Covid 19 coronavirus: unemployed pilots become train drivers in Auckland

By Amy Williams of RNZ

Aircraft pilots who have lost their jobs after the Covid-19 border closure will soon be driving travelers on the Auckland railways.

Hundreds of New Zealand pilots have been fired since the airlines were grounded during the global pandemic, and now a group is seeking employment on the railways.

So far, 34 pilots have applied to change the wings of the tracks and become train drivers for the city’s rail network.

Transdev operates Auckland’s commuter rail service and employs 200 train drivers in the city.

Its managing director, Peter Lensink, said he was pleased to be able to offer employment to pilots, whose skills were ideal for driving trains.

“I really feel for the pilots who are in this position and I am very happy that we have an alternative and I hope they will adapt to driving a train on a piece of metal instead of flying freely in the air,” he said.

“We only hire highly qualified people, and airline pilots have similarities to the skills and competencies required as a train driver.”

Lensink said that both the airline and rail sectors had a strong safety culture and required specific skills, including concentration.

A qualified train driver earns just over $ 40 an hour.

“While it may be more exciting for some people to see Auckland from the air, I think it is even more exciting to see Auckland up close and unfolding in front of you,” said Lensink.

Although there is a helicopter pilot among Auckland train drivers, Lensink said this was the first time pilots had been recruited.

“We have a great opportunity because we are growing and preparing here in Auckland for the City Rail Link. That will double the amount of services here in four or five years. Therefore, we can recruit a large number of training drivers for the future.”

He said there had been a lot of contact between leaders in the airline and rail sectors, including Air New Zealand.

“Once word gets out and people see the link between the roles and opportunities that railroads have, I look forward to seeing more [pilots] entering the recruiting process. “

Lensink said the pilots would undergo “intense” recruitment scrutiny, including eye tests, before training in June.

The training will take place at the Wiri Depot, a stone’s throw from Auckland Airport.

– RNZ