“Could be Very Fatal”
Last year, six officials resigned from Kuwait Air when an assistant pilot without proper credentials was promoted to pilot in spite of having failed the qualifying test. I wrote about it HERE.
This is from yesterday’s (1 october 2007) Kuwait Times. No, it was not in the crime section.
Assistant Pilot Promoted Without Proper Qualifications
KUWAIT: An assistant pilot at Kuwait Airways was recently promoted to become a captain pilot despite the fact that he had failed the tests qualifying him for the promotion for the maximum times allowed. Informed sources stressed that such a mistake of having incompetent and inexperienced pilots fly civilian flights could be very fatal.
The sources noted that his promotion could cost lives of at least the 300 passengers all because of this man has an influential wasta (backer). The sources explained that this particular promotion had been tried upon several times and that it only got through during the transitory period after the resignation of the previous board of directors and before appointing the new board.
“This inexperienced pilot has already started flying to various destinations,” warned the sources expressing astonishment of the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority of such a promotion, particularly since it was the highest control over following safety precautions by various carriers.
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Last night, over dinner, Adventure Man looked at me sadly. We were discussing my blog, and I had asked him if he had any concerns. He said his only concern was for my safety. I asked him if he saw anything that made him uncomfortable. He said that he worries about my quoting newspaper articles, he has a concern in could get me in trouble.
I have promised I would not comment directly on the articles.
I am willing to bet that there is a possibility that there are unqualified pilots flying for other national airlines, in countries with less of a free press than Kuwait has. The difference in Kuwait is that the newspaper can report this and maybe the person writing it will not be fired for holding the airlines ACCOUNTABLE for providing safe flights for their customers.
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Scary, very scary. I’ve flown with them several times and had no problems but still…
i’ve said it before a million times and i’ll say it again.. Wasta’s a mofo b*tch!
Ironically, Kuwait Airways claims they have the best pilots.
I’m Kuwaiti but hate that airline, until it gets a proper makeover, then I’ll still fly Emirates.
Tell Adventure Man not to worry, you’re quite safe. Almost everyone in the blogosphere are is quoting newspaper articles. And nothing illegal is being done on this blog.
by the way, Gabby is up for adoption..I’ll explain later, think you know anyone who’s interested?
Oh God! I already have flight fears! OMG! Wastas in that too!
You should not worry tell AM, what will they do! Nada!
Just when I thought Kuwait Airways couldn’t get any worse!
It’s sad really, one of the richest countries of the world with an national carrier that does not even have regional ranking.
I think it is good to shine a light into the corners…chase out the cock-a-roaches, u no? Anyway, we flew KA this time here, and I vowed never again! We had business class seats with no functioning games and footrests, and the food was awful, so basically we just paid for larger seats. And don’t even get me started about those flight attendants!
“Very Fatal”??? Is there a “slightly fatal”? Scary. Where I live, I’ve heard about wasta in the air traffic control business. Also possibly very fatal.
I am sometimes a nervous flyer anyway, and knowing you can qualify AFTER HAVING FLUNKED THE TEST THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TIMES does not make me feel safe.
Carly, your trip sounds like a nightmare.
Grammy, holy smokes, wasta in the control tower? VERY scary.
Kinan – Sad, and shameful. Where is the ACCOUNTABILITY?
Я & Chikapappi – I think you are right if you are Kuwaiti. Do I think if I really make someone mad that they can’t track me down? In Kuwait? I think they can. And do I think someone could make it personal if they felt “insulted?” It seems to happen all the time. I think Adventure Man is right, I could be taking a risk. And I think I will do what I have to do.
Stinni & Swair – Thank God there are options!