Penalise the pilots and set an example for others
Today we will notice, people are resorting to striking work as the only option available to get their demands fulfilled. From doctors to teachers, everyone is set to hold the common man to ransom. This leaves us with only one question, are we letting ourselves be governed by jungle rule? We cannot blame the airlines, because it's the pilots who are acting in an unprofessional manner. After the Bombay High Court order restraining the pilots from any form of strike, declaration of the strike is nothing but a contempt of court. Pilots were aware of the order and their behaviour is not done.
A consumer organisation needs to file a class action lawsuit against the pilots. Only then will they understand and take consumers seriously. The Kerala High Court has imposed a monetary penalty on holding of bandhs and hartals. If a political party holds one, then it has to cough up a sum of money for the disruptions and problems caused by the bandh. Similar practices should be followed in this case and pilots should be made to pay up for the harassment and inconvenience caused to consumers. By punishing the pilots, we will also be setting an example for others that one cannot hold the city or nation to ransom.
There is no conflict that cannot be resolved through talks. The pilots should have spoken to the management or approached the court to examine the sacking of their two colleagues. No one should forget that there is a legal system in place and we need to follow it assiduously.
MS Kamath, secretary, Consumer Guidance Society of India
Pilots have a social responsibility too
We can't judge whether the move by pilots was justified or not. We don'tknow why the two pilots were sacked — which prompted others to strike. But I think it is the foolhardiness on the part of the pilots to go on mass leave, since it has affected lots of people. In such trying times, Jet Airways can sack all of them. The brand value of Jet Airways will surely be affected. –Yesha Bora
Clientele will opt for other airlines
Going on a strike for any injustice meted out to individuals has become common in India. More than 300 pilots reporting sick and inconveniencing passengers is not justified. However, I think the reasons stated by them are genuine. One thing is clear that this move is bound to hit the image of Jet Airways. While Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal has made it clear that he will not bow down to the pilots' demands and is looking at legal options. Jet's customer base will opt for other airlines.–Zahan Dorabjee
Mass ‘sick’ leave by pilots not justified
t's sheer arrogance and arm-twisting adopted at the eleventh hour by some Jet Airways pilots. The pilots’ decision to go on a mass leave was surely not justified. What about the emergencies and the inconvenience that several passengers suffered? In this case, the central government and the civil aviation ministry should have taken the lead in diffusing the crisis.–Krishna Kumar
Personnel had to express themselves
The move by pilots to go on a strike is justified. If employees don't raise their voice and protest, then managements don't take cognisance of them. If the management of the airlines had thought of the airline's brand value, it would have been appreciative of its staffers' demands. The management must try and resolve the situation and give into the demands of the pilots. –Sejal M
Managements cannot be dictatorial
If the management doesn't listen or give its staff a forum to talk and list their grievances, then I don't know how the employees will be able to voice their anger or concerns. A few months ago, owners of Jet Airways along with other private airlines were ready to go on a strike and wanted the government to bail them out. So, if the pilots do the same then the management will certainly be angry with the pilots. On the same hand, I wouldn't want the passengers to be inconvenienced or held to ransom. Therefore, it is a
catch-22 situation. I won't support the pilots and their strike, but the management is at fault for not giving them an opportunity for a dialogue, because if two-way dialogue breaks then this is the next course of action left to voice one's needs. The passengers were indeed harassed and left high and dry.
—Sudhakara Reddy, national president, Association of Air Passengers of India
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