No talent-management at KLM

What??? Leo van Wijk, who is the CEO of KLM, is talking about their ‘so-called’ great talent-management within KLM. I just read this article today in ManagementTeam – Business Topic. Well, I guess so for managers on the ground, but no way there is any support, talent management, coaching or growth plan for talented pilots.

I will share with you that my husband has been an airline pilot for KLM Boeing 747-400 for almost 8 years. He has just quit his job there, mainly because his IT companies challenge him more than being a KLM-busdriver-in-the-air.

What I have always found peculiar about KLM, is their focus on managers in the head office.
Pilots are there, but there is no support from the ground in anyway to give pilots a better perspective, etc. So, if Leo is talking about talent-management, he is sure not talking about talent-management for pilots.

Management of KLM always felt good about giving high salaries to their pilots, which is mainly to substitute for the more important things that are missing when working as a pilot. But when a reorganization is needed for KLM, first thing to save money on, are the wages for pilots. Due to the believe that pilots earn a-lot-of-money, and ‘looks’ like the big money is going there.

Actually what these pilots need, is support and a better relationship between ground managers and pilots. Pilots are on an island, and it hardly happens that pilots actually meet managers on the ground for whatever reason.

Talking to other pilots who are working for KLM for some time already, shows that money is what is keeping them there. They have only learned one trick, which is flying and, if they don’t like it anymore, they can’t change it, as they would have to dramatically change their lifestyle as well.

These pilots still are responsible people and feel responsible, but enjoying work a little more due to more support from within the company, could make this a winner. And could result in an attractive company to work for and to fly with. It’s the people who make the company. It’s the crew that makes the flight, including the pilots!