It is a shame that a subject that is very positive for non-native Dutch speakers is being turned in acquisitions of discrimination, racism and exclusion. Even the Dutch tradition (Sinterklaas) is being turned into something that it is not. Really?
Offcourse, KLM has a history, being 105 years old, just like it is inevitable with any legacy carrier. However, for years pilots are hired that have flown everywhere and are respected colleagues. Their experience at previous carriers is widely being used to improve training, procedures and processes. New is that S/O’s will be able to become SFI to train captains and First Officers as well.
Also, last week I flew with an S/O who had far more hours on the 777 then me in the RHS. He was only within the company for a few months. However, his experience was used by all crew. Hierarchy is very flat in NL (after Tenerife), so don’t worry at all about joining as S/O.
Furthermore, for years KLM has an expanded D&I mindset. Also the KLM group “Connecting colours”, is very active in D&I, including flights with e.g. an entire crew of colour on flights to Surinam, or all female flights. The “Over the Rainbow” group promotes LGBTIQ incentives and “Women on Board” connect women of all background. How is that with EK or QR? Or does RYR have these initiatives?
Being liberal, open-minded, talkative and interested is the backbone of KLM culture since we don’t have golden sinks or are able to sell tickets for 99 cents. Every Dutch person speaks English, even to the extent you cannot order a cup of coffee in Dutch in Amsterdam. Enroute we love to mingle with other crews, and it is more often then not that we end up with Qantas, EK or BA (Mostly cabin crew, since Nigel thinks he is upper class
) in the well known bars.
However, as the Dutch are direct and also love a good pun, don’t get offended when a gay steward tries to hit on you for fun, or jokes are being made. Also that is Dutch culture. Only narrow minded people take something like that as offensive.
And if you think it is strange that it is asked that you have a basic knowledge of Dutch after a year, then please do not apply. I flew for a German airline where from day one I had to speak German. Or what do you think if a Spanish or French native has the same mindset regarding their mother tongue when joining BA? How would you react then?
So, please stop ventilating personal frustrations, based on hearsay or on experiences where you did not get trough the process. I believe that after 2 years you can try again.
Last but not least, KLM has a great jumpseating agreement for crew living abroad. Just register, show up at the gate in uniform and you are able to commute to any KLM destination for free.
For everyone that still thinks KLM is a narrow-minded company :
https://img.static-kl.com/m/56037b9d...ent-engels.pdf