Now I'll just point out that today we had 14 777 pilots arrive in HKG under the new governmental rules. Some were forced to wait over 15 hours after block in for their test results before they could proceed to the scheduled layover hotel with total duty periods exceeding 24 hours. The average duty period was over 19 hours and average test wait time was 9 hours. Now the company is saying they will restructure the system form to avoid HKG. Does it really take our employer to cry "uncle" before the problems inherent in a seriously flawed plan to be recognized?

All of these pilots were forewarned about the risks they bore and potential disruptions that might be encountered if they operated into HKG. They chose to ignore the union comms and the obvious implications of our union resolution calling for the company to temporarily halt operations in HKG. They risked 14 days of their freedom if found exposed. As a result we had significant hours spent by union volunteers tracking these statistics and offering these crew members whatever support they could to lessen their ordeal. Once they were in HKG those options were reduced.

All avoidable had they simply said "no". Union comms were clear and went as far as was legally possible to educate these individuals about risks they were accepting by just going along. They went anyway. Many appeared to be ignorant about what risks were inherent in their decision to go. Does ALPA even have their email on file? Several I spoke with and warned before hand didn't want to but didn't think they had the option and just went along. Oooh maybe they'll get a BZ

Still working on the HKG pilots situation. As usual, that seems to be a secondary problem. They will continue to run the medical gauntlet every trip and regularly deal with the same risks our other pilots can bid to avoid or decline.