Woman AI pilot accuses seniors of harassment

Kolkata: A Kolkata-based woman co-pilot of Air India has approached the National Commission for Women, alleging that officials of the national carrier have been harassing her for the last three months "in the name of an enquiry over a trivial issue".
According to information shared by other pilots and airline officials, the co-pilot was scheduled to collect her flight bag that contains essential documents for safe operation of the flight on August 4.
But when she reached the GM's operation office opposite Kolkata airport, the stores department was already shut. Yet, she "managed" to open the stores department beyond working hours and take out the bag. Following the incident, the airline chargesheeted her under several standing orders and her name was taken off the duty roster. An inquiry has been on for three months.
Sources among AI officials said they were compelled to allow her to rejoin duty from September 17 after coming under pressure from the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) and the AI Pilots' Union.
"Now that she is back on duty, it is taking time to complete the inquiry," said an official. Others said they were stern when they came to know that a co-pilot managed' to get security officials of the stores department to open it beyond working hours. "It is a severe breach of security. We should inquire before drawing any conclusion," said an official.
The woman, in her letter to NCW, said she was in constant fear of being harassed and exploited during interrogations.
21/11/09 Times of India

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Air India Domestic Nov 2009, NACIL Nov 2009