Jet Airways, India

[WRC]

A few years ago I was lined up to do a contract in India for Jet Airways on the ATR-72. I was going to be line training and line indoc for the Jet Airways crews just going on type.

Sadly, that contract fell through in the final stages so I never did end up in India. I now fly B737s for WestJet and totally enjoy the company. I also do FFS training and Line Indoc on the B737.

I have always had a very keen interest in India and read just about anything I can on the country. The most dissappointing aspect of the lost contract was that it would have been a great way to see the country and meet it's people.

I hope that someday some sort of temporary contract might again emerge where I could take a LOA from WestJet to experience this amazing country.

If anyone has info on what Indian operators may or may not have temp. contract opportunities I would be most appreciative.

[rsoman]

Right now the only new aircraft type seems to be a few ATR-42s for new start up Air Deccan and the seven CRJs which Air Sahara has already started flying (ex Midway/flyBE).

The 737NGs have ben around for years, way back from 1999 or even earlier for Jet Airways.

And as per the local regulator's rulls (please see the other Jet Airways posting on this board a couple of weeks back) once there are sufficient trained pilots, out goes the expat pilots!(no offence intended in language).

Hope this of some help

Cheers

[WRC]

That makes good sense and is as it should be. No need for expats if there are enough local crews. No offence taken.

I hope someday in the future they may need short term coverage. I don't think I'd want to be away from home more then 4 to 6 months.

I did a short contract in the Carribean and it was a wonderful way to see the area and meet the people. We also learned some ideas we were able to take home.

A few of us at that time thought the idea of an exchange program (like the military) amoung 'like minded' carriers would be beneficial for all concerned. Lately at WestJet, the idea has been mentioned off and on.

In our case, like minded B737NG operators like Southwest, Ryanair, VirginBlue had been mentioned and I'm sure progressive companys like Jet Airways would fit in as well.

At this time WestJet operates 42 Boeing 737s with orders for about 100 to go.

[scotchontherock]

wrc......excellent post...I love the idea it would put more love into aviation than what we usualy see in this carreer lately of course not everybody would be able to participate but would the managment agree with this proposal???? do we pilots have he enough willingness or power to do this nowdays???? cheers...sotr...

[WRC]

I see it as a win-win for both companies and pilot groups.

It would be like a sabbatical, so to speak. Acceptance would have to be under the terms and conditions of the host carrier.

As a pilot, it would be refreshing and would avoid the burn out of repetitive routeings, company politics etc...
Just like the Military programs, pilots would come home with ideas on things done differently, some better, some not so good. Perhaps they would write a debriefing paper so all could learn from the experience.

This kind of thing would obviously not be everyone's cup of tea but I'm sure on a voluntary bid more then a few takers would pony up.

Our hosts in the Carribean were very keen on the idea as most had never flown in real IFR conditions, just as most Atlantic Canadians had never enjoyed 30c in February. As it turned out, our company in Canada (Air Atlantic) was in decline and really couldn't handle anything else on the agenda.

A couple of years ago in Vancouver we took a young woman in the jump to Calgary. She was just in from Dallas where she was visiting Southwest's operations and was going to spend a few days at WestJet HQ in Calgary before heading back to the UK where she worked for EasyJet HQ. We talked about this very thing and she seemed very keen to see this type of exchange although she referred to F/As and CSRs.

I think one of the big hurdles for us is that just like EasyJet, we are in a period of massive growth so I suspect this idea will have to wait on the backburner a while yet.

[Skyking]

Well , WRC u might still get your wish , but it will have to wait a bit. Air India , is due to order the B777 and the B737 and they will require contract pilots for the first 6 months or so.Considering , that the change over the 737-800 to the 777 involves a few sim classes in order of 10 hrs time to convert , you would be looking at it happening as you wished. So hang in there and will let you know when it happens.Also Air Sahara have on order the A320 and would be interested in contract pilots soon enough.

cheers
SK

[WRC]

Very interesting. Thanks

[SmoothCriminal]

What's the chance of getting in for a Indian National with a Australian ICAO CPL with about 1700 Total and no jet time ?!?!:*

Is it a mandatory to convert to a Indian licence.....a nightmare I understand :\

Any thoughts :ok: :ok:

[Skyking]

Well smooth criminal , no choice but to convert , its not as nightmarish as you think it is if you get your exam papers out of the way .... I did my CPL from Aus as well,converted the same and it ok. Your experience should allow you to appear for all the Air India and Indian Airlines adverts. Better still if you hold the Sc/ST qualification.

cheers
SK

[SmoothCriminal]

Thanks SkyKing,

Do you know of any commercial organisation who could possibly help me out through the process of conversion ?!?! Preferably down the south if any exist there for I could clean it up whilst being there meeting the folks on a holiday.

:ok: :ok: Cheers in Advance

[Skyking]

SC , u might want to try , Orient Flight school at Pondicherry and hte Hyderabad flying club or the Madras flying club . All you need to do once u have the papers cleared is a Day check , night check and an IR check each of 1 hr duration in a 152.If you are looking for a multi endorsement , then you need to go to bangalore and have a word with Taneja Aviation for the Partenavia 68B.

cheers
SK