Nationwide recruits foreign pilots

[alwaysinverted]

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.

[sky waiter]

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: :}

[nyathi]

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:

[alwaysinverted]

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:

[cavortingcheetah]

: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

[orgasmotron]

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.

[alwaysinverted]

;) 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

[cavortingcheetah]

: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:

[porridge]

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

[Banzai-blades]

Look at thread " Lady Buxton" on this same forum

[contraxdog]

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.

[Shrike200]

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?!

[VTS]

: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:

[Stayinalive]

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:

[Spanish Flyboy]

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?

[Bravo Echo November]

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!!!

[Gerard123]

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 :}

[SFO]

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!!!

[flying paddy]

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

[cavortingcheetah]

;)

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.

[oompilot]

VB is a first class ******. Stop saying rubbish about him being an excellent businessman. He is milking an industry by exploiting the desperate and transporting the ill informed. Surely a good businessman doesn’t run out of staff!
Ok, ATC controllers out there. When you here a NW aircraft inbound and being driven by a foreigner, what’s wrong with the hold? Lets get our boys on the ground first, or maybe a little delay on start? This would definitely make VB think again. Sounds nasty, damn right, I am getting sick of this idiot, VB. Lets sink his dodgy operation leading to people flying with say Comair, resulting in more jobs there and happier days ahead. At the end of the day, the same amount of aircraft must fly on a daily basis, lets get them flying from a decent operation.

[aerocomm]

Nationwide is in the process of joining Air France Skyteam, (nothing to do with Lady Buxton by the way) and have signed various agreements with them already. One agreement was for the contractual "loan" of Air France, B737-500 type rated pilots to Nationwide to take up the slack until they train sufficient replacements. The decision was made by the private owner of the airline, Mr. Vernon Bricknell and not by Victoria Buxton.
Seems like a lot of silly remarks flying around based on assumptions fuelled by personal issues is making this discussion group a joke amongst a lot of clueless aviation "think they know it alls"

[McGreaser]

oompliot how juvenile :yuk: please tell me you where joking with that outburst. Do you know how many Boks are flying outside SA at the moment ? If they where all sent "home" more GA pilots would be more un-employed than they are at the moment. In aviation if you ain't got the licence with the rating and the hours wait your turn. Crying that you're being overlooked or your tshomi's are being overlooked coz they are Boks doesn't hold any water. If they have the min requirements and being overlooked then VB has a case to answer.

[Shrike200]

Despite what some may say, 'business is business' etc, I disagree that what is happening now makes any business sense whatsoever. This is typical 'fire-fighting' business management. The need for foreign (or ANY other crew, being foreign is NOT the issue to me), was something NW created for themselves, by being obstinately short sighted in the past. A reasonably competitive salary, and more intelligent crewing levels would have done a great deal to prevent the present situation. Surely this is obvious? Needing to employ foreign pilots is a short term plan, and is probably more expensive ultimately. I can't see AF pilots coming here for a NW salary, which sets the standards for 'low' in the SA airline industry, one which is already low by European standards (I stand to be corrected there, but I believe the average SA airline pilot is paid less than the average Euro pilot.)

So, if it were me, I would rather fly with an SA pilot (better comms - I've flown with French pilots before), and I would like to see SA jobs going to SA crews, especially since there are plenty of us out here. But, it is an international market, so the job can go to whoever is appropriately licenced. My point is that this doesn't make much business sense from my POV. But hey, I'm not the wonder business man then, am I? I am able to hold onto my self-respect at least.....

[126,7]

Anybody here know why Nationwide was in ZRH today?
Flew LGW-ZRH-LGW as CE200 / CE201 today with the B767-300. Did they go pick up more DE captains there?

[124.8]

Very interesting to see that NW now wants foreigners.....
My application has been e-mailed, personally handed in and that took place more than a year ago : NO REPLY/ answer to date ......!!! I am from this country, have enough airline experience, jet time is low though, but why should pilots fork out R150,000 for an outdated B737 rating, when the company "overcharges" for such ??? And then get slaughtered on low pay ??? You can do the rating at Comair for R 120,000 !!!A B744 rating will cost you $ 22,000.... look for overseas places to find it.
Why not work outside these borders at dubble what can be earned here. If I can survive on external freelance work, earning in excess of R50,000 per month AND tax free seeing time outside exceeds the 183 tax limiting days, well.........

[Cessnafan]

124.8, I had cv's there for 4 yrs and never heard a thing from them, but its not all together a loss because as a piston twin driver for about 3 days a week I earn almost twice that of an NW F/O.

[Goldfish Jack]

Did nt SAA do it a few ears ago - hire foreign pilots to help them out?

Seems like SAA can do it, but others can't...

Oompilot - was going to reply to your suggestion but then thought why waste time responding to childish and stupid remarks.....

[FuelFlow]

What about Kulula. They did it about a year ago with Swiss MD 80 crew.
Sorry Goldfish, you wouldn`t recall being an ATC and therefore an avid Comair supporter!!

[Stayinalive]

"Sorry..were not hiring right now. Will let you know as soon as we do. No problem with your credentials..your experience is what were looking for. Will call you"
Yeah right!!
Not only NW...the industry is full of it. Got a buddy in there as a training Capt or an influential relative to pass the word on you stand a chance.
The rest of us work and sweat for our bucks overseas and on contract while the industry employs cheaper labour with the opportunities without having to see where the Sudan and DRC really are. Is the way it is......

[Mark J B]

If VB just paid his crew a decent salary this would never be an issue. However, when a NW FO turns down command at NW to move to Comair, knowing he is going to spend a minimum of another 4 years in the right hand seat, then it speaks for itself.

[yogibear]

:mad: ...Oompilot....maybe you are the first class ****** !!!!!........was your cv rejected by NW huh ?????

Listen bad businessmen dont stay in business as long as VB has.....never see you post when SAA has any issues like this but then again maybe you only figured out how to use this forum recently.......childish and stupid is all that I can say about your post.

I agree with the other statements made here......howcome Comair and SAA can do similiar and everybody is hunky-dory about it but when NW does something...everyone is up in arms and launches into a smear campain.

126,7 I heard from a source that NW was in ZRH to have an engine change and are back on the scheduled JIA - LGW route today....and nope no DE pilots..........

As for the issue of pilots and training bonds, based on some of the comments on the forum, it seems that only NW is doing this and that all the other airlines are paying for the training out of thier own pockets and not 'bonding' the pilots at all......and no they dont care that they pay all this money to train a pilot and then he leaves for greener pastures......or is it just me ?...Hey this happens in a lot of other industries outside of the airline industry....dont see IT guys having a crap about it...or is it just me.

Well now off to the garden to ensure that my gardener signs and pays his training bond....dont want him running off to the neighbour you see......:}

[oompilot]

Yogibear, never had my CV rejected by NW, and sorry to disappoint, it never will be. I skipped that black hole that some unfortunately call a job. I stand by what I said, NW is a disgrace and if they were to make a sudden disappearance, those AC would then be operated by a more professional organization. The pilots would get jobs instead of having hobbies.
The old argument about always picking on us small guys is getting a bit thin, where there’s smoke there’s fire.
Leave your gardener out of your posting, most who fly for NW can’t afford a house, never mind one with a garden serviced by a gardener.
You have no idea!

[cavortingcheetah]

;)

May I just poke my head over the parapet and request a little language decorum in the forum. Please.
I am not a Moderator, poor burdened souls that they are, and I am well aware that some topics that are raised in these estimable pages can, by their very nature, lead to a rise in hypertensive activity. Nonetheless, I think that the border line between ******* ( Gosh, I had to hunt for the *, figure of innocence that I may be, ******, that's 'bother' by the way) and the real, uncloaked word is so small as to be of insignificance.
If we are going to have a degree of fun within these pages and still be jolly rude about someone, might we please all try to do the job with a sophisticated poignard and not a drayman's shovel.
Just before the Puff-puffs start coming, I shall be drinking with Black Rod this very eve.
:hmm:

[yogibear]

:rolleyes: ...May I apologise most profusely for my rather poor choice of language 'Cheetah'...it is indeed not befitting of one who has his domicile serviced by an educated horticulturist....:D


And as for poor old 'oompilot' it seems you may have arrived at a gun fight carrying a table tennis bat when it comes to the sarcasim that was present in my previous posting...and may I also inform you that despite your wildest and dare I say most moist of dreams, NW will not be going anywhere for the foreseeable future...and dear fellow as for you uttering that I have no idea.....well if there was ever a prime example of the the pot calling the kettle black........oh well toodle pip and jolly-hockey sticks and all........

Once again I apologise for my crass language in previous postings..............JOSEPH CAREFULL WITH THE GERANIUMS !!!!!.......sorry just had to reprimand my horticulturist....:}

[126,7]

Ha ha ha. Joseph the horticulturist. :ok:

[cavortingcheetah]

:O

Morning yogibear.

I really didn't say everything I said. (A Yogi-ism) !

Train Joseph to make Nasturtium sauce for Quinnat.

Perhaps we could be rude to each other in Morse Code?

How do you space out:



?

:mad:

My apologies, example for demonstration purposes only, not a reflection upon the erudition of members in this forum.:ooh:

[Spanish Flyboy]

Meester Oompilot (What is Oom anyway? A light twin?)
You still forgetting golden rule I remind about earlier but now I thinking this must be personal with you. Did VB run off with your gir (or boy) friend? I not knowing if you putt from rough. (sorry Matt Damon for the thievery of your movie line). Seriously you must lighten up sir and realise truth. Does VBtell you what you are doing in your house? I do not know the man but i seeming to already know you. Get to the councilling quickly and without delay and please to hurry. Maybe your children don't want no heart attack from you
relax and take life more easy.
S Fb

[cavortingcheetah]

:D
In my limited experience of courtesy and language, in the taal, Oom means Uncle. It is also used as a term of respect.:p

[VTS]

:p ...or could be misconstrued as U-ninformed N-arsissistic C-lueless L-eftwing E-xtremist....:confused:

Or perhaps I am being too harsh on an already stressed and emotionally ruined gene-pool ?

Touche' on the Morse Code example cavortingcheetah.....:ok:

So then best I dont go with again for fear of being reprimanded for crass and unacceptable vernacular.....:E

[yogibear]

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: .....seems that 10 in every 1 bear is schizophrenic.....:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Greetings and salutations cheetah.....how goes it with you today ????

In response to the posting by VTS Therefore concluding that said bear is not a well puppy at all and although he has been certified on numerous occasions he has yet to be committed :}

So my guess is that 'Oom', 'Uncle', or whomever he may be is either keeping shtum or is building up to a huge and all-encompassing, mind blowing response.....or is it just me ?...:E

[cavortingcheetah]

:ooh:
Just fine yogi:
I suppose you know:
www.yogi-berra.com
I give in .
Can we all please go back to b****r (bother) with stars?
;)

[Fluffy flyer]

Guys you need to get back to the point..........

I know on good authority from a reliable source that a Captain in Europe will take home in his pocket between £ 4000 to 5000 @ 12 to 1 that’s Rands 48000 to 60000 in your pocket after tax ...........

That is nowhere close to what a Captain will take home at NW

If foreign crews from Europe are going to come down to South Africa and earn a NW salary then I can only imagine that the deal between VB and the airline in question, has been sweetened some other way, by this I mean that the airline in question will be making up the salaries of the pilots or will be carrying the cost of the short fall, because they feel they will benefit more in the long run out of this arrangement between NW and the airline in Question.

The problem is not that foreign crew are coming to fly for NW..…

The problem is that the NW pilots are not even getting paid a salary that reflects the South African market related standard, and are nowhere close to the standards in Europe.

I do not profess to be a whiz kid when it comes to financial matters or running an airline but it does strike me as odd that NW has the money to source foreign crew but cant afford to pay the very pilots that have taken this airline very successfully to where it is now………

Let us all REMEMBER it is not VB that has achieved success with nationwide but the very people he (VB) so easily exploits.

May he sleep well with his conscience at night.

[Shrike200]

The unfortunate thing is that he probably does.....

[Spanish Flyboy]

Dear Fluffy,
You are guessing too much. House rent, utilities and food are costing I betting you twice as much as in South Africa. In fact I betting you again that everything in Europe is too much more expensive. Keep the things in perspective. I also betting you that pilots in South Africa are making much more pay than in Zambia, Tanzania or Malawi or other african places. Even more you are the one not keeping to my point. VB is doing with his company because he is owner. All you complaining people need to be respecting these entrepeneurs. I real freedom. Not like this SAA that is overspending, overpaying and under performing. By the way. You work for SAA? Now? Before? What you care about owners? Disrespecting is not right.
S Fb

[four engine jock]

I think it sad to see NW getting pilots from outside South Africa. There are many good young pilots in SA willing to sign a traning bond.

I say give the young guys a chance,

[Fluffy flyer]

Dear Flyboy,

You are guessing too much. House rent, utilities and food are costing I betting you twice as much as in South Africa.

The very fact that you are “betting” me, means that you don’t know the facts for yourself. You didn’t read my posting correctly……… I said that I know on good authority what the pay is like in Europe.

This is off the point but just to satisfy your curiosity it cost an average of £ 2000 per month to live well in Europe, that’s rent, car, petrol, food, utilities, etc.

£ 4000 to £ 5000 salary in pocket, less £ 2000 bills, leaves you will 2 to 3 thousand pounds which equates to Rands 24000 to 36000.

The NW gross salary is only Rands 30000 for a Captain and you still need to be taxed and then all the expenses taken off first. You should be able to do the maths.

To get back to your point, I have only ever worked for companies that are owned by one man, including the one in discussion here, and to be franc I would like to work for a big organisation like SAA, BA, KLM, etc that will look after me as an employee and not abuse me like so many of the one man bands have done that I have worked for.

Now my point……… there are so many Captains wanting to leave NW because the pay is below the SA market standard.

Why does VB not pay the very pilots that are loyal to him, that have made NW what it is today, and not throw money away on getting in foreign crew at greater expense just to solve a problem that would not be a problem in the first place had VB paid his pilots the market related salary they deserve.

Fly boy I don’t know your background in aviation but it will be interesting to see how you will feel when you are working for a company like NW and you get treated the same way that the pilots are being treated right now.

I am sure you will be happy to accept whatever your employer throws at you to ensure he makes a big fat living at your expense.

[cavortingcheetah]

:)

Without going into a long dissertation about northern salaries and costs of living, there is one thing you chaps should determine.

A lot of companies in the north lay off crew over the winter and recruit them again when the spring/summer charter hell starts up once more.
How many of the flyers coming south have been laid up on half pay or no pay at all for the long and gloomy deep freeze?

Cop the drift?;)

Oh yes and, with reference to another thread, what is the average genuine experience level of these pilots and who at NW is the prime mover behind such recent recruitment policy?

Food for thought perchance?:hmm:

[yogibear]

:) ....Greetings and salutations to one and all.....Having just returned from a self imposed session of R & R along one of our finest coast lines and having spent many a happy hour persuing a dimpled orb around vast areas of real estate and then having found it, proceeding to dispatch it once again into the blue yonder using a varing array of steel/titanium and carbon fibre clubs with varying degrees of loft.....I am glad to see that the debate surrounding Mr.VB's idea of obtaining foreign aviators as opposed to local one is still raging along unabated....be it now that it has progressed to the pro's and cons of lifestyles on different continents...well I shall peruse these posts with deep and undivided attention and will reserve judgment for a later stage........:ok:

Greetings cheetah...I see you are overflowing with deep and meaningfull comment as usual ;)

[cavortingcheetah]

:)

What Ho ! yogibear!

Dimpled orbs, viagra enhanced clubs?
The imagination positively ullulates with shivery irrintzis!

Reminds me of the time when I had the bottom cut out of a large coal bucket; lined the thing with blue velvet. Lady of the moment was placed in bucket, obvious end first ? The bucket was lowered onto titanium enriched club, then bucket was gently spun by two female servants. Quite a yummy sort of experience. Slightly exhausting before tiffin.:p

Suggested to me by an eminent clergyman as a rather a novel and pleasant variation of that well known ditty:

'There's a Hole in my Bucket.
Which Hole Dear Liza?'

Not recommended for Scout or Guide Sing Alongs.

Wonder what's happened to the BB Bucket of Worms this bright and cheerful Monday morn? :=

[yogibear]

:cool: ...Did you you ever ask the eminent clergyman how he came to know of such a novel use for a bucket...?..:}

Speaking of which, you dont by any chance still have said bucket in your possession do you ???....I know of a few folks ( and I wont make mention of thier said identities on these esteemed pages) whom I would glady place, obvious end first, into said bucket and lowered onto, not anything quite as enjoyable as a titanium enriched club but rather a rather well established succulent of desert origin who's outer covering is made up of myriads of sharp and rather unpleasant barbs....:hmm:

It may be that the authors and source of the 'bucket of worms' are also the loyal and devout followers of a certain blue-ish bovine and are in a state of conciously invoked rigor mortise following the lashing dealt out to thier object of worship by a certain high speed feline who resides in the predominantly flatter regions of central South Africa......;)

[cavortingcheetah]

:)

Hello again, one and all.

Flight International. 25-31 October 2005, has the following advertisement on page 76.

NATIONWIDE AIRLINES

B737-200/500, B727 and B767 Captains - S.A. Based
Current type ratings significant command exp. Jhb, 3-6 month contracts.
Salary dependent on quals/exp
Email CV to [email protected] or
fax to +2711 395 3192

B767 Licensed Technicians- LGW (U.K)
Avionics and mech. Min. 3 years'experience on type.
Salary dependent on quals/exp.
Email CV to [email protected]
or fax to +2711 390 2310.

The advertisement for pilots is quite obviously aimed at attracting ex-patriate workers.
I should have thought that one recourse open to those who might wish to do so, would be to bring the matter to the public attention in South Africa to such an extent that the Department of the Interior, let alone DCA, would find the situation embarrassing. Of course, you might end up with a load of ex Zim chaps but I somehow doubt that such is the thrust of the Flight insertion. (SA AIRNEWS possibly, perhaps?)
Please note that the contractual time period specified in the advertisement precisely conforms to the northern hemisphere winter lay off routine. My money says that Nationwide will be innundated with replies.
It would not be too far beyond the bounds of reality to speculate that Nationwide has already lined up matters with the necessary government departments to the extent that any problems associated with work permit and licence application/validation have been sorted out.

Toodle Pip for the moment. Don't forget, it's not done to shoot the messenger.:eek:

:)

To the best of my rather perlustrated memory, the clergyman in question might well have been Bishop Mupanga, whose widow, Charity, now owns Harrods International Bar and Nightspot the favourite place for the movers and shakers of Kibera in the state of Ubuntu in East Africa.;)