About half an hour later, Lu Jinghua's group left the dinner in a hurry without even taking a bite, leaving only Ma Cheng and Liu Minxue.
After Lu Jinghua left, Ma Cheng impatiently questioned Liu Minxue: "What on earth are you doing? Is this how you want someone?"
Liu Minxue took off his clothes, hung them aside, sat opposite Ma Cheng, and ate his food leisurely: "Then how do I ask for someone? Can you teach me?"
"He's just a pilot. We paid him the penalty for breach of contract and helped him fight the lawsuit. If Blue Sky Airlines still refuses to let him go, we can just pay more. Is it necessary to exchange three airlines for him?"
Pilots are a special profession with many restrictions on job-hopping. Basically, every job-hopping requires a lawsuit. Moreover, once a lawsuit is filed, it often takes a long time to go on. If the lawsuit is not completed, the pilot can only stay at home unemployed. Therefore, many pilots are very cautious about job-hopping. Of course, this also makes it difficult for pilots to move around.
"What if Blue Sky Airlines doesn't let the pilot go?" Liu Minxue raised his eyelids. "We are all people who know this industry inside and out. If an airline is determined to ruin a pilot, it can still be done. Besides, your idea is too petty. If Blue Sky Airlines comes to its senses, it will be easy for both sides to argue."
How could Liu Minxue not know what Ma Cheng was thinking? He simply thought that even if he wanted to poach Xu Cang, he could lower the price and not offer such a high price right away.
However, Liu Minxue's philosophy is different from Ma Cheng's. They are a dignified Muhua Airlines, and any branch of them is larger than Blue Sky Airlines. There is no need to bargain with Blue Sky Airlines on such a matter and lower their status.
Moreover, Liu Minxue believed that anyone who had a little knowledge of workplace etiquette should understand that the conditions he just proposed were the upper limit and there was no possibility of turning back, which would also prevent Blue Sky Airlines from having any other thoughts.
Ma Cheng snorted: "If they don't release us, then let our people from the Legal Department reason with them. How can they not understand?"
If Blue Sky Airlines won't let them go, then they can just file a lawsuit! The legal department of Muhua Airlines is not just for show, how can they not handle a small Blue Sky Airlines?
"Speak honestly. A few years ago, a captain in the flight department wanted to quit his job and won the lawsuit. Is he gone now?" Liu Minxue narrowed his eyes. "The flight department withheld his license, medical examination certificate, and work evaluation form. Tell me, is winning the lawsuit any use?"
Ma Cheng's face froze: "I didn't expect that you still care about these things, Lao Liu?"
"Why don't you care?" Liu Minxue's face turned cold. "Because I was the one who recruited him. At that time, he wanted to work for Guoda Airlines. He was from Hanjing, so he didn't have to travel far. As a result, I persuaded him to come in. Now he wants to go home and work for Guoda Airlines. I have been holding him back for almost four years. Now his license and qualifications are all invalid. I am too ashamed to see him."
Ma Cheng sneered, "Muhua trained him to be a captain, but now he wants to leave. How can it be so easy?"
As soon as these words came out, Liu Minxue was immediately furious. He slammed the table fiercely, pointed at Ma Cheng and cursed: "I want to leave because of you bureaucrats! Back then, I said that the bureaucracy at Guoda Airlines was serious, and the atmosphere here at Muhua is much more relaxed. You are just slapping me in the face!"
Seeing his old friend getting more and more agitated, Ma Cheng quickly tried to comfort him: "Alas, the issue of pilots switching jobs is a mess. Who can tell? Even if there are some individual cases, Blue Sky Airlines may not dare to do so, right?"
Ma Cheng's meaning is very simple. My Muhua Airlines is a big company. Isn't it normal to block one person? However, what my Muhua Airlines can do does not mean that Blue Sky Airlines can do it too!
In the final analysis, Ma Cheng has never looked down upon semi-private airlines like Blue Sky Airlines. What kind of a thing is Blue Sky Airlines? Isn't it just a beggar who lives on the leftovers left by the three major airlines?
Since he is a beggar, even though it would be enough to give him two cents to get rid of him, but he is really given good food and drink to serve him? Does he deserve it?
Although Liu Minxue had a good personal relationship with Ma Cheng, he couldn't stand Ma Cheng's arrogant behavior. In the end, he just waved his hand and said, "I don't understand. What are you so entangled about? They are just two domestic routes, not high-quality routes. Can't you just find a mid- to lower-income route and give it to them?"
"What about the joint operation rights of international routes?" Ma Cheng actually didn't care about domestic routes. There were plenty of Muhua Airlines anyway. What he cared about was international routes: "International routes have always been the territory of the three major airlines. How can we let Blue Sky Airlines come in and share a piece of the pie?"
Although from a rational point of view, Ma Cheng did not think that even if Blue Sky Airlines learned the experience of international operations, it would really stir up any waves, but why should they give Blue Sky Airlines this opportunity? Muhua Airlines was not a great saint.
"Just now I heard outside that Mr. Lu said that the reason they were rejected by the bureau was because they lacked experience in international operations. Why do you think their idea is right?"
Ma Cheng was stunned: "Huh? Isn't it?"
"In the application they submitted to the General Administration, international routes and the introduction of 777s are linked together..."
"Yes, isn't it the current trend to use 777 for cross-ocean flights? Shouldn't our company also start the demonstration?" Ma Cheng asked curiously. He didn't think there was any problem with Blue Sky Airlines.
Liu Minxue sighed: "What if something goes wrong with 777?"
"What!?" Ma Cheng stood up suddenly: "What did you say? What happened to 777?"
"Some time ago, Boeing had a problem during an ETOPS verification flight. Not only did it fail to meet the 180-minute diversion time limit, but it also touched down outside the runway, which almost caused a major accident. The FAA auditor was on the plane at the time. Do you think the ETOPS verification of the 777 can go smoothly?"
Ma Cheng could hardly believe his ears: "Doesn't the GE-90-115B engine of the 777 have the ETOPS180 capability? Why did it still fail?"
ETOPS was originally created to address concerns about engine performance in long-distance, especially transoceanic flights. In the 1950s, the ETOPS limit was still 60 minutes, or ETOPS60. But later, as engine performance improved, its safety and reliability made great strides, and aviation authorities in various countries gradually cancelled the ETOPS restrictions on three-engine and four-engine aircraft. ETOPS began to only have a restrictive effect on twin-engine passenger aircraft.
Since the 1980s, as engine technology has matured, ETOPS restrictions have begun to be relaxed, increasing from 60 minutes to 120 minutes, and finally to 180 minutes.
Although relatively old models such as the Boeing 767 can meet the ETOPS180 standard, they need to operate safely for a period of time before being granted the corresponding license by local authorities.
But the Boeing 777 is different. The engines of this type of aircraft have been verified countless times and are more advanced than the CF6-80 and PW4056 engines of the Boeing 767. They do not require verification and are naturally licensed under ETOPS180.
However, it is not enough for the engine to have the corresponding license. The local civil aviation administration needs to conduct an ETOPS flight operation review for one to two years. Only if it can operate safely within one to two years will it be fully granted the ETOPS180 capability license.
However, the problem with the 777 lies in the operation of this ETOPS validation flight.
"The person flying the flight at that time was Boeing's chief technology officer. You asked me why there was a problem with the GE-90-115B engine? Hey, I can't answer this question. Anyway, it was a failure." Liu Minxue spread his hands and said, "Soon, your department should re-discuss the 777 plan. By then, you will know the details."
"Boeing's chief technology officer?" Ma Cheng suddenly realized something was wrong. "That Li Rongcheng said that Boeing's chief technology officer retired normally. Isn't that right? He made a mistake and was kicked out?"
Liu Minxue curled her lips and said, "No matter what the reason is, Boeing is now going crazy to find a pilot who can ensure the absolute safety of the remaining verification flights. For this reason, Boeing headquarters even applied to suspend the operation of verification flights, waiting for that pilot. If there is another problem, the future of the 777 will be in jeopardy. It must be Boeing, otherwise the FAA would not give it a chance at all."
"Even the GE-90-115B engine can have problems. Is Boeing taking too big a step and is it going to get itself into trouble?" Ma Cheng still found it hard to accept the news, but he thought that the real details should be known soon.
With the launch of the Airbus 330, the Boeing 767 began to show signs of decline. In order to compete in the corresponding market, Boeing launched an upgraded version of the 767, the Boeing 777.
Ma Cheng still remembers that when Boeing was designing the 777, it invited many international airline representatives to give their opinions and let its customers describe their ideal aircraft. Muhua Airlines, as the largest airline in China at that time, was among the invited guests. Ma Cheng, who was very good at English, became the accompanying translator to accompany the leader. It was during that trip that Ma Cheng was appreciated by the leader and was promoted all the way.
Ma Cheng was certainly not recalling his own path to promotion, but was sighing! At that time, one of the important requirements of the representatives of various airlines for the Boeing 777 was fly-by-wire control, thus replacing Boeing's traditional cable transmission. As a result, Boeing was unwilling to give up its own concept of control, and in order to meet the requirements of customers, it compromised and came up with a feedback signal that simulated the cable transmission with an electronic signal. That is, when the Boeing 777 was operated, the feel was very much like using a cable transmission, which was no different from before, but in fact this feel was simulated by a computer. This simulation signal is also quite different from the Airbus side stick control simulation signal.
I can only say that Boeing’s designers are truly geniuses, they can come up with something like this.
During the short five days that Ma Cheng spent at Boeing headquarters, his only feeling was that the Boeing 777 was in a state of rapid development from the very beginning of its design. He never doubted that the Boeing 777 would be difficult to deliver. It should be said that most people in the industry around the world share the same idea as him.
However, the current situation is that outdated aircraft such as the Boeing 767 can meet the ETOPS180 standard, but its upgraded version, the Boeing 777, cannot. This is a devastating blow to the Boeing 777.
If the ETOPS180 standard is not met, then, especially in transoceanic flights, it will not be possible to follow the optimal route and will be forced to take a longer detour to meet the ETOPS restrictions. In this way, from the perspective of airlines that regard profit as extremely important, this is worse than the Boeing 767!
"So, when Li Rongcheng said that Boeing headquarters was recruiting chief technology officers worldwide, he was not saying that they should put aside their prejudices. Instead, Boeing headquarters was anxious because of the failure of the Boeing 777 verification flight and urgently needed an all-round pilot who could handle almost all flight problems." Ma Cheng gradually came to his senses and had some other guesses about the purpose of Li Rongcheng's visit: "However, if there is a problem with the Boeing 777, then wouldn't the Airbus 330 be invincible?"
Given the close personal relationship between him and Li Rongcheng, it is possible that even Li Rongcheng did not know the real purpose of recruiting a chief technology officer. After all, it is still unknown how much power a person in charge of the Asia-Pacific region can have at the headquarters.
If Ma Cheng's guess is true, then Boeing headquarters is really angry this time. The chief technology officer is the person who can access Boeing's core secrets, and he can open them to foreigners. It can only be said that Boeing has been forced into a corner this time.
However, Liu Minxue was a little confused: "What are you talking about? What's wrong with Boeing headquarters recruiting a chief technology officer?"
"Didn't our 737NGs enter customs a few days ago? Li Rongcheng also came here. He said that this time he wanted to recruit suitable pilots in the Asia-Pacific region to serve as candidates for the chief technology officer of Boeing headquarters."
Liu Minxue's eyes gradually narrowed: "And then?"
Ma Cheng sighed: "Then he fell in love with Xu Cang!"
…
After the brief meeting, Lu Jinghua drove back to the Blue Sky Aviation Base. On the way, Lu Jinghua's mood was still ups and downs, and it was difficult to calm down.
If you tell the marketing department about the joint operation right of an international route and the ownership of two domestic routes, they will probably go crazy. The marketing department will spend a lot of manpower and resources to fight for a route, but sometimes it will be in vain.
For any airline, routes are everything, and no airline will refuse the temptation of routes. But this time, Lu Jinghua rarely wanted to suppress his inner restlessness and seriously think about the proposal that no one would refuse.
Although Lu Jinghua did not know Liu Minxue, judging from Ma Cheng's attitude during the conversation, this condition was not just empty talk, but could really be implemented. Moreover, with Muhua Airlines' style, Lu Jinghua naturally did not expect to give them a high-quality route, but even a medium-quality route would make a lot of money, not to mention that there was also a joint operation right for an international route, which could help Blue Sky Airlines accumulate valuable international operating experience, which was as valuable as two domestic routes, or even higher.
Lu Jinghua and Xu Cang have a personal relationship, so he naturally doesn't want to send Xu Cang away. But strictly speaking, Xu Cang is one of Blue Sky Airlines' assets, and in terms of maximizing profits, sending Xu Cang away is the best choice.
The difficult choice between personal relationships and official business really gave Lu Jinghua a headache. While the battle was fierce in his mind, he had unknowingly arrived at the gate of the Blue Sky Airlines base.
Lu Jinghua sighed and temporarily put aside the complicated thoughts in his mind. He had to report the meeting to Luo Yong later. However, when he was looking for a parking space, his car passed by the small pavilion in the green area in front of the base and found that Xu Cang, who had returned from Wushi, was actually in the pavilion, and in front of him was the representative of the bureau, Chen Xiangdong.
Both of them had red faces, as if they were having a fierce argument.
"Xu Cang, you have to come with me to the bureau no matter what this time." Chen Xiangdong was extremely excited: "You have no choice this time. I will apply to the bureau to directly change your work relationship."
When Xu Cang heard this, he became even more anxious: "Master, why do you always want me to go to the bureau and sit in the office? You were not like this before. Didn't you want me to go to the front line before? Why have you changed now?"
"You have to prove your ability on the front line. Now, do you still need to prove your ability?" Chen Xiangdong became more and more excited. "How many things have happened to you recently? Tail scrape, both engines shut down, and this time there was a power failure and you got lost! Xu Cang, I don't believe in ghosts and gods, but I only have one life. Can't you listen to me for once?"
Xu Cang knew that Chen Xiangdong was worried about him, but he also had reasons for not being able to leave. He smiled and said, "Master, you know my skills. No matter how difficult the situation is, I can handle it!"
"What if, what if!" Chen Xiangdong became even more furious when he saw Xu Cang's smiling face: "The leaders of your company are saying that you are unlucky, why are you still staying here?"
Xu Cang was stunned, and just smiled bitterly: "So this is how they all see me. But, Master! My mother is sick and needs money, a lot of money. I can't get so much money working in the office, you can't ask me to do something abnormal, right?"
"If your mother has any problems, I will definitely help. I have saved some money over the years, so I should be able to handle some of it." Chen Xiangdong said, "Since you want money, I can help you deal with it, so don't stay here any longer. I will go to see the leader of your flight department in a while, and you can come with me this time."
However, Xu Cang fell silent this time.
Xu Cang's silence made Chen Xiangdong furious: "What on earth do you want to do? You want money, right? I promised to help you deal with it, so why are you still staying here?"
"Master, you told me in person when I graduated that you wanted the whole sky to echo my name." Xu Cang lowered his head: "Have you changed now?"
"Yes, I have changed!" Chen Xiangdong roared, showing extreme excitement: "Xu Cang, I have no children, but in my heart, you are my son. I once wanted you to become a leader in domestic civil aviation, but after going through so much, I don't want those things anymore. I just want you to live in peace."
When Chen Xiangdong said such sincere words, even Xu Cang was shocked. In his impression, Chen Xiangdong should be the kind of person who restrains his emotions to the extreme, how could he behave like this?
"Master, there are some things I have been hiding in my heart..." For some reason, Xu Cang suddenly had the urge to reveal everything: "Admittedly, at first I wanted to stay in Blue Sky Airlines to raise money for my mother's treatment, but later I slowly discovered that I could do more..."
"I will leave Blue Sky Airlines, I can assure you of that, but not now!" Xu Cang raised his head and looked directly at Chen Xiangdong, who was puzzled: "Master, in the near future, the authorities will begin to allow private capital to enter the civil aviation market, right?"
Chen Xiangdong, who was about to join the top management of the bureau, was shocked beyond belief. He said in a daze: "How could you ..."
"Master, please don't talk. If you talk, you will make a mistake. Just listen." At this time, Xu Cang's eyes were shining with an extremely bright light. This young man who usually seemed a little casual showed incredible ambition for the first time: "The upcoming lifting of the control of air ticket prices by the authorities is a test of the future marketization of civil aviation, right?"
A look of fear finally flashed across Chen Xiangdong's face, because what Xu Cang said was exactly a major trend in the General Administration in recent days, but it should have been kept confidential, so why did Xu Cang know it?
Looking at Chen Xiangdong who was finding it hard to accept, Xu Cang said calmly: "Master, I believe in you, so I tell you this."
He raised his chin slightly, like a sharp sword piercing the sky: "I have never regarded flying as a career to strive for all my life. I am already at the top of pilots, why should I strive to get something I already have?"
This sentence was extremely arrogant, but it seemed so natural when it came out of Xu Cang's mouth, as if it was supposed to be so.
"So, I want to get something broader." Xu Cang's gaze penetrated the barrier of the clouds and reached the infinite distance: "Perhaps, you think that the marketization of civil aviation is just a conventional means to promote the development of civil aviation, but you will never imagine what will happen in the future when the entry threshold of civil aviation is relaxed!"
"An era, a golden age of civil aviation!" Xu Cang's voice became louder and louder, as if these words had been suppressed in his heart for too long, and today he could finally speak out: "What's the use of being a pilot no matter how well he does? He is just a small wave under the huge wave of the times. Since I have seen through everything, why don't I be the leader of that era? What I want is not what you think, Master. I should have everything. What I want is the whole sky!"