Crisis in EK training:
On the one hand you have an address by TCAS telling us how wonderful EK is and how much money they are making... then you have PP teliing us how the new package will attract new trainers... which it isn't. The 500Dhm increase to the appointement pay sent out the wrong message and just turned people away.
We have lost good, experienced trainers and are now streamlining the process to replace them. With outsourcing and extra training due to the erosion of standards surely it would have been better to make the job more attractive financially than to penny pinch it into decline.
47 trainers short now, many more next year. With the shortage comes the increased workload which without more trainers will not improve in the foreseeable future. More days off and equivilent pay on the line without the hassle... streamline the process all you like but it won't fix the problem.
PAY is the issue. All tolled the new package just puts a LTC/TRI on the same amount as a line pilot. Pay more, increase the status of the job and people will apply. When they do the rosters will improve eventually.. eventually because it will take months to train enough trainers to make any difference.
It is just another example of short term financial gains producing long term pain.
And unfortunately it is only going to get worse. Resignations continue and the first to get recruited are trainers especially on the types we fly which are in high demand. One way or another EK is going to have to face up to what it wants to do verses what it will be able to do. It is so avoidable but unless there is a fundamental change in attitude at the high echlons (TC inparticular) EK will reach critical mass in the near future..