QAZAQ Air...Q400 drivers, DON'T go there!
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QAZAQ Air...Q400 drivers, DON'T go there!
Hello Q400 fellows,
This is a thread that has been started for information purposes, passing experience and warning IF you choose to work for this particular company and country, which I don't suggest.
Since previous CEO (who was an expat) has been dismissed last December, Qazaq Air is now managed by local people only.
Here is a heads up with what you will most probably expect working there:
-Both company new management and Kazakh CAA inspectors are compulsive liars in anything they say or do.
-They are relentless to show you who is in power.
-They are racist to the core, they will never trust an expat, especially if he’s Western.
-Incompetence seasoned with racism and bullying is a lifestyle in QA now and in Kazakh CAA since ever.
Let me explain further:
Like in most places for expats, one group is ‘Expat Pilots’ the other is a ‘Local Pilots’ group, full of pilots with a racial disposition.
Segregation is standard and essentially encouraged by CAC (name of Kazakh CAA).
Slander, racial disrespect, condescending remarks and finger pointing is a daily practice amongst the local pilot body, aimed directly at the expat pilot body, including rumours about our salary to the days off we get.
CAC like having FO’s report to them about the expat Captains though the flying standards of a majority of these FO's is below standard and taking control by expats is common.
....and of course, FO’s are happy and keen to complain to CAC about foreigner salary, days off, overall simulator treatment, kind of ‘you come here and take our jobs’ protest that Kazakh CAA particularly likes.
But what is more concerning is their willingness to violate laws - employment related (new management refuses to comply with T&C’s of previously signed contracts when it comes to termination, resignation, bonding agreement, etc...)- and industry accepted safety practices like for instance by upgrading poor skilled Fo’s just because they are Kazakhs and although these FO’s can barely speak English and should not even be awarded a Level 4.
They can memorize everything, they are unbeatable at that game but they don’t understand what they memorize.
We're talking about people who are so automation dependent that they'd prefer land off the runway than take manual control.
We're talking about people who find any excuse to remove themselves from blame.
We’re talking about people who have NO situation awareness capability but they will still be released as Captains.
There is such a long list of discriminatory and dangerous practice that I don't think I could fit it here.
You all need to know what you're signing up for. This company has become a hazardous operation to your career…and to your safety.
It is just an amazing and disappointing experience of how these people can be so nasty.
This sorry company will have a hull loss soon, not a matter of if, but when.
Good luck on your endeavours, but please, don’t go there. There are lots of other much better places to get an expat job, even on Q400!
Do not come here unless you are desesperately jobless, which is going to be hard in today’s industry.
Also feel free to contribute your stories and experience when working for Qazaq Air. This is a duty of care to all our Q400 colleagues.
So this is it guys...you have been warned.
This is a thread that has been started for information purposes, passing experience and warning IF you choose to work for this particular company and country, which I don't suggest.
Since previous CEO (who was an expat) has been dismissed last December, Qazaq Air is now managed by local people only.
Here is a heads up with what you will most probably expect working there:
-Both company new management and Kazakh CAA inspectors are compulsive liars in anything they say or do.
-They are relentless to show you who is in power.
-They are racist to the core, they will never trust an expat, especially if he’s Western.
-Incompetence seasoned with racism and bullying is a lifestyle in QA now and in Kazakh CAA since ever.
Let me explain further:
Like in most places for expats, one group is ‘Expat Pilots’ the other is a ‘Local Pilots’ group, full of pilots with a racial disposition.
Segregation is standard and essentially encouraged by CAC (name of Kazakh CAA).
Slander, racial disrespect, condescending remarks and finger pointing is a daily practice amongst the local pilot body, aimed directly at the expat pilot body, including rumours about our salary to the days off we get.
CAC like having FO’s report to them about the expat Captains though the flying standards of a majority of these FO's is below standard and taking control by expats is common.
....and of course, FO’s are happy and keen to complain to CAC about foreigner salary, days off, overall simulator treatment, kind of ‘you come here and take our jobs’ protest that Kazakh CAA particularly likes.
But what is more concerning is their willingness to violate laws - employment related (new management refuses to comply with T&C’s of previously signed contracts when it comes to termination, resignation, bonding agreement, etc...)- and industry accepted safety practices like for instance by upgrading poor skilled Fo’s just because they are Kazakhs and although these FO’s can barely speak English and should not even be awarded a Level 4.
They can memorize everything, they are unbeatable at that game but they don’t understand what they memorize.
We're talking about people who are so automation dependent that they'd prefer land off the runway than take manual control.
We're talking about people who find any excuse to remove themselves from blame.
We’re talking about people who have NO situation awareness capability but they will still be released as Captains.
There is such a long list of discriminatory and dangerous practice that I don't think I could fit it here.
You all need to know what you're signing up for. This company has become a hazardous operation to your career…and to your safety.
It is just an amazing and disappointing experience of how these people can be so nasty.
This sorry company will have a hull loss soon, not a matter of if, but when.
Good luck on your endeavours, but please, don’t go there. There are lots of other much better places to get an expat job, even on Q400!
Do not come here unless you are desesperately jobless, which is going to be hard in today’s industry.
Also feel free to contribute your stories and experience when working for Qazaq Air. This is a duty of care to all our Q400 colleagues.
So this is it guys...you have been warned.
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Hi megapilot,
We don’t know who made this comment, maybe the former DFO, maybe not.
But one thing is sure, the former DFO wasn’t dismissed for incompetence.
Except if incompetence means to accept to release as captains FO who are not ready to fulfil this position or to accept the blackmail of corrupted civil aviation inspectors…
Don’t forget that the former DFO has given to many local FO the chance to upgrade as a captain. They have received the proper training but, unfortunately, most of them failed the check in the simulator. And the examiner wasn’t the former DFO, he was an independent examiner, not even employed by QA. Few pilots paase successfully the check ride ans I’m happy for them to be now in a captain position.
Personally, I globally agree with the comments about Qazaq Air and it’s just a pity to see how this company goes down since the former CEO and the former DFO have been dismissed.
When I joined QA, I was really happy and optimistic for the future of this company.
Since the former CEO and DFO left, corruption, connexions and lies are the main engines of this company. QA doesn’t even respect the terms of the contracts!!!
Most of the expat pilots are just waiting to find something better to leave the company while before the pilot’s turnover was very low.
But maybe, when most of the expat pilots will have left QA, I will read again that they were dismissed for incompetence?...
We don’t know who made this comment, maybe the former DFO, maybe not.
But one thing is sure, the former DFO wasn’t dismissed for incompetence.
Except if incompetence means to accept to release as captains FO who are not ready to fulfil this position or to accept the blackmail of corrupted civil aviation inspectors…
Don’t forget that the former DFO has given to many local FO the chance to upgrade as a captain. They have received the proper training but, unfortunately, most of them failed the check in the simulator. And the examiner wasn’t the former DFO, he was an independent examiner, not even employed by QA. Few pilots paase successfully the check ride ans I’m happy for them to be now in a captain position.
Personally, I globally agree with the comments about Qazaq Air and it’s just a pity to see how this company goes down since the former CEO and the former DFO have been dismissed.
When I joined QA, I was really happy and optimistic for the future of this company.
Since the former CEO and DFO left, corruption, connexions and lies are the main engines of this company. QA doesn’t even respect the terms of the contracts!!!
Most of the expat pilots are just waiting to find something better to leave the company while before the pilot’s turnover was very low.
But maybe, when most of the expat pilots will have left QA, I will read again that they were dismissed for incompetence?...
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Knowing the former DFO I would not use this word to qualify him but non-complacent instead, specially with corrupted civil aviation inspectors as well as with local Fo's whose, them, are truly incompetent and should have stayed flying their AN2 or C172....actually nothing personal against these types, just a little too far from a Q400 for a quick jump.
In Kazakhstan, as for previous soviet times, not complying with diktats and blackmails still lead to dismissal....fortunately for him they don't send the offender to gulag anymore!
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QAZAQ Air Q400
Hello to all,
I have read the story of "bgombgom" about Qazaq air and about the country.
I believe that my experience there will be useful for you.
As far as I know, the previous CEO was dismissed from his position due to the fact that he strongly hoped and trusted the DFO, which did not cope with it's duties. I personally know local Kazakh pilots and all of them have their flight licenses as well as the University degree. These people immediately notice the injustice that is why they prefer to work in an honest way.
The fact that these pilots resist injustice and receive the support from the Kazakh CAA is fair, and in this specific case, the responsibility of the CAA is to protect its citizens. Do not forget that Qazaq Air is 100% government-owned company, not a private company and therefore has support at the state level.
For these reasons the former DFO had to work appropriately , and not as he used to organize work in previous airlines. More over I believe that he even should be grateful that he could left this country without any prosecution for job violations. He should not forget about the possibility of the inspection which may still be following him in the future.
Also there is no segregation in this beautiful multi-racial and multi-ethnic country and there cannot be historically. Local staff are friendly and open and therefore none of the expat pilots, except for one or two, have left or leave the company. And there are no better options for them...
I have read the story of "bgombgom" about Qazaq air and about the country.
I believe that my experience there will be useful for you.
As far as I know, the previous CEO was dismissed from his position due to the fact that he strongly hoped and trusted the DFO, which did not cope with it's duties. I personally know local Kazakh pilots and all of them have their flight licenses as well as the University degree. These people immediately notice the injustice that is why they prefer to work in an honest way.
The fact that these pilots resist injustice and receive the support from the Kazakh CAA is fair, and in this specific case, the responsibility of the CAA is to protect its citizens. Do not forget that Qazaq Air is 100% government-owned company, not a private company and therefore has support at the state level.
For these reasons the former DFO had to work appropriately , and not as he used to organize work in previous airlines. More over I believe that he even should be grateful that he could left this country without any prosecution for job violations. He should not forget about the possibility of the inspection which may still be following him in the future.
Also there is no segregation in this beautiful multi-racial and multi-ethnic country and there cannot be historically. Local staff are friendly and open and therefore none of the expat pilots, except for one or two, have left or leave the company. And there are no better options for them...
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Pilotchute, I don't know if Cactuskeeper is management but for sure he is not an expat pilot, just hidding behind a pseudo supposely living in Germany but definitively Kazakh citizen.
Quote:
"More over I believe that he even should be grateful that he could left this country without any prosecution for job violations. He should not forget about the possibility of the inspection which may still be following him in the future."
Actually Cactuskeeper doesn't even specify what were the "job violations" but this kind of attitude is typical of the Kazakh mentality: in this country workers are to be "punished" for any supposed wrong action. This is still stongly believed in this post soviet minded satellite state.
As western citizen, it would probably make smile the former DFO, but it is a shame to see that this mentality have not still evolved with local people....and Cactuskeeper is certainly one of those.
Also, you will never see an expat pilot saying that the Kazahk CAA is a fair institution, every expat knows that they are incompetent, corrupted and strongly nationalist people regularly abusing of their power specially against western pilots.
Cactuskeeper you don't need to hide behind an expat pilot cover to express what you have been told to say (quote: "As far as I know....") but don't try to fool other expats with your pseudo experience as foreign pilot in Kazakhstan, no one is fooled!
Quote:
"More over I believe that he even should be grateful that he could left this country without any prosecution for job violations. He should not forget about the possibility of the inspection which may still be following him in the future."
Actually Cactuskeeper doesn't even specify what were the "job violations" but this kind of attitude is typical of the Kazakh mentality: in this country workers are to be "punished" for any supposed wrong action. This is still stongly believed in this post soviet minded satellite state.
As western citizen, it would probably make smile the former DFO, but it is a shame to see that this mentality have not still evolved with local people....and Cactuskeeper is certainly one of those.
Also, you will never see an expat pilot saying that the Kazahk CAA is a fair institution, every expat knows that they are incompetent, corrupted and strongly nationalist people regularly abusing of their power specially against western pilots.
Cactuskeeper you don't need to hide behind an expat pilot cover to express what you have been told to say (quote: "As far as I know....") but don't try to fool other expats with your pseudo experience as foreign pilot in Kazakhstan, no one is fooled!
