Etihad cadet pilot programme last test

[satwikroy]

i never said that i am not ready for the hard yards i am always up for any challenge
but the thing is if Etihad & cx are giving any one the oppurtunity then why not try & take it :ok: :ok: :ok:
unfortunately for me i currently don't stand in a situation where I can readily say that I am ready to spend $50,000 for my training or I would not have cared too much about it.
the other thing is that I have seen a couple of guys in my knowledge who went for their training to miami ,florida after finishing their schooling & after spending approximately $55,000 are standing jobless :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: with the current economic situation & the foolishness of management of different airlines in India along with DGCA making things more difficult for us.:ugh::ugh::ugh:

[FlyingRubber]

Hi all! It has been quite a long while since anyone posted on this Etihad Cadet Pilot forum. I guess it has really run its course, until the next rounds of selections comes along. It's entertaining reading the vitriol and diatribe of those who missed signing up for the assessments, those who sat for it and didn't get through to the 2nd round, or those who couldn't afford to fly to the far-flung locations where the assessments were located.

I was very much bemused to read the anger and dissatisfaction of those candidates who said the assessment questions were totally unrelated to the selection of cadet pilots. Then what DO these people expect? 2 x 2 =? I'm no expert in how to carry out these selections, but whatever their criteria for initial and 2nd rounds, their reasons must be damned good ones.

My heart really hurts when i read the trials and tribulations that GN religiously (and in great detail) documents in these forums. I would really salute him if he doesn't give up and keeps trying until he reaches 28 or something.

And who can talk about this Etihad Cadet Pilot thingy without mentioning Malirm in the same sentence! The resident expert on this and he worked for what? Emirates? That's really ironic. But credit must go to him cos sometimes he does give almost accurate information to other ppruners. But i think it was rather low of him to accuse Etihad of being biased in not selecting him in the end. Makes one wonder if EY doesn't accept him in their cadet programme, what makes him think they'll welcome him with open arms as a fully qualified pilot in 2012, as he asserts? I'm sorry for being such a bitch, but this is really my honest opinion.

Well, I look forward to the next round of international cadet pilot assessments. Thousands will apply. A couple of thousand will sit for the initial assessment. And only ABOUT ten fortunate, high-calibre, high-potential candidates will make it through. Which tells us a lot of the guys and gals who actually made it through this time round. I really am in awe of them. And you know what the best part is? Apart from LEvans (who had been humble and unassuming throughout the process), you hardly hear anything from the guys who made the final cut. Tells us a lot doesnt it?

[saq88]

Any Idea When R The Next Assessment Going To Take Place ???

Cheers :o

[malirm]

Thanks Mate...Well Spoken, I'll Make Sure not to open my mouth again...:oh:. Thanks for the credit, I really needed some :ok:...but please be sure that I don't open my mouth for nothing, I heard some stuff from previous candidates & started comparing it to what I faced...anyways...I think EY is now aware of any under hand dealings, but lets say, I haven't done well :), hard luck for me & good luck for you guys. I was really happy to make it through the Last 17 out of approx. 1000 candidates, I know people from EY who would really like to see me around flying the EY A320 to/from Abu Dhabi. So please don't accuse people from your first post!...anyways, welcome here :)

I am now with another Airline & YES, I look forward to get into EY by the end of 2012, its a great airline to work for...I think that you know well that the interview of a 0 hour cadet is different from an interview of a 2000+ hours A320 FO. I know alots of FOs & Captains who screwed it up in cadet selections, but are doing well & the strange thing...some of them are doing well in the same airline that rejected them the first time!...keep it in mind...NEVER QUIT.

@ SAQ88, I heard that its gonna be in the US this time...get ready guys...its really WORTH IT :)

[CPP2009]

Out of interest, has the first selection of cadets been chosen for Etihad? I remember this thread was huge with prospective cadidates but have the final cadets been chosen? It seemed to be quite a long winded affair especially with the first selection in London resembling something from X-Factor.

[aceman18]

Yep, i think 8 or 9 people got selected from the final round, and we're now just awaiting a start date from Etihad.

[EYZ]

I thought that courses was the 3rd expat course?
As far as I know Etihad is planning 4 next year, but planning being the word here, nothing is for sure yet.
I'm guessing it will go something like this, North America, Europe, AUH and somewhere East of AUH.

As I said its just gossip right now...

[CPP2009]

Well if it is the 4th expat course, then its the first PPrune has head about it!

I assumed last year was the first due to the amount of posts however I'm happy to be corrected.

Congratulations aceman. Where is the Flight Training?

[xxTS-IQQxx]

´I heard some stuff from previous candidates & started comparing it to what I faced...´
I hope this is not about what i think it is about
´...I think EY is now aware of any under hand dealings..´
i really dont think so and you know why ..its sad but its not that far from the truth

[EYZ]

Hi,

I hear that Etihad are not running the scheme in 2010. It should/hopefully be back in 2011 when their orders start arriving. Plus their holding pool is full right now.
Shame, but fingers crossed for 2011!!:ok:

[joniss]

thats sad...:{

[rahulpereira]

Hey guys Im new here , but am eagerly waiting for the Etihad cadet program to start, I am an FAA PPL license holder with 200 hours of flying. I want to make sure whether I am eligible for this program , also does anyone of you know for sure if the program is going to start in 2010, if yes when?

[EYZ]

Read my post above!!!!:ugh:

[suleman]

sad to hear that :sad:
i was waiting for them to start accepting applications..but ah well will wait for 2011 now :uhoh:

[Gustavo_Nieto]

I can't believe it.

[wolverine56]

hey im new to this thread...i was wondering if someone could tell me the exact link of etihad global cadet pilot programme, so that i can gather some information about the programme

thanks

[Altius 01]

Although they are not currently taking in apps,
You could try googling..................

[wolverine56]

i tried googling but no help....please tell me the exact link to the global cadet pilot programme if anyone knows.

[RunSick]

There's no link. The program is in stand-by for non nationals. There's even an international batch waiting to start the course. Don't hold your breath.

[wolverine56]

well thank you any way...hope it gets started soon

[wolverine56]

Thanx a lot man...i appreciate

[aceman18]

Due to the 'economic climate', the latest international batch to be accepted have been delayed until an undisclosed date in 2011. I therefore very much doubt there will be any interviews until at least 2011, if at all.

[Matt101]

3 international courses in Al Ain now one just finishing up/ doing MCC one close to finishing and another that has recently arrived. Wasn't aware there were any more selected cadets due to start. Good luck to all when the programme opens up again though.

[Colony]

As someone who went through the selection process for last year’s programme, I feel I am qualified to give my opinion on the whole thing. It may be good reading for people intending on applying (if and when) Etihad reopen the scheme in 2011 or later. I am posting under a false name, chiefly to avoid discomfiture to those I mention. However I can vouch that everything I say is true. Despite the fact that I passed the interview and was in the holding pool, waiting to begin what most people would deem an amazing opportunity, I chose to withdraw my application after witnessing the bad business practices involved. My overall impression of the company was far from good, bearing in mind that I would have to stay there for 7 years...

Firstly – I know that airlines (and businesses in general) always employ carrot-dangling techniques, i.e. they promise and promise but never deliver, but Etihad are quite possibly the worst players of this game. Whether this is because they demand “the best” and have to be autocratic, or simply because their management have dysfunctional prefrontal lobes, I am not sure. I just know that if I were to begin working for them, I wouldn’t be able to take the amount of bullsh*t they throw at you. And no, I’m not an immature young teenager with unrealistic expectations in this world – I have several years work experience, a university degree and many relatives/friends in the airline industry, some as pilots.

From the first day I applied, I began to be messed around. After the initial assessments, they told me that I had passed and would be invited to Abu Dhabi for the second stage. After waiting several months and pinning my hopes up, they suddenly changed their mind and emailed me to say they would not continue with my application. There was no reason given and I didn’t challenge it – after all they didn’t owe me anything and it was ultimately their call. So not feeling too despondent, I applied again…

This time I had to go abroad as there were no free places in the assessments in my home country. I politely asked if they could squeeze me in, after all it was just one extra person and surely some others wouldn’t turn up, but the answer was no. I was apprehensive about spending a large sum of money to fly abroad and pay for a hotel, but decided that it was worth one more go based on the fact that I had passed the assessments previously and this was the “opportunity of a lifetime”.

Once again I passed the initial assessments and was invited to Abu Dhabi. And this time – lo and behold they kept their word and took me there for several days. From the first moment I arrived, I felt very uneasy as a few of the other candidates seemed to have inside knowledge of things I wouldn’t expect them to know, and they were being “too friendly” with the Etihad staff. In fact, when I look back now, there was little point in them even holding this second stage of the selection process, as nearly all of the successful candidates seemed to have been “preselected” before the process began.

First we had the existing Etihad employee who wanted to change his role within the company, then we had the Etihad pilot’s kiddie, then the girl who failed the psychomotor tests but miraculously got a place on the scheme (perhaps they needed at least one girl), then the local boy who was already studying for an ATPL and wouldn’t need a residency permit… I don’t need to continue. Whilst not disputing the fact that these people were perhaps suitable candidates, there is just a large element of suspicion within me as to why they were chosen to actually begin the course. Some didn’t even meet the minimum requirements (particularly with regards to age), but when Etihad is concerned, rules are there to be broken…

The most frustrating part for me is what happened after the selection process. In chronological order, here is a summary of each of the emails received since returning from the interview in Abu Dhabi:

i) You passed the interview but we can’t yet confirm when the next intake is. You are not guaranteed a place so don’t resign from your current job.

ii) You are successful, but you’re not included on the next intake. Please wait until 2010 when there will be another intake.

iii) We are postponing the entire programme until at least 2011, but we still want you. So if you don’t mind, please wait at least another year. However if you change your career plans, let us know so we can take you off our books.

After the third email, I decided that I would not continue with my application as I simply cannot be messed around any more, and I don’t want to work for such an unprofessional company. It is quite obvious to me that some of the candidates on the first intake were not successful by merit at all. It’s unfortunate that in this industry, it’s all about whom you know and how well you know them. If you just so happen to be rubbing shoulders with Etihad staff, you may well get a place.

I related my story to the CEO of a major offshore law firm whilst at another interview, and he was disgusted by the way in which they have unfairly treated the candidates who passed the interview but have not yet started, in favour of those who were “not based on merit”. In this context, the word 'disgusted' is not a dysphemism, rather a euphemism. Not my words.

Before any criticism is given about what I’ve said – I should make it clear that I am aware that Etihad doesn't owe anything to anyone. But that doesn’t mean they are entitled to be tactless, unprofessional and despotic about the way in which they conduct their business. They are not offering part-time retail work to a 16-year old here. Instead they are toying around with people’s dreams and giving extreme false hope to candidates. If not cruel, then it's simply unprofessional to pass someone a golden opportunity, only to take it away from them and decide to give it to someone else who was a bit more friendly with the people "who matter".

I don’t want to discourage people from applying, but if you know to expect disappointment then you’ll be better prepared in your application. If nothing else, you get a free trip to Abu Dhabi for a few days. Perhaps I should have taken the interviewers out for a beer the night before my interview... oh wait... I'm not the first person with this idea!

[PIREP 123]

I totally agree with you...in fact I might have even been in Abu Dhabi with you at the same time...When I was there it almost seemed as if everyone from one hotel passed the first part of the second stage whilst everyone else failed. I even met a guy there who had passed everything the year before and had been given a start date for one of the courses to then be told that they were withdrawing his and everyone elses applications. They then held more tests later on urged him to reapply. So, naturally he did, and he didn't even make it to the interview part in Abu Dhabi. Disgusting in my honest opinion. There was this other guy who came out of the interview almost in tears because he felt he had messed the interview up by telling them that he was unhappy about not being shown the training facilities in Al Ain before being taken on board and he still got through. I think you are right about taking on that girl as well. I heard about this girl who is on one of the courses who only had two weeks work experience in a supermarket who made it onto the course. Not saying she didn't have the skills but the person who told me about her said that she couldn't tell the difference between Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Plus her scores in the hand eye co-ordination tests weren't great. Maybe that's not a pre-requisite to become an airline pilot but it certainly raises questions in my mind. This other guy that I met said he regrets telling them that he had a wife and kid because they didn't seem impressed with that fact, even though his wife was entirely supportive and even happy at the fact of potentially moving to the UAE. I don't know...the airline industry just always has this sort of rubbish going on...it's really quite sad. Oh, apparently the guy that runs the program is on here as well disguising himself as being someone who 'has heard through the grapevine'. So if you have any concerns regarding the program you should be able to get an answer on here, but take it with a pinch of salt.

[GBB]

Colony,

I mentioned long time ago that the cadet scheme it self was a good idea if it was run the proper way.
The truth is that it was launched for wrong reasons, by people from the top end of EY pyramid with "personal" agendas.
I once said that only 20-25% in each batch are there because they deserve to, the rest is the same old story... Its not what you know but...

[RunSick]

OMG, you're really lucky then NOT to be taken part in this terrible program. :D for you!

[Colony]

The girl who started in the last intake failed the psychomotor test and the spatial awareness/dynamic thinking tests. But she previously worked as cabin crew at Etihad. No dirty work there then!

The programme was indeed launched for the wrong reasons - just to get "friends and family" of Etihad staff into the pilot's seat, even if they're not suitable for the role. Looking at the last intake of 10 people, only 4 were not previously linked to Etihad, and 2 of those did some serious rule-bending to get their place...

[aceman18]

I somewhat disagree. From my experiences, very few people had any ties at all with Etihad, and I honestly think the best people got accepted. Granted, it is very irritating being delayed for an indescript amount of time, but surely this is an opportunity worth waiting for? I do feel it's fair enough that as Etihad have delayed their aircraft orders, they have then delayed the cadet intake. There would be no point in Etihad spending £100k+ training each cadet when there are no aircraft for them to fly at the end.

[Bravo Papa]

As someone who passed the application process for the Etihad Cadet program last year I would say I have to agree with aceman on this one! From what Colony is saying I highly doubt we were in Abu Dhabi at the same time because I also didn't see any of the bad practices mentioned in Colony's post occuring.

Sure there were a couple of Etihad flight attendants applying and they have every right to, as do people who are currently flying (as long as they do not exceed the maximum requirements specified for applying) because they obviously have an interest in aviation! As for the Etihad pilot's kid mentioned by Colony, why is it so suspicious for someone who's parent is a pilot with Etihad to apply and be accepted? They most likely have an interest in aviation, as that tends to happen in families where one or both parents are pilots. They would know a lot about Etihad, what it means to be a pilot with the company and what is required of their pilots! If anything, it sounds like both the Etihad flight attendants and the sons and daughters of Etihad staff have a lucky head start, and I'm sure if your father was an Etihad pilot it wouldn't have stopped you from applying!

It's extremely tough to get a good flying job a long the lines of what Etihad are offering, basically from scratch. A lot of pilots spend lots of money and years flying before they even get a chance on turbo props, let alone heavy jets. Short of lying, cheating or bribing I would do anything I could to get myself in the best position to make it into this program. Anyone who makes it through the selection process has the opportunity of a lifetime and I'm not willing to give that up just because my course has been delayed by a year!

As for anyone who has made it into the program, I'm sure they are all worthy of what they have achieved and that the Etihad staff running the selection process wouldn't choose people they feel aren't up to the task. Think about it, if they have a whole bunch of cadets who don't even make it through the course, can't fly a plane, can't pass the exams and really aren't that interested in becoming pilots with Etihad, how does it make the people who selected them look, and how long would those people keep their positions/jobs in the Cadet Pilot department?

[first officer]

its mean that etihad will not intake cadet this year....but someone had told me that it will start in march or very soon:confused:

[PIREP 123]

The 'kid' who's father is an Etihad pilot was 2 or 3 years OVER the age limit required for the program. That's the issue...I think it is a really good opportunity for people - IF you are willing to deal with the rubbish that goes with it all. If I got through then no doubt I would have taken up the opportunity but in hindsight I am not disappointed that I didn't get through. I am in touch with a few of the people on one of the courses and they say that even the training doesn't go to schedule...EVER. Not Etihad's problem, I know, but it goes to show what you would have to deal with when you get there. Some of the people there only get a training flight once or twice every 2 to 3 weeks...

Then when they get their 'wings' they are STUCK with Etihad for 7 years. What if they HATE it or HATE the UAE. I have family in Dubai and they have been there for many years and they can't wait to get out of there. They wanted to leave after 3 years. You have to really have no ties or have extremely patient family members in order to follow through with this. Does anyone know how many people are flocking back to their homelands from the UAE these days? They paint a lovely picture for tourists etc but when it comes down to it ALL they care about is their own people (understandable!) but you could get screwed over for nothing.

Did you know that some people throw themselves in front of cars in order to get blood money to give their families back in their poorer homeland...? Guess who pays that money (and goes to jail!!!)...? Yes, it would be YOU if you were driving!!!

[RunSick]

I can only rest assured that the people doing the selection process did a GOOD job by not taking someone who is in doubt and feels he might "HATE" the UAE or feels he would be "STUCK" with EY for seven years... :eek: And so I would assume they did a good job taking someone else. :D
By the way I think this conspiracy theories make no sense because, as someone else posted, if they pick up people who are not up to the task... they would fail the exams. Or are you also suggesting the flight academy administrations and teachers are also into this??? C'mon......:ugh:

[Colony]

By the way I think this conspiracy theories make no sense because, as someone else posted, if they pick up people who are not up to the task... they would fail the exams. Or are you also suggesting the flight academy administrations and teachers are also into this??? C'mon..

Not suggesting anything of the sort. ANYONE could pass flight training with good teaching, a driving force behind them and enough time (as there is at Horizon).

What we are questioning is whether they took the people with the right determination and motivation, or whether they took some just because of their connections, despite the fact that they want to become a pilot for the WRONG reasons. I have a friend on one of the courses who has serious concerns about some of the others on his course. Sure, they pass the exams and will probably make half decent pilots after 18 months' training, but if they're only doing it to "impress women", "look good" and "make money" then they're arrogant f***ers to be dealing with...

I'm sure Etihad doesn't want pilots with this attitude... but ah wait, did anyone see the CNN clip where they interviewed Etihad pilots? Nothing short of an embarrassment!

Anyway, I wish Etihad the best of luck with their current (and perhaps future) candidates. I however shall be taking a different course of action towards my wings, as I simply cannot trust Etihad, sadly.

[flybe37]

You know you're heading for something bad when the head of the cadet pilot programme says himself that he would NOT fly the A320s at Etihad, and he understands if the A320 pilots want to jump ship to another airline. Except that if you're a cadet then you can't... not for 7 years.

If he wouldn't be willing to fly short-haul for Etihad, why is he advocating that we should? :ok:

[xxTS-IQQxx]

JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
The guy you are talking about is not 2 or 3 years over the age limit ..he is 33 years old. the other guy (EY staff) is 29 as well as an other guy who also is 29 years old..and yeah i think they might handel the training ..but they DID NOT qualify for this programme......but you know ,only one thing made me sick..the head of the programme called me and said :we dont need any einsteins.....apparently they need some grandpas:mad:

[PIREP 123]

Oh ok, so it is worse than I thought. I think you are right. They aren't necessarily looking for 'Einsteins', they are looking for people who are just good enough to do the job but are also people who don't think for themselves and will 'do as they are told'. Not very good for CRM in my books. The ones that get through that aren't 'sheeple' (ie: Colony) see through the rubbish and pull out. Do you really think they would take someone on who has 'baggage' (ie: the guy with the family that I mentioned) or someone who is independantly thinking and wouldn't 'give up their freedoms' (so to speak) in order to become a commercial pilot? They say they are looking for people who would 'fit in' their company's culture but I think they are looking for people who are unlikely to go against the grain or speak up against company policies. UAE business practices are notoriously slow, unreliable, care free, selfish and well...downright bad. Do the research and you'll see. It all stems from the 'government' itself which is really an autocracy. They can change laws overnight without debate or vote. They can do whatever they want and there's nothing you can do about it. Being the country's flag carrier must surely mean that the business's practices will reflect that type of mentality to a degree. And, apparently they are...

[captain_overspeed]

Etihad sucks, they skipped the USA altogether with no good reason.:suspect: Emirates should run them out of business. :ouch:

[FlyingRubber]

Hi there,

This thread has been pretty quiet for quite a long time. Word has it that there isn't any assessments planned this year because of the current economic uncertainty. However, does anyone here have any idea when Etihad will resume holding their assessments?

Anyway, for the guys who have been selected from the previous assessments in 2009, have you guys started training or still in holding pool? Pretty much hoping that there will be an interim assessment to fill up the holding pool positions left open by those who have decided to pull out but I don't think that's gonna happen!

Was wondering too, what are the nationalities of the guys who got selected? I remembered reading an article on the first expatriate batch and they were an eclectic bunch! With Romanians and Brazilians even if I'm not mistaken! I was expecting more Aussies or Brits because of the strong aviation heritage in these countries.

Well, I guess I should conclude before I get too long-winded. Reading about aspirants who take huge debts to pay2fly and even one guy who roughed it out in Africa to get a flying job, a place in this cadet programme is like getting Solomon's treasure itself. So I'm really hoping the assessments kickstart again so other wannabes like myself who can't pay for our own training will get a chance to fly for one of the world's leading airlines!