Air India to train science students as pilots

Mumbai: Shortage of pilots has been bothering Indian carriers for sometime now, but Air India seems to have found out a quick fix solution.
The Maharaja is now visiting colleges, picking up BSc students and after a quick pilot aptitude test, the national carriers will offer the students a pilot training abroad.
And when they get back, they will be required to join Air India. AI is also arranging bank loans for them, which will later be adjusted from their salary. In fact, their salaries will be equivalent to jobs post MBA.
“The selection process for the first batch is on. We will arrange for the bank loans, and on successful completion of the course, they will fly Air India,” said V Thulasidas, CMD, Air India.
Air India will need at least 500 pilots over the next three years but rampant poaching prevalent in the domestic aviation industry is the only fear.
“We will have a bond with them. I don’t see why they should leave. We are known to be good employer,” said V Thulasidas, CMD, Air India.
09/01/07 Rumi Dutta Hardasmalani/NDTV.com