Well perhaps SWIP will get the wish. Fewer expats and more upgrades. Who wins??? the egos of SWIP or temporary down graded safety of the overall operation? At the end of the day you can't blame SWIP for the desire of more Indian F/Os getting their command. However, IMHO, the expat is wrongfully baring the brunt of the frustation of the unions. They need to look towrads Delhi... at their own DGCA for their current situation.
As far as the First Class Medical is concerned, the Air Force issues initial First Class Medical Certificate. Collusion may be afoot on this issue as 6 out of 6 have been downed in the Bangalore Facility alone. Not aware of what is up in Delhi. Perhaps another issue for another thread.
SWIP needs to direct their angst towards the DGCA for immediate reform within their aviation system and not the expat. The Indian DGCA is the reason as for the slow progression of the Indian Pilot... not the expat!
I've flown in six continents on this planet, and I've never seen such "Organized Chaos" or corruption as I have witnessed within the the Indian aviation system. Shame on the DGCA, shame on the ministers of India and yes... shame on SWIP for allowing this behavior to go on unchecked!
Unless flying with a check airman, F/Os are not allowed to touch the jet until time is served in the right seat after being released to the line... similar to China. After a period of time, the F/O's name is submitted to the DGCA to be added to the assisted takeoffs and landings list. This list if provided by the airline. This can take an additional two to three months for this miracle to occur.
OK SWIP, If you want to see the F/Os progress then SWIP needs to provide oversight to ensure that the assisted takeoff and landing list is updated on a regular basis.
To make complicate matters F/Os are paired up with new expats. They still can't fly the jet until that expat has about 500 hours experience with their Indian Carrier. Provided the expat's name is put on the "Assisted Takeoff and Landing" list issued by.... guess who???? You're right!!! the DGCA!!! Again you need to understand that the Assisted Takeoff and Landing List is list is not issued on a regular basis either. Again, shame on the DGCA!!! and SWIP for their lack of oversight on this matter too!!!
I will say this however, when given the chance, F/O's perform pretty well when given the chance to hand fly the jet. Their levels of motivation are highly increased too.
That being said most F/O's enjoy flying with the expats in India for that reason. Perhaps they can shead the title "Microsoft Pilot" with the more hands on experience they are able to... that their own commanders will not allow them to get.
Another poster used the term "Third World". Well as it pertains to the aviation system in India, that term is an insult to those country's aviation systems are truly Third World.
At the end of the day the purpose of the expat in India is not to displace the Indian pilot... but to provide a service to the airline until the Indian F/O meets the standards of requriements as promulgated by the DGCA's Regulations. So with that being said, SWIP needs to direct their energy and attention towards reform within their own DGCA rather than attempting to have the expat kicked out.
Last edited by captjns; 7th Mar 2011 at 01:27.