Yes, gents, you are right, it was a major c... up by the crew.
But I would like to put my twopence worth to the case.
I used to be a scientist and all the conferences we attended were held in English...
Or I would say a "I-English", which term I use to describe the "international, English-like language common to the scientific world".
I can tell you, the biggest trouble at any conference was when a native speaking British or American scientist was holding a speech.
Nobody could follow. They used UK-English, or US-English, but no I-English.
It was much easier to understand a Danish, Polish, German or whatever accent English,
than native speakers.
I assume similar trouble in the ATC-PIC communications...
But it was on a side note.
Another side note is, that the times of "non-English speaking, hard on electronic gizmo and hard on floating compass" pilots in LOT are over.
I can give you an example of my friend who has had his final interview by LOT today
and (hopefully) will take a right seat soon.
1. He is fluent in English, crazy on ATC simms, spending hours a day
talking ATC simm... (he originally wanted to be an ATC controller).
2. He is fluent in FMS, NAVS etc., he is a computer freak, he build
a full size B737 simulator together with a friend in his attic (no move of course)
3. He used to build up his time flying An-2, all the time with shaky,
liquid compass, some times IMC when bringing sky jumpres to the altitude.
So this is the new generation, maybe no 15.000 hours, maybe no 9.000 on type,
but growing up in modern world, and still getting enough of his
basic flying skills in real world.
And on the bottom line:
the old generation LOT pilots may not speak fluent English,
but they certainly speak fluent Russian....
