SIA Cadet chopped

[stormrage]

Thanks 9V and ThermalImage for your responses. It has been very helpful.

ThermalImage:
On the other hand, if you want to join but already start planning your exit strategy, then it is best not to waste your time even applying. It will not work.

Of course I am not planning an exit strategy. If you really want to fly for SIA (I am aware of the negative attitude towards them in some of the threads, but still want to), you will and should put your best effort in. This way I am sure, once selected, one should be able to complete the programme. If you can, you can! I always believe in ones own capacities.

However, to get back to the KLM Flight Academy case, despite the rigorous selection process, a small percentage of cadet pilots do get chopped, based on their poor performance during training. This means that the selection process is not 100 percent accurate, which is understandable. Of course the selection process should give a good indication as to whether or not the cadet is able to complete the program, but is never a guarantee. This can also be the case for a SIA cadet.

In order to give a reason for me asking the financial liability question, I will first answer 9V:
Just a question, if the cadets are self-sponsoring their own flight training, what other financial liabilities are there when they get terminated?

Cadets accepted by the KLM Flight Academy, accept a loan offered by one of the banks coorperating with the school. Which is about Euro 111.300 or about USD $130.000 plus another 20.000 for board and lodging. During several stages, a part of this sum of money is collected by the KLM FA from the bank, ultimately taking the complete sum, after training is completed.

If a person gets chopped during the course, the 'garantiefonds' will take care of the financial aspect. Not only when the cadet appeared to be incapable of completing the course, or due to medical reasons, but also when YOU decide it not the career path for you after all and want to quit(this is on paper, however the reality is of course not that simple...). Part of the 111.300 euro is put in the guarantee-fund, by every cadet. If one gets chopped, money is drawn from the guarantee-fund in order to cover all your depts. This means that one can continue ones life without having the bank that provided you a huge sum of money, breathing down your neck.

The reason for my concern however is:

Many people I know from the Netherlands, have completed the KLM FA succesfully. However, the name KLM Flight Academy is a bit misleading. The school is in fact a separate commercial company. Completing the KLM FA does not guarantee a job with KLM mainline (Lufthansa and Air France School on the other hand do!). After completing the programme, one's file is offered to the KLM and the selection process starts again. After inspection of your file, there's 2 days worth of psychological testing. After that, if you make it, there's 2 days grading and after that an in-depth interview with the KLM board. About 20-25 percent of the cadets are not accepted. Leaving them with about USD 150.000 in depts. If they were accepted by KLM, they could quite comfortably pay back the loan. However, they are rejected. Good enough for the KLM FA but not for KLM.

They are in fact chopped at the end of training. Of course they do obtain their frozen ATPL but many have a very hard time getting a different flying position in a different airlines. After all, why were you not accepted by KLM? Etc.

Now they are just low-timers, trained the KLM way in a very competative market. Of course there are many Self Sponsored Pilots in the same position, but all I am trying to say is that in case of KLM a 'cadet' program can be of great risk.

Kind regards,

Stormrage