The Maharaja's Downfall . Review on Air India

The worst part about AI's downfall is that its going to come at a time when the company is trying too hard to improve its image. But the best part is AI has far been too complacent and has never tried to even think about the criticisms faced by them. The management will have to realise that they exploited the staff and consumers to the hilt.

In all succesful companies management atleast tries to imply some of their suggestions but in air-india its always vice versa. Has air-india only woken up now to realise that they need new planes pronto? 10 years have gone by and the pressure that they are exerting now on the GOI should have been done a long time back.

My father is an engineer in Air-india since 30 years. There is absolutely no honour and pride left for higher level employees who arent in the management. The salary is just about ok now---initially they were grossly underpaid. And if their children attend any interviews then they are discriminated against by going out of their way to not select them. I had applied about a year ago for the Cabin Crew position and I was rejected in the last round simply because my father had not made a recommendation. I was later told that positions were being sold for guys 6-8 lacs and for gals 3-5 lacs.

If a company doesnt recruit people who have a passion for the airline then no amount of pyrotechnics by the management will ensure loyalty by the employees. Already senior staff are leaving by the dozen as its simply not worth to get paid less and to stagnate just because of the management's whims and fancies.So now AI has YOUNG staff with lots of contacts,who are big time misfits as cabin crew, who are in the company only to make money and move on to a better airline after gaining some experience. At present we have people who cant speak English if their lives depended on it.

Lets not even talk about the food quality which has worsened---from the best cusine award in the '90s to the now unpalateable junk thats served these days.How can we {i guess at heart I will always want AI to be the best}even hope to compte against Singapore, Virgin Atlantic,BA, and the other airlines who are winning over all the people???

Now recently AI has gone out to start AI express with crews who are underpaid---how many people does the management expect to retain after 3-5 years god alone knows. They have goine all out to cannabalise on Air-India Pvt Ltd. The main {GULF routes} profit earning chunk has been taken away and given to them. AI plans to expand from 4-40 destinations in the US. Talk about throwing caution to the wind---which sensible business organisation has ever managed to pull of such a huge gamble since the beginning of commerce?What a pity---such a lot of potential all gone waste. It could have been different, maybe its still possible even know if the management wakes up from its reverie to fight against the private airlines but time is running out really fast.