Chapter 99: AVIC ARJ21
In the cockpit of the Tianning to Jianchuan flight, the captain had secretly taken a short nap during the first cruise, so that after this cruise, the captain was energetic, snuggled in the seat and started chatting with the first co-pilot about all sorts of things, and they mentioned the 747 that was wet-leased from Muhua Airlines.
When the captain mentioned this 747, the muscles on his face tightened and he gritted his teeth, as if he had some deep hatred.
"Do you know how much the two aircraft sets that we rented from Muhua cost?" When the captain said this, he felt as if his body was drained and his chest was stuffy.
The first co-pilot was quite reserved: "Our company has never operated international routes before. How is the hourly rate for international flights calculated? Is it the same as for domestic flights?"
"How can it be the same price? Can it be the same for domestic and international flights?" The captain shook his head and sighed: "I found out that the hourly rate for international flights is 1.5 times that of domestic flights. Oh, it's half more."
"So much more?" Even though they could guess that the hourly rate for international flights would be higher than that for domestic flights, a 50% increase was still quite exaggerated. The first officer was also itching to ask: "Then how is the 1.5 times hourly rate calculated? Does it start from the time you leave the border or take off?"
This question is quite critical. Since Jianchuan Airport is located in the southwest, if the international flight is to the east, it takes almost three hours just to fly out of the border. The difference between the three-hour domestic flight segment calculated at 1.5 times the hourly fee and the domestic flight fee is quite large.
Not to mention the first co-pilot was curious, even Xu Cang pricked up his ears to listen.
"Of course it's charged after takeoff!" The captain became more and more excited as he spoke, "It's simply robbing money, it's too outrageous. That's not all. All landings at foreign airports, whether they are special airports or hub airports, will be charged three times the landing fee. Moreover, the international routes I know are basically flying at night, and with the 20% night flight fee, it hurts my heart. I calculated that for the same amount of time, their salary is almost twice as much as ours. Is there any justice in this world?"
"Then is the 20% of the night flight fee added based on the standard hourly rate, or is it added based on 1.5 times the hourly rate?" Xu Cang couldn't help but ask.
The captain sighed and said, "It's calculated at 1.5 times the hourly rate."
"So exaggerated?" Even Xu Cang, who had experienced the peak of prosperity in the future, felt that the cost of Blue Sky Airlines this time was too high, almost exceeding the salary ten years later. You have to know that the salary ten years later was increased so much due to the prosperity of civil aviation and inflation. It was a bit outrageous that the salary level in 2000 could be comparable to that ten years later.
"It's so exaggerated!" The captain seemed to have drunk a mouthful of vinegar, and his words were sour: "Our company almost treats them as fathers."
"But I heard that it's only wet leased for half a year. After our company obtains international operation qualifications, they will return to Muhua. By then, we will have the opportunity to fly internationally." The first co-pilot was already looking forward to the scene of his company operating international routes in half a year: "But I heard that our company wants to operate the Boeing 777, and there is no news of the Boeing 777's official commercial use yet."
The captain showed some interest when he mentioned this: "It's just a matter of time, but it's really strange. It's OK that EASA in Europe didn't get the joint airworthiness certificate, but it seems that the FAA didn't get the airworthiness certificate either, which is a bit strange."
However, due to his habitual confidence in Boeing, the captain did not have any worries even though the commercialization of Boeing 777 seemed to have some problems. Instead, he expressed his helplessness about Blue Sky Airlines' future international routes: "Even if we operate international routes, it will be difficult for me to fly because I don't have ICAO. I really didn't expect our company to fly internationally. I should have studied English well earlier."
Generally speaking, to operate international routes, crew members are required to have an English proficiency of ICAO4, that is, English radio communication level 4. However, if there is no ICAO4, it will not affect the operation of domestic routes, and the captains of Blue Sky Airlines would never have thought that Blue Sky Airlines might open international routes.
Theoretically, pilots can apply for ICAO exams to obtain the corresponding English communication level. But the problem is that the ICAO exam has a characteristic that the initial test to obtain the corresponding qualification is very difficult, while the test to maintain the qualification is relatively simple.
The captain felt that it was impossible for him to pass the preliminary test with his current level, but if he couldn't pass the preliminary test, everything would be over. When he thought about missing out on a good opportunity to make money, he only regretted not taking the ICAO test when he was in the aviation school. At that time, he had just graduated from college and had some basic English. Now he might not even understand the English books he read in elementary school.
"But you still have a chance. Your English should not be completely recovered yet, right?" The captain said, glancing back at Xu Cang: "By the way, what's the company's follow-up on the 9211 incident? What's the conclusion?"
Xu Cang didn't expect the captain to suddenly bring up the matter of 9211, but he didn't know what stage the company was in dealing with 9211. "It shouldn't be a big problem. I saw Captain Tan also resume flying, but the company really hasn't given any news on this. Should they give rewards?"
Basically, airlines will follow up on all abnormal incidents. On the one hand, they will let other flight crew members learn relevant experience, and on the other hand, they will characterize the crew involved, and reward and punishment measures will generally be included.
"That's right, you all have gone back to flying, so there should be nothing wrong."
Since this matter has been mentioned, Xu Cang wanted to ask the captain about the situation: "Captain, when the authorities interviewed us, they seemed to say that we handled the situation well. How much money do you usually get rewarded for a situation like this?"
"The authorities said so? Then it seems that you did a good job this time!" The captain was a little surprised and sat up a little straighter. If the authorities can say that the handling was good, then you must have some skills: "Tan Heling is usually so unreliable, but this time he stood up."
Xu Cang had a strange look on his face. It seemed that the captain of flight 9211 was very "famous", no wonder he was so impatient when the accident happened.
So far, except for a very small number of people in the company, the rest of the people did not know the true situation of 9211 at that time. In fact, even the information obtained by the bureau was polished by Xu Cang. At least the people on the bureau side did not know some of the things that Tan Heling actually did. If they knew, I am afraid that the harmonious atmosphere at that time could not be maintained.
Xu Cang naturally wouldn't jump out to show off how great he was . He was more concerned about how much the reward would be: "Captain, based on your experience, how much money can the company give this time?"
"Two months' salary, that's about the right amount. It's always been the default rule." The captain didn't think about it. It seemed that this was indeed the default rule.
"Two months' salary?" Xu Cang remembered that the last time he met Xia Shuyue , she was also rewarded for her good performance in 9211. The amount was exactly two months' salary. There should be no objection to that.
By this calculation, his reward plus the captain's reward promised by Wang Xuan should be around 60,000 or 70,000, which is acceptable.
Although it might take a little longer, Xu Cang would be satisfied as long as he could get it.
After chatting for a while, Xu Cang wanted to go to the bathroom. After telling the chief stewardess and asking her to close the curtain of the front cabin workroom, Xu Cang went out after confirming that it was safe outside.
In this era, many regulations are quite immature, such as cockpit entry and exit regulations. In the future, if a pilot wants to leave the cockpit, he or she will not only need to pull the curtain, but also have to have the flight attendants block the aisle with a dining cart, and the aviation security officer will also come to guard, which will almost block the front cabin. Now, the flight attendants' concept of pilots leaving the cockpit is just to pull up the curtain, and their safety awareness is not strong.
Xu Cang didn't know at first, but once when he was about to leave, he saw from the surveillance that the flight attendant had pulled the curtain and then stopped moving. He thought something unexpected had happened ahead, so he just kept waiting. After waiting for a quarter of an hour, the flight attendant felt very strange and asked if he wanted to leave.
Although Xu Cang had an amazing memory, he was not bored enough to study the flight attendant manual. Since then, Xu Cang has adapted to the characteristics of the times and has not done anything special.
After coming out, Xu Cang chatted with the flight attendant for a few words and was about to go to the toilet when he suddenly seemed to hear Xia Shuyue's scream coming from the first-class cabin.
At this moment, Xia Shuyue was serving in the first class cabin. Actually, with Xia Shuyue's rank, it was not her turn to serve in the first class cabin, but today's chief steward was a nice guy, and seeing that Xia Shuyue was quite pleasing to the eye, he agreed to let her go to the first class cabin for training. It just so happened that there was only one person in the first class cabin today, and the pressure was not too great, which was just right for a newcomer to train.
Originally, Xia Shuyue went to the first-class cabin to collect meals, but a gentleman-looking man in the first-class cabin put a business card on the plate when Xia Shuyue was cleaning up the plate. It should be his own business card.
Xia Shuyue thought that the passenger had put it in the wrong place, so she kindly took out the business card and returned it to the man. However, the man said that the business card was for Xia Shuyue, and asked Xia Shuyue to call him after landing.
At this moment, Xia Shuyue still couldn't understand what that person wanted to do. It was obvious that he wanted her to provide that kind of service.
In fact, if the flight attendant has been working for many years, he or she may just pretend to accept the business card and then throw it away.
But Xia Shuyue had only been working for a short time, and she was still a little flustered when she encountered such a thing for the first time. She probably knew that she should endure it, but subconsciously, she always felt that if she accepted it, even if it was fake, she would feel that she had accepted the man's sexual suggestion, which would make her feel very uncomfortable.
Therefore, Xia Shuyue returned the business card to the man to show his attitude.
The man picked up his business card and played with it between his fingers, then said with a smile, "How much do you make a month? I'll give you twice as much. You don't have to do anything, just spend a few days with me every time I come to Jianchuan on a business trip."
This is no longer a hint, but an explicit statement.
However, Xia Shuyue also refused in a clear tone: "Sir, I'm sorry."
Having said that, Xia Shuyue didn't want to talk to this person anymore. She felt that being too close to such a person would cause her physical discomfort, so she prepared to collect the plate and go back.
However, just as Xia Shuyue picked up the plate, the man actually grabbed Xia Shuyue's wrist, causing Xia Shuyue to scream in surprise.
"You should know that I'm a platinum card holder, so you should also understand that what I just said was not bragging. It's all about making money." The man laughed wantonly, "Besides, why are you pretending to be a chaste heroine? Your company canceled so many flights today. Do you think I don't know the reason? I have heard about your circle. Don't hide anything. Do you think you don't have enough money? Let me accompany you..."
Xia Shuyue was anxious and angry. Just as she was about to pull her hand away, she felt a gust of wind and waves coming, followed by a dull slapping sound. After that, the man covered his hand, grimacing in pain.
Before Xia Shuyue could react, Xu Cang held her in his arms, and then turned her around in his arms. Xu Cang's figure separated her from the man.
"Don't look at him, or you'll have nightmares." Xu Cang patted Xia Shuyue's head, signaling her to lower her head and not look at the man.
Some girls who have just entered society will suffer psychological trauma after facing this kind of sexual harassment . Xu Cang doesn't want Xia Shuyue to have any bad memories.
The chief steward, who was a step late, opened the curtain and came into the first-class cabin. He was a little confused when he saw the situation in the cabin and didn't know what had just happened.
But the man saw the chief steward coming in, and he raised the back of his hand that was slapped by Xu Cang to show it to the chief steward: "What do you mean, hitting someone?"
As he was talking, the man noticed that Xu Cang was wearing a pilot's uniform. He was stunned for a moment, then angrily said, "He's a pilot? Call the captain over. I want to ask if a pilot can hit someone."
The flight attendant was about to speak, but she saw Xu Cang put his finger on his lips, signaling her not to speak. Then, Xu Cang turned around and shouted to the economy class: "Safety officer!"
The aviation security officer sitting in the front row of the economy class heard Xu Cang's call and came over immediately, but like the chief flight attendant, he seemed a little confused about the situation.
Xu Cang pointed at the man with an angry face and said, "This man is a little emotional. You just sit next to him. If he does anything out of line, turn on the recorder and control him directly. Then notify the cockpit and we will contact the Jianchuan Airport Police Station on your behalf."
The flight attendant, Xia Shuyue, the security officer and the man present were all stunned, but the flight attendant was the first to react and was about to persuade Xu Cang, but Xu Cang shook his head and his attitude was very firm.
When the man saw that Xu Cang was actually trying to restrict his freedom, he immediately shouted: "I have a platinum card, I want to complain, I want to complain about you!"
However, Xu Cang directly told the security guard: "Keep an eye on him, and remember to turn on the recorder when you do things, so that he won't commit fraud."
The security officer nodded and sat down next to the man. Security officers of this era were mostly retired soldiers. Just by sitting there, their aura was as deep as the sea, and they suppressed the man's curses until he could only mutter softly.
Xu Cang patted Xia Shuyue on the back and said, "Let's go to the front."
As he spoke, Xu Cang pushed Xia Shuyue towards the front cabin workshop. The chief flight attendant glanced at the security officer and the man in the first class cabin, then followed him into the front cabin workshop with a solemn expression.
After entering, Xu Cang closed the curtain and separated from Xia Shuyue. He said a few words of concern: "If you encounter such clumsy people in the future, there is no point in arguing with them. Just go to the safety officer or the chief steward directly."
Xia Shuyue lowered her head, her ears turned red, and she didn't dare to look at Xu Cang. She just hummed softly.
"Even if she told me, I wouldn't be so tough." The flight attendant who followed in said helplessly, "He is a platinum card holder. If he complains, Shu Yue will be in trouble. If a platinum card holder like him complains, it will be a level 3 complaint, which will affect Shu Yue's future promotion."
Passenger complaints are generally classified by airlines into invalid complaints and valid complaints, and valid complaints are further divided into level 1, level 2, and level 3 complaints. Level 1 and level 2 complaints are fine, they have an impact but not a big one. But if the flight attendant is confirmed to have level 3 complaints, it will have a great impact on future promotions.
Because according to the flight attendant promotion outline, those who have three levels of complaints within a year cannot be promoted to technical positions, and those who have three levels of complaints within three years cannot be promoted to chief flight attendant. Low-level flight attendants like Xia Shuyue are promoted very quickly at the beginning, and not being able to be promoted within a year is quite a delay.
The problem is that if it is a platinum card complaint, it does not need to be verified and will be deemed as a valid level 3 complaint, so the flight attendant is so worried.
"That guy has dirty hands, what's the point of complaining?"
The flight attendant sighed: "This is how Platinum Cards are. If you make a complaint, it is a valid complaint, no matter what the complaint is about."
"What? It's early..." Xu Cang stopped talking halfway before he realized that it was only the year 2000 and the airlines' principles for handling complaints had not changed.
In this era, airlines still adhere to the principle of flattering high-level customers. However, as high-level airline customers continued to harass flight attendants by threatening to file complaints, under pressure from public opinion, airlines had no choice but to revise the principles for identifying complaints from high-level customers, rather than simply favoring customers.
"What kind of bullshit rule is this?" Xu Cang was quite disgusted with this company rule that didn't care about the interests of its employees at all, but he was powerless to change it, so he could only say: "If he really complains, when your cabin department asks, just say it was me who did it and it had nothing to do with Xia Shuyue. That should be okay, right?"
Flight attendants are afraid of complaints, but pilots are not. No matter how many complaints you make, he doesn’t care.
The flight attendant did not feel relieved when hearing what Xu Cang said, but remained silent. Xu Cang thought that the flight attendant had agreed to it, so he went to the bathroom to relieve himself.
After Xu Cang was gone, the flight attendant lowered his voice and said to Xia Shuyue, "Will you come with me to the first-class cabin to apologize later?"
Xia Shuyue thought about it and finally shook her head.
"You really think he can take the responsibility, girl?" The chief flight attendant advised, "If there is a problem, how can the cabin department cause trouble for the flight department? In the end, you will still be responsible. I will accompany you there later. Say something soft and I will handle it later."
Xu Cang was a pilot and didn't know the rules of the cabin crew, so he took things for granted, which the chief flight attendant could understand. However, she didn't want Xia Shuyue to have some unrealistic fantasies because of this.
But Xia Shuyue shook her head again, and her eyes became more determined: "He probably doesn't want me to go, so I won't go."
The flight attendant was stunned for a moment, then he understood something and smiled bitterly: "You girl..."
…
At this moment in the office of the general manager of the flight department of Blue Sky Airlines, Lu Jinghua's secretary was reporting on the application for a temporary airport pass.
"Mr. Lu, the Security Department rejected our application for a pass and asked us to provide a more convincing description of the reasons for our application," said the assistant.
Lu Jinghua was actually mentally prepared for this result, but he didn't expect to be intercepted in the Security Department.
"Forget it, forget it, let's not talk about it anymore." Lu Jinghua waved his hands. If this thing doesn't work once, it won't work all the time. There's no need to hold out any hope.
Lu Jinghua thought for a moment and asked, "When is the next flight of flight 4724?"
The assistant gave the answer without any research: "3:30 a.m. tomorrow!"
"Three-thirty?" Lu Jinghua clicked his tongue: "Then when is the latest flight from our company?"
"11:50 p.m." The assistant quickly said, "Mr. Lu, what do you want to do?"
Lu Jinghua scratched his head. "Well, ask the dispatcher to add a crew for Xu Cang and me, and add us to the flight that takes off at 11:50. Then talk to the fleet and arrange a separate car to take us to the airport, and we will arrive on time at 11:30."
"Half past eleven? That's a tight schedule. What if I miss the plane?"
"What flight are we catching? We're not getting on a plane, we're just going through security." Lu Jinghua said, "Just do as I say."
Although he couldn't figure out what Lu Jinghua was up to, it wasn't a big deal. The assistant didn't say much and agreed directly.
"Mr. Lu, there is one more thing I want to tell you."
Lu Jinghua hummed: "What's wrong?"
"I have a friend at the General Administration, and it seems that the leaders of the General Administration have heard about the cancellation of our flight today. Some newspapers outside have also received the news, and it is very likely that they will report it. The leaders of the General Administration are very angry and said that they will..."
Lu Jinghua frowned. He could tell with his ass that the head of the General Administration would be very angry. This incident had made the Civil Aviation Administration lose face. It would be strange if the head of the Administration did not get angry. Just looking at the assistant's expression, it seemed that the nature of the matter was much more serious than he expected.
"What do you want to do?"
The assistant gritted his teeth and said, "They said they were going to revoke our company's business license."
"Revoke the license?" Lu Jinghua was startled, then burst into laughter: "What a joke! Our company is not big, but it is not a street stall. How can we revoke it just because we want to?"
The assistant was helpless: "I also think it is unlikely, but one thing is certain, the leaders of the General Administration are really angry this time. Our influence on public opinion will be great this time, which will put the bureau in a passive position. The bureau has always had some prejudice against airlines like us with private capital..."
"I know they don't like us... but it doesn't matter. I don't believe it can be revoked." Lu Jinghua didn't care: "Anything else?"
In fact, rather than saying that Lu Jinghua did not believe that the General Administration would revoke the license, it would be more accurate to say that Lu Jinghua did not care at all. He did not care what would happen to Blue Sky Airlines.
If you don’t care, then naturally it doesn’t matter!
The assistant had been with Lu Jinghua for several years, so how could he not know what Lu Jinghua was thinking? So he did not bring it up again, but took out a thin booklet from the stack of information in his hand and said, "This is from the General Administration, saying it is promotional information for a new model. If we are interested in purchasing it, the bureau will give us appropriate policy benefits."
"New model?" Lu Jinghua took the document handed over by his assistant, looked at the cover briefly, and frowned as he read: "AVIC, ARJ21?"
