Fearing a possible influx of a large number of disgruntled pilots from troubled Kingfisher Airlines, the pilot association at rival Jet Airways is devising plans to thwart any move by Jet management to hire the dozens of Kingfisher pilots who are leaving the cash-strapped carrier.
?We have told the management that if we bring senior pilots from outside, our junior pilots down the line would be affected,? said a pilot belonging to Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots, a body representing over 790 pilots of Jet Airways.
The pilot added that in case the airline (Jet) wants to take pilots from outside, the salaries and allowances of the existing pilots should not be affected. Some months back Jet wanted to hire 25-30 pilots from Kingfisher for its Airbus planes, but the pilot association objected to it.
Worried over their future prospect at Kingfisher over 100 pilots have put in their papers and are looking for flying opportunities elsewhere. ?We have been told that our salaries would be delayed this month due to shrinking operation. We understand that going forward the airline would reduce its fleet size. In this situation it is better to look for new jobs,? a Kingfisher Airlines pilot said.
According to industry sources, pilots have started resigning as they have to serve a minimum notice period of six months due to guidelines laid down by regulatory authorities.
?The notice to the airline for quitting two purposes. First if pilots find a job they would have to serve shorter notice period with resignation already in place. In case they do not get a job outside the option of withdrawing resignation is there,? said an executive of a private airline.
Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots has challenged the mandatory six-month rule and is fighting the case in the the Delhi High Court.