Nevrekar
2nd Dec 2007, 01:45
When crew cuts raise hackles
2 Dec 2007, 0300 hrs IST,Shobha John,T
With constant reports of pilot shortage, you think this is a good time to fly, isn't it? Not if you are a co-pilot with a low-cost carrier (LCC). The hard truth is that the sheen is slowly wearing off in what used to be a high-flying and glamorous career. With increasing number of co-pilots in the market and airlines going through various air pockets, costs are being cut, especially privileges enjoyed by this community.
"Things are going from bad to worse," says Gautam Singh*, a young pilot from SpiceJet. "But if I leave, there are 10 freshers waiting to take my place." But isn't there a shortage of pilots? "Yes, but that's more for commanders, not co-pilots. Many students who had gone to Canada and US to learn flying, are now coming back for jobs here." The DGCA couldn't give immediate figures of the number of commanders and co-pilots India has. These pilots aver that whereas earlier it was Open Sesame for them in airlines, now there are interviews, psychometry tests, medicals, etc. "Things have become tougher," they say. Also, if there's a shortage, how are airlines such as SpiceJet deputing co-pilots to others such as Oman Air, AI Express, etc, they ask.
Those who are already flying are feeling the pinch. But more than the withdrawal of privileges, it's the manner in which these are taken away that's hurting them. The erstwhile Air Sahara is a case in point. Five star luxury, business class travel, fabulous allowances, few questions asked....But in its new avatar, Jetlite, things changed and few could digest the downgrading. Few were in the knowhow of things.
The four areas where these first officers are feeling the heat are: Flying hours, hotel accommodation, allowances and perks.
Flying hours/salary
Nishant Gupta, who's with SpiceJet says, "I joined here 18 months back. Initially, when there was pilot shortage, I would fly 120 hours a month. My best salary till date is Rs 2.4 lakh net. I now barely fly 45-50 hours. My salary varies between Rs 1.20-1.30 lakh. I feel helpless as I've spent Rs 32 lakh on becoming a pilot and can't leave yet."
Rahul Sinha, Jetlite, is in a similar predicament. "Earlier, I would fly over 80 hours a month. But with more and more co-pilots joining, that's reduced to 55-60 hours. From Rs 1.6 lakh, my salary has come down to Rs 1.2 lakh. We're told we aren't the only ones who need to be flying; there're expats too."
Another issue irking SpiceJet pilots is a five-year bond they signed with the company when they got trained on Boeing planes. "All companies have a reducing bond wherein we give dated cheques to them. But with more co-pilots entering the market, we have to give undated cheques and the bond doesn't reduce with time," alleges Gupta.
In IndiGo, say sources, the salary of co-pilots is dependent on the company's fortunes. Average salaries here were among the highest — Rs 1.8 lakh. These have now come down to Rs 1.2-1.35 lakh.
Hotel accommodation
Co-pilots till recently were used to the high life of five star hotels — Marriott, Taj Palace, Oberoi....But that's a thing of the past. They've now been downgraded to four/three star hotels and even to guest houses. "In June, SpiceJet moved us to guest houses in Hyderabad.
Imagine flying the same plane as your commander, going through the same stress as him and seeing him go off to a five star, while you keep waiting an hour for your car to take you to a guest house. That's humiliating," says Gupta. "And that's because the demand for us has gone down. I don't mind getting less salary, but treat me with respect. I envy my colleagues in IA and AI."
In Jetlite too, these pilots have been mostly shifted to 3-4 star hotels. Commanders and expats continue in five stars. Ditto for IndiGo.
This downgrading started with cabin crew first. Reduced salaries and accommodation, fewer international flights and layovers and a feeling of not being wanted.
Allowances
Talk about dressing down. In SpiceJet, says Gupta, only two pieces of clothing can be given for laundry while they're outstation. "Our meal allowance is Rs 1,300 daily. That's not enough," he says. Also, leave which could be encashed, some 10 days, has been withdrawn.
These first officers in LCCs fear for their own future with the influx of more and more freshers. "They'll be willing to work for less money simply to get the experience. If those starting airlines don't have money to run it, why did they get into this business?" they ask.
Most would like to change over to regular carriers. But there's a catch. Any pilot wanting to leave his parent organisation has to first serve a six-month notice. But which airline will wait that long for him? "These moves are hurting the pilot community. If we've to serve this notice period as per DGCA norms, why is it turning a Nelson's eye when airlines are tightening the screws on us," asks one aggrieved pilot.
Another reason for airlines' change of heart is the losses they're making. Take AI. It's losses have been pegged at nearly Rs 850 cr. Most airlines would be in a similar boat. So despite the consternation of these pilots, perhaps some of these cost-cutting measures are imperative.
And it's hitting commanders too. "Allowances for training commanders while abroad have been reduced from around $200 daily to $110," says a Jetlite commander. Also, there are no confirmed business class seats for them. It'll depend on availability, otherwise, fly economy. "As slots have been booked for training on simulators abroad at the rate of $300-400 per hour, they can't afford to delay their going. But while returning, even an economy ticket isn't assured," he claims.
Unable to digest these measures, many pilots have resigned over the last few months. "An unhappy pilot is also a dangerous one," says another. There is also a move among these pilots to start a welfare association. How far that would work is anyone's guess, though.
Note: Names have been changed to protect identities.
2 Dec 2007, 0300 hrs IST,Shobha John,T
With constant reports of pilot shortage, you think this is a good time to fly, isn't it? Not if you are a co-pilot with a low-cost carrier (LCC). The hard truth is that the sheen is slowly wearing off in what used to be a high-flying and glamorous career. With increasing number of co-pilots in the market and airlines going through various air pockets, costs are being cut, especially privileges enjoyed by this community.
"Things are going from bad to worse," says Gautam Singh*, a young pilot from SpiceJet. "But if I leave, there are 10 freshers waiting to take my place." But isn't there a shortage of pilots? "Yes, but that's more for commanders, not co-pilots. Many students who had gone to Canada and US to learn flying, are now coming back for jobs here." The DGCA couldn't give immediate figures of the number of commanders and co-pilots India has. These pilots aver that whereas earlier it was Open Sesame for them in airlines, now there are interviews, psychometry tests, medicals, etc. "Things have become tougher," they say. Also, if there's a shortage, how are airlines such as SpiceJet deputing co-pilots to others such as Oman Air, AI Express, etc, they ask.
Those who are already flying are feeling the pinch. But more than the withdrawal of privileges, it's the manner in which these are taken away that's hurting them. The erstwhile Air Sahara is a case in point. Five star luxury, business class travel, fabulous allowances, few questions asked....But in its new avatar, Jetlite, things changed and few could digest the downgrading. Few were in the knowhow of things.
The four areas where these first officers are feeling the heat are: Flying hours, hotel accommodation, allowances and perks.
Flying hours/salary
Nishant Gupta, who's with SpiceJet says, "I joined here 18 months back. Initially, when there was pilot shortage, I would fly 120 hours a month. My best salary till date is Rs 2.4 lakh net. I now barely fly 45-50 hours. My salary varies between Rs 1.20-1.30 lakh. I feel helpless as I've spent Rs 32 lakh on becoming a pilot and can't leave yet."
Rahul Sinha, Jetlite, is in a similar predicament. "Earlier, I would fly over 80 hours a month. But with more and more co-pilots joining, that's reduced to 55-60 hours. From Rs 1.6 lakh, my salary has come down to Rs 1.2 lakh. We're told we aren't the only ones who need to be flying; there're expats too."
Another issue irking SpiceJet pilots is a five-year bond they signed with the company when they got trained on Boeing planes. "All companies have a reducing bond wherein we give dated cheques to them. But with more co-pilots entering the market, we have to give undated cheques and the bond doesn't reduce with time," alleges Gupta.
In IndiGo, say sources, the salary of co-pilots is dependent on the company's fortunes. Average salaries here were among the highest — Rs 1.8 lakh. These have now come down to Rs 1.2-1.35 lakh.
Hotel accommodation
Co-pilots till recently were used to the high life of five star hotels — Marriott, Taj Palace, Oberoi....But that's a thing of the past. They've now been downgraded to four/three star hotels and even to guest houses. "In June, SpiceJet moved us to guest houses in Hyderabad.
Imagine flying the same plane as your commander, going through the same stress as him and seeing him go off to a five star, while you keep waiting an hour for your car to take you to a guest house. That's humiliating," says Gupta. "And that's because the demand for us has gone down. I don't mind getting less salary, but treat me with respect. I envy my colleagues in IA and AI."
In Jetlite too, these pilots have been mostly shifted to 3-4 star hotels. Commanders and expats continue in five stars. Ditto for IndiGo.
This downgrading started with cabin crew first. Reduced salaries and accommodation, fewer international flights and layovers and a feeling of not being wanted.
Allowances
Talk about dressing down. In SpiceJet, says Gupta, only two pieces of clothing can be given for laundry while they're outstation. "Our meal allowance is Rs 1,300 daily. That's not enough," he says. Also, leave which could be encashed, some 10 days, has been withdrawn.
These first officers in LCCs fear for their own future with the influx of more and more freshers. "They'll be willing to work for less money simply to get the experience. If those starting airlines don't have money to run it, why did they get into this business?" they ask.
Most would like to change over to regular carriers. But there's a catch. Any pilot wanting to leave his parent organisation has to first serve a six-month notice. But which airline will wait that long for him? "These moves are hurting the pilot community. If we've to serve this notice period as per DGCA norms, why is it turning a Nelson's eye when airlines are tightening the screws on us," asks one aggrieved pilot.
Another reason for airlines' change of heart is the losses they're making. Take AI. It's losses have been pegged at nearly Rs 850 cr. Most airlines would be in a similar boat. So despite the consternation of these pilots, perhaps some of these cost-cutting measures are imperative.
And it's hitting commanders too. "Allowances for training commanders while abroad have been reduced from around $200 daily to $110," says a Jetlite commander. Also, there are no confirmed business class seats for them. It'll depend on availability, otherwise, fly economy. "As slots have been booked for training on simulators abroad at the rate of $300-400 per hour, they can't afford to delay their going. But while returning, even an economy ticket isn't assured," he claims.
Unable to digest these measures, many pilots have resigned over the last few months. "An unhappy pilot is also a dangerous one," says another. There is also a move among these pilots to start a welfare association. How far that would work is anyone's guess, though.
Note: Names have been changed to protect identities.