The situation described in the letter "Licensed to be unemployed" (Flight International, 28 January-3 February) is not unique to aircraft engineers nor to Belgium.
Procrastination seems to be the name of the game in issuing European Joint Aviation Authorities-equivalent pilot licences in many European Union states. My country, Greece, is one of those.
On the one hand, the EU is threatening to shut down flag carriers by imposing fines. This is based, supposedly, on grounds of illegal state aid and unfair competition. On the other hand, we are being denied JAA licences and the right to compete effectively for new work.
As the letter writer points out, a young cadet with 300h and a frozen JAA air transport pilot licence has a better chance of finding employment than a seasoned professional from Greece.
Name and address supplied
Source: Flight International
