Air India taken to court over hiring pilots who flunked psych test

Air India is recruiting pilots who failed in psychometric test in the first attempt, alleges a petition filed before the Kerala High Court.

The petition was filed by Saji SG of Pettah in Thiruvnanthapuram, who holds a commercial pilot licence, and KM Basheer of Panniyankara in Kozhikode, who is a frequent flier. While Saji is challenging Air India Ltd's decision to appoint trainee pilots from its employees only, Basheer said in the petition that he is worried about the safety of passengers, including himself, due to the appointment of unqualified hands as co-pilots.

Approaching the high court through advocate AK Haridas, the petition stated, "Selection of unqualified candidates in the airline will definitely affect the safety of the passengers. There is a serious doubt in the mind of the general public that there is corruption behind the recruitments."

Air India invited applications for appointing 32 trainee pilots on August 7th last year from its employees alone. A total of 40 candidates were subjected to an aptitude test, a technical-knowledge test, a psychometric test, and an interview. Except four or five, all candidates failed in the psychometric test and the vacancies were not filled, the petition said.

On January 13th, applications were again invited for 80 posts from Air India employees but this time aptitude and technical-knowledge tests were dropped. By another notice dated March 22nd, upper age limit was increased from 40 years to 45. Air India then conducted refresher courses for its employees, allegedly to aid the candidates, and has prepared a shortlist for making the appointments.

Majority of the candidates now shortlisted had failed in the psychometric test in the first attempt and there is no way that they can become fit again within a few months, the petitioners alleged. While there are several qualified candidates present among the public, Air India's decision to limit the recruitment to its employees raises doubts about corruption, it is alleged.

(culled from timesofindia)