South African Airways hiring / expanding this year?

[nugpot]

At least 3 pilots marched into the SAX Chief Pilot's office today to resign. They are starting at SAA on 18 Feb.

Congrats friends! May you enjoy it as much as you wanted it.

LimaFoxTango: PM me with yor details and I will mail you or phone you.

[Deskjocky]

Originally Posted by fluffyfan

DJ you said
Interesting, considering many pilots (domestic and International) flew to there legal limit last year. From what I heard 88 pilots is the minimum they need to be able to operate the new routes and aircraft, perhaps you are optimistic that a more equitable distribution of flying hours between the various fleets and bases is possible, I would like to see that although the company has proved time and time again that they are incapable of such organisation.
Perhaps the company should consider how much efp they will be paying out in 2007 instead of hiring new pilots

One thing is for sure, there are not going to be anywhere near that number recruited this year- especially in a year that is going to see up 3000 retrenchments in the rest of the organisation. The only additional capacity entering the fleet is the returning 343’s and that is countered by the retirement of the 744’s. As well as certain long haul destinations are going to be daylight services in the next schedule thus freeing up some 340's for the new routes.

Whether we can make this happen is a mute point, this is going to be somewhat assisted by the reduction in the 738 fleet as more aircraft are spun off to Mango and the new domestic strategy takes hold. I must stress this does not mean a reduction in capacity- obviously we are going to deploy wide body capacity to fill the gaps.

[Q4NVS]

Is it only me , or have there been a lot of mixed signals here over the past few weeks..?

Another Q: Why do SAA have to phone people at 21:00 in order to "offer" them start dates - No harm intended, just CURIOUS.

Anyways - Congrats guys and gal!

[putt for dough]

Originally Posted by Deskjocky

One thing is for sure, there are not going to be anywhere near that number recruited this year- especially in a year that is going to see up 3000 retrenchments in the rest of the organisation.

Yeah right. Tell us another one!
You and me both know that SAA wont get close to
retrenching 1000 staff, never mind 3000 staff members.

The unions my friend, are all over this like white on rice!

[Deskjocky]

The unions my friend, are all over this like white on rice!

Yes, I have also read the papers- however I also talk to shop stewards and other union officials- they don’t like what’s going on but right now but they don’t have any choice in the matter- if they go on strike (their only option in terms of leverage) and we lost about the same as we lost the last time then we are done- and there will be no Transnet bailout this time. These are the cold hard facts.

Their view has become one of lets keep as many people in a job as possible. The situation is extremely serious- they know this. The official process of consultation is already underway- once that’s complete then the process will start one business unit at a time, the objective is to have the process completed by the end of the financial year in March.

[putt for dough]

Only time will tell. We will just have to
wait and see.

[sle121]

Originally Posted by ested

So 3 cadets from SAX, a male capt and a female f/o (from SAX as well), and a capt from Link started yesterday at SAA. Congratulations to them all!

Does anyone have any more info when SAA will hire again? And what sort of numbers they’re looking at?

Another Link Captain on his way, Think 20 Feb to Start
Link FO to start SAA on April 07, Notice given

[Q4NVS]

Originally Posted by sle121

Another Link Captain on his way, Think 20 Feb to Start

Same intake I believe:
2 x SAX Captains
2 x SAX FO's

With more to come...

[philby737]

Originally Posted by putt for dough

Only time will tell. We will just have to
wait and see.

Anybody know whether an ATP is a pre-requisite. Its getting very cold out here

[hoendertjie]

SAA February intake

So, does anyone know exactly how many people are starting at SAA in February? There is a few on 737-200 starting on the 1st, and then a few on A340 starting later in the month. Anyone know the numbers?

[Deutscher]

No idea. I've heard quite a few SAX guys are leaving for SAA.

[CJ750]

CJ750

That just proves my theory that the all the airlines think that Corporate and Contract pilots are not good enough.........or AM I WRONG

[Deutscher]

CJ750, its not that contract or charter pilots are not good enough for the airlines. But if you have multicrew experience it counts quite a lot.

[nugpot]

Originally Posted by CJ750

That just proves my theory that the all the airlines think that Corporate and Contract pilots are not good enough.........or AM I WRONG

AFAIK, all the pilots that SAA has taken over the past 6 months have either been cadets, girls or 4000hr + airline drivers. I guess if you can pick and choose, then taking guys with airline experience makes sense.

If you really want to go to SAA, then it seems as if you need to do the step via SAX, Link, NTW or Comair.

[V2+ A Little]

The world has changed a bit. Contract drivers operatre to the same SOP's any aother airline does. Most companies (contract), has had their SOP's created by SAA pilots. Also, the days of only 1900's are gone, there are some multi crew types in the contract world and exec. Some heavier, with bigger capacity than Link or SAX. Acceptable to the likes of Cathy etc, but not SAA. Sad really, as every contaract pilot started his/her career that way to get the experience to fly for SAA.

[nugpot]

Originally Posted by V2+ A Little

The world has changed a bit. Contract drivers operatre to the same SOP's any aother airline does. Most companies (contract), has had their SOP's created by SAA pilots. Also, the days of only 1900's are gone, there are some multi crew types in the contract world and exec. Some heavier, with bigger capacity than Link or SAX. Acceptable to the likes of Cathy etc, but not SAA. Sad really, as every contaract pilot started his/her career that way to get the experience to fly for SAA.

I was not attempting to be nasty, just honest.

Out of all the pilots that started with us over the last few months, the guys that adjusted the quickest and easiest were the ex-Link and Cathay drivers.

Airline flying is different from contracts. Not more difficult or more demanding - just different.

I don't know if SAA has a policy to give guys with airline experience more points at the interview, but they seem to give preference to guys from SA airlines.

Maybe you should give SAX, Link, NTW a test drive. It might just increase your SAA chances. Then again, I can be completely wrong....

[asianeagle]

SAA Employment

I am sure having the right experience counts a lot, however, remember it is still like any job interview, if you have all the right experience and they dont like you for whatever reason, then you can't expect to 'crack the nod'. My advice, dont put all your eggs in one basket, look elsewhere in the world too. Or you could end up working for Vernon Bricknel
It also works the other way round, you might not like it when you get there.

[CJ750]

CJ750

I am confused. Some people talk about AIRLINE experience and others talk about MULTICREW experience.

What is the difference between flying in a multicrew environment in an airline AND flying in a multicrew environment in a $20 million dollar business jet.

We also go to Sim training as required by CAA and some might even fly more modern equipment than the airlines but still airline experience is considered better than corporate and contract.

I am sure this has been discussed on this forum before but after a 20 years flying (9500hours), with the last 10 years flying some of the best business jets in a multi crew environment working harder than any airline pilot will ever work i must now go to a SMALL airline and get paid peanuts to say i am now getting better experience.

The only reason i am looking at the SAA intake is to get a life i.e. a roster. I believe some airlines have a roster that is more of a joke but so is my life at the moment.

THIS IS NOT A B WITH AN ITCHING SESSION ON MY PART BUT THIS HAS BUGGED ME FOR MANY YEARS.

SO ANY MORE INPUT OR SHOULD I JUST STAY CRUISING AT FL450

[Q4NVS]

CJ750

It definitely depends where you are (in life) and what you want (out of life).

Often some of the better "SMALL" Airlines offer a very good Quality of Life.

Me, if I was offered a job today, flying a Citation X or Global Express, I would be flattered but gladly decline and stay on the Big (and even Bigger) T Tail. I'd rather wait my turn (in months or years), to move onto the CRJ as an example, rather than having to trot all over the globe at the drop of a hat (Corporate Style).

But as they say, different yokes for different folks.

The most important question is: Do you want the money, the time with family or a blend of both?

(Remember, the heavier the metal the heavier the suitcase)

[beechbum]

CJ750, I hear you. It's a very contentious issue alround I'm sure which makes you wonder why you don't get a look in vs others from an airline background with less experience who get a look in first. I'd like to add that a current corporate pilot is starting at SAA in Feb, so there is a chance that it might happen again in the future. You never know! I know from hands on that several operators (SAA + Comair.....to name a few) have burnt fingers in hiring certain individuals from the contract market and have vowed to look at previous airline expereince first -I'm not saying that corporate fits that category - but it seems that is the way it goes not only here in SA but on a world wide scale.
By the way have you been through the SAA interview mill? As all can be said is....hang in I guess!!!