pj,
Good reply, emotivly put.
1. They can control the standards of both inputs and outputs in these schemes.
Agreed
2. They can control the number of units processed through the system to match their own requirements.
Also Agreed. (Don't mention this to those that where trained a few years ago and ended up doing a stint in the back)
3. Prestige - How can the worlds leading airlines not have there own CEP scheme?
True to a point, but there are plenty of examples in the past where they have closed the doors and not lost any prestige.
4. Jobs for the boys - it certainly keeps their HR departments busy.
Hmmm.
5. Public Relations - These schemes generate a great deal of interest, a quick look at this forum confirms this.
Sure. And the 29,800 rejections they send out?
6. Culture of the organisation says that we must train or at least do some training 'in-house'.
OK.
Your argument for profits are fair enough, however I suspect that it is only a matter of time before these costs are under threat from cheaper alternatives. BA is a case in point under new management, they may well buckle under city preasure.
I guess the good news for anybody out there with the tickets is that there is a concern of a pending shortage in the industry.
Good post, and I wonder as you rightly say that it's more likely to be a combination of reasons that keep the CEP going, and cost probably is one of the minor ones - maybe?
PS