SIA Cadets, Where is the Passion ??

[freaktrimmer]

well,

seems like SIA has been hiring a lot of cadets since last year, and the brisk hiring continues. According to a friend, their training schools are packed to the limits.
all that is really good. SIA needs pilots, and they will be getting a steady influx.
At a recent introduction party of a new course, when each one was asked "why do u wanna be a pilot?", 95% of the guys replied coz of the money (dunno bout the other 5%). noone answered passion or anything that sounds like it ! and to add to that, half of the newbies dont know the difference between an B737 & A320. but the one that takes the cake was "a B747 has 3 engines" !!
way to go fellas, i hope u can answer those questions by the time u sit on the B777 right seat!
dreaming bout money is all right, but gotta infuse some passion too !
cheers,

FT

[Left Wing]

Most who apply for the cadet pilot are never avaition crazy, they just want a good career and high pay.

[clown889]

An above average pay. a stable career and a respected profession. how can anyone not have passion?

just wonder where did the 95% come from. A survey or rumours? heh heh

[freaktrimmer]

let me rephrase then,
a big majority of cadets.
as a matter of numbers, it was 19 cadets out of a batch of 20
cheers,

FT

PS : i m not passing a judgement on SQ, it is truly a world class airline. but then again, the future depends on ppl who r cadets rite now!

[southernmtn]

Were most of the cadets recruited through walk-in interviews?

[sunnyday]

freaktrimmer from HR?or a pilot?or?

[WhiteOak]

Thats really bad, 19 out of 20 cadets. I wonder how many of these cadets appreciate engine noises, pre flight checks and emergency procedures.

[CargoBoy]

Freaktrimmer,

I was a cadet not too long ago and although I agree with you that many cadets don't have passion for aviation, I don't feel its that big a deal.

Passion is not a prerequisite to being a good pilot. There are many people who are passionate about flying but cannot make the cut. There are just as many people who joined for the money but are very apt in their job.

What is important is to be professional and to keep learning. Passion is nice to have but not a "Need to have"

Cargoboy

[Left Wing]

no passion, makes a boring cockpit ! I have flown with some guys
who have zero passion for any thing, cars, girls, sports nothing !...:yuk: 4 hrs with that ! what a drag :ugh:

[herz22]

Can't believe that there are so many new cadets with zero passion for flying and high expectation of $$.:mad: No wonder many have left for better paying airlines rather than stay loyal to the company.:*

[greybeard]

This is not a new trend at all, just a growing one, evident at around 10% in the early 90s and now alive and well to 90%+???!!!.

It is not unique to SIA, or regrettably to the Aviation Industry.

I liked to fly and went to various employers to that end and believe I saw the better days. Now in full charge of a Simulator and still having fun in semi retirement, some of my "victims" are still enjoying flying so not all is lost, just more difficult to find on some days.

:ok:

[SlimShadey]

In today's real world. it's money talks and bull!!!! walks.... Sure, we all start out with some form of passion but ultimately it's the $$$ that calls the shots...loyalty??? let's get real...in the bean counters' eyes, we're all just a number..much like drivers in a large transportation company like the SBS, TIBs etc..in good times, they recruit and in bad times, they'll dock yr pay (never intending to give you back) or retrench u. So my take is if you can, venture out, there are airlines rapidly expanding and urgently recruiting in China. At least here you'd be a respected professional rather than an "unmarketable" local in SIA.:cool:

[meqwerty]

do u believe in reciprocal treatment? if employers take the first oppurtunity to reduce their operating costs by cutting YOUR (not theirs.. mind u) wages, i think its only fair you would look to going to somewhere else that pays better, should the oppurtunity arise. likewise, if an employer shows that it values its employees through action, i'm pretty sure loyalty is not an issue. an employer would not want to train an employee who is looking to take advantage of it, likewise, an employee will not stay loyal if the employer begins to view them as expandables.

i'm not a pilot yet. but i wish to be a good one some day. i can't say much for flying, but i can comment on driving. to some extent, its similar i think. i knew nuts about cars, when i passed my driving test. but all i knew is that i loved driving (not loved the cars...) i knew next to nuts about cars. but over the years, as i drove more, and had the oppurtunity to try out different makes and models, my understanding for motoring improved. i do amateur racing now and i enjoy it very much. and i still do not know how much bhp each of the supercars dish out...

i would believe its similar for flying. how much aviation knowledge can one really expect to know when he/she's not working in the industry. just because i cannot churn out data from a factsheet, it does not mean i dun have a passion for flying. i'm not hoping to market a plane. i'm hoping to fly one. if there's this inherent desire to fly, the knowledge and the information will come to you as u progress through the ranks of flying, like a sponge soaking up water, i believe. all i'm saying is that u can't really judge a person's passion by the facts that he can regurgitate. not entirely anyway. of course a 747 with 3 engines is pushing it a little since the 747 is one of the more famous planes. honestly, for myself, i didn't even know what planes i was on for half the plane trips i took. but at least now i do... :p

i hope i get my offer soon. i'm anxious to fly... or at least start learning so i can be up there on a long term basis. even if its cargo, makes no difference to me. just dun make me wait, and wonder if i'm ever gonna have the oppurtunity to or not.

these are just my personal hearfelt opinions. no antagonism intended.

[WhiteOak]

meqwerty,

You definitely sounds like a danger in the sky.

Cheers!

[meqwerty]

danger? how so?

[herz22]

meqwerty,

It is not how fast or how hard you can push the plane, but can you get everyone there safely.

Cheers

[meqwerty]

i believe u've mistaken my motivation. it was never, and will never be about speed alone. at the end of the day, when u carry other people's spouses, children, and loved ones, their safety is of primary importance. gambling with lives is not an option.

racing is NOT just about speed (and being generally unsafe. international racing governing bodies makes it a point that safety is ensured.) as most make it out to be. its about making critical decisions in critical conditions that may change the final outcome of what u're aiming for. likewise, in flying i believe, when an incident causing situation arises, u will need to rely on the same state of calm and clear mindedness to process watever information there is at the time and to do the right thing to maximize the safety of all on board.

prerace checks, just like preflight checks (i believe) are of the utmost importance. it echoes safety in all levels, to ensure that ur vehicle is of servicable condition. to ensure that u get to ur final destination, with as little forseeable risk as possible.

they're both a balance of risk and rationality (with other numerous similarities). at the end of the day, if u argue that speed is completely not an issue completely, u can choose to take a train, drive or even walk to ur destination.

i think we're digressing from the main topic about passion. all i'm saying that for some, passion grows as u work in the field and industry, and rather quickly too if its strong enough. try not to judge a person's passion, solely based on what facts he can or cannot regurgitate.

if u're in it for the money, i think its the wrong reason. if u're in it for the prestige, i think its even worse. i do not and will not question why others choose this path. but for me, its because i enjoy being in the air. i enjoy the interfacing between man and machine (technology) to accomplish a common goal. the ability to reunite families and friends, and to bring people to new experiences. (hey.. if its cargo... then its for children eagerly anticipating their toys during xmas...) and it is not a reckless joy, but one fraught with responsibility and sensibility which i intend to uphold as long as i'm up there.