China Airlines (CI) 2019 Lunar New Year Pilot Strike - What is going on?
Feb 13, 2019, 5:54 am
#46
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Dynasty Frequent Flyer (Elite Plus),Accor Platinum
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By the way the union demand of not hiring foriegn pilots has nothing to do with safety but just trying to make sure in the future if the union wants to strike for any reason they want 100 percent pilots to be striking to ensure they can make any crazy claim they want and probably get it. However CI management if they really care to aviod this in the future they should keep hiring foriegn pilots while the union keeps being agressive. 85 percent normal daily capacity flying out is still managable at this stage. The remaining 15 percent should be able to easily be put on alternative flights with other carriers if need be.
Feb 13, 2019, 8:57 am
#47
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SFO
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They are cutting all the destinations with long layovers so that pilots can be turned around faster.
Feb 13, 2019, 8:59 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,926
By the way the union demand of not hiring foriegn pilots has nothing to do with safety but just trying to make sure in the future if the union wants to strike for any reason they want 100 percent pilots to be striking to ensure they can make any crazy claim they want and probably get it. However CI management if they really care to aviod this in the future they should keep hiring foriegn pilots while the union keeps being agressive. 85 percent normal daily capacity flying out is still managable at this stage. The remaining 15 percent should be able to easily be put on alternative flights with other carriers if need be.
I will repeat that FA's are the whole cause of this disaster. Greedy FA's led to greedy pilots, since they found out that they can ask for the moon and get it. Also, I find it very concerning CI did not implement FRMS or utilize Jeppesen model scheduling for their crew members. CI6 comes to mind when you hear about these things at the negotiations.
Keep fighting, Chairman Ho!
Feb 13, 2019, 9:30 am
#49
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 1,478
Seeing that this is going to drag on for a while, China Airlines should at least give the option to passengers who are booked for the next 3 - 4 weeks on their flights to cancel with full refund so that there is still time to purchase alternative flights to destinations.
If it's only 7 days before, it will be most likely to late to still get reasonable pricing.
At least with other airlines it has always been clear on which days exactly the strike will be and for how long a time period, like last year with Air France where it went on over a month but dates were 100% clear and people could refund and re-book. With this strike there aren't many options, leaving many travelers stranded, not only loosing their flights with CI but loosing a lot of money due to other arrangements that have been made at the destination.
It's to bad but it shows the airline's attitude in general it seems.
If it's only 7 days before, it will be most likely to late to still get reasonable pricing.
At least with other airlines it has always been clear on which days exactly the strike will be and for how long a time period, like last year with Air France where it went on over a month but dates were 100% clear and people could refund and re-book. With this strike there aren't many options, leaving many travelers stranded, not only loosing their flights with CI but loosing a lot of money due to other arrangements that have been made at the destination.
It's to bad but it shows the airline's attitude in general it seems.
Feb 13, 2019, 9:34 am
#50
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,926
Seeing that this is going to drag on for a while, China Airlines should at least give the option to passengers who are booked for the next 3 - 4 weeks on their flights to cancel with full refund so that there is still time to purchase alternative flights to destinations.
If it's only 7 days before, it will be most likely to late to still get reasonable pricing.
At least with other airlines it has always been clear on which days exactly the strike will be and for how long a time period, like last year with Air France where it went on over a month but dates were 100% clear and people could refund and re-book. With this strike there aren't many options, leaving many travelers stranded, not only loosing their flights with CI but loosing a lot of money due to other arrangements that have been made at the destination.
It's to bad but it shows the airline's attitude in general it seems.
If it's only 7 days before, it will be most likely to late to still get reasonable pricing.
At least with other airlines it has always been clear on which days exactly the strike will be and for how long a time period, like last year with Air France where it went on over a month but dates were 100% clear and people could refund and re-book. With this strike there aren't many options, leaving many travelers stranded, not only loosing their flights with CI but loosing a lot of money due to other arrangements that have been made at the destination.
It's to bad but it shows the airline's attitude in general it seems.
Feb 13, 2019, 9:37 am
#51
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 1,478
Because the strike is not operating at 100%, flights are still going out (~85%). They cannot offer you changes/refunds if your booked flight is still going out. That would be extreme and flights would instead be going out empty (more money lost). They are doing a great job with rebooking/refunds right now since they have already contacted all their interline partners to help accommodate them. Even BR stepped in to help and ran some upgauged flights to HKG, TYO etc.
Feb 13, 2019, 2:18 pm
#52
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CAN, LAX, TPE
Programs: AA, AS, CI, DL, UA
Posts: 2,898
By the way the union demand of not hiring foriegn pilots has nothing to do with safety but just trying to make sure in the future if the union wants to strike for any reason they want 100 percent pilots to be striking to ensure they can make any crazy claim they want and probably get it. However CI management if they really care to aviod this in the future they should keep hiring foriegn pilots while the union keeps being agressive. 85 percent normal daily capacity flying out is still managable at this stage. The remaining 15 percent should be able to easily be put on alternative flights with other carriers if need be.
It will be interesting to see whether the government forces CI to cave in (looking to be the case), or it will go to arbitration which the Taoyuan city have to step in (and probably announce emergency situation to end the strike). If CI is to cave in, the next target for the union will be BR. In that case I would suggest everyone to avoid these two airlines when making reservations in the future (as it can just be strike after strike or threats after threats every year).
Feb 13, 2019, 2:40 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,926
Technically it's less than 85%, we just ignore cargo flights. CI's current strategy of employing more pilots than needed is a good way to maneuver or get by emergency events (such as strike).
It will be interesting to see whether the government forces CI to cave in (looking to be the case), or it will go to arbitration which the Taoyuan city have to step in (and probably announce emergency situation to end the strike). If CI is to cave in, the next target for the union will be BR. In that case I would suggest everyone to avoid these two airlines when making reservations in the future (as it can just be strike after strike or threats after threats every year).
It will be interesting to see whether the government forces CI to cave in (looking to be the case), or it will go to arbitration which the Taoyuan city have to step in (and probably announce emergency situation to end the strike). If CI is to cave in, the next target for the union will be BR. In that case I would suggest everyone to avoid these two airlines when making reservations in the future (as it can just be strike after strike or threats after threats every year).
Feb 13, 2019, 3:47 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CAN, LAX, TPE
Programs: AA, AS, CI, DL, UA
Posts: 2,898
I believe it's under the clause that BR's pay (or certain benefits, hours) has to be the best in the industry. Not going to be so if CI just cave in on everything. I don't recall the exact clause or phrase and I ain't part of BR so I don't have those paperwork, so feel free to correct me (since you are likely part of them).
Plus, it's not just pilots who can strike
Feb 13, 2019, 5:55 pm
#55
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Dynasty Frequent Flyer (Elite Plus),Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,866
Yes I guessed cargo was being cancelled to prioritise the passenger flights. Cargo probably gets to its destination eventually just delayed a couple of days.
Also I bet CI is happy they kept 4 747s in the fleet so they can reduce flights to HKG or Shanghai but increase seating capacity.
Also I bet CI is happy they kept 4 747s in the fleet so they can reduce flights to HKG or Shanghai but increase seating capacity.
Feb 13, 2019, 6:27 pm
#56
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 916
Was going to book a flight next week or two on China Air , who I have flown with many times ,
Now I am not so sure if it looks like China Air will not take care if there happens to be a strike that week .
Do you think this will be going on most of March ?
Now I am not so sure if it looks like China Air will not take care if there happens to be a strike that week .
Do you think this will be going on most of March ?
Feb 13, 2019, 7:38 pm
#57
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Dynasty Frequent Flyer (Elite Plus),Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,866
While the strike could last into March it is more likely that it will be ended by then.
Also all passengers are getting to there destination if slightly delayed as the airline is rebooking them on competitor airlines like BR.
Chinese New Year peak traffic should start reducing in about 1 week so there should be more empty seats flying out even if the odd flight is cancelled. LAX or SFO has been cancelled 1 time I think in 5 or 6 days?
Also all passengers are getting to there destination if slightly delayed as the airline is rebooking them on competitor airlines like BR.
Chinese New Year peak traffic should start reducing in about 1 week so there should be more empty seats flying out even if the odd flight is cancelled. LAX or SFO has been cancelled 1 time I think in 5 or 6 days?
Feb 13, 2019, 10:55 pm
#58
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Strike over 華航指逾百名機師退出罷工 明日航班可望恢復正常 ???? - ?? - ???????????? ?????????? - tvb.com
Feb 14, 2019, 2:44 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 1,478
