SAA looking for pilots?
 

Does anyone know if SAA is looking/taking pilots?

Will it be worthwhile going there seeing that alot of their senior pilots are leaving for greener (or sandier) pastures?

Cheers
K

You've kinda missed the boat - 81 new hires this year, with a few more planned for the new year.

Those who were going to leave have already gone, and not that many at the end of the day.

Some over 63's starting to retire, however.

Hang about until next year.
They'll be recruiting Zulus then.

It must hurt to be so bitter.

Strange how people can digress from a very simple question.

Yes SAA will be taking pilots in the coming year. They have anounced some new routes and are increasing freq on others and will need some drivers to achieve this. There is also the natural attrition of retirees

Anyone could provide a contact please of the recruitment person in charge.

Oh no - not bitter at all. Just a little joke, Next year Zuma is president, Zuma is a Zulu, the Zulus have ben a little put down by the ANC - which is not a Zulu party really. You do the recruitment maths as they say?
The real scene with SAA may be said as follows...
SAA has always been a puzzle on recruitment wishes but they always do seem to recruit, Only way to get on the gravy train is to send them a cv and to keep updating it even if nothing much has happened. But, for instance, perhaps you get permanent residence, buy a house? Something that locks you in to SA.
There are older pilots leaving but there are still plenty of young (44-55) guys left and training standards are excellent. The company is still first class to work for. The only big problem that seems to be there in the work place hands on environment is that between flight crew and cabin crew, especially on long haul night stops. You can do the math or Rorschach blot on that one also.Go for it. You cannot loose but if you can't find out the address of the chief pilots office yourself, you might have a problem. Use Postnet for posting, not the post office perhaps?
Good luck.

I seem to be getting on rather well with the Cabin Crew (on long haul and short haul) and have for some time now. Perhaps the proplems lie elsewhere.

On both the long haul; and the short fleets? How very good and yes, perhaps the problem is to be found sleeping down the back.

Looks like a great place so far. All the guys and girls seem really grateful to be here. (so am i) Recently joined and have found the training to be of a VeRY high standard. Didnt expect anything less though. Heard they have already selected pilots for...jan feb and march intakes. Do yourself a favour and apply.

Thanks for the replies!!

Does anyone know if they plan to increase the fleet? Maybe some new a/c?

K

They have just brought some of the 747s out of the mothballs.

Black and Female!
 

Guess you spot on about having to be black and female- considering there are about 30 or so white female pilots and not a single black female pilot in the ranks,besides a handful(less than 5) Coloured and Indian female pilots at SAA!:ok:

Sucks being a white male... :*

Where can I apply for SAA? Don't see a careers page on their website.

February 2009 interviews
 

Seems like ±12 individuals were phoned for February interviews. All are cadets and female pilots. At least one of the cadets (black male) did previously fail the conversion at SAX, and was phoned for an SAA interview without even applying via CV etc!!
Female lowtime pilots are being phoned not on merit, experience etc, but only due to gender requirements.
This with sooooo many pale/male pilots who are much better qualified and experienced, not to mention their passion and dedication/commitment for aviation.
Females fly a little, and then get pregnant ............................
Majority of cadets (PDI's) see it only as a job, nothing else, no passion.
No wonder the cadet scheme slowly grinded to a halt; the "wekkers" are not keen on flying and aviation.
:yuk:

That statement is not 100% correct. There are "High Time" Female pilots that are not being called either, so it is not as simplistic as you point it out to be.

If your wife had the would you agree to a life without kids?

Without even trying, I can name 5 "Pale Males" that joined SAA in the last 4 months, from our company alone - Non of them were Cadets.

Maybe an attitude adjustment would help you in your quest - just a thought.

:zzz:

I agree with Q4NVS to a certain extent. No doubt there are some unfair appointments being made at SAA and there as some inexperienced people getting jobs purely due to there skin colour or gender, but... If you really want to fly for SAA and you keep applying you will get in!

If you're a white male, consider your prospects if you do get in. You'll be in the right seat for a LONG time and IF you get an upgrade it'll be narrow body only.

Of course you will be by passed by the PDIs and any advancement for you will depend on no one else being available at the time.

Do two years for the type rating and some hours, move on.:hmm:

Metroman,

You obviously have no clue what you're speaking about so wind your neck in and comment on whatever is going on in your backyard.

Whatever Asian garbage heap it may be.