The recent attack on the cockpit of a flydubai aircraft has once again drawn attention to the well-being issues of pilots. Indian pilots note that long notice periods in domestic airlines increase their stress and complicate job searches abroad.
According to the terms, co-pilots are required to serve six months, and captains must serve a full year. However, foreign airlines often prefer that new employees join them within three months. Indian pilots hope that carriers hiring staff from India will take this discrepancy into account.
A high-ranking official from a leading West Asian airline recently told TOI that they generally do not hire directly from India, preferring that the pilot has previously worked in another country before starting cooperation. This official pointed to two obstacles: the notice period requirement, which remains mandatory even if the Indian airline fails to pay on time, and unofficial agreements with major Indian carriers against hiring their pilots.
According to a senior official at an Indian airline, some pilots apply for resignation before finding new employment to begin serving the notice period. If they fail to find work abroad, they withdraw their resignation.
Pilots have challenged the notice rule in court, and the case is pending. One pilot stated that the rule, originally created to protect flight schedules from sudden mass resignations, has 'outlived its usefulness' and now primarily protects airlines struggling with crew payments.