Latest update given to inhouse Pilots
This from the company on the current state of recruitment:
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As the total number of applicants for our pilot vacancies for Summer 2007 topped 500, we decided on Friday to temporarily suspend recruitment to enable us to start to process some of the applications. It is extremely encouraging to see that there are not only a number of Boeing and Airbus type rated pilots that are interested in working for our Company but also that there are a significant number of pilots being recommended by you. There is a very good mix of experience levels and we certainly expect this years standards of recruits to be at least as high as the "class of 2006". Interview dates have now been set throughout August and September and Pilot Managers from both the management and technical teams will interview the 72 or so short listed pilots that will be offered an interview to fill the 20 - 30 vacancies that we are expecting to have by the start of next Summer.
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And in reply to this rumour:
Question: "It appears from our recruitment information that we have lowered our experience requirement for new pilots"
Answer: As you are aware we have moved our approach to pilot recruitment this year to an "on-line" system. We have set the screening requirements at a level that would exclude pilots who lacked a certain level of experience or suitable qualification whilst allowing us to view the details of those applicants approaching the minimum requirement and currently employed by other airlines. We have also allowed potential recruits to project forward their hours to the end of the year when we are likely to actually recruit them. It is unlikely that a pilot would be successful with just the minimum requirement and we expect the standard of recruits to be at least as high as the class of 2006.