Eastern Airways
e28 driver
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UK
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Eastern don't have a company pension scheme?? That's not good. Admittedly I only get 7% from my company which is not a lot, but better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick. If I'd stayed with Loganair I'd be getting 12% by now, if I was contributing 9% I think. And year 11 pay scale which is over £50k now I believe. What are the SAAB 2000 pay scales like at Eastern, with no pension?
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Weaslebergville
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Poke in the eye with a blunt stick eh?
Easterns interpretation of that?
Employee to provide own stick, employee to cover cost of stick being blunted, employee to pay for management to poke him in eye with aformentioned stick, employee to recover as unpaid time off.
Pay scale? Bmir first officer with say 3 years service roughly earning the same as an eastern captain. I kid you not.
I am almost certain that Bmir will become part of Eastern in the future. Maybe not straight away, Granite might be able to raise the funds, but whether they have the know how to survive is another thing.
Easterns interpretation of that?
Employee to provide own stick, employee to cover cost of stick being blunted, employee to pay for management to poke him in eye with aformentioned stick, employee to recover as unpaid time off.
Pay scale? Bmir first officer with say 3 years service roughly earning the same as an eastern captain. I kid you not.
I am almost certain that Bmir will become part of Eastern in the future. Maybe not straight away, Granite might be able to raise the funds, but whether they have the know how to survive is another thing.
Re Pensions
Companies in the UK must provide access to a Stakeholder pension. No compulsory employer contribution required.
From later this year, companies must provide a pension scheme to which they contribute (but only 3pc iirc).
From later this year, companies must provide a pension scheme to which they contribute (but only 3pc iirc).
Join Date: May 2011
Location: very North
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Of course there will, people love being shafted they will never leave, RL has built abusiness on this policy.
I've just heard a rumour next months roster will be delayed by about a week. Still, it's out of date the day it's published anyhow so ....
On the bright side, the vvvvvvvvvvip charter crews are going to get a different coloured neck scarf and a huge pay rise of about sod all. The pilots will probably get a bigger hat.
So the worlds. Richest peole are being flown around Europe by the lowest paid charter crews, ironic really
I've just heard a rumour next months roster will be delayed by about a week. Still, it's out of date the day it's published anyhow so ....
On the bright side, the vvvvvvvvvvip charter crews are going to get a different coloured neck scarf and a huge pay rise of about sod all. The pilots will probably get a bigger hat.
So the worlds. Richest peole are being flown around Europe by the lowest paid charter crews, ironic really
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
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Wetdream
Poetry.
However. I think another bunch of people may get the opportunity to leave soon.
I am going to put my gold tie on the line and predict, three saab captains and four FO's by june.
I just have a funny feeling that they will struggle with crews this year.
However. I think another bunch of people may get the opportunity to leave soon.
I am going to put my gold tie on the line and predict, three saab captains and four FO's by june.
I just have a funny feeling that they will struggle with crews this year.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Wales
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I just have a funny feeling that they will struggle with crews this year.
It saddens me to see that what used to be a really good airline to work for has been reduced to Ryanair tactics.
Regardless of that, there are still many more qualified pilots in the UK than there are vacancies.
Qualified doesn't mean experienced, but if Eastern can retain a core number of very experienced Captains they can promote experienced FOs to junior Captains and bring in FOs fresh from aeroplane school, the military or the job centre to train and model them in the way they wish to.
Any Ryanair junior Captain or FO will testify that being paid moderate wages to gain invaluable experience is worth it so that you can move on to better things a few years later.
Eastern may not be perfect employers, but the passengers keep turning up because they are solid, reliable and provide a very good service whilst keeping fares reasonably competitive for the routes they serve (I know this because I am a regular customer). They also have a substantial share of the charter market for the same reasons.
If the grass is greener, go to the other side, but I would consider my options very carefully before doing so.
Join Date: May 2011
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I think many of the people travelling on Eastern don't have a choice of who they travel with. Tickets are paid for by oil companies generally. Gone are the days of champaign and orange with Nobby's Nuts, I'm informed that they don't even supply crisps now 
the cynical might say that the saving in free crisps was probably spent on refurbishing the rocket, others might say it was to stop crews eating them.
The experience level in Eastern is overall quite low, the salaries are the lowest but the business model must work because the owners pay themselves millions. Which I guess they are entitled to do as it is there business.
Pilots will always be knocking on the door as will cabin crew because they see it as a glamorous job. Cabin crew don't last long generally due to over work and bullying from crewing if they try to stand up for their rights. The pilots generally never intend to stay either because they believe the grass is greener elsewhere, and believe me it is!
Those of us who escaped to good companies that operate in a more 'professional' manner will after the initial shock of realising how 'differently' things were done at times at Eastern will feel the warm glow of feeling valued and respected rather than being treat like something that dropped out of the back of the chief pilots dog.
the cynical might say that the saving in free crisps was probably spent on refurbishing the rocket, others might say it was to stop crews eating them.The experience level in Eastern is overall quite low, the salaries are the lowest but the business model must work because the owners pay themselves millions. Which I guess they are entitled to do as it is there business.
Pilots will always be knocking on the door as will cabin crew because they see it as a glamorous job. Cabin crew don't last long generally due to over work and bullying from crewing if they try to stand up for their rights. The pilots generally never intend to stay either because they believe the grass is greener elsewhere, and believe me it is!
Those of us who escaped to good companies that operate in a more 'professional' manner will after the initial shock of realising how 'differently' things were done at times at Eastern will feel the warm glow of feeling valued and respected rather than being treat like something that dropped out of the back of the chief pilots dog.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bishkek (nr Luton)
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Executive Charter
More an extension of something they already do a lot of, I would suggest.
Seem to be in and out of FAB on a fairly regular basis, which must be an indication as no scheduled flights/IT charters are allowed there.
Seem to be in and out of FAB on a fairly regular basis, which must be an indication as no scheduled flights/IT charters are allowed there.
Join Date: May 2007
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Don't get me wrong Eastern are very good at what they do, you get what you pay for. In my personal opinion it is without a doubt that they are losing more "higher end" business to the likes of Titan, Cello and more European guys for the ad-hoc charter flying. This to me seems an attempt to revamp something to try and be more competitive on "certain flying". No matter what you do, a few new scarves and trained staff will not ovecome the same old selling points that it in an EMB or a Saab with cold galleys, economy seat pitch and an economy seat. Blue chips, sports teams, music industry want and are prepared to pay more for service and comfort and unless Eastern get some wider bodied aircraft (and I dont mean B744 or B777) but something you can fit 30-70 business class seats in 4 a breast, then other carriers like the above will contiune to win business over EMB and Saabs. On the other hand where you have football teams, blue chips and entertainment that want to got from A-B for the cheapest price in economy then you will never beat Eastern for this. The industry has plenty of this kind of work to keep them going go for a long long time in the ad-hoc market. They have the right acft and DOC's, together with off setting costs against a large scheduled operation to keep doing well in the lower - middle class ad-hoc charter flying.
Just my humble pennies worth !
Just my humble pennies worth !
Fit like min?
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Hmm...whatever grievances employees & ex-employees of Eastern may have, comparing them to the Nazis is a bit OTT?
Doesn't every company have their share of malcontents?
With Eastern highlighting their new Charter product, are they turning their attention away from schedules slowly but surely, to concentrate on lucrative charters/ad-hocs?
I note they were talking about, if demand warranted, looking the likes of the CRJ900 or E170 in the years ahead for charters.
Doesn't every company have their share of malcontents?
With Eastern highlighting their new Charter product, are they turning their attention away from schedules slowly but surely, to concentrate on lucrative charters/ad-hocs?
I note they were talking about, if demand warranted, looking the likes of the CRJ900 or E170 in the years ahead for charters.
Given that the MD owns a Messerschmitt, a yacht formerly belonging to Hermann Goering and also turned up at the Goodwood Revival dressed as a German Paratroop (as did an objectionable short welshman), I think referring to Eastern as Nazis is only too accurate.
Last edited by vintagemember; 26th Feb 2012 at 11:13.