SAA Recruitment
 

Hi Guys. Anybody have any idea when SAA is planning to start recruiting again and how many?

Not sure how many at the moment but a fair few I believe. First batch to commence course in Feb. Believe that it's mostly cadets from SAX and Link to start off......

The Chief Pilot stated in a recent public flight operations article that SAA will require 231 new pilots purely to meet expansion plans by the end of 2011. This would be a net gain in pilot numbers as they would also need to fill vacancies left by illness, retirements and dismissals.

So does that mean that like Kenya Airways, Air Botswana and EAA, they will recruit from outside South Africa but inside Africa, and possibly even the Caribbean in order to have type rated pilots flying for them which would keep the initial training costs down as well as being non reflectively politically correct? Or is that nothing but the rumour?

By Law (The Constitution), one can only be credited for a PDI (for Government Compliance) if the individual is a South African Citizen or was eligible to become one before 1994.

Sure, there might be one or two that slip through the cracks, but do not expect an influx from outside our borders, in order to get the numbers right.

The Chief Pilot's article also adresses the way forward for SAA, SAAF and the Government in this regard... MPL = Yes

So anyone have any idea when they will start accepting applications again. The website says they aren't accepting CV's at the moment.

The article also says that SAA expects to end 2010 with an excess of 78 Pilots due to the exit of 6 A340-200's as well as 2 B747-400's. This excess should be re-accommodated with the introduction of A330's during 2011.

My guess - not before 2011 :zzz:

IMHO gotta be the best job out there here in RSA!
International routes, nearly competitive international salaries,( best of the lot here),new metal being introduced.
If you wanna stay in RSA, what better place to be?

ps: not working there yet!
stay positive. :)

2700 hours on 320... may I just encourage you to hang in there with your hopes. You might just need to add an SA comm or ATP to those hopes and you should be fine. JAR atp on its own won't work afaik. Then obviously the whole interview process is next on the cards. I doubt that they'll be legally able to look at you until you get the SA licence. Write the exams, do the flight test in a seneca/etc or hire their sim (the one you're rated on..). You won't be the first to do it this way and not the last. It's also a myth that you'll need to visit a skin cancer booth, so don't let yourself be held up by what others say. Best wishes to you and the others who posted above.

News 24 on SAA
 

Cape Town - Despite its financial difficulties, South African Airways (SAA) is forking out R307m in sport-related sponsorships over four years, according to Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan.

Replying to a parliamentary question by the Democratic Alliance's Donald Lee, Hogan said SAA was sponsoring Argentine golfer Angel Cabrera for three years up to August 31 this year.

SAA was also providing sponsorship for the Sunshine Golf Tour, ATP Tennis, Cricket SA, SA Rugby, SA Football Association, and ISM Golf Players.

The total value of SAA's sponsorships amounted to R268.3m in cash and R38.7m in free travel, which was spread over four years from 2008 to 2012.

"The individual value per sponsorship is commercially sensitive information and confidential, and thus cannot be disclosed. "Disclosure could be prejudicial to both SAA and the organisation being sponsored," Hogan said.

Lee on Wednesday said the R307m in sports-related sponsorships and free travel for sporting celebrities since 2008 meant that one fifth of the amount designated to SAA in bailout funds last year - R1.6 billion - had been spent on sporting sponsorships and free travel.

The mere fact that SAA had spent such a significant amount on sporting sponsorships, even while simultaneously requiring bailout funds, was difficult to comprehend.

"While the DA acknowledges the need to remain competitive in the global airlines industry, and that sponsorships can aid this, the sheer value of the sponsorships seems astonishing, and it seems highly doubtful that SAA is getting any bang for their buck.

"Faced with a choice of spending R307m on freebies and sponsorships, and financial stability, we would prefer the latter from a state-owned enterprise," Lee said.

The bailouts for SAA over the past five years had come either as cash injections or loans guaranteed by the state.

The history of these bailouts showed that every year the state was paying a fortune to keep SAA afloat - 2004/05 R6.1bn, 2005/06 R2.4bn (conversion of loans to equity), 2006/07 R1.3bn (loan guarantees), 2007/08 R5.4bn, and 2008/09 R1.6bn.



"""My opinion is that the government should stop giving them money!! If they can’t make it on their own the government should privatize them.
At least this way all the other private airlines can compete on a level playing field!!!"""

Where did that last post come from?! I thought the thread was about SAA recruitment. The thread did stay on track for about 12 posts until the bashing started, not too bad I suppose.

four engine jock............:rolleyes::rolleyes:
Take it somewhere else as millertime mentioned this is to do with SAA recruitment. Ag...:zzz::zzz::zzz: ...boring!

I think that all future pilots that want to join SAA should know everything that’s going on there.
Therefore I will post what I feel is necessary information.
Yes SAA is the best paying flying job in South Africa with no doubt after all the TAX payers are footing the bill!!!!

Sure then open another thread.......hasn't the tax payers footing the bill story been whipped enough! Kinda boring and tiresome don't you think? Sure it's reality but give it a break bro:ok:
Anyway back to the topic.......recruitment going ahead...."it's all happening at the WACA!"

Dear 4EJ

Your are a fool.

Start your own SAA bashing thread if you want to. Don't cowardly hijack someone else's thread.

DH

Come on I am not bashing SAA. Well yes! just a bit. But this pprune. I thought we can write where we want. As to me being a fool, well sometimes I have to admit after having a few dops.
But the truth hurts.
SAA is kind of like ZUMA certain rules don’t apply. Man I hope someone don’t get all HUFF HUFF about that one.
Look in the end I hope that all that get a chance to work for SAA get it. It’s the best around with regards to aircraft and salary.
FEJ

I don't mean to hijack this thread but what rules don't apply?
Anyway maybe we should start a new thread titled.....I despise SAA because.... of what it does....because I didn't make selection...because I'm jealous of SAA pilots.... because I ain't there.....!!!...Because they spend my tax apyers money...blah blahblah Take your pick, there are many!
Hey,shall we just leave it as it is and return to the topic? Ag please............:ok:

because I'm jealous of SAA pilots....
 

Interesting that SAA pilots always defend criticism of SAA by accusing others of jealousy or of having failed SAA interviews etc, assuming that other pilots are jealous of them. Time to get over yourselves boys and girls – SAA is certainly a comfy job in SA but just a little fish in a very big pond called Earth.

Many posts change direction or have different points of view – it’s what makes the world an interesting place.

4 EJ, post away, I think it’s a valid point. Most of the negative responses (EG fool) are born of insecurity.

Of course we want defend the work place we are employed by. Whether it be SAA, Comair, 1Time etc etc...we are proud of where we belong. Aren't we? But look through the archives and I can count on one even maybe two hands as to the amount of anti - SAA talk that appears on these forums. As I mentioned there are many and if someone has to slag or degrade another's work place to make a point, I honestly believe it is uncalled for.

"Your're ugly and your mother dresses you funny." (And this is a general statement........ok...and not directed at anyone!) :};);)

So as said before back to the topic and please open another thread to bash the mere mortals at SAA!
Good luck to all who join...prospects are plenty with over 200 pilots needed over the next few years. It's what I heard not what I know!

Beecbum
 

I am not sure about SAA being "ugly" but as Mango is SAA's baby, SAA takes on the role of mother, therefor "your mother dresses you funny" is pretty apt! :} whats with that uniform!!!! lol

Jokes aside, and back to the topic, I also heard the same re SAA taking on crew, but what are they looking for re HRS and types flown and total time? And any idea when they will be looking at non cadet guys and gals (ie contract dogs)??? Or do they prefer ex Sax/1 time/Link???

Dog, in a not much prettier uniform.

slag or degrade another's work place
 

Funny, when I read the post it was about the government wasting money, not slagging of SAA or the SAA crew.

Let's be honest, if SAA were privatised there would be nothing to argue about. Even if I worked for SAA I would not be able to justify using tax payers money to compete with private airlines - it's just wrong in my opinion but who said life was fair. No reflection on the crew.

Please keep slagging matches in other forums
 

Oh! A new moderator!

If you want to be a moderator you should have been stopped this thread right at the start as there are dozens of others on exactly the same topic. Somebody should have mentioned the "search before you post" phrase.

Very valid point when it comes to privatizing SAA. Especially when they are "forking out R307M" for sport related sponsorships. Instead of wasting their money on nonsense like that, they should pay back their debt to the government. I think what 4EJ posted needs to be seen as well, especially for those who want to be employed by them.

SAA is awesome to work for from a Pilots perspective.Great perks,union,routes...etc. I got in a year and a half ago. Training is excellent . You are nuts if you dont apply !!

I had about 2600 hrs (ATP,turbo-prop and jet experience) when I got in.

Hey Ghost

Well with those credentials when you made it in you:
1) are female or some other PDI
2) your dad works there
3) were in the SAAF
4) were a cadet
5) know somebody on the interview panel

I have been applying regularly for about 8 years now, I clearly do not have any of the above mentioned requirements. I have almost double your total time when you joined and pretty much the same amount of time on medium jet airliners as you had total time. I have not even so much has received an acknowlegment of my application.

CB

CUE BALL.....I am male. Was never a CADET....IM the only PILOT in the family. DIDnot know anyone on the PANEL and was never in the SAAF.

The other guys that got in with me were NOT PDI dudes. 2 from the SAAF and one from a regional airline like me.

Just keep updating your CV. BTW there were afew courses after mine and not more than 5 of the 20 or so selected were cadets . Dont give me that PDI crap ! They hire u on merit . CADET or NOT. If u get in you deserve it ! thats my 2 cents worth. The people on the selection Panel were very fair. No bull they tell u like it is.

On the whole its an excellent outfit. Captains are chilled/relaxed and most drink BEER ;)

Versus

And then:

I agree with Cue Ball that things don't add up - maybe CB's got the wrong Postal Address :oh:

Q4NVS

Wish I could say it was the wrong postal address but I gave my updated cv's to mates who are there already( maybe they chucked them straight in the trash I dunno but I doubt it). I just find it hard to believe that ghost made it in with those credentials without satisfying at least one of the requirements I mentioned. Oh well good for him he got the job. Think I will just go and print another updated cv and send it in again:hmm:

SAA in the news once more
 

ohannesburg - While South African Airways (SAA) declines to use the "p" word for privatisation, this is in fact happening at the airline, according to economists and unions.

This week SAA issued a tender for parties interested in bidding for stakes in two of SAA's subsidiaries. But SAA spokesperson Vimla Maistry says the airline is planning to retain a majority interest in each of its subsidiaries.

The aim, she says, is to grow the operations and improve them. Currently the SAA Technical division and Voyager are the only units in question. The process of selling a stake in the Technical division will be the gauge for judging the process at other subsidiaries.

Chris Smyth, SAA's acting chief executive, last year said that SAA also wanted sell a stake in Air Chefs - the airline's catering division - as well as SAA Cargo, the freight division.

Kenneth Monnana, the national air transport coordinator for the SA Transport & Allied Workers' Union (Satawu), says his union is opposed to privatisation of any kind.

The union wants SAA to halt the process. It will appeal to the Minister of Public Enterprises, if necessary. If SAA is properly managed there will be no reason to go to the private sector for funding.

Willie van Eeden of the Uasa trade union says privatisation can lead to staff cuts.

Mike Schüssler, an economist at Economists.co.za, says that the move is a good sign that government is becoming more pragmatic with regard to private interests in state companies.

This has become evident in the case of Eskom, he points out, where government is seeking private investors for its new power stations. Government realises the way forward is to involve the private sector.

Two businesses that have previously expressed interest in the Technical division are the German airline Lufthansa and Air France.

Suitcaseman, it's only professional jealousy to say your fellow pilots should take a 50% paycut. This is a pilots forum for goodness sake, not a bean counters forum.

Suitcaseman......so please tell us where u work and how much you earn...yster!

Ghost_Rider737 , just to clarify, are you a white male?

Focus children, FOCUS!!!!!!!!:}

Focus? Not with all these egos around....:}

A couple of months ago the rumour at SAA was a net gain of over 230 pilots by the end of 2011. Now the rumour is that we could be shrinking.

Worst of all for pale males is that the selection board is not allowed to interview any white males unless they have an extraordinary qualification (whatever that means??)

If the South African Air Force can use PDI Non South African Citizens then what is stopping SAA from doing that as well.

There is no more Law and Order in this country anymore. TIA. Live with it. :ugh::ugh::ugh:

Has the cadet pilot scheme been canned, or it is still going?

That is what East African Airways, Air Botswana and Swazi have all done in the past and paid much less for a continental contract pilot than a national of whatever reflectivity . Some of these guys from the outside world can be multi lingual also, speaking French and English as also their own language. This rasies the preception of the education of the national carrier's pilots throughout the world of five star hotels and departure halls.

Some of these guys from the outside world can be multi lingual also, speaking French and English as also their own language. This rasies the preception of the education of the national carrier's pilots throughout the world of five star hotels and departure halls.

DAH

What has language got to do with it.
Not sure about your last sentence . You taking a dig at the SAA / Airline pilots.

Just trying to understand your last post. :confused::8:E

No whites please, we're South African!
 

As much as nobody who is in any management position would like to admit it (publicly), SAA has only considered white pilots in recent years when it has been absolutely necessary to do so. I emigrated in 2005 when I realised that SAA was just out of my reach. I'm no extraordinary pilot, but I did feel that I had the qualifications (7000 hours total and a Grade 1 DE). I flew for a regional airline, on a jet, at the time. What really "nailed" it for me was a telephonic conversation with one of the Captains who was on the selection board. I thank him for his honesty because it was then that I realised that I was now from the wrong "demographic" group and it would remain an uphill struggle to achieve my long-term professional goals.

I now fly a Gulfstream corporate jet in international operations and have gained some amazing experience from North America to Hong Kong and lots in between!
Despite this, guess what I did this year?? I sent my CV, via a friend who is in SAA, to the Chief Pilot!! And guess what??? The answer was exactly the same again! Did I loose heart? You bet! Will I give up? Not just yet! I still have this dream, one that I've had for a long time, and I'm not ready to relinquish it just yet.
So, despite the title that I chose, all I can say to any pilot out there, SA expat or not, if you want to get into SAA, keep on trying! Who knows...that window/door might just open at the time that you do!

Good luck to all of you out there who also have a dream.