Etihad Airways Expatriate Cadet Pilot Programme 2010/2011?
 

It has been a while since there was any news on the programme. Last I heard was that the batch that was successful in the selections last year is still currently waiting in the holding pool to commence on their training at Horizon.

Does anyone here have any idea if Etihad will continue with the programme and begin selections for another group of international cadets soon? The airline industry is recovering relatively fast, despite the Icelandic ash-clouds setback, and Etihad especially is still in rapid expansion mode.

Wannabes like myself are keeping our toes and fingers crossed for the announcement inviting candidates to submit applications. There's hardly any other airline that offers the opportunity of a fully-sponsored ab-initio programme, especially for non-nationals.

Really hoping the programme has proven to be a great success for the airline with top quality captain materials graduating from the previous batch. Then we'll all get a greater chance as Etihad will recruit more cadets as a result!

Hope someome in the know will shed some light on this!

FlyingRudder, I'm afraid there is still 2 groups in the holding pool. One group contains just a few people, and the other about 10. These people are still due to commence their training around the beginning of 2011. As such, I doubt the assessment days would start up again until at least Q4 2010. I believe it's all due to aircraft order delayed as a result of the recession, which has put the program back a year.

Thanks for the reply!
 

Finally! Thank you so much for your much-needed reply. I'm hoping the guys in the current pool start training earlier then, so the airline can start holding assessments for new cadet pilots! I wonder how the response will be like once this is announced. I'd give anything to get a seat in the assessments, and all my life to fly for Etihad!

"give anything to get a seat in the assessments, and all my life to fly for Etihad! "

Have you ever been to Abu Dhabi/UAE???.... if so you are one sick puppy if you would give anything to live there! Some folks just seem to have no idea... :rolleyes:

Dose of reality noted (and always will be at the back of my head)
 

I definitely understand where you're coming from. From the multitudes of complaints, moans, groans, b@@ching coming out of the sandpit (UAE, AUH and EY in particular), I am more than aware of the pitfalls of working there.

But you see, I am not a type-rated qualified intrepid flying man who can pick and choose which airline to fly for. I am but a mere expired PPL holder who can't even afford to be current. Granted, Etihad is far from perfect, but is there any airline at all that's ideal as a whole? (Last I heard, Varsity Express isn't hiring anymore)

Of all the options available, this is the holy grail for the likes of myself. I can't afford P2F. And other than CX, no other airline offers an international cadet pilot programme open to anyone from Bolivia to Mozambique.

I am aware that I sound like a starry-eyed, green-eared, dumb wannabe when I declared that, but that's how I feel now. It puzzles me why current A320 drivers in the airline moan about their crazy schedules - they're being paid to do what many PAY to do after all right? However, in time, the fatigue will get to me, if I ever get in that situation. Till then, I'd just be grateful be selected.

I'm sure many will understand my opinion. And I certainly do respect yours.

Any Updates At All For Etihad's Expatriate Cadets?
 

Hi all!

So nobody has any idea at all if the programme is still open to international candidates? Or is it now exclusively Emirati still at this stage?

I'd love to know too...
 

Yes, it'll be nice to know. I'm really kicking myself for having missed the boat last year. It is a very long shot though. But at least, it provides a chance.

If you look on Etihad Careers website it states only UAE nationals..

Until the current international batch start, or at least have a confirmed start date, I very much doubt international applications will be accepted. As I said before, this is due to be around the beginning of next year.
I wouldn't lose hope; i'm pretty confident international recruitment will start up again next year.

Very Hopeful
 

Thank ZS-PTU for your informative AND encouraging post! So I guess it boils down to the current batch starting training first before any new selections take place? Any idea when they will know their start date? I've been rather hopeful that things will be brought forward since the world economy and aviation industry have been recovering nicely earlier this year, but I guess things have started looking uncertain again.

Nonetheless, it takes 2 years to fully train a cadet. And it's highly probable the world would have recovered almost fully by then and the airline will need that many A320 drivers during that period. Oh well, here's to hoping.

@FlyingRubber
I'm in the holding pool waiting to start... but I don't have great hopes. They've messed me and the others around so much... we've been given tentative start dates several times. I wouldn't be surprised if they reject us next year and announce that the international scheme is cancelled.

The airline is losing money left right and centre, they're cutting back in all areas of business (ask any Etihad pilot) and the LAST thing they need is more cadets. It was a crazy idea in the first place, cleverly designed to allow friends and family of their executives to become pilots at someone else's expense. You just have to take a look at some of the current cadets... failing exams, getting drunk every weekend, no motivation, taking it as a free ride with no real passion... there are some people who no way in hell should be there... of course there are some genuine people too, but it seems they were chosen to avoid the whole scheme from looking like a sham.

As for the world economy recovering, don't make me laugh. The Eurozone is collapsing, airlines are losing money everywhere, the Middle East has no growth, Etihad has pushed back aircraft deliveries for a reason... boasting about 95% load factors sounds impressive, but if 20% of those on board are not paying for their ticket...

Under James Hogan's leadership, the airline will never succeed. Sponsoring the Irish Hurling team... hello? Who the hell cares about a curling team, and why does a Middle Eastern airline from 3500 mile away want to sponsor them?? Talk about a colossal waste of money.

My thoughts entirely....

HW

To tell you the truth, I have gone to the Middle East before, including the UAE. It is a very different (and rather harsh) environment than what we are used to definitely, but it isn't all that bad. There are pointless bits like all those opulent projects in Dubai and all those prestige projects all over the region that will most likely be the whitest of white elephants in years to come.

I am aware that life is tough in the Middle East. Workers' rights do not exist, most things are run by diktat, and it is the only place where one can find a Dickensian debtors' prison in existence. I do not hanker to have an opportunity in a Middle Eastern airline with eyes wide shut.

But I hope you see that our opinions differ based on our situations, and it's all relative. I'm sure those currently in the holding pool are unsure and rather frustrated because things are currently fluid and nothing is certain or set in concrete for them yet. But relative to my position, the holding pool is still the Holy Grail. This is especially for those who can't afford to P2F or have any other options at all to fly 'shiny jets' (I wouldn't mind if they have a bit of dust and grime on them, honestly).

Yes, there WILL be those who are in for the wrong reasons. But as surely as cream rises, bad milk will stink up the whole room sooner or later! Some are already struggling to finish their course and those who scrape through, will definitely be shown up as things progress. As a matter of fact, those currently in the programme or holding pool based purely on merit should relish the situation, because they're the ones who can improve on the success of the programme (and the standing of the decision-makers who selected them!).

I guess things aren't as simplistic as they are, but there's no harm to be optimistic too. There are thousands of ready-minted A320 drivers desperate for a job out there but if I remember correctly, the cadet programme was ALSO (if this wasn't an afterthought) conceived because the airline wanted to have control about the quality of their future pilots. Not to mention the ability to lock them up for at least 7 years' bond, what with the A320 schedule less than ideal and the turnover on that type being very high.

I've spoken too much. I'm but a wannabe hoping for assessments to commence once again. And I really, really hope they will be soon.

I agree with FlyingRubber. I am aware that things look a bit shaky at the moment but I do hope things will proceed as scheduled. Anyways, good things DO come to those who wait patiently.

Looks like the programme is cancelled guys :)

And why do you put a smiley face next to that info?

Sarcasm? :ugh:

And you would know this how?

Yes definitely off, I have heard from a senior inside source. Announcement to be made in the near term. Trust me, you are better off without it. Get a real job, like working in financial services or engineering.

So I guess that would mean Etihad aren't doing any further cadet recruiting.. What about those who have already been recruited and are waiting on a start date? Is Etihad going to scrap what they've already spent on them and send them packing too?