Air India/ Air India Charters- Never
Hi every one eyeing the booming Indian scene
For all those considering a contract with AI a word of warning, dont even think of coming here due to :
1.In the begining the company makes you feel like God has arrived and then when the flying begins you get the real feel.
2.There is nothing called Scheduling here the rosters are made on a weekly basis and changed on an hourly basis. Getting a call at 0400 hrs to operate a 0600 hrs dep is very common here.
3.Even though the contract says 8 days off home leave, there r guys who have not got to go home for 3 months. Underhand deals with crew schedulers may give u some benefit,
4.This company has the most amazing flight duty time for Pliots the two man cockpit has a 10 hrs flight time and 14 hrs Duty time where as a 3 man cockpit has a 10 hrs flight time and 12 hrs duty time. Why would the company put a 3rd Pilot ??
5. These duty limits are regardless of day/night, time zone changes, landings etc. The company regularly gets despensation to extend these limits from the DGCA India.
6. As per the rules you can be made to fly 7 nights a week, since it is only mandatory to get one 24 hrs block off every week, this could be from 0300 hrs to 0300 hrs the following day.
7.With the recent amendment in the CARS one cannot jump airlines in India without a six month notice. So for those with a 737 considering Air Indias low cost airline there would be no option to jump ship to the other who have better working conditions and $$$. For the 777 skippers it would be better to wait a few months and join Sahara.
8. Now for the positives of AI, the major attraction to the US and BA pilots is the basings, this would also be possible with others if negotiated. As a Captain one is treated well on board with great inflight service in the First and Executive class.
9. There is also a recruitment ban by IFALPA on Pilots joining Air India due to the derecognition of the Indian Pilots Guild.
10.Dont be surprised if you dont get your salary for the first few months, they r totally disorganised here.
11. At times the company is unable to get a hotel room for you and asks you to go find one and they would reimburse the money. This definately happens at their home base Mumbai. Imagine doing a room search after a 10 hr flt. Then trying to get the money back is another story, it may take anywhere from 3-6months.
12. Undoubtedly as an expat having taken the locals command slot you fly with an FO who hates you to the core. To top it the company has embarked upon a great cost cutting excercise so as to minimize the command upgrades which is increasing the frustration amongst the locals.
13. This must be the first airline where the expats are paid less than the locals, so if u must join insist on a much higher pay. Heard that recently the 737 skippers got a jump from US $ 7700 to US $ 9000, which is more than what a expat 777 skipper makes. The local 777 skipper takes about 11-12 k so it is cheaper for the company to get expats, who cares about frustration and CRM.
GOOD LUCK Dont say I did not warn you !!