Med757:
The current situation is a sad reflection on the internal management of the company. We have had the short term gain and are now beginning to suffer the longer term pain.
The management were warned several years ago that the current pilot shortage would happen unless we implimented training programmes to recruit more pilots and to bring our 'own' pilots through and get ahead of the game. This was not done and we ended up with DECs as a result and now the spectre of contract pilots.
NZ pilots are a symptom of the crisis EK is in. Long term underinvestment in the training department has led directly to the lack of capacity to train enough pilots. The shortage of pilots is exacerbated by the problems of recruiting and a steady stream leaving.
We have now signed a multi million £ deal with BA to train our pilots ironically because we could not attract trainers internally due to the pay. We have offers on the table for contract crews. We have aircraft waiting to be delivered for new routes to be flown. Q: How much is this costing? Surely more than it would have been to try and have foreseen the problems in the first place.
But this is EK. 'Reaction' not 'proaction'. This short term view at the expense of its employees is one of the reasons EK as an employer has suffered so much and so publically here and elsewhere. Its word is worthless and any assurances given are equally worthless especially when considering a career here.
NZ pilots to EK? The main incentive would be that they can go back home and that any length of time spent here they would soon realise how well off they are back at home.
Their introduction however will create a great deal of anger and consternation 'disadvantaging' many F/Os awaiting their chance of command. They could do us all a favour here by staying over there.
Last edited by Marooned; 7th April 2007 at 10:07.