Job-hopping pilots face cap on salary

A pilot should serve a a minimum 4 month's notice before quitting.

Indian carriers today agreed on measures "" including a cap on salaries and perks "" to prevent poaching and mass movement of airline professionals like pilots and engineering staff.

This move comes in the backdrop of large-scale poaching by new carriers, leading to disruption of schedules.

It is worth noting that the operations of Alliance Air were badly hit by the recent poaching of about 20 trained pilots by some private carriers. As a result, the state-run carrier had to cancel some of its scheduled services.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of airlines representatives "" both private and state-run "" chaired by Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad here today.

It was decided that a minimum of four month's notice for a trained pilot to quit and join another airline should be the norm, so that the original carrier has the time to make alternative arrangements.

"The general view was not to hamper anybody's professional decisions. But, we will also have to protect the interest of the carriers. Therefore, steps have to be taken so that operations of airlines are not impacted," Prasad said after the meeting.

Sources said a cap on the emoluments of the pilots was also being considered. All the airlines agreed that the salaries and allowances given to pilots by Indian Airlines, which were the highest, should be maintained as the maximum limit.