Is there any future for nordic aviation?
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...using the Dash-80 would make for some interesting flying indeed, Nardi R! 
And I actually don't require any info on WF, as I've flown there for some years now. And let's not kid ourselves too much here: The operation is special and can be challenging, but "the right stuff"? Gimme a break. Any ol' pilot from SAS Braathens, Lufttransport etc. could do it as well. It's not THAT difficult. Just interesting and kinda fun...
And as for the stepping stone part, WF might have to work real hard at keeping it's pilots in the future if the pilot shortage profecy comes true. It's not as if WF has vener lost pilots to other companies. A large chunk of pilots went to SAS COmmuter not that long ago, and a similar deal from, say SAS Braathens in the future would probably spur another wave of resignations.
What keeps me hanging on for now, is the 7-7 roster, comp-day system and the fact that I have a nice solid buffer of pilots behind me on the seniority list. Other than that, it's just a job like any other. The prospect og waiting up to 8-10 years for a command position on a turboprop is almost painful. And when you fially get it, they ship you off to work in some godforesaken remote corner of Norway and make you start commuting away from your family (again), and the southbound bidding journey starts all over again. Not good at all. I know a lot of pilots out there who are not willing to switch EasyJet, Atlanta, FlyMe, Ryanair, Thomson, MyTravel etc for Widerøe. Several of WFs pilots are considering jumping ship and joining the Dark Side (DY, and some have already done so), so we're can't be THAT attractive a company to work for, apparently...
If we could get rid of the compulsory transfer system for newly upgraded commanders, and maybe finally get a regional jet, things would look a lot different I think.
But - back to topic; from what I heard yesterday,the September t/r course is still on.
And I actually don't require any info on WF, as I've flown there for some years now. And let's not kid ourselves too much here: The operation is special and can be challenging, but "the right stuff"? Gimme a break. Any ol' pilot from SAS Braathens, Lufttransport etc. could do it as well. It's not THAT difficult. Just interesting and kinda fun...
And as for the stepping stone part, WF might have to work real hard at keeping it's pilots in the future if the pilot shortage profecy comes true. It's not as if WF has vener lost pilots to other companies. A large chunk of pilots went to SAS COmmuter not that long ago, and a similar deal from, say SAS Braathens in the future would probably spur another wave of resignations.
What keeps me hanging on for now, is the 7-7 roster, comp-day system and the fact that I have a nice solid buffer of pilots behind me on the seniority list. Other than that, it's just a job like any other. The prospect og waiting up to 8-10 years for a command position on a turboprop is almost painful. And when you fially get it, they ship you off to work in some godforesaken remote corner of Norway and make you start commuting away from your family (again), and the southbound bidding journey starts all over again. Not good at all. I know a lot of pilots out there who are not willing to switch EasyJet, Atlanta, FlyMe, Ryanair, Thomson, MyTravel etc for Widerøe. Several of WFs pilots are considering jumping ship and joining the Dark Side (DY, and some have already done so), so we're can't be THAT attractive a company to work for, apparently...
If we could get rid of the compulsory transfer system for newly upgraded commanders, and maybe finally get a regional jet, things would look a lot different I think.
But - back to topic; from what I heard yesterday,the September t/r course is still on.
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they ship you off to work in some godforesaken remote corner of Norway
... the approaches they use were designed for Twotter (could turn on a dime) at airfields built in the 60'ies (terrain)... VERY challenging.
Under-dimensioned airfields... sure. But what's the (operational) difference between a DHC-8 on a 824m runway and a B737 on a 1,600m runway? Or putting a BA146 into london city airport versus a DHC-8 on a 4.5 degree PLASI?
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Godforesaken: not the bases (e.g. TOS is a nice place, no doubt), but night-stop at VDS, ANX, BNN, KKN or HFT isn't exactly exiting destinations, Beef Jerky-off!
..and if you are who I think you are: get your sorry butt down here, man!
..and if you are who I think you are: get your sorry butt down here, man!
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