Originally Posted by
HerkyBird
One of the goals the negotiating Committee had when crafting the FDA LOA was to give pilots the option of not having to live in or near Guangzhou. As you know, this was accomplished by getting the company to agree to establish the domicile in HKG and make all trips originate there for both pay and duty purposes. There is not a provision for the company to start pairings from a place other than the domicile.
The realities of living in or around HKG and the attendant transportation issues were acknowledged in negotiations and deemed to be a much better option than establishing the domicile in CAN and having pilots be on their own to make it to the airport. As always, pilots may avail themselves of the contractual provisions regarding fatigue if they feel they cannot safely operate a pairing. As you read in my message of October 10, the MEC takes very seriously both fatigue and the enforcement of the relevant CBA language.
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Best Regards,
Dxxxx Mxxxxx
I have a problem with this portion of DM response. We (American's) can not get Chinese drivers licenses since we do not speak the native language so the company has no choice but to provide transportation for us to get to the airport. Its called 'cost of doing business abroad"!
I just don't understand how we are supposed to bid either of these FDA's when there are so many unknowns still unanswered...ie. HKG pick up location??? IMHO, you are creating a lot of extra headaches and stress for yourself for little to no extra compensation. You know the company is NOT going to go out of their way to help, your on your own getting over there and established.