Upset South African
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Upset South African
OK I'm not a regular poster but I have followed PPRUNE as an interested observer. I've resisted the temptation to reply to some of the contraversial threads regarding the aviation situation in SA, but some recent events have had some emotional influence on me.
Yesterday, "we" flew to George as a fill-in for one of the scheduled airlines, and as bad luck would have it, we had a technical problem, and had to cancel the return flight to JHB.
Being a keen cricket supporter, I went upstairs, at George airport, to watch the last few overs of the 5th ODI against Australia. The PAX in the departure lounge were all riveted to the flat screen and, I must say, the atmosphere was electric! Well, in my opinion, it ended up being one of the best events of all time. I felt proud to be a South African!
This morning, whilst waiting for the engineers to rectify the tech problem, I had a coversation with an ex SAA "big-wig", and was informed of the current situation in our national carrier - "They" are becoming desparately short of pilots, and apparently have their hands tied in employing anyone outside the "demographic" allocations.
Well, that counts me out - and I have been knocking at that door for quite some time. I've travelled a twisty aviation road and honestly feel that I've scraped my elbows enough to crack the nod.
What does cricket have to do with this? Did you see Mark Boucher and Makahya Ntini hug each other after that incredible victory?! Well, why doesn't this country stop dwelling on previous and present racial issues? Let's start using everybody in this country as a fellow resource and become a great nation. It's possible!
A previous thread by Afriaviation confirmed the fact that whatever racism occurred in the past is redeemable with the reverse! Nonsense! Yesterday's cricket game made me realise that - rather than "placement", let's have "encouragement"!
Come on, let's keep the standard high and set an example for all South Africans. Let's think about the macro-future and not the micro-future!
Yesterday, "we" flew to George as a fill-in for one of the scheduled airlines, and as bad luck would have it, we had a technical problem, and had to cancel the return flight to JHB.
Being a keen cricket supporter, I went upstairs, at George airport, to watch the last few overs of the 5th ODI against Australia. The PAX in the departure lounge were all riveted to the flat screen and, I must say, the atmosphere was electric! Well, in my opinion, it ended up being one of the best events of all time. I felt proud to be a South African!
This morning, whilst waiting for the engineers to rectify the tech problem, I had a coversation with an ex SAA "big-wig", and was informed of the current situation in our national carrier - "They" are becoming desparately short of pilots, and apparently have their hands tied in employing anyone outside the "demographic" allocations.
Well, that counts me out - and I have been knocking at that door for quite some time. I've travelled a twisty aviation road and honestly feel that I've scraped my elbows enough to crack the nod.
What does cricket have to do with this? Did you see Mark Boucher and Makahya Ntini hug each other after that incredible victory?! Well, why doesn't this country stop dwelling on previous and present racial issues? Let's start using everybody in this country as a fellow resource and become a great nation. It's possible!
A previous thread by Afriaviation confirmed the fact that whatever racism occurred in the past is redeemable with the reverse! Nonsense! Yesterday's cricket game made me realise that - rather than "placement", let's have "encouragement"!
Come on, let's keep the standard high and set an example for all South Africans. Let's think about the macro-future and not the micro-future!
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Well said, however by means of this post you are appealling to the wrong people. Those that can read and show an active interest in this industry (or country) are not the ones that can change anything! 
PS, what luck with the broken aerie. Never again in our lifetime will we witness a cricket event like on Sunday. Surely Ponting will always be remembered as the captain that couldn't defend 434! Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Cheers
PS, what luck with the broken aerie. Never again in our lifetime will we witness a cricket event like on Sunday. Surely Ponting will always be remembered as the captain that couldn't defend 434! Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Cheers
Está servira para distraerle.
Just a teeny scuttlebutt post but:
I thought that when SAA joined up with Star Alliance it had to sign up, at effectively government level, to the Star Alliance charter.
This specifically prohibits an airline from allowing political interference or pressure to influence it with regard to hire and fire policies.
I thought that senior flight management at SAA had heaved a large and collective sigh of relief at finding themselves freed from the political interference heretofore imposed on it by the present South African administration. This interference had been an encumbrance which threatened cockpit safety by imposing a recruitment process on SAA based on rascist selection rather than one on ability.
If the above conceptions are not misconceptions then has SAA, having joined the Star Alliance in 2006, now blatantly disregarded the conditions for entry to which it was a signatory?
If SAA has disregarded or discarded these requirements then the matter should be brought to the attention of Star Alliance so that SAA's continued membership may be re-evaluated?
Details and contacts may be found at:
http://www.staralliance.com/star_all...e/main_10.html
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Sorry, OT I know, but I was on approach into FAJS during the end of the game, a big thanks to ATC for keeping all aircraft informed. Appreciated by pilots and pax alike! Big cheers from the rear of the aircraft, was good fun.
Back on topic, thats a very interesting point you bring up CC - what are the chances that makes any difference to them however?
Back on topic, thats a very interesting point you bring up CC - what are the chances that makes any difference to them however?
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Well, I have to agree with all that was said above. The problem is that us little guys can only hope and pray that the big cheeses riding an incredibly corrupt and poorly run gravy train may just may change there policies!
I have been stuck on contract since time began! I have flown with many of these Cadets. Some really good guys and girls. But the sad thing is that the Government will not change there mind till it is too late! The cadets believe that it is there right to be there and lets be honest if I was handed my dream job on a silver platter would I complain, probably not.
The sad thing there are alot of broken hearted contract pilots who are sitting all over Africa in one dump or another that would give there left nut to be there. They have paid there dues. Contract is not easy and does not pay what is used to, thanks to certain companies who would rather rip off the staff.
In a nutshell. I have come to realise that I will never fly for SAA and lets be honest it is all many of us have wanted to do since forever.
I have been stuck on contract since time began! I have flown with many of these Cadets. Some really good guys and girls. But the sad thing is that the Government will not change there mind till it is too late! The cadets believe that it is there right to be there and lets be honest if I was handed my dream job on a silver platter would I complain, probably not.
The sad thing there are alot of broken hearted contract pilots who are sitting all over Africa in one dump or another that would give there left nut to be there. They have paid there dues. Contract is not easy and does not pay what is used to, thanks to certain companies who would rather rip off the staff.
In a nutshell. I have come to realise that I will never fly for SAA and lets be honest it is all many of us have wanted to do since forever.
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Why don't you look a little farther afield and hand a cv in at places like Cathay or if you have jet time Emirates.
SAA is obviously a great place to work for a South African but trust me it isn't the be all and end all of aviation - far from it in fact.
I gave up on them a long time ago and am grateful that I did. My airline only has widebodies and yes it does have politics, as they all do, but not at the same entry level as Spoories.
If SAA is your dream hang in there. It has to change at some point I guess. If flying great machinery at a professional airline is your dream then you have a bunch of other choices.
Hey I even got to watch the entire match at the Wanderers from this end of the planet!!!
SAA is obviously a great place to work for a South African but trust me it isn't the be all and end all of aviation - far from it in fact.
I gave up on them a long time ago and am grateful that I did. My airline only has widebodies and yes it does have politics, as they all do, but not at the same entry level as Spoories.
If SAA is your dream hang in there. It has to change at some point I guess. If flying great machinery at a professional airline is your dream then you have a bunch of other choices.
Hey I even got to watch the entire match at the Wanderers from this end of the planet!!!
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If you go to the Middle east section here and read a bit about Emirates, or the guys flying there rather, they are bitching just as much! And they want out! I know you cant please everybody all the time, and we all go through bad patches where we are, so does anybody have info on how it really is for the Joe Soaps out there in the sand pit?
I think those complaining should come to SA and work here for a bit before they bitch again!
They forget very quickly where they started!
Thats right gents, keep whining and get out of my seat!
I think those complaining should come to SA and work here for a bit before they bitch again!
They forget very quickly where they started!
Thats right gents, keep whining and get out of my seat!
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The Irish Aviation Authority has approved 43 for JAA training. Cityjet is sending cadets to 43 to do the JAA CPL/Multi IR. Problem is the cost. 95 000 euros to be exact. Guys are going to come out of there with 300hrs max and then City Jet MAY take them on. As far as Im aware SAA or any of our carriers have never taken on pilots with so few hours. We may b8itch and moan but I'd rather have it the way it is now then have it the way it is in Europe.....how much money you have. Effectively your paying a company to work for them
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Originally Posted by birdlady
As far as Im aware SAA or any of our carriers have never taken on pilots with so few hours.
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Redressing the imbalances of the past is not racism. Our country is heavily polarised with the pales occupying all the top jobs in the country and off course much so in Aviation.
The reality of the situation is that non pale people in SA are the majority and this must reflect at every job level. True some people are going to be hurt in the process, but if the situation is left like it is, the majority of the population will be hurt for the benefit of the few.
My only word of consolation to those that feel deprived is that look at the bigger picture, there's millions of South Africans who are jobless and something has to be done to redress the situation for a better socio-economic situation for all.
The problem we facing in this country and certainly in aviation is the notion of people only concerned about me, me, me and me.
Having said that, I still have to say despite the moaning, SA Aviation is very slow in transforming WE NEED MORE BLACK PILOTS IN THE FLIGHT DECKS OF THIS COUNTRY. And it does not take 20 or 50 years. It could be done in 5 to 10 years with openness and a commitment to do so.
So thumbs up SAA, Doing whats right for the country and not for a select population group like it's been for the most of this country's history.
After we have the right demographics, I'm sure I'll be the 1st one to invite all of you for a potjie and this time we can really laugh and chat and not this corporate pretence existing in our country today. Because the non pales are still mad about being deprived of so much for so long, and the pales are madder that the pie has to be shared by everyone in the country.
The reality of the situation is that non pale people in SA are the majority and this must reflect at every job level. True some people are going to be hurt in the process, but if the situation is left like it is, the majority of the population will be hurt for the benefit of the few.
My only word of consolation to those that feel deprived is that look at the bigger picture, there's millions of South Africans who are jobless and something has to be done to redress the situation for a better socio-economic situation for all.
The problem we facing in this country and certainly in aviation is the notion of people only concerned about me, me, me and me.
Having said that, I still have to say despite the moaning, SA Aviation is very slow in transforming WE NEED MORE BLACK PILOTS IN THE FLIGHT DECKS OF THIS COUNTRY. And it does not take 20 or 50 years. It could be done in 5 to 10 years with openness and a commitment to do so.
So thumbs up SAA, Doing whats right for the country and not for a select population group like it's been for the most of this country's history.
After we have the right demographics, I'm sure I'll be the 1st one to invite all of you for a potjie and this time we can really laugh and chat and not this corporate pretence existing in our country today. Because the non pales are still mad about being deprived of so much for so long, and the pales are madder that the pie has to be shared by everyone in the country.
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Originally Posted by Afriviation
and the pales are madder that the pie has to be shared by everyone in the country.
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I just have to laugh......
"rainbow nation"
"the country belongs to everyone"
"embrace our differences"
"unity through diversity"
What a load of HorseS@#$t
You -afri- and the ANC govermunt are exact copies of the pigs in "Animal farm"
"All animals are equal , but some are more equal than others..."
GI
"the country belongs to everyone"
"embrace our differences"
"unity through diversity"
What a load of HorseS@#$t
You -afri- and the ANC govermunt are exact copies of the pigs in "Animal farm"
"All animals are equal , but some are more equal than others..."
GI
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BL, in context the farm was run by the pigs on the premise that everyone was equal except that the pigs and their cronies were more equal than other animals. Possibly similar to the current situation in SAA and other parastatals.
But you knew that....
But you knew that....
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I don't think the Lady has read the classic "Animal farm" by the great author George Orwell http://www.novelguide.com/animalfarm/
GI
GI
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Thats your problem Afri, you only believe the pie is so big, and now you must steal that pie and redistribute it..........why dont you go and grow that pie, make it bigger, and instead of breaking everything and running it into the ground, build things make them successful, then you can walk tall and say you have achieved something, stop wining about inequalities whilst standing there with an outstreached had (the true african greeting), why dont you be an entrepreneur and find a way to teach 1000's of non-pales to fly istead of expecting the government or pale owned training establishments to sponsor them
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Originally Posted by Afriviation
So thumbs up SAA, Doing whats right for the country and not for a select population group like it's been for the most of this country's history.