Please read the attached letter we sent to the CEO on 14 August. The ALPL remains alert and concerned about continued efforts to recruit and possibly train Direct Entry Captains here at Cargolux for Henan Cargo Airlines (JVA). Already one year ago we first saw such an attempt where a pilot with command experience only on B737 was offered command training at Cargolux‘ earmarked to operate at the JVA.
This resulted in a meeting late last year where management was informed this pilot would not qualify to operate as a Captain in China on the B747 as he had no experience on a weight class similar to the B747. In fact, for this pilot to meet the Chinese commander requirements would have taken close to four years operating in Cargolux.
As no fault of his own, we believe Cargolux management misinformed this pilot and created an unnecessary and embarrassing situation. A compromise was found to complete his B747 type-rating and Captain training, but thereafter only operate from the right seat as a First Officer until his one year contract would expire. This pilot is no longer part of the pilot group at Cargolux.
Since those discussions in November last year, management appears to ignore our voiced concerns by allowing the joint venture team to continue recruitment efforts for pilots, even promising some of them Direct Entry Captain training and initial operating experience (IOE) here at Cargolux before heading to China.
According to the Chinese Pilots Association (ChALPA), our IFALPA colleagues, the legal requirements of flight experience, training and hours on weight-class category aircraft to be eligible for commander training at Henan Cargo are actually fulfilled by most of our Cargolux Senior First Officers today. Disappointingly, management is not talking with us about how to facilitate a possible career path opportunity for our First Officers and Captains which could include secondment to Henan Cargo Airlines.
We recall hearing promises by management about continued growth of Cargolux in Luxembourg, yet what can be seen is Cargolux Italia still operating Cargolux SA flights and employing roughly 100 pilots not paying taxes in Luxembourg. This does impact the career paths of crews which have been loyal to Cargolux for more than 12 years!
Management needs to initiate constructive dialogue!
Cargolux Italia, Henan Cargo and not enough pilots. Whatever else is coming up on the radar will push-up against the already very (over)stressed patience of the Cargolux pilot community.
