QAZAQ Air...Q400 drivers, DON'T go there!
Hello Q400 fellows,
This is a thread that has been started for information purposes, passing experience and warning IF you choose to work for this particular company and country, which I don't suggest.
Since previous CEO (who was an expat) has been dismissed last December, Qazaq Air is now managed by local people only.
Here is a heads up with what you will most probably expect working there:
-Both company new management and Kazakh CAA inspectors are compulsive liars in anything they say or do.
-They are relentless to show you who is in power.
-They are racist to the core, they will never trust an expat, especially if he’s Western.
-Incompetence seasoned with racism and bullying is a lifestyle in QA now and in Kazakh CAA since ever.
Let me explain further:
Like in most places for expats, one group is ‘Expat Pilots’ the other is a ‘Local Pilots’ group, full of pilots with a racial disposition.
Segregation is standard and essentially encouraged by CAC (name of Kazakh CAA).
Slander, racial disrespect, condescending remarks and finger pointing is a daily practice amongst the local pilot body, aimed directly at the expat pilot body, including rumours about our salary to the days off we get.
CAC like having FO’s report to them about the expat Captains though the flying standards of a majority of these FO's is below standard and taking control by expats is common.
....and of course, FO’s are happy and keen to complain to CAC about foreigner salary, days off, overall simulator treatment, kind of ‘you come here and take our jobs’ protest that Kazakh CAA particularly likes.
But what is more concerning is their willingness to violate laws - employment related (new management refuses to comply with T&C’s of previously signed contracts when it comes to termination, resignation, bonding agreement, etc...)- and industry accepted safety practices like for instance by upgrading poor skilled Fo’s just because they are Kazakhs and although these FO’s can barely speak English and should not even be awarded a Level 4.
They can memorize everything, they are unbeatable at that game but they don’t understand what they memorize.
We're talking about people who are so automation dependent that they'd prefer land off the runway than take manual control.
We're talking about people who find any excuse to remove themselves from blame.
We’re talking about people who have NO situation awareness capability but they will still be released as Captains.
There is such a long list of discriminatory and dangerous practice that I don't think I could fit it here.
You all need to know what you're signing up for. This company has become a hazardous operation to your career…and to your safety.
It is just an amazing and disappointing experience of how these people can be so nasty.
This sorry company will have a hull loss soon, not a matter of if, but when.
Good luck on your endeavours, but please, don’t go there. There are lots of other much better places to get an expat job, even on Q400!
Do not come here unless you are desesperately jobless, which is going to be hard in today’s industry.
Also feel free to contribute your stories and experience when working for Qazaq Air. This is a duty of care to all our Q400 colleagues.
So this is it guys...you have been warned.