SAA Cadet scheme
Gatvol
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this is a chainlink process that will continue for generations. How do other deserving South Africans start their chain of events for their families, if they never had an opportunity to get even one foot in the door ?
Deserving is another word that has changed from the "20 years ago" that you mentioned. Based on what little I know of those folks Deserving meant good academic backround and a fair character appraisal, Yes color was a factor.. Today all it means is Non White.
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Gimbal,
I think you should think very hard about you comparison between the SAAF and SAA's cadet scheme......as I feel you have 'missed the boat completely'.
Joining the SAAF was not just about getting a pilots licence, it was about defending your country to the best of your ability. You cant tell me that flying solo at 600 Kts 100 ft off the ground......and then being SHOT at is the same as flying a J41.
The bottom line is, the SAA Cadet Scheme is designed to offer people who normally would not be able to pursue a career in aviation an opportunity to do so. And yes, there have NOT been many white males in the program over the years, but lets face it........demographially speaking, the previously disadvantaged communities out number us 10:1
So.....wind your neck in
Nuff sed.
SN
I think you should think very hard about you comparison between the SAAF and SAA's cadet scheme......as I feel you have 'missed the boat completely'.
Joining the SAAF was not just about getting a pilots licence, it was about defending your country to the best of your ability. You cant tell me that flying solo at 600 Kts 100 ft off the ground......and then being SHOT at is the same as flying a J41.
The bottom line is, the SAA Cadet Scheme is designed to offer people who normally would not be able to pursue a career in aviation an opportunity to do so. And yes, there have NOT been many white males in the program over the years, but lets face it........demographially speaking, the previously disadvantaged communities out number us 10:1
So.....wind your neck in
Nuff sed.
SN
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So how does putting people into the cockpit who for all intents and purposes do not have the means, passion or perserverance to do it on their own fit in this situation?
You're making a mistake by saying that self-sponsored pilots find jobs hard to come by because of the cadet programme. It's because of the country's BEE laws, surely not because of the cadet programme.
And do you really think that none of the cadets have the passion for flying?
If there was an easier way in, wouldn't you at least try it? You're making a false assumption by saying that all cadets don't deserve to be where they are.
If I don't make it into the cadet programme, I'm going to pay for my own training and type-rating if necessary. Does that make me a job-hunter or one with a undisputed passion for all things aviation-related?
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"The bottom line is, the SAA Cadet Scheme is designed to offer people who normally would not be able to pursue a career in aviation an opportunity to do so."
If only the above said was true... I have heard from other SAA Cadets that majority of non-white cadets are actually better of than 80% of the rest of the population. If he, or his parents, can afford a mansion in Sandton, 2 BMW's and a holiday home in Cape town, Im sure another R200 000 odd would not hurt his pocket too much, and this is not a isolated case either, just one example..
Everybody talks about the previously disadvantaged, what about the presently disadvantaged ??
If only the above said was true... I have heard from other SAA Cadets that majority of non-white cadets are actually better of than 80% of the rest of the population. If he, or his parents, can afford a mansion in Sandton, 2 BMW's and a holiday home in Cape town, Im sure another R200 000 odd would not hurt his pocket too much, and this is not a isolated case either, just one example..
Everybody talks about the previously disadvantaged, what about the presently disadvantaged ??
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Zoltan,
If what you and Spetsnaz say is true.....then I feel very sorry for the few cadets who deserve their scholarship.....as the general flying community will tar them with the same brush (so to speak).
As I mentioned before, the scheme was DESIGNED for those previously disadvantaged communities who normally would not be able to persue a career in aviation. HOWEVER, if some hot-heads within SAA feel this is the easiest way to fast-track black pilots (with questionable backgrounds) into the airline then I am afraid SAA is a lost cause.
I pray that this is not the case,
God help them (and other aviators in their airspace) if it is.......
Ciao
SN
If what you and Spetsnaz say is true.....then I feel very sorry for the few cadets who deserve their scholarship.....as the general flying community will tar them with the same brush (so to speak).
As I mentioned before, the scheme was DESIGNED for those previously disadvantaged communities who normally would not be able to persue a career in aviation. HOWEVER, if some hot-heads within SAA feel this is the easiest way to fast-track black pilots (with questionable backgrounds) into the airline then I am afraid SAA is a lost cause.
I pray that this is not the case,
God help them (and other aviators in their airspace) if it is.......
Ciao
SN
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SpootNick
Too late, mate...
Unfortunately, that's exactly the case. One cadet has already expressed his intention to leave and work for his father once his contract period expires (If it hasn't already done so.). Seems the airline life isn't as easy and glamourous as he envisioned....
Too late, mate...
Unfortunately, that's exactly the case. One cadet has already expressed his intention to leave and work for his father once his contract period expires (If it hasn't already done so.). Seems the airline life isn't as easy and glamourous as he envisioned....
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Some trivia for you boys.....
A couple of years back a white female cadet, after having completed her training in Australia and then having spent her time at Link finally got into SAA.
And then, suddenly without any provocation, decided to RESIGN! Why....because her boyfriend whom she met in Australia was lonely. So she immigrated to be with him. And the only reason she waited until she got into SAA was so that she wouldn't have to pay off a training bond. (passionate about flying, I think not).
Hows that for patriotism!!??
A couple of years back a white female cadet, after having completed her training in Australia and then having spent her time at Link finally got into SAA.
And then, suddenly without any provocation, decided to RESIGN! Why....because her boyfriend whom she met in Australia was lonely. So she immigrated to be with him. And the only reason she waited until she got into SAA was so that she wouldn't have to pay off a training bond. (passionate about flying, I think not).
Hows that for patriotism!!??
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I think most of you guys and girls seem to be missing the point of a Cadet Scheme. It is to provide a means of legal window dressing and a secondary benefit is that you get qualified pilots out the other end that suit your profile.
And yes, it can be exactly compaired to Varsity bursuary...... the same rules apply.
As a white englsh speaking south african, I applied in 1994 to participate in the SAA Cadet scheme and made it further than I thought (that is an out right objection) and was bulleted after the phycometric tests, which I thought was fair.
Now I could use the Racism card, as i was not Afrikaans enough for the SAAF and of the wrong colour for the SAA cadet scheme.... or when I finally had the required flying experience, not well enough conected with the Levin's, Spence's or Malan's for SAA. But I wont.
I had previously spent 4 years in the SAAF as a techie, after not making it into the SAAF Pilot selection. I sold pots and pans door to door, borrowed myself into a mound of debt and washed airplanes on weekends - paid my way into made it on my own steam into the best Airline in the world. And now I too get to have a say over our Cadet Program here during the selection and interview process.... where the same aligations are made by people who have nothing better to do with their lives but hold a grudge.
The perception here is that you have to be Chinese or an A-Scale Captains kid to qualify and subsequently all cadets that make it through the rigorous training machine and get their wings are in many ways looked down on and not accepted but the majority of pilots out there.....
As a species we will always be jealous and pregidest when we didn't get it all our way.
Wake up and smell the roses, pull your finger out of your a*se and get on with making life a success - Nobody out there gives a flying c&ap who you are and where you came from - BUT CAN YOU DO THE JOB THAT I WANT TO PAY YOU FOR - Capatilism!
Leave racism, gender and class out of it and say well done to those who get their wings whether by SAAF, SAA or by there own hard work or with daddies cheque book - or you will die of cancer stressing over things you cannot change!
And yes, it can be exactly compaired to Varsity bursuary...... the same rules apply.
As a white englsh speaking south african, I applied in 1994 to participate in the SAA Cadet scheme and made it further than I thought (that is an out right objection) and was bulleted after the phycometric tests, which I thought was fair.
Now I could use the Racism card, as i was not Afrikaans enough for the SAAF and of the wrong colour for the SAA cadet scheme.... or when I finally had the required flying experience, not well enough conected with the Levin's, Spence's or Malan's for SAA. But I wont.
I had previously spent 4 years in the SAAF as a techie, after not making it into the SAAF Pilot selection. I sold pots and pans door to door, borrowed myself into a mound of debt and washed airplanes on weekends - paid my way into made it on my own steam into the best Airline in the world. And now I too get to have a say over our Cadet Program here during the selection and interview process.... where the same aligations are made by people who have nothing better to do with their lives but hold a grudge.
The perception here is that you have to be Chinese or an A-Scale Captains kid to qualify and subsequently all cadets that make it through the rigorous training machine and get their wings are in many ways looked down on and not accepted but the majority of pilots out there.....
As a species we will always be jealous and pregidest when we didn't get it all our way.
Wake up and smell the roses, pull your finger out of your a*se and get on with making life a success - Nobody out there gives a flying c&ap who you are and where you came from - BUT CAN YOU DO THE JOB THAT I WANT TO PAY YOU FOR - Capatilism!
Leave racism, gender and class out of it and say well done to those who get their wings whether by SAAF, SAA or by there own hard work or with daddies cheque book - or you will die of cancer stressing over things you cannot change!
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Leave racism, gender and class out of it and say well done to those who get their wings whether by SAAF, SAA or by there own hard work or with daddies cheque book - or you will die of cancer stressing over things you cannot change!
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Riiiggghhhhttt.........
Here's the deal;
If the SA govt and their cronies at SAA and other govt controlled "businesses" give the whole race, gender and class thing a rest, so will I. I'm sure others on here will agree but I'm not holding my breath waiting for results...
Here's the deal;
If the SA govt and their cronies at SAA and other govt controlled "businesses" give the whole race, gender and class thing a rest, so will I. I'm sure others on here will agree but I'm not holding my breath waiting for results...
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One cadet has already expressed his intention to leave and work for his father once his contract period expires (If it hasn't already done so.). Seems the airline life isn't as easy and glamourous as he envisioned....
He still has the posters on the wall, model planes on his desk and loves aircraft, but I'm not sure why he left?
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"Wake up and smell the roses, pull your finger out of your a*se and get on with making life a success - Nobody out there gives a flying c&ap who you are and where you came from - BUT CAN YOU DO THE JOB THAT I WANT TO PAY YOU FOR - Capatilism!"
.........a valid point busdriver, one which I must agree with.
However, you and I live outside SA and dont see what is going on in the aviation industry - paticularly with regard to the old race/class/gender dispute. I have spoken with friends and family back home and by all accounts its still a major problem.
IN SOUTH AFRICA: Pale males are always going to have to be that much better than the next candidate inorder to succeed.
I say, if you cant find what your looking for in SA.....then do what many others have done (incl myself and busdriver) - Leave. There are many places around the world that will happily offer you an oppertunity based on merit and not race. SAD FACT - BUT TRUE.
SN
.........a valid point busdriver, one which I must agree with.
However, you and I live outside SA and dont see what is going on in the aviation industry - paticularly with regard to the old race/class/gender dispute. I have spoken with friends and family back home and by all accounts its still a major problem.
IN SOUTH AFRICA: Pale males are always going to have to be that much better than the next candidate inorder to succeed.
I say, if you cant find what your looking for in SA.....then do what many others have done (incl myself and busdriver) - Leave. There are many places around the world that will happily offer you an oppertunity based on merit and not race. SAD FACT - BUT TRUE.
SN
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Hi, ok:
How often does SAA take in cadet pilots?
I saw an advert in the Sunday paper recently for their cadet scheme (closing date 12 Aug 2K5), is this the only time that they take in pilots or do they select another batch in the beginning of the year (January?)
How often does SAA take in cadet pilots?
I saw an advert in the Sunday paper recently for their cadet scheme (closing date 12 Aug 2K5), is this the only time that they take in pilots or do they select another batch in the beginning of the year (January?)
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But they choose the wrong applicants
Guys, its about calibre not colour. Well that what we would like to think. Unfortunately my day to day line experience has shown me beyond reasonable doubt that the calibre of the people they take into the cadet scheme is not up to speed. They are therefore hired for their colour.
Sad to say but black or white, bushman paintings are aften of the same colour. Skill is of utmost importance here. You are on your own at 100 or 10000 feet having to make a decision that the colour of your skin cannot help you with. Calibre, calibre, calibre.
On the other hand (Darren), I have met some really great cadets of colour who do deserve everything they have been given. People who are disadvantaged as individuals.
Also know of many cadets who by no means are disadvantaged individuals nor are their parents.
So what does the scheam actualy achieve. Not much in my opinion, just makes some pay for their own licenses and via tax for their copilt's license as well, cause not many cadets get to command a plane until their late 40's.
Sad to say but black or white, bushman paintings are aften of the same colour. Skill is of utmost importance here. You are on your own at 100 or 10000 feet having to make a decision that the colour of your skin cannot help you with. Calibre, calibre, calibre.
On the other hand (Darren), I have met some really great cadets of colour who do deserve everything they have been given. People who are disadvantaged as individuals.
Also know of many cadets who by no means are disadvantaged individuals nor are their parents.
So what does the scheam actualy achieve. Not much in my opinion, just makes some pay for their own licenses and via tax for their copilt's license as well, cause not many cadets get to command a plane until their late 40's.
