Not quite all that relevant to
fragrant harbour, but really to show cx mismanagement that the pilots will always have the last laugh:
Pilot shortfall sees flight grounded
By Melanie Peters
The shortage of trained pilots in South Africa has been highlighted again after a Cape Town doctor complained he was told his flight was suspended at the last minute because the pilot was not accredited to fly the plane.
Dr Omar Omar was booked on a Virgin Atlantic flight to London on Sunday, March 29, as he was due to start work as a locum in Ireland.
He said they were just about to board the flight when it was cancelled due to "operational reasons".
"We were told there was no crew. However, we had seen crew arrive already. I then went up to the pilot and asked him what was happening. He told me that he was not accredited to fly the plane."
The South African Civil Aviation Authority this week warned that the shortage of highly skilled aviation personnel was a stark reality, faced by many countries worldwide.
Captain Colin Jordaan, chief executive officer of the authority, said as a result, South Africa and most other developing countries had become a hunting ground for well-heeled employers.
"The current global demand for experienced pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and maintenance and aerodrome technicians, among others, requires immediate intervention, as it is usually a lengthy process to identify and train candidates," he said.
"Although the current economic downturn might offer some respite, the rate at which many of our country's experienced personnel are lured toward more lucrative jobs elsewhere in the world is alarming."
Virgin confirmed that there was a delay due to operational reasons. A spokesperson said all its passengers were given overnight accommodation and offered 12 500 flying club miles as an apology.
This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Argus on April 12, 2009