Storm in the cabin

They are the face of a professional airline — the uniformed pilot, striding to his craft, a picture of technical prowess and smartness. The air hostess, bandbox fresh and immaculately coiffured. The pilot and his crew are meant to make you feel your life is in safe hands at 35,000 ft. Then come horror stories of a mid-air brawl. What went wrong?
Senior commanders complain that young people take up flying for the money and not because they love the job. A senior Air India pilot is damning: “Many are children of businessmen or the moneyed class and have little respect for the job or know how to conduct themselves. Every hour of flying is seen in terms of rupees.”
The basic requirement to become a pilot is clearing the Class XII exam. That’s pretty basic, considering the Sixth Pay Commission recommended Class X pass as the minimum even for railway gangmen. Add to that the large starting salaries guaranteed to painfully young co-pilots and the potential for trouble is immense.
One senior Air India hostess says some pilots and co-pilots are a breed apart. “Their feet are not on the earth, but 30,000 ft above. They think they’ve arrived in life and have a superior and sexist attitude.” At least some of this arrogance reveals itself in the cockpit.
Nights away from families can lead to licentious behaviour. But insiders point out it takes two to tango and flying is no different from any other profession, though there may be more opportunities for infidelity.
Pilots are kept on their toes with a continuous round of classes, simulator training and route checks. They can be called in anytime, which often makes for missed family outings. They have a six-month medical check.
11/10/09 Shobha John/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Oct 2009