Meet Our SA Express Crew

Have you ever wondered who is flying the plane when you travel on SA Express? Or wanted to know more about what a job as a cabin crew member is like? Well, now’s your chance! Every month we will introduce a few members of our SA Express family, because by getting to know them, you become part of the SA Express family too.

Iain Findlay Chief Pilot

Length of service at SA Express: Over 14 years 

Please tell us briefly what your job involves:

There are so many aspects to the job. I occasionally get to “fly the line”; doing a normal flight from A to B, enjoying the crew, the view, interaction with passengers, and the time out of the office. I also do a fair number of Route Checks, which involves sitting on the flight-deck jump-seat and observing the Captain and First Officer at work, ensuring that they are following procedures correctly, identifying and resolving problems, and operating the aircraft safely and efficiently. Occasionally I also get to conduct Line Training of new Captains and First Officers, which can be immeasurably satisfying. Most of my week is spent in the office, though. My primary role in the company is to ensure that we have a safe operation and that the required standards for our flight-deck crew are maintained. 

What do you find most challenging about your job? 

Time! Trying to find the time to listen to everyone’s opinion, gripe or idea, respond to emails, do research, get some family time, and even the chance to fly. 

What is your favourite part of your job?

Seeing a plan come together or an issue being resolved. 

What do you like about working for SA Express?

Working with a fantastic bunch of gents and ladies in Flight Operations. The pilots in SA Express are a group of efficient and dedicated people who try hard, and put up with the day to day challenges of trying to keep a complex system running as smoothly as possible with absolute aplomb. There are many, many unsung heroes out there who make the job of Flight Operations Management easier. 

Have you ever had any funny incidents or encounters while on the job?

 We recently had a passenger who thought he was travelling from Gaborone to Cape Town, and only realised as we were about to land that he actually booked Gaborone to Johannesburg!

Nicci Butler Senior Cabin Crew Member

Length of Service at SA Express: 11 years 

Please tell us briefly what your job involves: 

I am a safety officer and provide excellent customer service, comfort and satisfaction to our passengers on a daily basis as part of a team. 

What is your favourite part of your job? 

 I am proud of being part of a great team at SA Express and enjoy interacting with unique people from different walks of life, with new challenges daily. 

What do you find most challenging about your job? 

Dealing with irate passengers due to delayed flights and missed connections, and changing these adversities into customer satisfaction. 

What awards function did you recently take part in? 

I was nominated to be part of the International Tourvest Ambassadors and Sales Persons Awards. I was nominated in the top four for Product Knowledge, as well as for Sales and Merchandising, and I won the category for Managing Adversities and Teamwork. 

How do you feel about these achievements? 

I feel a great sense of achievement and pride going up against people from the bigger airlines and holding my own. I’m inspired and motivated by the achievements of the SA Express team.

How do you plan to grow with these achievements in your current position?Now that I have a bigger view of onboard sales and have gained invaluable knowledge and experience in my current position, I can only hope to serve as an inspiration to encourage greater teamwork amongst my colleagues to make duty free sales work for the benefit of SA Express and the crew

SA Express is a domestic and regional, passenger and cargo carrier  

CLICK Flyexpress to book a flight 

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