Kenya Airways info

[acy RJ driver]

hello all:

wondering if anyone had information on KQ- Company minimums, rostering, compensation, expat hiring and where to forward a CV? Company website doesnt offer much info.

any information would be greatly appreciated :ok:

ACY

[Kenuck]

Hi,

The company minimums on last hiring were basically Kenyan Citizen with a Kenyan CPL and Multi IR and decent high school grades.

Rostering is not too bad and the remuneration is good.

Expat hiring is not being entertained by the Pilot Association.

Usually, CVs go to the Director of Human Resources.

Cheers

[Ingwe]

Hey KQ guy

What was the out come of the advert for expats contracting on the 73? has management changed their mind?

[Kenuck]

Well, I think if the management had their way they would fire us all and re-hire whomever they felt like on contract basis so that we could get scr**ed daily. With regards to the expat hiring the Association managed to "convince" them not to do it. Consequently KQ has been hiring a lot of Kenyan pilots recently - the same pilots they first claimed did not exist! Well, let's see how it goes from here!

[Skylion]

KQ is not generally an expat-friendly zone.

[Jamborjp]

hey guys,
I'm just wondering if KQ is still hiring??? I'm a Kenya Citizen with FAA Commercial/IR/ME and CFI/CFII and MEI....the only set back for me is the whole conversion process.....I have about 1200+ alot of that as a CFI.
KQ GUY......u may be able to help me on this one....if I got an FAA ATPL what would be the conversion process then?

[5Y-NOT]

Hi, just a quick one. With an FAA ATPL, and as a kenya cit, you are only required to sit the air law exam. Easiest way to get a Kenyan ATPL, so recommend you do that. A non kenyan is, I belive, still required to show a valid work permit in order to sit the exams....not sure how you get the job to get the work permit without a valid license in the first place!
Otherwise, KQ are still hiring i believe.

[Kenuck]

Just to add on what 5Y-NOT said, you'll also still have to do an IR ride as well. It's not a big deal - just like any other IR ride, but the ATPL is definitely easier to convert.

As for KQ, we're still hiring and will be continuing to do so for the foreseeable future - 4 new airplanes in the next 5 months!

Cheers

[min2097]

Just a question for KQGuy, i am a kenyan citizen currently at Oxford Aviation Training on the APP course. Finish in April next year, do think KQ will still be hiring low hour pilots, and if so do they assist you with the type training. Thanks alot.

Niraj Shah (AP258)

[Kenuck]

KQ will still be hiring low time Kenyans provided you have the prerequisite high school grades. KQ will pay for your type ratings but will bond you.

[min2097]

Thanks alot KQGuy, its been my dream to fly for KQ i do have the grades they require (ive seen a pdf file), just the conversion from JAA to Kenyan. So hopefully i will be there in a few months time, but its of to Arizona next week. Once again thanks, look forward to seeing you in the near future!!

Niraj Shah (AP258)

[Jamborjp]

thanks you guys for the answers....I'm at about 1300+ so not much more to go? But what is this thing about High-School grades....I did GCE O Levels in Nairobi...then went to Embry-Riddle Aero University....graduated with a BSc...would that help?
I was in Kenya in 2003 to find out about the whole conversion process....but the time, money issue, and the no-definate job thing throught me off.....so I came back to the US to flight instruct.
KQGuy or 5Y-NOT do u know how much it would cost and time it would take to convert the FAA ATLP and to do the IR?

[futurekenyanpilot]

All i want in life is to be a pilot at kenya airways.I have decent high school grades from Nairobi School and am now in the United States studying aerospace engineering and piloting.I will be through by 2010.Is there a chance that KQ will be hiring pilots in 2010.Is there any problem if I train in the us?Will my degree make me more marketable?Thanks.

[Kenuck]

Just to reply to the last two posts...

The high school grades are the minimum requirements that are needed for entry into the airline. Having a degree is fine!

Converting the FAA ATP to a kenyan ATP still costs the same as it did in 2003! KQ is hiring but you have to be patient. Administrative things here move SLOWLY..... :ugh:

As for hiring in 2010....well...it's really hard to say seeing that it's quite a long time away. I can't tell you and you are probably smart enough to see the cycles that global aviation has gone through in the last 5 years show that there is never a guarantee!

[mwaurak]

Hi pals. talking about converting, How decent are the schools that fanya the doze and do you have any recommedation.

[Spydee]

Please be warned that a university degree no matter which uni will not automatically get you into KQ if you did not get good high school grades. The minimum requirement is a C+ overall with the same minimum grade in Maths, English, Physics and Chemistry. They have ofcourse made some exceptions on a case by case basis due to the current pilot shortage and ofcourse pressure from the union but this has really been for high time pilots with significant time and experince mostly in excess of 3000hrs. But you will still have to pass the psychometric, appitude and flight tests.

There are still numerous opportunities for pilots at KQ, I am reliably informed that since Jan this year they have hired 50 pilots with an additional 20 or so abinitios expected before the end of the year.

Jambojrp

As i have told you before you need to get back home asap and get on with the conversion process. Since 2003 when you were last in Kenya they have hired almost 100 pilots. Imagine where you would have been on the seniority list!

Mwaurak

Kenya school of flying and CMC can sort you out with the conversion process.

Regards,

[futurekenyanpilot]

thanks for your info. i am currently in the states finishing my aeroepace eng. degree and working on my ratings. i ceared highschool in kenya with grades better than wahat Kq needs. What is ur advice on the flight school that i should atend? i am attending phoenix east which has trained some kq pilot.all i want in life is to fly kq.i hop to join u in 2010.

[Kenuck]

With the rate at which we are hiring, I can't see it continuing for much longer - maybe a couple more years. The fleet plan from now until 2010 sees the introduction of 5 extra airplanes : 3 737-800s this year and 2 777-200s next year. The 787s are replacing the 767s in 2010 and whatever RJs they get will replace the Saab so the net gain there is going to be 0. The other thing is that the average age for captains is going down as younger and younger guys are coming down for the left seat and the retirement age was recently increased to 63.

SO, anyone looking to join needs to get down here, convert and apply ASAP!!

[Swift_Eagle_Jason]

Hey KQGuy, I did the abinitio interviews (psychometry and aptitude) some time in August, I then did an Oral interview in September. This past Monday I did my medical exam.

Everything went ok, except that my pulse rate was way high (100). My question is if a high pulse rate can disqualify someone from flying.

I would also like to ask what pattern they follow to take people because it seems pretty random to me, for example my friend was taken more than a month ago, my other friend was called to get a visa 2 days ago... and yet other people have not even gone for the oral interviews yet!

Hey, hope you still check the forum out and can be of some help. Thanks.

[rigs]

hi ppl, let me say i think u guys out thea in U.S or other places need to come back home and convert your licenses. even if u dont go to K.Q immediately u can be flying caravans, king air's and let's in wilson for the time being. my dream is also to fly the 777 in K.Q so i know how u feel.but if u hav like 1000+ i really think u shud b back in kenya not there. more chances will come when ur here not thea. ama wat do u think K.Q guy
junior pilot

[rigs]

ok let me say im happy to finally reach the place i was lookin 4. MARUBANI WA KENYA. firstly im very new but let me say this to all those guys outside thea and ur qualified. what r u waitin 4 come back home bana. even if u want to fly for K.Q u can still be flyin the caravan's n kig air's in wilson. like kq guy said the exodus in to K.Q has created a hole somewhere. n obviously the hole is wilson.
SO ALL THOSE BIRDIES PLEASE EXPEDITE YOUR DESCENT FROM FL "OUTSIDE THERE" TO THE NAIROBI CONTROL ZONE
ama aje K.Q GUY
adios

[acy RJ driver]

Hey riggs thnx for the post, was wondering how one starts the conversion process especially if one is overseas. What publications if any exist that might prep a person for the conversion, also do you know if FAA type ratings are honoured ?

thanks in advance for any info

ACY

[rigs]

ok, first for conversion you must be here.
so u only need to sit for your airlaw exam
secondly convert your c.p.l
then do n I.R test on a twin(they dont accept I.R on a single engine)
bout the type ratings, hav to confirm that.
the whole process takes around 3-4 months
adios

[Tcee747]

Hey KQ Guy, could you tell me the compensation for first yer kq capt/fo/so?

Are you guys paid diff depending on aircraft?

Why do some pilots have 2 stripes?are these the Second Officers?

[Happydays]

I spoke to the guy at KQ that hires. He told me if you South African they can hire you on contract if you have more that 3000 total time without a type rating on one of the aircraft they got.

[5Y-NOT]

Interesting, not heard about the 3000hr SA applicants.. haven't heard of such in the rumour mill, but even more A/c on order I hear, so quite possible, but would imagine not only from SA. Also, any idea who's going to crew the cargo fleet announced in the Nation. Wet lease??
p.s. 1 stripe, second officer. 2 FO, 3 senior FO. ( 5 years, posted for command, I believe )

[Tcee747]

still looking for more info on pay etc, any ideas???

How long does it take to make capt??, do they have min req for capt times etc

thanks

[black gun]

Hi anyone know Neil Johanson, Neil if you are reading this PM me, old friend from our brief time in the Seychelles. Anyone know him let me know contact details, thanks

[AHRS]

How does one fight against discrimination of Kenyan cit with exemplary qualifications both academic and flight and including glass cockpit experience.I am talking about the channel 'O' factor!

Regards


With the rate at which we are hiring, I can't see it continuing for much longer - maybe a couple more years. The fleet plan from now until 2010 sees the introduction of 5 extra airplanes : 3 737-800s this year and 2 777-200s next year. The 787s are replacing the 767s in 2010 and whatever RJs they get will replace the Saab so the net gain there is going to be 0. The other thing is that the average age for captains is going down as younger and younger guys are coming down for the left seat and the retirement age was recently increased to 63.

SO, anyone looking to join needs to get down here, convert and apply ASAP!!

[Tcee747]

Happy new year guys

Hey, Marubani wa KQ, i'm still looking for pay information for first officers and captains , and also how long is the contract if hired??

Thanks

[Kenuck]

Hi,

Generally, it is true, that KQ is not an expat friendly zone. Whether this is right or not is not really in the scope of this thread and I have contributed my one and a half cents about this in previous threads.

The management is always offering contracts (or threatening to do so) to various people and then the Pilots' Association intervenes with their threats and everything dies down. Unfortuantely, there are people caught up in the middle - those that intend to sign these contracts. This has been going on for years.

Tcee747: To answer your questions, the pay at KQ is in line with international standards. I do not know anything about contract lengths as I'm not on one. If you sign a contract you do not join our seniority system and thus remain on the seat of the aircraft that you signed for. For example, 11 years ago a group of people signed contracts as 737-200 crew and they have remined so for those 11 years!

Cheers
:)

[AHRS]

NO JOKES.Discrimination against KEN CIT OF NON BLACK ETHNICITY IS PREVALENT.OUMA..ARE YOU READING ME 5 BY 5??:*

discrimination of Kenyan cit? you must be joking. :D By the way, is this company having finanical problem? This company never pay correct amount of salary for those non-kenyan cit.

[Tcee747]

thanks kq guy, that helps a bit, is your pay same for all ca/fo regardless of a/c type

Thanks

[Tcee747]

hey guys, how many days off do you normally have per month?
How are your african trips/routes scheduled ? are they out and backs or combination with layovers up to 5 days away from base?

Thanks

[knchabz]

Hi.
Would you know where I could train for piloting? I just completed my secondary education and I really want to be a pilot. Do you know any school that would offer scholarship?

Best regards.

Chabz.

[SIERRA ECHO XRAY]

Quick quest to all KQ marubaniz......
Is it a smart thing to buy a 737-800 type rating and do line training for the same(say 500hrs) to increase the chances of getting hired? I have a cash cushion that can cater for that. Advice me on this.
Tutaonana hivi karibuni:ok:

[alpha-b]

Hey folks!

I have been following this thread for a couple of weeks and trying to weigh people opinions.What i've go to say being non kenyan that KQ which is a world class airline and that has proven itself with a remarkable first class service,brand new fleet and reliable is in the process of more expansion hence they need more planes and crews however the local demand of pilots itself is not enough i understand KALPA is trying to empower local citizens which is quite normal for every nation but they should also look at KQ interest.Emirates,Cathay and Singapour also have their own cadet programmes but they still employ expats to supplement the demand so i don't see why KQ which is aiming at becoming like those can't do that.Airlines like Air madagascar is on a contract basis with Cameroon Airlines pilots who fly their B 767 they're not employed by air madagascar but it's a contract bonding them with Cameroon Airlines where pilots do like a month rotation return to base for a while and another set of crew go and so forth i think KQ also did that on the B 737-200 fleet so why can't they do on the rest.Cheers

[Coleman Myers]

Do you think KQ might consider hiring somebody with "prerequisite high school grades" to try and get their schedule integrity back on track. A three out of three for late departures on my last few trips including a four hour delay and then 45 minutes for the bags .. not really the Pride of Africa when that happens

[OneGuy]

S. E. X,

I dont think its worth it. And you are not guaranteed entry to the 737-300/700/800 fleet...might start on the Emb 90. Save your cash.

[SIERRA ECHO XRAY]

Duly noted!!

[SIERRA ECHO XRAY]

Please someone tell me this is not happening especially for crews...:{:{



Turbulence at Kenya Airways
Published on February 1, 2008, 12:00 am
By James Anyanzwa
The Kenya Airways has announced plans to send home part of its workforce in the next two months.
The move is part of the national flag carrier’s strategy to stay afloat in the midst of misfortunes that has seen its passenger numbers in major routes plunge by over 15 per cent in the last four weeks.
Mr Titus Naikuni, the airline’s chief executive, blaming its dismal performance on post-poll violence also disclosed a decline in cargo business by four per cent.
"There are some employees who are not required," Naikuni told journalists at the company’s offices on Thursday.
Against a backdrop of waning customer loyalty and declining profits, Naikuni said the company had been forced to review its forecast for the current financial year.
He said the company will send some of its non-critical staff on paid leave and "also control its expenditure where it is absolutely not necessary in the short term".
He, however, declined to comment on the number of employees to be sent home and the cost implications to the company that has been serious weighed down by competition from both local and international airlines.
"Most of the routes, particularly in Europe, are not doing well," Naikuni said.
He pointed out that European routes to London, Amsterdam, Paris and a number of African destinations — such as Johannesburg — have been badly affected.
He also cited Mombasa, a major tourist and business destination that has been affected by post-election violence.
The effects of the political crisis adds to KQ’s growing pains set off by a diminishing market domination as a result of poor service delivery.
Erosion of earnings had previously been highlighted in a recovery plan crafted to salvage its battered public image. Naikuni said the airline had instituted short-term actions in attempt to mitigate the negative impact of post-election violence.
He said the airline is reviewing its capacity by reducing the number of flights in some destinations and in some cases cancelling them.
He said capacity has been reduced to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Johannesburg, Mombasa, Lagos, Khartoum, Cairo, Kisumu, Dubai, Kinshasa, Dzaoudzi (Mayotte) and Hahaya (Moroni).
The airline has seen its revenues tumble amid rising discotent over the quality of its service delivery.
The airline is under intense pressure to provide competitive quality service and reliability from its frequent travellers.
"Service quality, consistency of delivery, performance and reliability have become a key success factor," according a rescue plan seen by The Standard.
Official figures indicate that KQ’s revenues and passenger volumes along the European and American routes fell by 10.2 per cent over an eight-month period between April 2006 and January last year.
On the Asian and Oceanic routes, the revenues dropped 5.8 per cent, but registered a rise in traffic.
On African routes, the airline witnessed its earnings and passenger volumes fall 11.2 per cent and 9.4 per cent.
The share price is on a losing streak closing at Sh45.75 on Thursday.