Easyjet desperate for pilots?
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Easyjet desperate for pilots?
So my old man says he heard on the radio this morning that Easyjet are so desperate for pilots that they are willing to take on anyone who's started training, even at the private level and pay for the remainder of it, anyone who holds any sort of ICAO qualifications and pay for their conversion / training / hour building etc. So the low hour FAA 250 hour person can apply and they will pay for their conversion to EASA credentials. This sounds highly unlikely to me and I can't find any information anywhere to back it up. He says I'm being negative lol......but I think I'm being realistic. I haven't flown since leaving Fresno in 2010 but I do have my ear to the ground on aviation matters. Has anyone heard anything similar?
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Ryanair are accepting low hour ICAO commercial pilots or people at the private level to continue training? I know they were accepting experienced, preferably type rated ones in excess of 1500 hours to get a 1 year validation by the Irish authority if they held an ATP, but the former seems unlikely.
Maybe FO and Command positions, but at the moment cadet recruitment is at a standstill. I finished at CTC/L3/(whatever rubbish they're calling it these days) recently and we've been told we wont be getting an EZY interview until December to start TR sometime around May 2018.
The hold 'pool' is quickly turning into an ocean. CTC is not what it says on the tin. Should've known better.
If I could do it all again I'd pick the modular route and save half the money. As above, no idea about FO/Command. Good luck!
The hold 'pool' is quickly turning into an ocean. CTC is not what it says on the tin. Should've known better.
If I could do it all again I'd pick the modular route and save half the money. As above, no idea about FO/Command. Good luck!
Regards to CTC not being what it says on the tin, that's not really true is it. You'll end up with an airline just you might have to be a bit more patient, your time will come and you won't have to do a couple years at another airline to get in. That's if easyJet is where you want to end up.
When i graduated I was told we wouldn't get a type rating with easyJet for about 8-9months, 6 weeks later they were giving us start dates for the end of the month...it changes very quickly in pilot recruitment as you will find out! Best of luck.
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Thanks byrondaf. Maybe you're right about the tin. But it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth when you rock up to an interview with people who have taken the modular route and spent half the cash. But you're right. I know what I signed up for. But I'm sure you'd feel the same in my shoes.
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Maybe FO and Command positions, but at the moment cadet recruitment is at a standstill. I finished at CTC/L3/(whatever rubbish they're calling it these days) recently and we've been told we wont be getting an EZY interview until December to start TR sometime around May 2018.
The hold 'pool' is quickly turning into an ocean. CTC is not what it says on the tin. Should've known better.
If I could do it all again I'd pick the modular route and save half the money. As above, no idea about FO/Command. Good luck!
The hold 'pool' is quickly turning into an ocean. CTC is not what it says on the tin. Should've known better.
If I could do it all again I'd pick the modular route and save half the money. As above, no idea about FO/Command. Good luck!
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CTC is not what it says on the tin
Maybe ctc/L3 is not ezy's preferred place to recruit cadets anymore?
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Whilst not wishing to fuel unfounded speculation, my university started an airline focused degree course and were looking to partner with a flight school, after inspecting and having meetings with ctc i was told they were not impressed at all. They wouldn't go into specifics with me but I could sense a very negative reaction from whatever dealings they had with them.
Another thing is my former airline with whom I had an office based role were looking to relaunch their cadet programme, they looked at ctc, and they had just the same negative reaction after inspections and meetings. Of course I wasn't gonna be told what was so wrong ...
Another thing is my former airline with whom I had an office based role were looking to relaunch their cadet programme, they looked at ctc, and they had just the same negative reaction after inspections and meetings. Of course I wasn't gonna be told what was so wrong ...
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The shortage of pilots, if there really is a shortage, is at the Captain/FO level and not at cadet level.
Most of the negative stuff discussed here concerning CTC (L3 as it is now) is factual
Most of the negative stuff discussed here concerning CTC (L3 as it is now) is factual
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I guess every dog has its day and just maybe some of the more "reputable" schools have had theirs. In almost every successful organisation you'll find that after a peak, things quietly ramp down as complacency sets in and they live off their reputation, then by the time they've figured out what's happening they usually pay some expensive audit firm to fix things but by then it's sometimes too late.
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CTC have had their day. And the worst part is, those many hundreds there will now suffer at the end of their training.
Easyjet are currently recruiting they're taking cadets from FTE. Next month another bunch join and I even think CAE are in on the act. CTC's in bed love affair with Easyjet appears to be over. A certain number will still join, obviously. But the exclusive nature seems to have closed.
CTC were a great organisation a few years ago, unfortunately for them its went down hill quite rapidly. Expanded far too quickly and became a sausage factory and not a flight school and the negative vibe is getting about now in the industry.
Easyjet are currently recruiting they're taking cadets from FTE. Next month another bunch join and I even think CAE are in on the act. CTC's in bed love affair with Easyjet appears to be over. A certain number will still join, obviously. But the exclusive nature seems to have closed.
CTC were a great organisation a few years ago, unfortunately for them its went down hill quite rapidly. Expanded far too quickly and became a sausage factory and not a flight school and the negative vibe is getting about now in the industry.
Last edited by Sullysark; 25th Sep 2017 at 17:30.
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Has L3 CTS gone the same way Oxford did after CAE bought them? Did something similar happen with Flybe recruitment through L3/CTC recently?[/QUOTE]
EZY have been recruiting from other flight schools, taking self integrated cadets as recently as this week. The same flight school that has the Flybe MPL scheme currently. CAE have an EZY programme as well.
EZY have been recruiting from other flight schools, taking self integrated cadets as recently as this week. The same flight school that has the Flybe MPL scheme currently. CAE have an EZY programme as well.
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Interesting how these things change, I remember a few years back FTE seemed to be getting a tough time on here and CTC were very strong. 18 months ago, would anyone have predicted the current situation?
Perhaps it's the case that when commencing training you don't just need to think about what the state of the industry will be in 18 months time but what the state of your training school will be too? Not what you'd want after spending £100k.
Perhaps it's the case that when commencing training you don't just need to think about what the state of the industry will be in 18 months time but what the state of your training school will be too? Not what you'd want after spending £100k.
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Surely the rather substantial drive by easyJet at the moment to get cadets on board through their MPL with two major flight schools, which are offered with conditional contracts of employment upon completion of training, is a decent indication that easyJet in particular are a safe bet for potential cadets...
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Adding my two cents;
Anyone considering training with any FTO should always do their research regardless and thus not choose based on one's glossy brochures. As a trainee at the so called "sausage factory" come L3 giant, I would say it's' little more than growing pains off the back of changes at the Lufthansa owned facility in Arizona. As those in the industry well know, EASA/CAA admin takes time and I suppose Florida can't come online soon enough.
In respect of the negative comments on here; yes.. I do worry as a Whitetailer as the state of the industry and that's coming from someone soon to leave NZ for the final few bits of training. In honesty though I see this extending far beyond L3 and more towards attitudes of airlines themselves. They seem to be gradually moving away from integrated whitetail-esque courses and to MPL etc. This shouldn't be new news to anybody, BUT, where easyJet's relationship with L3 and other schools appears to be changing is the point at which they come on board with a cadet. Those familiar with this scheme will notice easyJet is 'tagging' cadets from the get go and, I imagine, are therefore able to improve their forward planning in the sense they can go "Right, we have x amount of MPL coming on line on this date and x amount of Route 3's to join them this many weeks after". L3 is certainly full of tagged cadets at the moment with various coloured lanyards around the place.
The growing pains will subside in time, but I think it's more down to the route you take to the carrier really. If I were to start a course today I would seriously question the Whitetail investment especially since the largest recruiter at one specific school has slowed recruitment from the pool - perhaps down to the reasoning I gave above. However, you have to consider that British Airways have yet to actually take the majority of their DEP recruits from the orange bus company and when they do I imagine the industry will once again be asking for pilots. Take this and easyJet's future part-acquisition of AirBerlin into account and the future arrival of A321 Neos and I can see recruitment continuing down the road.
Do the research, consider your options, speak with people in training organisations as much as their marketing people and make an informed decision. Airline loyalty with flight schools can come and go as quickly their loyalty with ground handling agents to be honest. In fact, many airlines now recruit directly anyhow, so irrespective of school you'll be against the wider market anyway. The placement pools at certain schools are great value-adds, but are by no means the only routes in to carriers so don't be blind to that.
All the best
Anyone considering training with any FTO should always do their research regardless and thus not choose based on one's glossy brochures. As a trainee at the so called "sausage factory" come L3 giant, I would say it's' little more than growing pains off the back of changes at the Lufthansa owned facility in Arizona. As those in the industry well know, EASA/CAA admin takes time and I suppose Florida can't come online soon enough.
In respect of the negative comments on here; yes.. I do worry as a Whitetailer as the state of the industry and that's coming from someone soon to leave NZ for the final few bits of training. In honesty though I see this extending far beyond L3 and more towards attitudes of airlines themselves. They seem to be gradually moving away from integrated whitetail-esque courses and to MPL etc. This shouldn't be new news to anybody, BUT, where easyJet's relationship with L3 and other schools appears to be changing is the point at which they come on board with a cadet. Those familiar with this scheme will notice easyJet is 'tagging' cadets from the get go and, I imagine, are therefore able to improve their forward planning in the sense they can go "Right, we have x amount of MPL coming on line on this date and x amount of Route 3's to join them this many weeks after". L3 is certainly full of tagged cadets at the moment with various coloured lanyards around the place.
The growing pains will subside in time, but I think it's more down to the route you take to the carrier really. If I were to start a course today I would seriously question the Whitetail investment especially since the largest recruiter at one specific school has slowed recruitment from the pool - perhaps down to the reasoning I gave above. However, you have to consider that British Airways have yet to actually take the majority of their DEP recruits from the orange bus company and when they do I imagine the industry will once again be asking for pilots. Take this and easyJet's future part-acquisition of AirBerlin into account and the future arrival of A321 Neos and I can see recruitment continuing down the road.
Do the research, consider your options, speak with people in training organisations as much as their marketing people and make an informed decision. Airline loyalty with flight schools can come and go as quickly their loyalty with ground handling agents to be honest. In fact, many airlines now recruit directly anyhow, so irrespective of school you'll be against the wider market anyway. The placement pools at certain schools are great value-adds, but are by no means the only routes in to carriers so don't be blind to that.
All the best
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Welcome to the debate Mr CTC or L3 Airline Training Academy. Great blog.
Florida certainly cant come quick enough, cadets might be allowed to leave the UK. Instead of doing their entire flight training in Bournemouth which is now happening, that is not growing pains sir. That is mismanagement.
The industry needs pilots, did FR not mention roughly in the region of 600 within 10 months and currently cancelling 50 flights per day. Because one flight school is failing to get their cadets jobs as quickly as it once did, doesn't necessary mean the industry is going through a mini melt down. The fact two other flight schools are sending integrated cadets to Easyjet at the minute would support my statement, one user has actually suggested FTE cadets joined this week! What is more then likely responsible for EZY recruitment of CTC cadets is more in line with the soon to be death of flexi crew I'm not sure when it finally disappears. The comparison between CAE/L3 is clear to see and would be a fairly accurate comment to make.
I'm sure L3/CTC will find another partner airline, possible Wizzair or Jet2 to help their recruitment drive. Having hundreds of cadets unemployed would not look good.
Florida certainly cant come quick enough, cadets might be allowed to leave the UK. Instead of doing their entire flight training in Bournemouth which is now happening, that is not growing pains sir. That is mismanagement.
The industry needs pilots, did FR not mention roughly in the region of 600 within 10 months and currently cancelling 50 flights per day. Because one flight school is failing to get their cadets jobs as quickly as it once did, doesn't necessary mean the industry is going through a mini melt down. The fact two other flight schools are sending integrated cadets to Easyjet at the minute would support my statement, one user has actually suggested FTE cadets joined this week! What is more then likely responsible for EZY recruitment of CTC cadets is more in line with the soon to be death of flexi crew I'm not sure when it finally disappears. The comparison between CAE/L3 is clear to see and would be a fairly accurate comment to make.
I'm sure L3/CTC will find another partner airline, possible Wizzair or Jet2 to help their recruitment drive. Having hundreds of cadets unemployed would not look good.
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In any case, I will not deny the change to L3 is creating complexities - some inherited might I add - but I'll certainly not be libellous for the benefit of the odd few. I've been nothing but honest about my own personal experiences throughout my online presence - which to put right the odd false claim is not done through financial reward by the academy in the slightest. My previous statement on the scheme you choose thus remain valid.
Sullysark, you may well be aware of these points but I'll post them here anyway to satisfy curiosities of those not so much in the know.
We’ve had meetings about it the hiccups with operations in Arizona. It's your standard stuff really, aircraft, climate and recently -- as being experienced everywhere -- airlines offering roles to experienced instructors. It would appear as though the DA40s don't achieve the performance otherwise claimed by manuals given the very hot summer which caused delays; many of which now rectified with amendments to SOPs for the fleet! In any case, the partnership behind the very operation in Arizona is to cease in 2018. Florida, i'm told, is currently undergoing approval for EASA and will replace it as the US base given L3 own it. The DA40 fleet is to be split between other sites. Single engine at Bournemouth is new, but at the aforementioned meeting we were told a future plan of CTC Aviation anyway. As far as the New Zealand operation is concerned I can't fault it it's the schools flagship. A second airfield is to become operational here in the next few months - as is public knowledge given L3's recruitment drive for instructors and staff, see L3cts.com - using some relocated DA20s or the incoming DA40s which is yet to be made clear. The delays this year on the NZ front, at least that i've experienced, are related to the very wet spring. For example, this September has been one of the worst for rainfall and convective activity for quite some time and as such there is only one course in the advanced phase of training. VFR has been practically impossible, but it's an annual thing this time of year according to instructors and now we're heading into October flying is picking up again. To be honest, it's not dissimilar to UK weather at times as far as flying would go and I feel it a better location given our eventual flying environment by comparison to Arizona.
Now I appreciate this was hugely off-topic but PPRune seldom provides the wider picture, especially to aspiring pilots. Back to the main point though, regardless of which FTO you enter from (as I know people from OAA and L3 in this position) it would appear the placement delays are linked to type-rating start dates. While you might land a job with the carrier today you might not start your TR until the spring. This is how I remember it being back when I started university. Cyclical.
Last edited by gbotley; 28th Sep 2017 at 22:07.
