Sir - An interesting juxtaposition of opinion emerges between Gordon Bretag's views (Flight International, Letters, 10-16 May, P89) and the comments of Emirates' Capt. Graham Jenkins in the article "Next-century strategy" (Flight International, 17-23 May, P34).
Mr Bretag typifies the attitude of many in his position, where applications (whether unsolicited or not) are disposed of if the applicant is not to be considered for employment. The notion that this is acceptable corporate behaviour is based on the assertion that chief pilots are too busy to reply.
As Capt. Jenkins correctly points out, aspiring pilots are, at the very least and by definition, potential customers. It is Emirates' view that pilot applicants should "...think well of us, even if they are rejected". This is an enlightened view and one with which I have always concurred enthusiastically. Aspiring pilots must demonstrate a great many personal qualities and skills to succeed. That success, however, is also contingent on a large measure of luck and, no doubt, Mr Bretag has had his fair share. Perhaps, he and others who subscribe to his point of view should remember this when next they consign an application to the waste-paper basket.
Applications may be unsolicited - and, indeed, unwanted - but, yes, they are all worthy of, and entitled to, an acknowledgement. In these days of affordable personal computer technology there is no excuse for not being able to provide all applicants with the courtesy of a standard and polite reply to their applications irrespective of the size of the organisation.
MICHAEL GREEN
Heathcote, New South Wales
Australia
Source: Flight International
