Cockpit Crews

[MAN Flyer]

There are no more pilots on expats terms. But there are still Ang mo on local terms.

That sounds more like it.

[9V-JKL]

Is this part of the "Pre-cost cutting good ol' days" like the
other thread suggests, or do they just need less pilots?
(Scary, means that the company is shrinking...)

Expats are expensive.... Why pay the excess?

[SilverChris]

What's the percentage of western pilots in SQ now? I don't think I've come across any in the past two years. (Okay, i don't fly SQ that much but I'm curious to know)

[ycp81]

Is this part of the "Pre-cost cutting good ol' days" like the
other thread suggests, or do they just need less pilots?
(Scary, means that the company is shrinking...)

Heard that less pilots are needed nowadays. Long-haul flights (excluding super-long-haul A345s) which were usually staffed with 4 pilots are now reduced to the mandatory 3. Rostering are done such that there would be no need for more pilots than necessary operating a flight, with additional pilots paxed up/down. Have SQ-pilot friends who spent more than half the month on the ground doing nothing.. Guess part of old ol' cost-cutting strategy...

[viraj735]

Just a question regarding flight deck crews. Why does SQ often have 3 pilots in the flight deck on routes which can be operated by 2, especially ones which require a night stop and thus an extra hotel room to pay for? Have experienced this on routes like BOM, DEL, BNE and most recently on BKK and DPS.

[flying.monkeyz]

Just a question regarding flight deck crews. Why does SQ often have 3 pilots in the flight deck on routes which can be operated by 2, especially ones which require a night stop and thus an extra hotel room to pay for? Have experienced this on routes like BOM, DEL, BNE and most recently on BKK and DPS.

It could be due to a variety of reasons, but mainly:

1. Second Officer training

2. Pilots under observations by a Check Captain.

[viraj735]

Thank you for the quick response!