Nationwide recruits foreign pilots
 

From News 24:

Mr. Roger Whittle, the Commercial Manager of Nationwide Airlines today confirmed that the huge shortage of suitably qualified Airline Pilots in South Africa are forcing them to recruit pilots from abroad.

Nationwide are currently negotiating with various airlines, Departments of Transport and Civil Aviation Authorities on this subject.

Mr. Whittle stated that a lot of South African Pilots were leaving South Africa to work for Foreign Airlines, causing a local shortage.

At least 5 crews consisting of each a Captain and First Officer from leading airlines will soon be joining Nationwide on a 6 months contract.

Nationwide employs approximately 70 permanent pilots.

This is very interesting, as far as i know there are lots of contract pilots who have lots of hours wanting airline jobs, but possibly dont have the 80G's + for a 737 rating. Wonder if the foreign crews are rated thus becoming suitably qualified. :confused: :}

I have to agree!
 

Also read this in todays newspaper, but as far as I know there is lots of local pilots (suitably qualified) that is standing in line to get a job from various airlines in SA, but with no joy! Either they dont have the "money" or they dont qualify racialy! Good luck, now there is foreign pilots coming to take South African jobs!!

I'll be ashamed!:yuk:

The way I understand it, is the fact that they want type rated Captains & First Officers for the 737's and the rest.

Apparently their crew are working to max allowable flight times, and they simply cannot wait six to eight weeks for "new crew" to get type rated.

They need Captains, and they need them now!

It's true what you guys are saying about the many capable youngsters. I know a number of really good lads, all with ATP's and enough hours, having flown the contract circuit all over Africa for the last couple of years, that would give anything to get that opportunity to join a SA airline.

However, with "Capt Victoria Buxton" at the helm, you can rest assured that she will probably be not to keen to employ FTC trained pilots. She will for sure be looking north to her home territory for stock!

Come on guys, lets boycot Nationwide!;) :ok:

:eek:

Not so very funny, alwaysinverted, with respect.

There are plenty of 737 trolley pushers over here in Blighty.
Lots of them have little time and less experience. In fact, they're a tiny bit of a joke. They'd get away with it down there weatherwise. They might be dormoused up here

Mrs Jackson has appeared on other pages. It would seem that she has an 'orrible 'in to 'idden places in the jolly old DCA. Was that Sydney Poitier who starred in a moving picture ( all right-movie) called ' The Black Asphalt Jungle'?
I disavow myself from any such thoughts and innuendos. Back on the N1 on Monday, or did I mean a quiet country lane in Germany?:p

So why are Mr NTW short of Captains? Let me guess. He overpaid them, gave them 15 off days a month, treated them properly and wow, they got fat and lazy and decided to join other airlines who would pay them badly, overwork them and only gave them 6-8 off days a month, and don't forget, gave them inexperineced FO's to fly with.

There are enough suitably qualified pilots in this country. Looks like the pay-as-you go scheme went seriously tits up. We all know, there is only one way to do things in bussiness, and that is the right way.

VB is short of crew because he underpays, treats them badly and makes use of unscrupelous recruitment procedures based on an individual fiscal capabilities rather that their ability, experience and qualifications. He should not be allowed to use foreigners for longer tha 90 days, for that is how long it will take to train suitably experienced and qualified local pilots.

;) Cheetah, not so serious now:ok:

Remember Charlotte Rampling starring with Sidney Poitier in The Night Porter. Well, the same thing comes to mind!:p You're not far off with your "jungle story" and the CAA, so let it cross your mind.;) Thoughts, opinions and rumours are for Pprune, right?:D

:eek:

Oh, I have to respond to that! A movie of great excellence and humour.

Yes indeed, and I cracked the matchstick game at 'Last Year at Marienbad'. That was also gingered up with a little light hearted pornography as well.

What a star was SP but that is all of a lighter phrase than that which seems to be wriggling, anti-clockwise, down the plugholes of Waterkloof Ridge.

Ride along old chappie and may your camel never develop the double hump!

:uhoh:

Oh so that's where Vicky Buxton is now - at Nationwide. What is her official title and the address of Nationwide? I know a number of people who are looking for her and not with the intent of getting a job with the company either. If anyone has the details please PM me.
Many thanks
Porridge

porridge
 

Look at thread " Lady Buxton" on this same forum

I hear.........! Nothing!
 

Isnt this one one of those types of issues that the Toothless Watchdogs are suppose to keep a beady eye out for.
Not being a member of such a neighboudhood watch, I stand amazed! Dont know why I do though....
Well I suppose money still talks, and bull**** still walks.
If SAA can do it why cant NW?
And besides if they have used up all the aplicants with rich daddies(or is that stupid?), it their right to to source drivers from some where..

But what do I know......

Just on the by and by, News 24 that means Roger the Doger was shoveling you drivel. But thanks for printing it.

Nwide has bonded the whole current crop of new guys - all being trained by Comair. Training in a bit of a flux over there, chief training guy on 73's quit his post as chief training guy. Apparently he didn't get the support and authority he needed to get the job done right.

The vast numbers of resignations speaks volumes of Nwides HR policies, and their general attitude to pilots. They are critically short of captains especially, and the change in policy to bonding (4 yrs!) reflects a desire to try and 'force' a hold on their next crop of suckers, since the pay-as-you-go generation can all bugger off at will, and do - to what can only be better places. This shortage of captains is a self-induced problem, one which they could have prevented with a little foresight.

Again, the usual shortsighted and lame policies from management - where do they get them? Hiring foreign pilots is an expensive move, thats if they can even persuade them to come - "Come fly older, very used aircraft, for much less money and much less time off!" I don't think it'll sell too well. And if it does, what does it say of the intellect of those who do come?!

:hmm: ..Shrike correct me if I am wrong here..NW is a privately owned airline ?....No safrican tax payers footing all the bills like they do for the 'skygods'.....c'mon man you must know what margines these airlines run on????......you do the math...on one hand you have guys who admittedley do have a lot of flying hours etc but not correctly type rated for NW's immediate needs...then on the other hand you have experienced pilots (from the land of the Eiffel Tower) who are available immediatley AND are correctly type rated for NW's current immediate needs ???????????????

Look I am not condoning VB's methods etc. but he is a business man trying to run a business in one of the most unforgiving industries in the world.....:hmm:

No wonder guys are leaving to better fortunes overseas.
This country is awash with pilots willing to give their left nut just for a chance of getting in with someone like NW....but if NW closes the door on them for the sake of remeding a situation that should never have developed in the first place...where do we stand? You really think that the suitably qualified guys from overseas are going to be happy accepting the crappy salaries here? I dont think so.....A shortage of pilots in SA?? Never before have there been so many guys looking for work.
This would be interesting to see how the CAA are going to give away validations....the rest of us had to do it the hard way.
Get real here....
Something in this country should be worth protecting....our JOBS.
Disgrace if this is the way we are going.:yuk:

I remembering the golden rule of businesses. "He who is having the gold is making the rules" NO? From where I sitting this Nationwide is entrepenurial company and I respecting that. SAA should be going away. Hey good rhyme no?

Just a pity VB can afford to pay foreigners much more than he pays his own loyal (ha Ha) crew! These French men will not fly for the same amount of money!

Rahter give this money to his current crew to keep them there! Keep them and train more to stay!!! That the only way!!!

Well I think we should all just stop flying and play flightsim. You can order better take away than the airline food, then you buy a russian wife who will be far more obedient than a hostie :}

The old union has warned NW that this is going to happen in March 2004 already! Nothing were done till the pilots resign then suddenly a 20% increase for Captains only. Last month FOs finally get 15% (fall behind again). CAA is investigating how far NW is in it's recurrency training. And 70 pilots for 17 aeroplanes??
Not even 2 crews to 1 aeroplane!!!

Hi
To all you moaning SA pilots, welcome to the real world, Sorry to to say this but now you know how it feels, for years you have been coming over to the UK to take our jobs, it would seem that the boot is on the other foot. I am afraid that, that is life eh. Anyway good luck to anyone who can get a job in the first place.

Flying Paddy

;)

flying paddy,

That's not strictly true you know.
I remember training at a flight school at FAGM in the mid 70s.
The whole airfield was innundated with BA cadets
who had been through Hamble and were down south taking all available jobs whilst they awaited sign on papers from BA.
I regret to say that at least two were killed in flying accidents of one sort or another. It was not a happy time.