What does IndiGo provide to its newly appointed pilots (things like uniforms, iPad, etc.)?
IndiGo is a low-cost airline headquartered at Gurgaon, Haryana, India. It is the largest airline in India by passengers carried and fleet size.
You just joined IndiGo-the top airline of India. Here are the things you earned.
1)Your dream office
2)The starter pack
An IndiGo pen with indigo ink, An ID card with your name on it, One lanyard with the IndiGo livery, Your wing badge! Epaulets.
These are most unique epaulettes in India. Unlike other airlines with simple gold or silver stripes, Indigo opted for a different approach. Only a few airlines have that semi circle design. Watch and batteries not included, just added for a bit of Feng Shui and Yin-Yang.
3)Nothing special here : Just one of the hundred bands you’ll get.The photograph makes them look more awesome then they actually are.
4)Uniform
Take a close look at Sardar Ji pilot here.
The pattern on the tie is unique to IndiGo only. Those white curves are a real treat for the eye. The classic shirt and the formal trouser. The belt, it has an IndiGo logo at the top left. Sorry I couldn’t provide you with a close-up photo.
The bag or should I say two bags. IndiGo provides it’s pilots with a layover suitcase for those rare layovers they have and a flight bag for for their documents and cockpit essentials.
Taking a step away from Sardar Ji to this lady pilot.
Those shiny shoes! Actually not given by IndiGo. The blazer. Honestly, IndiGo needs to improve it’s blazer a lot. The stripes need to be more wide and instead of two, four buttons would have looked better. However IndiGo has invested on this sweater.
This strangely this was inspired by air force uniform. The uniform of pilots all over the world is actually inspired by navy, not airforce!
Just a side note, some of you may might know her and for those who don’t, she is Sneha Sharma. The most successful woman racer of India and also an A320 Senior First Officer.
Just an update. IndiGo actually stopped this sweater and went back to the traditional 3 button jacket.
5)Electronic flight bag
The name itself may sound weird, but an electronic flight bag is actually the i-pad! Here are the things you should know about it
It’s primary use is to reduce the use of paper and strangely injuries. Traditional flight bags had nearly 30kgs of paper! Pilots had to carry that on their shoulders all the way from dispatch to their plane. The effort and health risks were directly proportional to age and airport size.
It has apps to access weather, log book, airport charts and a special company app to access things like your monthly roster.
There are rules on the amount of charge the EFB must have before each flight. It is a company property. It is not for your personal use. Yes, that means no angry birds for you. Always remember “The stripes on your shoulder speak louder than the half-eaten apple on your phone”
Don’t get too excited, you may end up with a Panasonic tablet instead. Unlike other airlines, IndiGo EFBs have to be submitted back after each flight. You can’t take them with you.
6) The best colleagues, best bosses and best working environment. In one word IndiGo family.
Written By – Ron Baruah, An acrophobic private pilot.