The cadet output from flying training colleges in SA represents a fraction of the total graduate CPL/frozen ATPL output. The JAA system is indeed designed to train airline pilots who are airline ready. By definition they will not have any experience. It remains the case that the vast majority of the output from the UK's air training colleges are not cadets (since the cadet system as we know it no longer exists in any significance; ie paid for training), yet they do get good jobs. Ask the colleges for their stats and they will be happy to oblige.
Leaving aside the small cadet percentage of graduates, the SA system has provided that market with a different final product altogether that has nevertheless served the demands and requirements of African aviation well. These pilots as we well know normally pass through the instructing and/or contract route and come to the airline environment with valid experience. There remains some debate as to weather newly minted CPL's should almost be forced to resort to instruction to accrue the hours before even getting a chance to fly on contract. Most leave instruction with a handsome amount of single and twin instruction time yet in many cases the best they can hope for is RHS on a 'Van, a 200 or a 1900. It would be hard to state that the majority of the CPL graduates from say 43 Air School get a job straight onto a 200 for example nevertheless I am happy to be corrected.
But does one need to aquire that sort of experience in order to become an airline pilot? Perhaps not, though I will agree completely that it certainly makes for a more rounded and interesting individual and certainly someone who'll bring some colour, interest and amusing stories into the flightdeck.
As South Africa seeks to progress into 1st world status and embrace many of the legitimate training and hiring practices of its competitors in the 1st world I wonder if it is able to free itself from some of its outdated thinking and attitudes that are present under the current structure.
South Africa has a real opportunity to lead the rest of the continent and evolve itself into a much needed role model for Africa. Alas, its flag carrier is already subject to close scrutinty and it is only a matter of time before attentions turn to those at the pointy end. It really does not need that.
