Britannia (Episode 2) [Archive]

chinchaser

26th Feb 2002, 20:42

Glad to see that the spirit is still going, any news that arises that comes my way i will pass on, unfortunately still nothing on the grape vine but this a quiet time of year. rumour has it that bookings are at worse 10% down as predicted but what is there is selling...so we'll still be flying and the clock is ticking towards guys use by dates... so keep the faith it will happen.!

regards

Chin

rebeccadblake

27th Feb 2002, 15:09

Well I am planning on completing my training there!, it all helps!

I hear its a good school right? (thinking twice as to why this theads here?)

Delta Wun-Wun

27th Feb 2002, 20:41

Cheshire....I think they are talking about the Airline ...not the Flying school.. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

MAX

6th Mar 2002, 00:55

Throwing this to the top and adding some food for thought.. .. .Britannia are taking cabin crew on in readiness for the summer. Recent advertisement in Flight for Mantenance personnel. Has to be more positive than NOT taking people on right?. .. .Also less 757 guys than previously thought as well as recent ads for Swedish 757 co. hungry for crew. Throw in the fact that the company went from recruiting 30-ish? (not sure of number) to nil, must indicate SOMETHING has got to give!. .. .Im still not holding my breath, but there it is... .. .MAX <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />

AMEX

6th Mar 2002, 17:40

All good signs I'd say. Apparently a mate of mine who's amongst the 17 JMC guys supposed to leave that outfit in May,has told me that already 5 have found something else. You mentioned the Swedish operator, quite rightly so because their files have been passed on to this start up and to otheer agencies.. .Can't be that many 75 drivers readily available (or perhaps it's me in a state of "denial" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ) so hey, we could be on a good one here. I guess as usual, patience is the name of the game.. .. .Max, enjoy the Citation mate

ChickenHawk

6th Mar 2002, 18:43

Dont hold your breath too long guys there are still sixteen 75 drivers looking for jobs from the 21 that Air2K made redundant! I know, I'm one of them!

MAX

7th Mar 2002, 02:55

Check out the Air2Bob and JMC thread in Rumours! And we want to work for these guys?. .. .Is there much merit in the thought that Brits get guys like us for 3 years, pay us 10k less and we've already got through the process? I never can work out how management work.. .. .MAX <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> . .. .edited to get my cool guy right.. . . . [ 06 March 2002, 22:59: Message edited by: MAX ]

AMEX

8th Mar 2002, 17:21

I see ChickenHawk that you have been recalled by Air2Bob. Funny how things work in this industry. One day you are unemployed and the next hour, there you are flying a 75. Anyway,I am glad for you and of course for us.. .Patience....

Constant Speed DU

17th Mar 2002, 21:55

Back to the top again!. .. .A bit of news on my behalf. Decided to bite the bullet, get another loan and go to CTC. I did the AQC course in Jan. Started my 737 type rating two weeks ago. Called for an interview last week by EasyJet and got the job! Might be worth having a look at!

MAX

17th Mar 2002, 22:40

Congrats mate. Nice to see that by taking a positive gamble it has payed dividends. Personally Im not in a situation to give CTC a shot so I'll just sit hoping the phone will ring. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> Which it will. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .MAX <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />. . . . [ 17 March 2002, 18:41: Message edited by: MAX ]

chinchaser

19th Mar 2002, 23:51

Constant Speed /DU. Well done! No doubt you will be a loss to Brit but in this game the only career manager who is going to do the best for you is yourself. i am really pleased for you , the break does come and by god its welcome when it finally shows its self. News from brit, well its a barren featurless desert out there Darling! to quote his eminence Brigadeer sir hogmany Melchet!. .. .things on the line are hectic and hopefully we will recruit flight deck soon, but when we do no doubt we will be the last to know!!. .. .regards to all and keep going, it will happen!!!!. .. .regards. .. .Chinchaser

Bluebaron

27th Mar 2002, 17:08

Well sorry to be the bearer of bad news but from a recent telephone call to ´the relevant person´, i was told that load factor was "lax, very lax". .. .Also that recruitment is very unlikly for this year, early next year is a possibility and is a wait and see thing. . .. .On the good news he confirmed(!?) that the holding pool would be telephoned first (over type-rated seemed to be the impression) and i also got the impression that the hold pool was classed as ´recruited´and therefore exempt from the 12 month recruitrment freeze. (only my impression of the conversation though).. .. .As most of us know already the advice was to remain as current as possible and call in regularly (every month?) to check the situation.. .. .well if anyone else wants to add anything go ahead as the thread has died a bit lately. I´m off on holiday to drown my sorrows in sun, sea, sand and .......well you know the rest... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> . .. .bye for now. .. .BB <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" />. . . . [ 27 March 2002, 13:10: Message edited by: Bluebaron ]

MAX

28th Mar 2002, 19:21

This mean no recruitment for 'non recruited guys'? Does it also mean no courses for 'recruited' pilots? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" /> . .. .I havent been able to raise a certain HR person so have no real news to report. Good luck to everyone for the next 12months <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> . .. .MAX <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />

chinchaser

1st Apr 2002, 07:26

Ok Guys and girls, seriously unsubstantiated rumour from within the beast, there appears to be a course penciled in for early summer, not confirmed but the possibilitiy would seem to be getting firmer.

it will happen so keep the faith and happy hunting!

Chin:cool:

great expectations

1st Apr 2002, 08:43

Bluebaron,

Just clicked on your ID I think.

Sun sea and.........??

I liked the car touch too. Very you.

GE.:rolleyes:

MAX

1st Apr 2002, 17:17

Chinchaser,

Rumours like that one get my heart racing.:eek:

Amex, make mine a double please.;)

MAX:cool:

AMEX

1st Apr 2002, 19:20

Thanks Chinchaser, definitely nice to hear that sort of rumor.... Let's hope then.

MAX ! My offer stands more than ever mate and if you were right, well I won't hold that against you.
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/mica/FoodBeer.gif

Sorry had to edit the post because THAT'S what we will be drinkinghttp://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/guin.gif

BronzeAge

4th Apr 2002, 08:32

Hello again all,

Spoke to a senior F/O in the BHX met room yesterday........he says that Britannia are very short of efos at Brum.

Good sign I'd say

Cheers All

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D :D

Stampe

4th Apr 2002, 15:36

We are short of pilots at present but I,m assured no courses are planned at present,releasing trainers from the line to run courses would further aggravate any shortage on the line.Any recruitment even of already selected people would involve training in the summer season which is difficult to achieve.I,m told courses might run late in the year bearing in mind that next years Hadj if we do it is just after the Xmas period so that will apparently limit training capacity in that period.But eventually we must employ more pilots but I wouldn,t hold your breath for this summer.i hope for you guys I,m proved wrong don,t think I will be though.

Bluebaron

6th Apr 2002, 18:43

well my reply was not unsubstantiated but nether the less i hope chin's right. Stampe seems to have spoken to the same people as me.

:rolleyes:

Stampe

6th Apr 2002, 19:01

I believe this rumour about early summer courses may have originated with a small number of external 75/76 conversion courses being booked with an external training organisation for a small number of returning pilots and certain "industrial deals" involving type ratings group wide!!.So my sources tell me.Don,t hold your breath,but of course patience is a virtue,I waited 6 years for my first airline job rest assured guys it will happen eventually.

great expectations

7th Apr 2002, 10:28

Britannia was already pulling aircraft off routes last summer.

Keep dreaming Bluebaron.

GE.:p

The Hooded Claw

9th Apr 2002, 16:06

Here's the latest from the inside guys!

Course(s) are planned for October, but approval to go ahead wont come until June, which should give time for 3 months notice.

Nothing concrete, I know, but if the go ahead is given, thats just a few weeks wait for the news!!:cool:

starship

9th Apr 2002, 22:51

Thanks for that HC, always great to log in to some positive news.

MAX, AMEX and anyone else in the hold pool, sincerely hoping to meet you guys soon. Have a good Summer in the hope that things start moving come its end.

Cheers,

starship :cool:

MAX

10th Apr 2002, 00:43

DEJA-VU? Its shame I quit my great beach-bum job, this summer is going to be a looong one. I'd prefer not to have 3 months notice, the kick in the teeth is easier to stomach otherwise.:p

Mucho cerveza por favor.:D

MAX:cool:

Stampe

15th Apr 2002, 07:22

Out of interest how many of you in the what you like to call in the "hold pool" are currently working for us in the cabin.I had the pleasure of one of your number flying with me out of LGW yesterday as supernumary cabin crew under training,are there any more ??.Out of interest we now have at least 3 frozen ATPLs flying as cabin crew out of LGW alone I believe other bases may have others.We,re trying to arrange low cost IR renewals on the company light aircraft for those at LGW but sorry you have to be a current BY employee.Anymore out there??.

Bluebaron

15th Apr 2002, 11:00

On a related note i was cabin crew for a major airline in the uk for some 9 years and considered appling for Brits following are the set back last year.

I decided that although it would help to be in the company and more in touch it was more important to remain as current as possible. As such i´m back in instructing. Hope this was the right choice. :rolleyes:

AMEX

15th Apr 2002, 11:24

Same as BlueBaron
After I got selected by BY but went on hold, I worked at Check in and as cabin crew for two different airlines thinking that it might help to get in. Well it didn't but my IR and Medical (not to mention proficiency) lapsed, my logbook remained pretty much unchanged, unlike me, as I was getting older day by day. So as soon as I got the opportunity to work as a pilot, I went for it, despite taking a job with no career prospects beyond the offered position.
Still, the flying was great, I gained a Rating, a current medical and IR (free), plus a few more hours in the book. I always joked about it but each flight (Single pilot IFR) was like riding a free full flight sim... Excellent for interview preparations.
Like anyone in my situation, after I received the letter late September, I considered going for a quick fix solution and grab a job on the ground or something like that. After I thought about iy a bit more, I decided against it. I had done it once, now it was time to stick with the flying until it paid off. 2 months lateragainst all expectations, I secured a job :eek: in a different part of the world, flying a twin turbo-prop.
I guess I had made the right choice then....
Britannia will happen, it's just a matter of time. Time I will make sure will be spent flying at the controls.
About working as a cabin crew, :D probably one of the best time I ever had whilst working.;)

starship

15th Apr 2002, 11:36

I was cabin crew before being recruited by Britannia for another charter airline on the B757. After our setback last year, I have since returned to the job, however for a scheduled airline this time.

I have managed to stay flying, and due to the large amount of positioning on our rosters at the minute jumpseat all of the time. If this time is used well it can be good revision, and the flightdeck with whom I operate are very supportive of my career. Several of them are ex cabin crew themselves.

For me, I would say the same as AMEX. Through working for two airlines as Cabin Crew, and in the past 2 Handling Agents as an Aircraft Despatcher I have had a time I will always be glad I had, and would not have wanted to miss.

IR renewal , ME class rating and SE dual check all this week.....fingers are firmly crossed that the powers to be will approve courses in Brit in the not too distant future.

Good Luck to all others involved, thanks for the info Stampe...good to have some line pilots involved in this thread too.

Cheers,

starship :cool:

chinchaser

15th Apr 2002, 11:50

Hi Gang.

In support of the Hooded claw, my recent scurryings about the place has uncovered the same info, the June reference would appear to be the go/no go decsion for courses pencilled for Oct/Nov. As things for this summer appear to be at this stage, very tight crew wise,( some bases have twice the number of captains to F/O's) I am sure that recruitment will start again.

Also if there are any in the pool who are flying as cabin crew in the midlands for Brit, as per Stampe's post, let us know.

regards

Chin. :cool:

Lazlo

16th Apr 2002, 09:18

I thought I might comment on this cabin crew thing. If Britannia are offering a position in the company, initially as cabin crew but with the prospect of being a pilot at some point in the future then it would be very foolish to turn this down. I realise that most of the discussion until now has been about taking a job as cabin crew with another airline which I agree will do you no good at all, but if Brits are offering the people who went through the pilot selection process temporary positions in the cabin then you really must go for it. Britannia have done this in the past and those who took them up on the offer got higher seniority than those who elected to wait until a pilot course came up. And they didn't have to wait long either. The most important thing is to get into the company asap and get onto that seniority list. In this kind of situation recency is meaningless as the type rating course will automatically renew everything anyway.

It is looking increasingly likely that there will be course(s) in the autumn, and I would personally be shocked if there weren't any because of the number of retirements we have and we are getting too low on numbers as it is. There will be no summer courses simply because they cannot spare the training captains it is as simple as that. But if Britannia are offering the opportunity to work the cabin in the summer with the possibility of a course in the autumn you would be mad to say no unless you are already flying a jet somewhere else. If you are instructing I would leave it and work the cabin. You will gain a lot of hours once you are on the line with Britannia, believe me.

Lazlo

MAX

16th Apr 2002, 10:30

Britannia havent actually offered anything to us. HR have let it be known that we may apply, along with everyone else, for cabin crew or operations etc. Personally I dont think I would make very good cabin crew but a position in Ops would be more my scene as I have previous experience.

As much as I want to get my foot in the company, these positions wouldnt put food on the table after the bank manager sucked it all up after pay day (unfortunately). The added relocation would also kill me, it killed me last time after Brits told me there was no job. So regretabley Ill stay where I am and see what happens. If guys/gals working the cabin get a start before me well done to them.

MAX:cool:

Gelderd

25th Apr 2002, 13:46

Having followed this thread since it first started, I was just wondering if any of the guys originally selected for courses in November have been told, for definite, that they are in a 'holding pool', or is this a self-imposed term? The latest that I have heard is that no decision has been made as to the status of those originally selected. Is there any insight from those of you already with the company?

AMEX

1st May 2002, 13:02

Sorry guys, I know we would all like to hear some good news or just news but is there a point in refreshing the thread every week if there is nothing to say ?
Not directly related to BY but perhaps a sign of things to come this is what a friend of mine working for JMC has told me.
He was at the office and wondered why two Captains were rostered on the same flight. Crewing's response was that did didn't have enough F/Os available.
Doh ! What about the 16 who are on loan to Air 2000 (starting an imposed 2 weeks of as from today and joining Air2K on the 17/05) then ?

As I said no real news as far as the thread is concerned....
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/mica/dino1b.gif

touch&go

6th May 2002, 20:43

I don't see how refreshing this over and over will speed up Britannia, the danger is Britannia could just read all the posted stuff and decied to delete the data base and start all over again.

I'm not trying to wind you up, just they might not like being talked about on the internet.

Good luck.

MAX

6th May 2002, 22:16

Delete 30 or so pilots because 5 to 6 anonymous people post to get some inside gossip with regards to their future?? I seriously doubt it.

MAX:cool:

starship

7th May 2002, 12:02

Your opinion and comments, as everyones are read and digested......however I fail to see at which postings your point is aimed.

This thread, has infact been positive in many ways as was the old one, and has enabled those waiting to see what develops with Britannia to make contact and share ideas. Unlike many threads, this thread has been about remaining positive, that the job which many had put alot into getting, may sometime soon come back.

In addition, it has shared ideas about what those recruited are doing to remain current, earn some money and keep the spirit going during this period of downturn.

Several employees of Britannia have contributed to our thread, without hesitation offering advice and pieces of information which could possibly be encouraging. Thanks to those guys/girls. I would hope that if there was a problem (which I doubt) then it would be stated, and the thread discontinued.....why the need for such a drastic suggestion!

cheers,

starship:)

scroggs

7th May 2002, 16:17

Guys,
you do not need to keep refreshing this topic. It will not get deleted just because it falls off the first page of Wannabes. It'll still be here even if no-one posts for a month.

All you have to do is use the 'Subscribe' button at the bottom of the page, and you will be informed when new posts are made. Simple! And it makes the thread a lot easier to read - as you will see if you go back through it; I've deleted all the 'Back to the top' and 'Refreshing' posts.

wysiwyg

8th May 2002, 21:16

AMEX - unfortunately the reason JMC has captains flying with captains is because there are too many captains rather than too few FOs. Would dearly have loved to have posted something more positive.

Constant Speed DU

12th May 2002, 10:44

Hi all,

Hope everyone is ok. Thought I'd tell you all that I managed to get through CTC. Finished my rating on Thursday with EZY. I did my circuits at Shannon and Prestwick. First flight to Nice on Wednesday.

Heard from a mate in Britannia, he thinks people will get a call in a couple of months due to the definate lack of F/O's. He has also heard that two courses are penciled in for Oct/Nov time.

Constant Speed DU

chinchaser

16th May 2002, 09:13

Hi gang.

Well done Constant Speed DU. We'll keep an eye out on Airline for you!!

As for news from the beast, the summer season has started to say the least, my current roster is bouncing off 100 hours already for May, roll on November!! The current situation of too many Captains and too few Fo's is becoming ever more apparent. The only base in excess it seems is LGW, most other bases are officially " sufficiently crewed for the summer program" .... NOT!

The official line it seems, is that despite admiting that there is an imbalance we have sufficient pilots on the line, the reality though, is that guys and girls are going to be worked ragged this summer and the managements goal of a higher average no. of flying hours per pilot is going to be more than achieved!!

So how does this leave recruitment. Currently there appears to be no move from what already has been posted, go/no go in June for 2 courses this fall. Recruiting criteria etc and who gets first stab are currently unknown, but it certainly seems to this rodent that we will recruit this year.

One interesting tit bit though concerns the pension scheme, with no great surprise due to the costs of the current scheme's, plus in line with BA, new entrant pilots will be more than likely offered a money purchase scheme. The details and type have yet to be hashed out by management and union but it would seem preety certain at this point.

Thats about it at the minute, enjoy the summer things will happen across the board this Autumn, of that I'm sure.

regards all

Chin.:p

MAX

16th May 2002, 16:50

Well guys, like CDU, It doesnt look as if I will be joining BY either. Got a job, start course Monday. Good luck for the future.

MAX:cool:

scroggs

16th May 2002, 19:03

vnavspeed

Your point is not appropriate to this forum or topic, and should be brought up within a Britannia-only environment, such as your Private Forum. I would be grateful if you would remove your post; I do not want this thread to become a rant about potential internal political problems within your airline.

tailscrape

16th May 2002, 20:12

Scroggs,

If that reply was meant about Vnavspeed's remarks about recruiting type rated guys from outside, I can't see what your problem is.

If he posted something offensive and it has been removed I apologise.

I thought his post was thought provoking. It is a sad indictment of this site and it's followers if we must be drawn into fights every time someone says anything controversial.

AMEX

17th May 2002, 09:42

Good One MAX:cool: , I hope your liver will be able to sustain that beer (barrel) coming your way then.

Like others I too have a job but I will be available for BY as the operator I work for didn't pay for any Type Rating (nor did I) or requires more than a few weeks notice. Still It will be a fun summer!!
Thanks Chinchaser for the refreshing news.

vnavspeed

17th May 2002, 16:33

I am disappointed as well Tailscrape so thanks.

My comments were intended to be factual/thought provoking and not political at all.

Scroggs you read it all wrong sorry.

Ho hum.

scroggs

17th May 2002, 18:33

vnavspeed, tailscrape

Chaps, I had no problem with what was said, just where it was said. if I could have, I would have moved the post to Reporting Points as a new thread, where it could have provoked an interesting discussion amongst people who are qualified to comment. Alternatively, the topic could have been posted in Britannia's own Pprune forum as I am sure the subject will be of intense interest within the airline. However, that wasn't possible (at least, for me).

This thread was established by the Britannia flight cadets who were bumped thanks to Sep 11th so that they can keep each other up to date with developments directly affecting them. I don't think it would be helpful to take the thread off on a tangent about potential recruiting of direct-entry captains, even if that were an appropriate topic for Wannabes.