While I am equally angry with AI, there is a ground reality that the public does not seem to be aware of.Boeing 777s are long haul flights, usually 14 hours in duration. You cannot get pilots easily for long and mid haul (6-9 hours duration) flights. The demand is too high for them globally. Training 737 pilots and getting them sufficient experience/expose to 777 and 787s is a two year process. Management hands are tied. Getting army pilots to fly mid and long haul flights is once again a two year process. I am as angry as anybody else, but this is ground reality.
The minister's statement highlights the real reason for the present condition of Air India. Is he the CEO of Air India to commit that the pilots will be taken back. He also says that it is for AI management to decide if new pilots are to be recruited. What happens if new pilots are taken and the existing ones come back. This is the classic case of politicians talking through their hat.
If some one goes on an illegal strike for 45 days why should he be taken back. The air line has made huge losses and passengers have suffered. Who is the minister to say that all these will be forgotten if the pilots withdraw their strike. They can then do it again next month and the same circus will be repeated.
Air India can recruit new pilots at a much lower cost and they should do it. The minister should keep his mouth shut and allow the Air India management to handle the situation. If they cant handle it they should also be thrown out. The planes can be sold and the airline liquidated. Heavens are not going to fall if there is no national airline. I dont think US has a national airline owned by government. People will fly by which ever airline provides cheap and efficient service. Once again the problem will be only for politicians and beurocrats who fly first class without paying
