FA positions, mainly owing to the 'excitement' travel etc brings to those who wish to 'broaden their horizons'.

The fact is many leave the middle of Uni courses or go to CX after having completed a University degree. Why? They still go though don't they, crappy pay and all.

Although there is an hourly rate, I thought that there was a minimum amount the FAs earn in return for a minimum amount of flying per month?

1.) Starting FAs are paid hourly something around 80HKD/hour. The catch is you only get paid for time in the air. So a 12-hour round-trip to LHR gives you $1920 HKD. If you take salary alone, FAs can make less than $10k HKD/month. In REALITY this isn't exactly true because...
2.) Everyone at CX (pilots, cabin crew) gets the same amount of $$$ for a stipend in each layover place.

So yea...kinda a crappy situation all around. CX isn't exactly swimming in profit either right now. Maybe service will improve if real wages fall in HK...and CX doesn't reduce wages.Thanks for that - does shed some light on the situation. And as you alluded to in your 1st post: when CX pays like that they almost guarantee high turnover and very up-and-down service.

I hope they can resolve this quickly and with as little strife as possible.


http://www.angrybackhand.com