Rex Importing Yank Pilots
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Rex Importing Yank Pilots
Regional Express will be conducting interviews and simulator assessments at Flight Safety’s Houston training centre on the 15.10.12 – 20.10.12 inclusive.
Applicants must be able to work in Australia. Regional Express may provide assistance to suitable persons.
USA Pilot
Next will be India
Applicants must be able to work in Australia. Regional Express may provide assistance to suitable persons.
USA Pilot
Next will be India
The bottom line, is that REX can employ whomever they want. In fact 6 American former SAAB captains are due to land on the doorstep this week. Somewhat fewer in number to those originally planned!
Rumor has it the Chief Pilot no less will be personally supervising their training. Whether these pilots work out or not remains to be seen. Based on the min requirements (less SAAB command experience), I personally feel that all the trouble and expense REX have gone through, may have been better saved by recruiting locally. Unless of course you factor in the real incentive of employing people such as 457 holders and Cadets. Captive workforce!
Which of course, is what this is all about.
Rumor has it the Chief Pilot no less will be personally supervising their training. Whether these pilots work out or not remains to be seen. Based on the min requirements (less SAAB command experience), I personally feel that all the trouble and expense REX have gone through, may have been better saved by recruiting locally. Unless of course you factor in the real incentive of employing people such as 457 holders and Cadets. Captive workforce!
Which of course, is what this is all about.
Once they work out how far the money doesn't go in Sydney, Barry and his boys get rid of LAFA in Oct and they're subjected to the "joy" of flying in Australia as well as our need to reinvent the aviation wheel, they'll be off.
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The bottom line, is that REX can employ whomever they want.
Squawk', broad brush I know, but what I meant is that REX can employ legally whomever they please, But of coarse you realise this.
The issue of 457 visas for pilots shows just how ignorant and perhaps maliable the revevant authorities are when it comes to disadvantageing local pilots, based on the spin from business!
The issue of 457 visas for pilots shows just how ignorant and perhaps maliable the revevant authorities are when it comes to disadvantageing local pilots, based on the spin from business!
Last edited by KRUSTY 34; 17th Sep 2012 at 11:47.
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But of coarse you realise this.
Employing foreign workers is not as easy as some may imagine. I have personal experience with this. As I said in my comments above, I'm rather surprised that the relevant union(s) have not had something to say about this. It is not at all difficult to prove that there ARE indeed suitable candidates available, and visas will not be granted. Don't believe me, ask Gina Rinehart! Unless of course the situation is that suitable pilots aren't available ...
Last edited by Squawk-7600; 18th Sep 2012 at 00:42.
No need for angst' Squawk! Easy or not REX have jumped through the hoops (as flawed as they are), and unfortunately they are not alone.
Back in '07/'08 REX management, aided by a still politically influential board member, garnered substantial government support WRT employing foriegn pilots. The result at the time was modest (5 South Africans), but in many respects the die had been cast. As far as the union effectively opposing this practice, I think you fail to realise just how difficult this may be. That's not to say it isn't worth a shot, but lobbying aside, any sort of industrial campaign would more than likely backfire, given the number of appendages in certain pockets.
Personally, I think it may blow up in REX's face anyway. They'll pull out all stops in the inevitable efforts to save face, but the fact remains they have neither the will nor the whereforall to effectively manage their crewing issues into the future.
The most we can do at this stage is sit back, and enjoy the show. and remember Squawk', we're all on the same team!
Back in '07/'08 REX management, aided by a still politically influential board member, garnered substantial government support WRT employing foriegn pilots. The result at the time was modest (5 South Africans), but in many respects the die had been cast. As far as the union effectively opposing this practice, I think you fail to realise just how difficult this may be. That's not to say it isn't worth a shot, but lobbying aside, any sort of industrial campaign would more than likely backfire, given the number of appendages in certain pockets.
Personally, I think it may blow up in REX's face anyway. They'll pull out all stops in the inevitable efforts to save face, but the fact remains they have neither the will nor the whereforall to effectively manage their crewing issues into the future.
The most we can do at this stage is sit back, and enjoy the show. and remember Squawk', we're all on the same team!
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The most we can do at this stage is sit back, and enjoy the show. and remember Squawk', we're all on the same team!
It would seem you missed my comment where I stated I have personal experience with this. It is NOT as easy as you make it out to be, and it can be blocked if the correct processes are followed.
Grandpa Aerotart
Has the bigger picture occurred to you guys yet- that there may in fact not be enough suitable candidates?
Just because someone has an ATPL, or a CPL with subjects passed, and 1200hrs doesn't automatically make them attractive to an airline.
I hear it from management pilot mates in every airline bar QF, and only because QF are not hiring, "Chuck we have run out of A candidates and are mining the B candidates looking for suitable pilots - and not finding many". In one airline I know they suspect pretty strongly that those pilots with say 2000hrs who are not already in an airline are not 'for a reason'.
Another common complaint is 'the % of FOs who are ready for command or who have real command potential, compared to the % who THINK they have, is minuscule'.
Don't shoot the messenger boys but the above are universal sentiments. Companies don't go down the 457 visa route JUST to fck people over...it's expensive and aggravating. But if airlines have to do so to keep the aircraft flying they will...and leave the unsuitable candidates on the sidelines.
There may indeed be no 'pilot' shortage but there appears to be a real shortage of pilots with high (personal) standards and experience commensurate with age.
Just because someone has an ATPL, or a CPL with subjects passed, and 1200hrs doesn't automatically make them attractive to an airline.
I hear it from management pilot mates in every airline bar QF, and only because QF are not hiring, "Chuck we have run out of A candidates and are mining the B candidates looking for suitable pilots - and not finding many". In one airline I know they suspect pretty strongly that those pilots with say 2000hrs who are not already in an airline are not 'for a reason'.
Another common complaint is 'the % of FOs who are ready for command or who have real command potential, compared to the % who THINK they have, is minuscule'.
Don't shoot the messenger boys but the above are universal sentiments. Companies don't go down the 457 visa route JUST to fck people over...it's expensive and aggravating. But if airlines have to do so to keep the aircraft flying they will...and leave the unsuitable candidates on the sidelines.
There may indeed be no 'pilot' shortage but there appears to be a real shortage of pilots with high (personal) standards and experience commensurate with age.
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Has the bigger picture occurred to you guys yet- that there may in fact not be enough suitable candidates?
Has the bigger picture occurred to you guys yet- that there may in fact not be enough suitable candidates at the pay and conditions on offer?
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with high (personal) standards and experience commensurate with age
Could it be that the entire industry will have to come to grips with a new career model for pilots?
Just askin' ... I certainly don't have any answers.
