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Air Baltic

Old 24th Jun 2011, 09:00
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Think you missed the boat, earlier in the year they took quite a few DEC on Q400,but, AFAIK ,there is no further recruitment for this season.However, nothing is set in stone. Suggest you put yourself in the infamous "holding pool" if you can secure an assessment, and in the meantime don't stop applying elsewhere.
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Old 28th Jun 2011, 15:55
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Heard the top guy is in exile... who is running the show?
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Old 28th Jun 2011, 21:39
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Heard the top guy is in exile... who is running the show?
His lowness, Red Leader One, AA, callsign "Vapour"???

Clearly his boyscoutness, Maple Leader One, PC, is too protective of his political interests...

Last edited by Spirit; 28th Jun 2011 at 21:43. Reason: Update on the BT political system...
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Old 29th Jun 2011, 12:39
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Think he is actually referring to Herr Flick, who is rumoured to be running the show from Berlin lest he be greeted on arrival in RIX with a charge of corruption. . . . by some of the pots, sorry politicians, currently accusing the kettle of being black.
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Old 29th Jun 2011, 20:12
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CaptPS:

Yup, I got that...I was merely suggesting an answer to the "Who's running the show"-question
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Old 1st Jul 2011, 08:45
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Ah, OK.

Certainly the answer to the Q is not "the government", who seem determined to act like lemmings, which is a bit hard to figure out when you remember they own 52% of the company
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Old 11th Jul 2011, 06:00
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It is a very unproffesional outfit. I passed the first assessment day several months ago, and now I am still in the holding pool they say to get the second assessment. Makes me laugh
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Old 11th Jul 2011, 07:17
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It is a very unproffesional outfit. I passed the first assessment day several months ago, and now I am still in the holding pool they say to get the second assessment.
I had the same "problem" after I was told I was through Stage I. Other guys were called in for Stage II but not me. Sent and email to HR and got an interview booked within a week with apologises for my 1st email follow-up gone lost in the system.

I suggest you use your time to make contact with BT rather than whine here on PPrune.

Regards

DK
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Old 14th Jul 2011, 12:28
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Nice Riga sightseeing...

I was invited for the interview a couple of months ago - so I decided to check the whole thing out.

Arrived there a day before and checked into the Hotel Islande, top floor room, which was quite alright - (just breakfast was quite under par so I skipped it completely after the second night). Went for a walk into town and found it personally quite interesting - great to hear so much live music all around, however the longer I roamed, the more doubts surfaced, that I could ever call such a place "home". Tried the local cuisine for dinner and it was quite tasty. On the subject of beautiful women, I expected to see a lot more - now I can say: in public the majority truly weren't even worth a second glance - no different to most other average places on the planet.

Next day, it was off to the assessment in the impressive relatively newly built Air Baltic training center - 5 of us in total (one young Russian chap arriving 3 hours late...). We waited almost an hour before lady D. took us upstairs to a lounge area right in the far corner, where we would be filling out the psychological questionnaire and other personal questions. There were only 2 chairs around the table, so 3 of us had to fill out from our laps on the couch. I do not know where they got these questions from - but it certainly made us feel like they were questioning latent criminal delinquents e.g.: "Did you ever have the urge to hit someone?", "Do you love your father?" followed by "Do you love your mother?" 180 questions later. In all honesty, after a while you would just feel like the whole thing is a bad joke - candid camera. Probably it is based on a common psychological pattern that mirrors the average Eastern European populations' mentality.

While filling out these forms, we were interrupted to make our way into the conference room, where we took the ATP exam. Pretty simple questions, but also some that might catch you out, if you are unsure. After this it was back to the "waiting lounge" to continue with the question forms. At about 11h30 we were introduced to the training captain, who would interview us on our professional history and skills. He asked questions and had the habit of interrupting me constantly, before I had even spoken halfway through my sentence. I seriously started questioning this attitude. Seems like he did not like it at all, that I voiced that I was still seeking options with other operators other than Air Baltic, after being asked that question directly. I replied, that that is what they should expect, if they are only recruiting pilots for their holding pool, with no guarantees. Well my final conclusion was that he came across a pretty patronizing and also pretty rude - probably did it on purpose just to test my reaction.

After all the others were finished, one chap was sent home, due to the lack of English skills... funnily, the training captains English was not so much better though... (maybe they sent him home, to have an even number of people for the Simulator later on...).

Now we were supposed to go into the Level D 737 Sim - but the training captain had some other obligations and postponed that for another 2 hrs, but in fact eventually appeared 4 hours later. Nobody actually informed us of what was happening. When he finally came back there was a short briefing in the briefing room. He was certainly a lot friendlier now - what a joy!

The Sim was pretty disappointing - except for initial take-off, the prep-handout they give you, was worth "jack". No procedures - just a lot of cowboy maneuvers, to check how you would deal with non-standard situations - especially VFR circuits at LOWI with wingtips a few meters from the mountains. Felt like kiddies playing with Microsoft Flightsim. Me and my sim-colleague even received very positive feedback for that.

By the time we where finished, all the office staff including Lady D. had disappeared. We actually all expected an interview with her, also so we would have a chance to ask our own questions - not a chance. So we just left the building, unimpressed.

To sum up the whole long story short: this whole interview was a joke, extremely unprofessional and it sure did not shed a good light on Air Baltic. They treated us like crap. There was no way, that after this, I would even consider moving to Riga, no matter what job they would offer me. If it weren't for the sightseeing of the town, this whole trip would have been such a waste of time. I am more than happy, that they did not choose to invite me again - once was quite enough.

After having a few more other "real" interviews with other companies and also finally landing a real top-job in "first world Europe" in these difficult times, I feel that I am sort of in a position to compare the experience and share it with you, after letting a few weeks go by - my opinion about them has not changed: they want young guys that have nothing to say, will swallow anything that could be thrown at them, that don't dare speak up or voice a stance or opinion. If Air Baltic was my only option, I would honestly rather quit flying.
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Old 14th Jul 2011, 20:37
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PP: Bloody well spoken!!!
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Old 14th Jul 2011, 23:02
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OK Folks...Here I go again...

I've an apartment in Riga since 1995...Before that I was put up in various hotel's (The last being the newly opened Radisson, (at the time)).

Most of the present day senior Capt's were most likely my students from 1994 - 1996...

We flew the B-727 daily to LGW and FRA, and 2 times weekly to AMS....It was a great gig as was the culture in Riga...We were Baltic International back then...

In Oct 1995 a deal of some sort was reached with SAS and even though they didn't have any planes for their Riga operation, I was ordered to stand down our 2 B-727's...

All I'm trying to say, is maybe this "attitude" being encountered by some may not be from the Latvian side, but part of the SAS culture...

As I sign off from this thread, I'll say it is entirely possible AB is trying to collect resumes for future use...

However, I survived 2 winter seasons in Riga and at that time it was very challenging flying...No place for a 300 hr "Ace of the Base", no matter how much one pays...

I don't know who are the line Capt's now, but if they are Latvian, I promise you they are not "Unprofessional"...

Happy Flying and say "Hi" to Riga if you get there...
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Old 15th Jul 2011, 09:06
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After reading all posts I've got a feeling that majority of pilots are still waiting for some miracle. As I am in AB for 4 years, I can say that there are 3 pilot camps: locals, foreigners and management pilots. It is the same in many other companies. Understanding way of thinking in these groups helps to survive in such companies.

Locals - they will keep calm and work with their heads down because they are working at home, they knows local mentality and understands that you can fight if you are sure that you will get another job. But as it will be not at home, what the point to fight? Moreover they are building houses, growing children and etc. Majority of these pilots are looking for another airline, but they cannot show it as they know local mentality to well.

Foreigners. It is more complicated group. In fact they have nothing to do between flights. They spent time together and after second glass of beer they will discuss company things. Main problem - other experience and things are going not as in they home country. They are trying to change something but as everything is established in a way that they can't - that group of pilots only complains. The only things what they receive for their complains - later upgrade to the left seat.

Management pilots - group of pilots from company management and dangerous pilots:
1. Management pilots does everything what company needs. They cannot change anything because then they will loose their position and extra income. Moreover everyone knows that in any other company they will need start from very beginning. Why to change anything than?
2. Dangerous pilots are pilots who were trying to change something in a union and with they loud voices could lead the union. Those forcing company to increase their expenditure and make pilots live better. That's why company makes some instructors from them in Training department (ground refresh, CRM, SFI). Those pilots becomes part of the company structure and with future promises lowers their voices.

To conclude I wanna say that pilots must understand where you are, what is your experience and what's your plan. If it's your first airline job and you need gain experience - airBaltic it's not the worst place in a world. On of the fastest upgrades in Europe. There are many cases that pilots are not Captains only due to too low hours for ATPL license. It's true there is a big rotation of pilots, but to say the truth - Scandinavian pilots always will look for a position to fly in Scandinavia. There is a big Dutch community, but I thing it's not for long.

Local pilots may look lazy or unprofessional but especially younger generation is doing very well. Older ones has some problems with English and CRM but it's only due to their background in soviet time Aeroflot. At the same time older ones are with incredible experience.
If you are coming to former USSR country you must know that it's not an Africa, there are many well educated people. Many local pilots has multiple university diplomas and you can earn respect from them only by showing your good performance and good manner.

As many of those who will read my post could be assigned to group of Foreign pilots they should acknowledge that better you work better feedback you get. After gaining your hours you will leave this company for better one.

Latvia is out from USSR only 20 years. We still need some more decades to became more like older European countries. We cannot just jump some 50 years ahead. Country develops step by step. To change mentality takes around 2 generations to die. So give us that time and come back in 50 years
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Old 15th Jul 2011, 09:59
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Reading into the last posts here, phrases like "incredible experience" and "not unprofessional" stand out.

I agree, that most of the airBaltic pilots, whom I've flown with, perform up to well established (JAR/EASA aka western) safety norms. There are, however, some REALLY rotten apples in the jar, as I'm sure the company Flight Safety Newsletters might reveal, had one access to such information

This is no news, such pilots can be found in all companies...the difference is, that where other companies root these elements out, in BT they just kiss the Chief Pilot's behind...and the peace within the ranks is restored.

At least until the next time...
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Old 15th Jul 2011, 19:28
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Pilti...Well said...You sound like someone I have had the pleasure of meeting before...

We used to hang out at the "old" Ingars on Brivabas, just up from the Hotel Latvia...
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Old 15th Jul 2011, 21:09
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Just to prevent misunderstanding from my previous post: With "extremely unprofessional" I did NOT in any way mean our pilot colleagues at Air Baltic - I was solely referring to the way the interview was hosted from the organizational side. If they are searching for expats or in fact anyone with the qualification to work for them, then the least thing they can do is make them feel welcome and show a friendly, well mannered company culture, instead of being a circus behind a mask of ultra seriousness. If I would have listened to my gut - I already would have left the scene after a few minutes - I should of, because even the late and long-anticipated Sim ride was just not worth the wait.

Last but not least: Assessments and interviews can be a lot of fun and very educational at times - I believe they should be, even if there is no job offer at the end of the day. This one was just a pure waste of time.
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Old 15th Aug 2011, 01:01
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Politicians are p1ssed because Flick took the € ( & probably deserved them after how he grew airB ? ) that THEY wanted to steal. . . Tut tut

A tough winter I guess, maybe next Spring common-sense & expansion will prevail, well,let's wait & see the results of September elections & cross fingers for Fokker -only rated drivers
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Old 26th Aug 2011, 11:15
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Latest is that they've announced pilot layoffs... can anyone here confirm that? Know how many? airBaltic (Latvia) - PILOT CAREER CENTRE
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Old 26th Aug 2011, 16:57
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By media, that they let go around 200 employees by 1st of Nov.
Article in russian:
Mixnews.lv - 200

Google translation:
President and co-owner of national airline airBaltic, Bertolt Flick, sent a letter to all its employees with notice that in the near future to dismiss out of 200 employees.

"The current situation in the aviation industry and revision of management policies in the airline to reduce costs and preserve access to tickets for our clients," - according to information in a letter received by employees from Flick.

"We started with the fact that rejected the use of 10 aircraft Fokker50s of our fleet (34 total). Thus, after November 1, the number of aircraft will be reduced by one third, which means to coordinate the functions and the number of staff in each department of the airline" - writes flick.

This event will help keep the airline 30 million lats, written in the letter.

"However, the bad news is that 200 employees will continue to develop his career outside of our company. The restructuring will begin in September, and each employee will be carefully evaluated," - said Flick.

According to unofficial information, it will be laid off local employees of the airline.
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Old 26th Aug 2011, 21:57
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I have been selected by air baltic for the 320, where are the 320s???
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Old 26th Aug 2011, 23:33
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I have been selected by air baltic for the 320, where are the 320s???
When were you interviewed last? I was in Riga last month and all I was told was that BT is NOT hiring at the moment so in case I were successful (a follow-up email confirmed I am in) I would have entered the standby-pool. Hired for a type they don't even operate. You must be one-in-a-kind-pilot, then...

Latest is that they've announced pilot layoffs... can anyone here confirm that? Know how many?
Such a statement on that website has the same value it would have if it was stating they were about to hire 400 pilots. So if you are employed elsewhere sit down and wait, if not keep looking.

DK

Last edited by drag king; 27th Aug 2011 at 13:39.
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