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Hero pilot with ‘crash’ CV has to sign on dole
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Correspondent22.09.09
The pilot who saved 152 lives by landing a stricken jet at Heathrow has signed on the dole after failing to get a job — because he has a crash on his CV.
Captain Peter Burkill was commended last year when his actions averted disaster after a Boeing 777's engines failed two miles short of the runway.
But Mr Burkill, 44, who took voluntary redundancy last month after 20 years with British Airways, has been turned down for one pilot's job and heard nothing back from dozens of other airlines.
Korean Air turned him down because his CV showed he was a pilot in charge of a plane which had “crashed”.
His wife, Maria, 34, said: “If only they would see how fantastic Pete is and how experienced he is, but they refuse to see past the fact that his plane did crash land. They don't want to know the reasons behind it.”
Reader views (3)
Ridiculous. Crash landings of this sort are surely to the pilot´s credit.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
I would have thought that having 'Crash@ ob your CV would ensure his employment. Most pilots who crash don't get their plane down in one piece. The fact that this guy walked away shows skill and professionalism. Make you wonder at the mindset of the employers!
- Alan, carlisle uk
Why did he take voluntary redundancy if he wanted to keep working? It must have been a big payout -- but can any redundancy payment be big enough to cover the possibility of never working again?
- Phil Jones, London UK
