Originally Posted by
Rated De
Exactly, so removing that existential threat pilots will be needed for at least a few decades.
Imagine you are a HR manager at a large airline responsible for recruiting 'talent' (try hard to imagine as uncomfortable as it would be
)
- You notice volume of qualified applicants is not as historical trends indicate
- You notice many applicants are from in 'the group'
- You notice retirement rates trending up.
- You notice 'those on hold' when contacted do not immediately rush to re-apply
What would you do?
Consulting IR you quickly decide that:
In the past an 'implied threat' controlled the glorified bus drivers.
- You integrate foreign pilots into domestic network on existing terms and conditions
- You give a 'shiny metal jet' to a subsidiary
- Consult with 'stakeholders'
- You perhaps send out a pilot wide email on the technology change coming next week implying aircraft to be pilot less in 5 years
Quietly you also;
- Cut training paths to increase 'output' of line pilots. What happens if the recruited talent has less experience or skills and needs additional training in the simulator? What happens if the regulator says no more cuts to training courses?
- Get a simulator, as the additional training was not something you foresaw; after all pilots are bountiful and this never happened on a sustained basis before!
- Slow acceptances from 'group pilots', thereby delaying shortages
- 'Announce' an exciting opportunity to complete University and enter an internship in the RHS of a turbo prop.
- Allow flight operations to run roster limits (regulatory) as targets. Particularly where the pilots have substantial income at risk, like a domestic contract on the 737.
- Do not allow any extended leave, give the minimum leave over strategically important periods, like Christmas
- Quietly write to the senior pilots approaching 60, to ask for 'planning purposes' their intentions regarding retirement. You have noticed there aren't many replies.
- Take a month off for Christmas, after all you work hard
Upon your return from your well earned break you observe that there is still a problem both with application volume and quality. You may well still get 500 applications, but it is probably best not to tell your pilots that most of those applications come from a PPL with a dream, or from a foreigner not meeting the licensing requirements. Such small omissions change materially and quantitatively the pool of qualified applicants.
Consulting IR again, as you are a diligent 'practitioner' they tell you it is ok, time for some more Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.
I reckon you’re given HR way, way too much credit. Everything I’ve observed over the last 5-6 years shows that they’re not that strategic.
Moving Jetconnect aeroplanes to VH register will actually create more flying for mainline 737 pilots though the potential of the Trojan Horse is acknowledged by all- including Management.
Moving a couple of inefficiently utilised 737s off mining routes will result in increased flying for both mainline 737 and A330 pilots though the potential Trojan Horse is acknowledged by everyone-including Management.
I suspect the QLink ‘cadetships’ for aviation students is a slightly developed thought bubble I suspect created at quite low levels within the airline. Anyone with significant industry experience can see the strengths and weaknesses of this initiative and knows how it will play out. It’s a tactical solution to what is a strategic issue and like most tactical solutions may win that battle for a short time but the war is still being lost.
From my understanding Qantas has always written to the older pilots asking their intentions? So nothing new there?
Anyway, there is no doubt the industry is changing and it’s a delicious irony that the IR strategy of the last couple of decades has been the genesis of the current shortage and issues facing recruitment and retention of crew. It’s that lack of foresight and self awareness that makes me so confident there is no long term strategy behind what is occurring now. If there was we’d see the major airlines targeting high school students and finding ways of engaging them into airline pilot careers. Until that time they’re just managing the crisis in front of them.