Hi guys,
Sorry if i sounded pro-management. I am not, i assure you that. I am however concerned on several issues that I already discussed.
I am not sure if flying is over-glamorised in other countries. But I can be sure that it is in Singapore. Its just a mismatch in terms of the job expectations as imagined by the general public and how it contrasts with the real work that Pilots today really do.
Pilots can continue to behave as rich men that they are, but for how long? I hope that my post will serve as a gentle wake up call and allow Pilots to really see with absolute clarity what their future in this career will be like. Do we agree that a Pilots job is highly specialised and if there is indeed retrenchment, sure .. you can always say " I'll look for work in other airlines".. but what if your replacement is technology? Take a look around us, there are no bus conductors anymore, there are no flight engineers anymore, there are no Parking attendants anymore.. Why, because they went on to work for another Company...? or are their job totally replaced by technological advancement.
It doesn't help as well that the economic forces are working against big airlines, SIA being deep inside the problem. Where once you can put a premium on Good in-flight service, it has sadly become an overused benchmark. Many other airlines have surpassed it too. And whats a premium yesterday has already become a given today. So what is left to differentiate SIA from other LCCs? The pay package of their Pilots is better, thus come fly with SIA?
Lastly, a visit to SIA recently confirmed what i fear most, there is an old feel to the workings of the management there, still sticking to old ideas, not wanting to embrace a paradigm shift in terms of work strategies.
I hope that the above somewhat clarifies my objective for writing. Thanks and G'day!