Recruitment
 

What is the huge difference between Direct Entry Pilot and Ab initio in the KQ recruitments?:confused:

Expect no recruitment for a while.
 

I Have recently heard the same rumours.It is apparent that there will not be recruiting for a very long time. Maybe 2016 when the expansion plans are expected to continue. Surplus drivers on wide body and on narrow body entry of 14 DEP plus about 20 Ab Initio which brings the total to 34 joining the narrow body fleets. (Embraer)
If you waiting to be recruited by the big house, you had better keep yourself busy for the next two years.

After K.A have received all it's pending orders from Boeing, the only order left is the 4 option for B787. Recruitment is mainly driven by fleet expansion. I don't see anything exciting happening soon until K.A announces it's next fleet orders (737MAX or 777X maybe?). Currently they will be mainly focusing on repaying their new fleets to build equity for the next order.

Recruitments
 

@SlatsINOP kindly explain further on the narrow body entry and when it's likely to commence.

Direct Entry
 

@The Unforgiven

This programme is for those who already have full licences (CPL./MULTI/I.R) or have flying experience in the commercial aviation industry.both non type-rated and type-rated Pilots are recruited to an airline and then trained on the specific aircraft that they have been recruited on.

So if you do not hold a full licence or have commercial flying experience don't apply. Try Ab-Initio training programme which requires no licence or experience.

Degree Importance.
 

Is it important to have a degree for one to be recruited. :ugh:Are non-degree holders ineligible for recruitment?

Airpilotobe......I don't think so. It doesn't specifically say on their requirements. The other program yes you do need one.

Things aren't looking good for the carrier at the moment after the half year results. I don't think next year full results would be any better.

Without any new routes and just 11% growth in Africa routes, tells you alot about the carrier status quo.

We can only hope the results wouldn't hurt the ongoing recruitment coz something gotta give.

Interesting to read they have impaired the sale of 777-200's. Looks like they have buyers lined up for them.

Recruitment
 

@Pilot Breezy when are the recruits likely to be called for their first interview it has been a long wait???

Airpilotobe
 

I don't know mate. I don't work for the company.

Read earlier posts on this tread and you may get some clues. Alternatively if you have applied ring the HR.

All the best.

what's the latest cycle on the direct entry? guys who went for the tests and what not. With the KQ loses and what not is recruitment and training going on as normal?

We can do better
 

I have read most of the posts in this thread and it appears most of the guys who asked questions in past years and went ahead and gained employment with the carrier. They now don't bother coming back to the thread and at least give tips or updates on the recruitment status. I don't know if it got something to do with company policy were they are forbid to comment or say anything about it’s operations but it’s really sad to read how some members beg for answers and nobody carers to help them.

In Aviation we look after each other. It's a small industry. You don’t have to hold someone hand but you can point them to the right direction. That is what I was told and taught from day one of Aviation 101. So come on guys we can do better than this.

AlwaysFlyAlwaysRead
 

There's no recruitment going on from the information I have gathered, unless its one of those under the radar things - unlikely. These would be individuals who were left hanging after doing some stage, quietly being recalled to continue with the process.
The recruitment has been suspended indefinitely, because, while KA wants to expand, it has no money to hire pilots. There's also the issue of some pilots being asked to go on leave because of either lack of work or because the planes they fly are being returned/sold.
The rumor is that they might NOT do any further recruitment until 2016.

254HEAVY
 

The recruitment process looks very fair.

It is only stage 2 that appears more like a fate issue (You are not competing with other KA candidates. The stage assesses your character, your ability to learn and how productive you can be under pressure. If your results fall among the top 30% of the guys who've done the test worldwide, you go in. A re-sit will only yield different results, if your previous results were borderline and subsequent sittings by other candidates, the world over, has pushed you within the 30%. Problem here is that KA delivers results as either pass or fail. If you fail, you might re-sit until "Kingdom come", not knowing you are in the lower 40% bracket.) The good news is that one can circumvent stage 1 and 2 with 2500hrs or thereabout.
Stage 4 is a day off, unless you are harboring medical issues you do not want them to discover.
Stage 6 is tricky because, in Kenya, just your accent or looks can cost you a job opportunity. This is the only place, people's hands can be held :( . Fortunately, its the last stage and you can't get there, if you are not properly qualified.
The rest is preparation.
As my Indian brothers say "Don't take tension !"

cleared2fl340
 

i wasn't taking about K.A recruitment process and it's faults. I can't comment about the process coz i know nothing about it. What i am saying is that i can tell from the posts that some members who come on the tread and asked questions about the recruitment process are now pilots for the carrier and they have forgotten all about this thread.

When i said "You don’t have to hold someone hand" i didn't mean bribery or anything in those lines. What i meant was sharing information. Case example i was reading "flydubai thread" in the middle east forum. Both current and past pilots share information openly about their company and what to expect.

You can't tell me the 400+ K.A pilots none of them have anything to say or information to share!

stage 6
 

too true about stage 6!

Any news on possible next recruitment for FEFOs?

Heard retrenchment is already taking place and 7777-200 to be sold? Why arent they getting rid of the surplus E Jets? Might they have overplanned the capacity for regional demand??

Isn't the ab-initio program costing them an arm and a leg.Perhaps they should furlough ab-initios and focus on getting paid for CPLs and ATPLs which they will train ata a faster rate too and get them earlier on line.I hear of rumours to retire the old hats early to pave way for the surplus younger generation coming up already recruited?

I think the aptitude tests should not stop at pre-entry.There are many who do not make it to line check either! Perhaps a sim screen at pre-qualification and post qualoification should yield a more realistic result and weed out those who genuinely dont meet the benchmark?

@254HEAVY
 

Sorry for giving unsolicited info.

What I've gathered is that once, one qualifies (passes stage 6), the training schedule can itself be a nightmare. It can take even as long as 6 - 9 months for some candidates. Some people don't make it to FO as mentioned above.
Under such circumstances, even I would rather be quiet until I make it.

As for the captains and FOs, pilots are generally scarce people with unusual schedules. It's unlikely they'll give you time, if you are neither a close friend nor relative. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule.

My observation is that sometimes, because we spend time on the net, we may erroneously expect others to do the same, but they don't. Imagine going through this site using your phone. Not many people have internet connections at home - even those who can afford it. If you meet some of these guys in person, depending on their personalities, they might share what's necessary.

tight lipped kq culture
 

Well observed fellahs. Well the unwritten rule is..open your mouth..and be prepared for the consequence....sure hope you got some vaselne on you to ease the pain! Coz you will be on your fours..and get the 12 inch boot (pure rhino leather):mad::}

I thought the E-jets were more economical for K.A than the 737's. Am suprised that they can't manage them now.

The 772 have already been written off so that means they are gone! However aren't they getting more 737's,777W and 787's?

As for the recruitment aren't the cadets paying for themselves through a bank loan?

I think the downfall of K.A recruitment is the training schedule. 6-9 months is a long time waiting!

How come some of the recruits do not make it to line check? Are these cadets or DEC guys?

Cadets are given a loan through co-op bank. They have to pay it back.

Training duration depends on an individual. I know a fellow who was a captain elsewhere, who took about 9 months for his training. I also know a cadet who took a much shorter period.

If they get more planes and fly them half full or park them, where will they get money to pay the pilots (training and salaries) ? This is the dilemma.

I don't know if any DECs have failed line checks but cadets, yes.