- I Paid A Bribe
- 13 years ago
- 508 views
The Pilot Who Couldn't Fly
This is a letter I have written to the ITU (International Telecommunication Union)I am a pilot working in India. I thought it was high time i brought some news to your attention since there has been no progress with the WPC(wireless planning and coordination) in India. As pilots, we require a radio license from the WPC and thereafter, DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) after verifying the license gives us a Flight Radio license. Around Mid last year, WPC had informed all pilots that whom so ever had converted a foreign radio license to an Indian radio license would require to redo the exam. DGCA's license was degraded and all pilots were issued a circular regarding the matter and procedures required. All companies being disheartened having to agree also issued an email to pilots that if they did not clear the exam, they would be grounded with no pay and if they were still unable to clear the exams, there would be no option but to let them go. Now, fact is that since we are pilots and have been using the radio for years and years, this exam would be easy but this was a game being played by parties of DGCA and the WPC to make money. Its an open corruption of which I'm shocked and surprised that the ITU has no idea about it. The WPC holds exam almost every 2 months and pilots have been appearing for it. Most people have failed and the ones that passed have bribed their ways. I am not biased about it but its not the pilots fault. He has no choice but to pay up and pass or they will fail you even if you do well in the exam. Its a high scale scandal of which many politicians and organizations are involved. I recently underwent this exam and managed to fail even though i did everything right, whereas, my friend never completed the paper and hardly got anything correct yet he passed because he paid. Why did he pay? The reason being is that if he didnt the company would ground him and later fire him since his license was about lapse. I am now under the pressure of my company to pass this exam. I don't know what to do. The rates going for these exams are $1000-$2000 depending on who you go through. I had done this exam in 2004 and passed with flying colors but today i failed being a much more experience pilot. I would call it strange, wouldn't you? I know the names of some of the people who work as middle men for collecting the money if you require. I'm not sure if this gets to you but i really hope this does. I hate corruption and i will do anything to fight it.