Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

I wasn’t for a second equating these student pilots program to yours. I am just surprised that UA would postpone 23 students now when the whole training program takes about 2 years. How much inconvenience could these 23 have on UA once qualified in 2 years, even if there was to be continued problems with Coronavirus?

It might not be due to caronavirus. maybe they haven't got their ducks in a row because of FAA dispensations and waivers.

these guys won't be on line for at least 3 years and then only as Second Officers. They are more of a long term investment.

The program is very new so maybe they have problems and the media are blowing it out of all proportions for the click-bait?

[Kikapu]

United Airlines has announced hiring freeze through June 30th due to reduced flights because of Coronavirus. Less people are flying at the moment.

Virgin Atlantic CEO is cutting his pay by 20% to help the company and asking employees to do likewise.

There’s going to be a snowball effect in the airline industry where many employees will take a financial hit, and not just by taking a 20% pay cut, but by getting laid off temporarily.

[Kikapu]

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[Kikapu]

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[Paphitis]

Just saw that. I have emailed my recruiter to see how this affects us scheduled for April and May courses. Should get a response pretty swiftly.

I hope it isn't retrospective as I know 1 guy who has already given notice. I haven't as yet as I am a month behind him in the process.

They could put us on hold, or best case proceed as normal as contracts have been issued for all of April and most of May.

March is pretty much in INDOC now, so wait and see what happens to April and May.

[Paphitis]

Just found out that the 23 pilots scheduled for March 23 are direct entries, not recruits. Some of the Australians in this intake are actually on property in the USA. What a mess.

They are being contacted right now from Operations. Not sure if they go on hold (delayed) but either way this is pretty serious.

Obviously there is going to be a knock on affect for the 20 or so direct entries for April and May. So at least 60 people affected.

In the meantime, the process has been proceeding for all the April and May intake as if nothing has happened. The crisis affects all new recruits, Australians, Canadians, Americans, US Military and also some vets. That's incredibly sad.

Especially for the vets. The US Government has a policy of looking after its vets that served their country, which is a policy I completely agree with and commend the Americans for doing.

Meanwhile, everyone just has to wait to hear what will happen.

This Caronavirus is a lot more serious than I originally thought. I hope all countries can get on top of it very quickly but I doubt it. It sounds like its all getting out of control very fast. So whilst the numbers and deaths are still low, it could still get extremely serious if they don't quarantine the infected very fast. The way all countries are interconnected with air travel, Caronavirus has the potential to be a catastrophe judging by all the global reactions.

[Paphitis]

There are probably some 20 or so guys affected for June as well. So anywhere up to 90 people.

All the March, April, May and June courses are not what some media outlets have depicted them as. They are not cadets.

All with substantial experience ranging from 1500 hours to at least 15,000 hours or more. From very diverse backgrounds - some from other airlines, some from Corporate Jets, some from other charter and turboprop companies and some US Military pilots. Not so bad for the Americans but there are VISA pilots from Australia and Canada. Australians are particularly a long way from home facing this, some with families.

People who have flown things like Short and medium Haul, to long haul, corporate challengers and Learjet pilots and some who have flown sophisticated military aircraft (anything from the B52, to fast jet or transport and even Blackhawks).

The March intake which is in the USA now, has NOT received any calls from the company yet. So basically they are reading shit from the media but the company has not informed them either way. It hasn't happened until that dreaded phone call has been received. So I got my fingers crossed.

They have said nothing for all the April and May intake and a most of us have scheduled interviews with immigration which means immigration has received contracts and some correspondence from our sponsor.

I have sent an email to my contact about 1 hour ago. He normally responds very quickly even if he is out flying. He still responds to me in between sectors or as he is checking into hotels. Very nice guy.

[Paphitis]

OK the response is that we should all just sit tight and continue on our path.

They are looking at offloading capacity to their subsidiaries and considering have us start with one of their regionals - CommutAir, Skywest, and GoJet still flying their aircraft owned by the parent and under the same livery.

Apparently no one is going to be dismissed. Worst case scenario is we are all furloughed for a few months or flying a Bombardier CRJ 550/700/900. They are reducing capacity to smaller aircraft to meet demand and also frequency.

Just got the email 5 minutes ago.

Our staff numbers and seniority will remain intact.

We've been told that as soon as Caronavirus threat passes, everything will be "business as usual". So they won't let anyone go. I've been told to continue down the path.

They believe this is all just temporary.

[Kikapu]

Lets hope for your sake Paphitis that the coronavirus problem ends soon and not become another 737 MAX situation where the end of the problem is pushed back and back and back to no end in sight. Hope all works out for you in the end.

[Paphitis]

Lets hope for your sake Paphitis that the coronavirus problem ends soon and not become another 737 MAX situation where the end of the problem is pushed back and back and back to no end in sight. Hope all works out for you in the end.

I'm all good Kikapu no matter what happens.

I'm penciled in for May. I am talking to someone here who is penciled in for April and he is scheduled to leave Australia, by end of March.

We have both been sending emails to them as we have the exact same recruiter and company liaison and pilot recruiting coordinator. He has provided his employer with 4 weeks notice so I hope all ends well with him. I am pretty stoic about it all actually and won't be losing sleep.

But what we are being told is to continue with out checklists and complete all the necessary administrative procedures and they are still prepared to sponsor our US VISAS. Whether that means going on reserve or being furloughed or go on loan to one of their subsidiaries. It appears they are wanting a bet each way.

But 23 pilots did get canned and we do not know exactly what is going to happen to them yet.