Laid off Singapore Airline pilots spoil the party for Air India counterparts

[cyrilroy21]

By Shahkar Abidi

Air India pilots who were falling over one another to get jobs with the cash-rich and globally expanding Etihad Airways, are now having to do a rethink. This is because 75-odd expat pilots who have been laid off by Singapore Airlines are also gravitating towards Etihad.

According to sources, the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is now more keen on recruiting pilots from Singapore Airlines than those from AI. It has already inducted more than 30 AI pilots over the past four months.

The general perception in aviation circles is that Singapore Airlines pilots have a better safety record vis-a-vis the AI staffers. Also, the expat pilots of Singapore Airlines are currently jobless and hence have less bargaining power in comparison to the pilots working with AI. Aspirants from AI have been informed by Etihad that their applications will be considered only after the recruitment of Singapore Airlines’ expat pilots is completed in the next couple of months.

AI pilots stand to gain about a 40 per cent hike in salaries if they join Etihad. Also, the perks are far superior to AI.

Besides, there have long been allegations of salary payments being irregular in AI, though it has been constantly denied by the airline management. The airline officials also observed that and the working conditions are also not conducive for optimal performance.

“The laid-off Singapore Airline pilots have now made our job hunt difficult. We will have to wait for a few months before we could again be considered for selection,” said a senior Air India commander, who did not wish to be named. “I was hoping to get a job offer from Etihad Airways this month. But then the development has spoiled the party for me,” said another pilot.

Etihad Airways officials did not respond to the e-mail query sent to them for the report.

Singapore Airlines had earlier this year decided to ease out 75-odd expat pilots in order to maintain profitability.

Industry sources said Etihad Airways, which recently tied up with Jet Airways, is on an expansion spree and has plans to induct one aircraft every month for the next five years.

Etihad’s investment with Jet Airways is the first case of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in aviation in India, after the recent change in policies.

Laid off Singapore Airline pilots spoil the party for Air India counterparts - Mumbai - DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1874284/report-laid-off-singapore-airline-pilots-spoil-the-party-for-air-india-counterparts)

[satwikroy]

@cyrilroy How would you rate Etihad's treatment towards its pilots? Both home and expat pilots that is. Just a guy who is curious about getting into aviation and evaluating the various cadet programs being run across the world.

[cyrilroy21]

I cannot entertain any discussion regarding the mentioned airline . Here is the notice regarding the same

http://www.pprune.org/middle-east/480579-etihad-discussion-prohibited.html

[itsbrokenagain]

huh...you post the article and then condone any discussion on a forum ??? :}

[cyrilroy21]

@itsbrokenagain

Funny world we live in :)

There is a fine line between posting a link and contents of an external article and Discussing the above mentioned airline :oh:

So as long as no one discusses about the airline you are still within pprune 's terms and conditions for posting

You are still free to discuss the other two characters in the article though :ok:
Namely the AI Pilots and the laid off Expat SQ Pilots

[JGSE]

What a nonsense!!!

But almost nothing surprises me anumore in aviation.

This article is a non event.

[swh]

Looking at this another way, I have never heard of an AI pilot ever being employed by SQ. SQ and CAAS have standards that are open and fairly transparent. AI and the DGAC are known for corruption.

If I was working at an airline, and heard they had the choice of hiring pilots that worked at either SQ or AI, I would not even consider the AI pilots. They are clueless on working as an expat, and working outside a government run workshop like AI.

Being a contract pilot means no security, they have to perform, the SQ pilots have the track record. All of the SQ pilots I understand had previously had their contracts renewed, it means they performed well over their first contract.

The AI pilots should try airlines in Doha and Incheon, they are always looking.

[parabellum]

I think I am correct in saying that some of SQ's original B707 pilots, around 1968, came from AI, the difference being they came in on local terms, (still better than AI), became PR in Singapore and stayed for the duration.

[jack s]

B707 pilots, around 1968, came from AI, .. that was a very different AI.. compared to the junk airline it is today.. unsafe & unproductive !:ugh:

[swh]

Prior to 1972 SQ did not exist, and AI in its present form has only been around since 2007.

QF actually played a large role in getting MSA up and running with jets, for both ground crew, flight crew, and paperwork/procedures.

[parabellum]

Correct swh, it was MSA then, but I actually worked with ex AI pilots, by now B747 captains, who joined MSA at the time the B707s arrived. This was 1968 as they were doing circuits at Paya Lebar and the downwind leg was right over my house in Stevens Road!

AI used to do base training at Kai Tak in B707s, flying circuits within the harbour.


QF actually played a large role in getting MSA up and running with jets, for both ground crew, flight crew, and paperwork/procedures.

Yes, I'm sure they did but I think it was BOAC that got them up and running with the Comets, possibly the initial B707s too.

[dflyer]

The first Ai pilots only joined around 1970/71...As to b707 s doing training in paya lebar.... Never over Stevens road!! First AI pilots to join, Terence Healy, Ranjit Gauba, Adi Kapadia etc!!!

[Iver]

Not a surprise. With all of the growth at the "other big UAE" carrier including many 777s, A380s and 50+ 787s, does not surprise me that expats at SIA and Sing Cargo are interested. The overall package is a lot better than local terms at SIA as well.

If I had 744F experience at Sing Cargo I would definitely be looking to the ME right now - plenty of Boeing 777/787 seats coming in the near future.

[N5748E]

Upwind takes you over Punggol, crosswind towards Seletar Camp, downwind would be through the Ubi area/ Balestier, bits of thomson road area if you are really wide etc. and finally base and finals tend to annoy the residents of the Kallang Airport/ Old airport road.

[N5748E]

But in the days of the B707 and no "flying-neighbourly" or noise abatement rules, it's possible for a circuit to overfly Stevens road. Try it today in that district with all the snobbish yuppies living there in their $22 million black and white bungalows and let's see how fast letters of complaints come flying in.

[parabellum]

Never over Stevens Road

How can you say that? I lived there, #49H, and yes they bloody well did overfly, thanks N5748E, as you say, 1968, no noise rules.


The first AI pilots only joined around 1970/71
Yes, not at the time of introduction but shortly after.


What?..how can base leg for Paya Lebar take you over Stevens road?

Reading problems Cody Blade? I said Down Wind Leg!;)

[rdr]

possible with Paya Lebar, still pretty wide. i'd be looking for a shortcut through Macritchie Reservoir:O:O:O

or perhaps, one of your mates out to do you in para

[N5748E]

By the time you turn crosswind in a Boeing 707 from Paya Lebar you are pretty much in Johor. Visited the airport back in 2007 and was amazed that the original terminal was still there with "orginal 70's period" deco still in place, very nostalgic.