If an association were to be formed it would have to be based offshore, perhaps in europe, where at least there is some rule of law and with it some protection. Perhaps the IPA in the UK could be approached to from the basis of a Middle East group?
In any case a web based group offering a secure registration process, single point of contact for career advice, CV services, medical/legal cover would be a step forward from where we are now. Even just the threat that the pilots could possibly organize themselves into an 'above ground' group with a professional structure representing their careers, their concerns and their aspirations would send a clear message to EK that their pilots should be taken seriously and certainly not for granted.
If we could unite ourselves under one umbrella, stop bickering amongst ourselves and put our energy into something more constructive by creating a body specifically representing us for example in EK we might at the very least get some some respect and even make some changes.
The career we have chosen has changed and we need to change with it. As ex-pats we are a disparate group and easily divided and therefore ruled. But we still have the love of flying in common and wherever we have come from we have mostly made sacrifices and worked hard to get here. Divided, as we are, we are easy fodder to a management intent on abusing the local laws and regulations to get the maximum out of us secure into he knowledge there is nothing we can do about it but 'leave'...but this is their weakness too.
The only time we have ever seen any change for the better is when there were pilots leaving and not enough with the right qualifications wanting to join. We have this situation now and we need to use the same stick to beat them with, that actually 'we don't like it and we can leave'. Make them less certain of their pilots, make them insecure and turn the tables. Let them know that we can organize and that as a group we have other options.
I know it sounds idealistic but it is possible and should have been done a long time ago. If we don't change and our only recourse for our frustrations and injustices is an occasional vent on PPrune then perhaps we deserve what we get. We have a choice.
Last edited by Marooned; 26th Feb 2010 at 08:58.