On 19 September, the Singapore Airlines Group announced that its pilots would be subjected to 10 to 60 per cent pay cuts, weeks after declaring an intention to retrench 2,400 workers across SIA, SilkAir and Scoot.
And though pilots tend to draw naturally high salaries, they would surely still feel the brunt of a hefty 60% pay cut.
Yet, the question begets. If the seniors find themselves feeling under the weather…
What then, about some of the SIA pilot trainees who were let go recently?
After all, they’ve staked their all on one single dream…
Only to see that vision crushed ruthlessly by the ongoing epidemic.
Here’s What Happened To Some Of The SIA Pilot Trainees Who Were Let Go Recently
According to TODAYonline, SIA has, as part of its downsizing efforts, released cadet pilots from its service after they completed their basic training programme.
This is due to the current surplus in staff members, which has rendered cadet pilots negligible in light of the current circumstances.
Training consists of four phases and usually lasts around three to four months. In this particular scenario, some cadet pilots have been asked to leave after completing three of the four phases.
However, the company has stated its openness to hiring these cadet pilots again, should the demand for air travel go back to pre-Covid levels.
The only question, it seems, is when.
“Things are also very uncertain because you don’t know when the callback will be and it could happen in three to four years’ time after most of us might have found other jobs,” said Steven, who is among the cadet pilots from the Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group to leave the company.
“But at the same time, because it’s a lifelong dream, I think most of us would quit our jobs and return to flying,” he said.
Senior Pilots Are Also Feeling The Heat
According to TODAYonline, the newspaper publication had spoken to 12 pilots, some of whom have since faced the sack and others who have taken on delivery jobs to supplement their income.
There are also older ones who have opted for early retirement so that the younger ones can continue.
According to the news report, one pilot, who has seen his monthly quota of flights cut from six to just one, has started working as a delivery driver for Lalamove, GOGOX and Ryde.
He’s not the only one either.
Meanwhile, some have undertaken jobs such as safe distancing ambassadors, while others were left with no choice but to take up secondary occupations to support their income.
For the record, the latter is especially true for those with children.
As for foreign pilots who hold Employment Passes, they’ll be returning home after the retrenchment.
Borrowing Money
And the worst, it seems, has yet to come.
Apparently, a 50-year-old pilot, who has reportedly been with the airline for 27 years, has taken to borrowing money to keep his children in overseas universities.
He is also attempting to sell his car.
According to him, he is currently cash strapped as he has spent the bulk of his money on properties, stocks and bonds.
As such, even a commendable figure of S$13,000 is unable to support his lifestyle. Before his pay cut, he was raking in S$23,000.
But Not All Are Facing Financial Difficulties
Some, it should be noted, professed that they are getting along just fine as they’ve been relatively frugal in nature.
A pay cut, in turn, did not serve to affect them as much.
And as for a 59-year-old pilot, he is reportedly retiring early to accommodate his younger Singaporean colleagues.
For the record, the retirement age for pilots is 62, though they can be re-employed on a contractual basis until they are 65.
“I think even if I have to downgrade to a smaller house, it’s not a big problem,” he said.
“Most importantly, we are making space for the younger pilots to continue because they have many more years to go and families that need their support.”
Hard Times For The Aviation Industry
As the pandemic rages on, the aviation industry continues to suffer major losses due to a lack of demand for flights.
Just recently, Singapore Airlines announced plans to retrench roughly 4,300 workers, as it expects to operate on less than 50% of its normal capacity through the end of its financial year.
In addition, the entire airline industry did suffer tremendously as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. According to the International Air Transport Association, this “is the biggest crisis that the industry has ever faced,” and it predicts the nearly 290 airlines it represents globally to lose $314 billion in this year alone.
Truly, times are tough.
However, I hope that these affiliated parties will be able to get back on their feet ‘asap’ despite this latest setback. As a Wise Old Man once said:
“Tough times don’t last; tough men do.”
And considering how capable pilots generally are…
I’m sure they’ll prove it to all of us just fine.
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