SAA nepotism???
 

I have just had a lively debate with a mate.

He says just about every pilot who got into SAA the other day has some powerful family connection there.

Surely this can't be true? I would need some serious convincing if I were to believe that. Or is it just another form of SAA bashing?

Some do, I know that for a fact. Most don't.

It may well be going in that direction though, following the lead set by the government.

It is what it is.
South of the Limpopo is pretty much starting to resemble North of the Limpopo when it comes to State run institutions / organisations / parastatels or whatever other name you want to attach to them. This should hardly come as a revelation 20 years into the rainbow nation!

Deal with it, laugh it off and accept it. It isn't going to change anytime soon.

Move along people - there's nothing to see here!

SAA bashing (again)
Over the years there have in fact been some with serious "connections" who never got in! Why? Because they never met all the requirements or were found unsuitable.
Likewise, there have been some with connections who would have got in anyway - regardless of their connections. Why? Because they met all the requirements and were found suitable.
There is no mystery involved. Selection is a points based system for qualifications and experience - with psychometrics and an interview to determine suitability.
The only advantage you'd have with "connections" is a reference in the airline who can vouch for you. But even then, the selection board makes up their own mind.
Obviously there is pressure from management to take certain individuals, but the one time where management forced our hand, it ended up in the guy failing his conversion with a lengthy and very acrimonious departure from the airline! Not good for anyone. Nowdays when the selection board says an individual isn't suitable, management generally doesn't interfere.
I'm sure they don't want a repeat of that little episode!

Trojan horse
 

Only one guy from Mango got the call. 6-7 the two previous years. Son of 747 captain.

Of the link guys that got in recenly I know that one is a cousin; one is a son ; one is a brother and one is a son in law OF SOMEONE IMPORTANT AT SAA.

So, stop moaning all you SAA wannabees and just get someone on the inside!

Lets see the sense here...Its common knowledge that in this industry knowing somebody influential usually gets you an interview. And getting an interview is 50% of the way to getting the job...so logically it follows that those who know someone inside will be at an advantage! Its not that hard to understand!:ugh:

I worked for a Caribbean airline that is now defunct, many of the new joiners were sons of pilots who were employed at the time. Maybe it was nepotism but all those lads grew up in the industry and all turned out to be superior pilots. I should also include myself thought the old man left in '41 and I joined in '76 so he had no influence in me being hired, but I did grow up in the business.

My Grandfather was a pilot, my father is a pilot, my brother is a pilot and my uncle is a pilot. I guess I shouldn't get a job anywhere, I know too many people.

Why is anyone surprised? It's a govt department after all...:E

Not quite everyone...but most of the SAX guys that recently joined had a family connection amongst the pilot fraternity at SAA.

Read gchangflyer's post again and again and again. The same at all airlines!

Sad but true my fellow aviators, but these individuals are but a hand(bag) full, try looking at, say a certain airline with a kangaroo-on-its-tail, now there is a company that takes nepotism to a whole new level!

BTW: I joined only knowing a few.....................:cool:

There is place on the application forms asking if you have any family members who are employed by SAA so they clearly do take that into account.

I wouldn't go quite as far as to compare an aircraft to a loaded pistol although there are people out there who fly who would be safer and more productive stuffed in a wax works display playing Russian roulette. ( I'll pass on the origins of that fascinating little gambling pastime some other time.) But who would you want on a dark and stormy morning beside you in the cockpit, a family member or a complete wally (excuse the pun) of a stranger? At least with the family guy you can smack him on the back of the head when he gets it wrong and make rude speeches about his lack of flying ability either at his wedding or the next Christmas bash. Nepotism is a great institution. It brings a degree of certainty and a quality of stability of character guided by potential retribution to an otherwise unruly recruitment business. The only ones who rant against it are those who have not so far received its benefits.

Dear CavortingCheetah. Did you marry your sister? Your argument seems like it bubbled up somewhere in the everglades.

"Nepotism is a great institution. It brings a degree of certainty and a quality of stability of character guided by potential retribution to an otherwise unruly recruitment business"

Are you for real or is your name Billy-Bob?

You might as well have said :" Inbreeding is a great institution. It brings a degree of certainty and a quality of stability of character guided by potential retribution to an otherwise unruly mating business"

We have a wonderful constitution and ideas of equal opportunity. In it the principles of racism, nepotisism and discrimination are not enshrined. Unfortunately, like the Cider House Rules, not everyone respects it.

@Jacobace - ever heard about irony and sarcasm ? In this case it is a form of creative humor you know...

It is also roundly ignored by everyone as per the example set by the government.

Not quite Nugs. You and me are expected to abide by those lofty ideals. The pilferati in the ruling regime have free rein to do as they please.

Nepotism is common practice in most companies. I have seen it first hand in every (aviation) company I have worked for, or know of ! Saw it blatently at 3 charter companies (one at FAVG the other 2 at FALA) and a certain " South African Regional Airline" ! You just have to learn to live with it.


However the wheel does turn :E !!!

Stupid String this. Watching the amount of airways bashing, only a complete idiot would realise that there is an alterior motive. Agreed, there has been a relatively big persentage of SAA related guys getting into SAA, but on balance they are the higher time applicants. Do you therefore think that having family in the company excludes you from employmenent there? It's not a :mad: kitkat compitition! Apparently the most superior types are still out there! Most of the guys have paid there dues plus a little. Keep applying, it is the only way, forget what you percieve as a disadvantage, because it is not the case. On the last intake (as far as I know) there are no family members. If you applied and did not get in, maybe there is a reason, and if you have not been invited, keep going.