The Saviour

So I hear management have decided to reconsider. Do you guys think this is genuine or some sort of delay tactic? Maybe they didnt realise how many guys they were about to lose. As Im told, if they have been saying NO all this time, why would they all of a sudden have a change of heart, something doesnt seem right.
When I was there I believe every pilot tried their best to save money for the company, in terms of delaying configuration, visual approaches whenever possible and not starting engines until the possible last minute. I dont think management realise how much money some of you guys are actually saving by doing that. There was a particular airline in the same situation, where all pilots decided to adhere strictly to SOP, which in turn raised the fuel cost astronomically.
Im not suggesting anyone to do these things, but there are ways to show them what you are doing to run an efficient operation and increase profit.
Would like to hear you thoughts........

JD128

To the Saviour and others who have flown for MK, to what extent is this true?

Byjingo

I guess i've flown with about 10 different nationalities of co-pilots over the years and found in general the young Mauritians to be the least informed and least interested in anything to do with aviation exept for how many bars they'll get to wear and how much money they make.
They also have the worst hand/eye coordination I've seen.
There are some exeptions but not many.
The main problem with Air Mauritius is these young f/o's are promoted on hours not capability, 1000 hrs and off you go to the jet.

The Saviour

I agree with Byjingo, as i had the same opportunity to fly with some of these guys before flying jets. The attitude doesnt really change when they get on jets either. It's all about the money and the social status on the island and what car they are seen in. As we say "Big fish, small pond".
I recall a check flight where the F/O did a rather hard landing, in fact a bounce. The WX was light winds(about 3 kts) and CAVOK. He had been on type for about 1 year, so he has flown this aircraft in worst conditions. Basically he flared too late, which can happen to the best of us. However his arguement was it was severe windshear. The thing that sticks to my mind is his comment "It's not my fault". This is just one isolated case, just admit you did a hard landing, learn from it and move on.
Having said that, there were some very good pilots who do not fit that stereotype we just mentioned, however as Byjingo said, it's not many. It would not be so evident if the numbers were the other way around.

UAU242

A possible reason for mk's relative lack of Mauritian pilots or a flawed recruitment system (where the keen and capable don't actually get in)? Or neither?

Also, anyone heard anything about the today's decision on the new aircraft? L'Express were talking about the A330, and the 777, over the weekend with a choice of either GE or RR powerplants.

Byjingo

UAU242,
I agree with you, the ones that get selected are the ones that know or are related to someone in Air Mauritius.
Unfortunately the kids that hang around the airport fence and love aeroplanes never or very rarely get the opportunity.
Nepotism is alive and well
The car is definitely 'the' symbol in Mauritius.

3MTA3

ANTI SKID INOP, sorry for not being good enough for your marvelous airline. Unlike you, I don't have the feeling that I'm a god's gift to aviation. If I came to the interview it's only because I couldn't beleive all I heard about the general behaviour in this company and the dirtyness of the island.
Youre attitude is an exact reflect of what I could see during my stay. Can you explain me then why so many pilots are desperate to leave your "elite" airline? why some of them litterally escaped during a trip to Europe?
I'll leave you to your oversized ego and the idea that you are some kind of ace. By the way, can you explain me how come the day of my interview one out of three pilots failed his psycho technic test, and that person wasn't me, he was one of your "top guns"?
I always beleived that aviation should be kept simple and only requires common sense and I will alwas stay away from this "we are the best" attitude, especially when people like you have the indecence of saying "you're not good enough". I don't even see the point of saying that. I never felt better than the pilots that I had to reject when I was in a hiring team. I just felt that they didn't match with the general picture of the airline. Nothing to do (except for very few of them) with their pilot's skills.

UAU242

Everyone has their own views, but lets not turn this thread into a slagging off match...just a suggestion.

G Jetson

dessas.

Any news on the new aircraft ???
Havn't seen anything on the Boeing or Airbus website yet.

Byjingo

GJ
Dessas didn't say which Jan, maybe 2010.
As The Saviour said is this just another of their delaying tactics.

Byjingo

I'm shocked, NOT

dodoflies

UAU 242,Byjingo....

Anybody knows if the recruitment of local pilots at MK will happen or are they changing the requirements?Seems that is taking a long long time now specially with General Elections coming up this year any clues please will be much appreciated..

Merci

UAU242

hi there dodo

This IS taking a long time isn't it! And i think it will take even longer. Apparently they are relaxing requirements for ab-initios and publishing another ad in the papers. Which means a new deadline date for applications, another long wait for HR to sort them all out and hopefully (one day) an interview date set. Ki pou faire, bizin attanne!

UAU

The Saviour

Dessas

From my sources it sounds like you are correct. This doesnt surprise anyone Im sure, as when Nash was still around he did a similar deal with Airbus for the A319. Definately the most unsuitable aircraft for its purpose, there were many better choices.
Does MK really think their purchase will make a dent in A or B financial report, even if they restructured the whole fleet. It would still be a proverbial drop in the ocean compare to some other companies.
I understand A and B were coming and going with meetings and other things. We all know why Boeing wants MK to swing their way and its nothing to do with purchasing some B777.
From the latest meetings it would appear that the manufacturers are not the only ones giving up on MK. Im told that the pilots have been strung along a little too far and most of them are aware that the end is near. Hope that MK have done their calculations right and wont need to ground flights.
Its a sad thing when a company doesnt know how to treat its employees.

Where are we now?

Rumour has it the Chief Pilot has been offered voluntary retirement, along with the DFO, leaving the positions open for some little guy. Story goes that anyone over 50 has been offered this VRS, including first floor flight ops. This scheme is supposedly open for a month long period only.(Voluntary Retirement Scheme)
Anyone got the truth?

Anyone else got the Directors list of Virtual Human Rescources? (seriously)
Any chance this VHR company is linked to upper management collecting on the recruitment of new pilots, to replace those leaving?

Would the shareholders agree to this?

JD128

Can anyone confirm if MK are re-advertising the ab-initio scheme? If so, has it already been in the papers and what is the new deadline?

Cheers

UAU242

JD128

It certainly hasn't come out yet, don't know when it will, so no new date yet....will send up a flare if i do see the ad.

barel-roll

Hi UAU242

have you any infos concerning the fleet renewal?
What about mk's choice? A330 or b777?
Are they still hiring on 319 and A340?

Thanks

UAU242

i'm the wrong person to ask! Maybe someone else would like to answer....

Byjingo

barel-roll,
No new aircraft and no improvement in conditions, just more resignations.