DHLAir wannabe? read this.

[sapco2]

Reportable problems to DHK’s parent group (DPWN) plus the CAA; the Department of Transport; the Commission of Toxicity; or any other organisation (IMHO) lie squarely on the shoulders of DHK’s accountable manager.

Let’s take a look at the AM’s track record during his 3-year tenure as MD of DHK. Bear in mind, the following points are MY PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS and are given to you without prejudice:

1. Our current Flight Operations Director is the 4th to hold office during the MD's 3 year tenure!
2. THE MD has made 2 of his PA’s redundant during the same period
3. The Ops manager may be added to the list because he’s recently resigned
4. Communication with pilots' is poor and there seems to be a general atmosphere of distrust between management & pilots.
5. The MD has successfully suppressed any form of meaningful pilot representation. Our former 3 ‘DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED’ pilot representatives resigned their posts (all of whom are leaving the company). They were replaced by 2 non-elected (some may say ‘compliant’) representatives, albeit the more vocal one of those 2 has also left the company.
6. He intimidated the UK's DPWN pilot representative into resigning his position on the European Works Council Committee
7. Toxic fumes continue to be a major problem and one former pilot is currently in the process of suing the company?
8. Excessive numbers of Pilots are leaving (I’ve lost count) including one newly promoted captain
9. Heavy demands are being placed on the training department resulting in reports that 2 contract training posts may be created
10. The concept of creating 2nd officer roles, paying £22,000 PA, fixed to a bond for 5 years may be construed as insulting to those who have shelled out so much money on their training. Furthermore, it is highly likely to undermine existing co-pilot terms and conditions leading to a snowball effect of continuous pilot turnover (salary later fixed at £28,000 - edited 6/8/07)
11. Year on year salary reviews have been minimal
12. FDP has not increased during the past 2 years
13. Plans to Bond newly promoted captains (Idea rescinded 20th Apr 07 - hence edited post)
14. Plans to slash Training pay increments for newly promoted TRI’s
15. Goodwill from the pilots is being tested to the absolute maximum

Third-hand reports indicate similar problems MAY exist in DHK’s sister company EAT.

In spite of this insight into DHK, I wish those planning to join the best of good luck. To finish on some positive aspects of the job, these are;

1. Overall, aircraft line maintenance is very good (toxic fumes being a seperate issue)
2. The rosters are good due to very able Crew department
3. The hotel standards are generally good
4. Flying hours are low (300 per year is typical)
5. Discretion reports are NOT common

Overall I like my freighting job but it's marred somewhat by the above resolvable problems, attributable directly to the accountable manager!