Eastern Airways recruitment

[CathayBrat]

The 2500 hrs can be in command of any multi-crew aeroplanes. Though up to 10% may be achieved in a flight simulator approved for the purpose by the regulatory authority.

However those are the Shell minimum standards and I would have thought their would be an even higher requirement for Scatsta due to its unique challenges. I must take that up with the SAI advisor. It is possible that the influence of the rest of the IAC consortium has had negative effect

The oil industry has always forced "minimum reqs" on EVERYBODY. This is to make sure that there is a get out wriggle room for them if it goes wrong. (Piper A, Exxon V, GoM etc.......) Shell is no better or worse than anyone else, however, if u want to fly on an OGP contract, the mins are stupidly high. Have flown for the oil boys south of the med, dont meet the mins (for them), but the insurance companys and pax seem happy! If a company says this to you, it is total bollox. The main reason is ALL aviation is put in the same slot as the fling wing boys from bristow et al (no disrespesct), however, not going to see a saab on one of the platforms soon........
Cheers

[Shell Management]

Shell are far tougther than other oil companies for good reason - a greater priority on safety (heard of that?). Remember that it was Shell who canned Flightline after an audit. Shell does lead the OGP association to drag standards up: Rotor & Wing Magazine :: The Extra Mile??

BP lost two ahelicopters from Aberdeen in the last 20 months - FACT (Shell has not lost an Aberdeen based aircraft in over 20 years FACT).
BP had a fatal fixed wing accident just this week: http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/4...h-alberta.html
Flightrider might want to Google 'Deepwater Horizon' too. Clearly he has been in a coma this summer.

It may also be worth googling Colgan too!

The challenges at Scatsta are the weather, adjacent terrain and limited apron space.

[LoopGuru]

Shellrider:

The challenges at Scatsta are the weather, adjacent terrain and limited apron space.

Not forgetting the short runway, with downward slope from one end, and the fact the airport only has a single NDB approach aid, with NDB approach on one runway only (followed by circling approach to the other runway - the one with the downslope - if required).

If safety was uppermost on Shell's list of priorities, why was the operation moved from Sumburgh, where there are longer runways, better approach aids and less hazardous terrain? I believe the reason was to save money?

The rigs that SCS serves are also a similar distance from Bergen, which has a much longer runway, better approach aids and facilities, and is much better at coping with winter weather than SCS. Again, perhaps viewed as too expensive for IAC?

Therefore, imposing these experience requirements might be viewed by some as the low-cost option, and is not necessarily the safest one.

[ATP_Al]

The main reason is ALL aviation is put in the same slot as the fling wing boys from bristow et al (no disrespesct), however, not going to see a saab on one of the platforms soon........

This is getting way off topic, but if the North Sea helicopter crews are subject to the same minima then how does anyone ever get a command? If you join as an FO but have to have 2500 hours multi crew turbine P1 to command a flight to the rigs then your career prospects would be fairly limited.

But if the fixed wing crews were subject to higher experience requirements that wouldn't make any sense either!

[Flightrider]

Shell Management - genuinely surprised by your response. I am well aware of all of the incidents/accidents which you cite. And I do not think technical failures such as the 225 accident last year wait for their moment, or even indeed necessarily the operator of the aircraft to which they occur. To use that as some justification of your position is beyond belief.

I like the comment about "you binned Flightline because they failed an audit". If my understanding of the chain of events is correct, Flightline were given notice of early termination yet you + other IAC members continued to fly with them until they went bust before that termination took effect, at which point Eastern took over. So, put another way, you continued to fly with an operator whom you had deemed in some way unsuitable to fly your passengers. Most definitely a case of practicality first, safety second. I suspect you do not always practice what you preach.

[No Country Members]

Indeed, way off topic, and probably not the medium for discussion of Shell Management's feelings on the subject - don't you have confidentiality in your company?

Meanwhile, are there any rumours of interviews at Eastern or not? How many pilots are they likely to lose if any, and, as a matter of interest, where are they leaving for?

[CaptainSox]

Does anyone have any information on Eastern Airways UK please?

I know there routes aircraft ect but just wanted to know what the working conditions are like at the moment moral wise, progression ect if you accept working as cabin crew or in ops before you get a chance on the flight deck?

Also what is it like working in Aberdeen?

And why are they always looking for cabin crew in Aberdeen?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[LoopGuru]

Does anyone have any information on Eastern Airways UK please?

I know there routes aircraft ect but just wanted to know what the working conditions are like at the moment moral wise, progression ect if you accept working as cabin crew or in ops before you get a chance on the flight deck?

Also what is it like working in Aberdeen?

And why are they always looking for cabin crew in Aberdeen?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Working conditions for cabin crew and flight deck are generally poor. Roster stability is virtually non-existent and short notice disruption is the norm. Disruption payments are extremely rare due to numerous "get-out" clauses recently introduced by the company. As a result, morale is very low and people are leaving on a regular basis.

Currently there are a few low-houred pilots working as cabin crew, one of whom has recently been offered a position on the J41. Not sure what his terms are, but Eastern normally ask for £12000-£15000 upfront towards the cost of the type rating. He may, however, have been bonded. Normally, there is also a further 12 month bond for the cost of line training (circa. £8000).

Eastern will undoubtedly be looking for flight crew in the next few weeks, if they aren't already. Four FOs left recently and another two are due to leave in the next few months. It's a similar story with captains. When the market starts to pick up properly, Eastern may be faced with a serious shortage of crews, as so many people are seriously hacked off with the poor working conditions and roster disruption. There is also no progression for Saab FOs as most haven't the experience to operate in the LHS in and out of Scatsta.

As for cabin crew, Eastern struggle to keep them for long. Aberdeen is the company's main base and it has the highest turnover, hence why they constantly need to recruit there. The girls and boys in the back often suffer the greatest roster disruption and work the longest hours for very poor pay.

The company is taking on a great deal of work, particularly charters, and often hasn't the crew to operate them. Several charters have had to be cancelled as a result. There has been no pay rise for a couple of years and people have been forced to relocate to avoid redundancy, with no financial assistance because they are then deemed to have "volunteered" to move. For a long time, crews on the Saab were forced to travel on KLM standby tickets to attend simulator training, with many being bumped off flights because they were fully booked. Thankfully, this policy has recently been reviewed.

Captains from other bases who are required to operate out of Aberdeen often have to position to/from Aberdeen on the same day to save on hotel costs. This means they have long duty periods. Other crews operate one or two sectors then have to sit around at the airport, often for 4 to 6 hours before operating a further sector home.

The crews are the best thing about the company. It's a small company and most people know each other. The people we work with day to day are the only thing which makes working for Eastern worthwhile.

My advice: Look for a job elsewhere.

[Drakestream]

Anyone know what the chances are of getting either a SOU base or EMA?

[taxi_driver]

SOU shut as a base last January. EMA is a fairly sought after for those moving within the company on the J41.

New starters are normally placed at the less popular bases like Wick, Aberdeen etc. After a period of time you move to a better base as vacancies become available. Though if you are looking at DEC the company may accomodate you at a more favourable place.

The pay is rubbish, roster stability is poor, terms and conditions are non existant, and the working atmosphere can be repressive. On the plus side the flying/training is generally well respected, and crews friendly.

With a little effort it could be an employer of choice, with low crew turnover, but despite being continually profitable the owners and mangagement just dont realise this.

[Drakestream]

Thanks for the honest assessment taxi driver. I'm currently flying overseas but looking to return to the UK, if I could get a base down South then I would very seriously consider it. I've got a good deal going at my current company though, so I don't want to do anything I'll regret later on, particularly when I'd have to take quite a significant pay cut to move.

[CaptainSox]

I see Eastern airways are recruiting for First Officers again! Says 1000 Hours minimum for application but the last couple of guys had roughly only 250 total.

Any takers?

[ITFC1]

Where is teh advert for Eastern, i not seen it.

Nothing on their website.

Thanks

[CaptainSox]

Not sure got an email from a friend who works within the company.

And this.....

First Officers

Job Description

Eastern Airways are constantly recruiting to provide sufficient staffing levels to cover ourexpanding route network. To ensure our operation runs smoothly and efficiently we need to employ the very best people.

Eastern Airways has both Flight Crew and Cabin Crew based at the following UK airports - Aberdeen, Durham Tees Valley,
East Midlands, Humberside, Isle of Man, Leeds/Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton and Wick. We do not have crew based at Birmingham, Bristol or Cardiff airports in the UK, or any of our European airports.

Airport ground staff are generally employed by our handling agents at the airports to which we operate. We do however also employ our own ground representatives at Aberdeen, Humberside and Wick airports. Eastern Airways headquarters is located at Humberside Airport, North Lincolnshire. The majority of administration staff are based here.
Requirements: JAR-FCL FATPL
JAR-FCL 1st Class Medical
ICAO level 4 Language Proficient
A Minimum of 1000 Hours Total Time

[email protected]
www.easternairways.com
[phone]
[phone]
send an email or your CV and covering letter to Steve Jenkins, Chief Pilot,

[ITFC1]

OK, thanks, wasnt sure if there was an advert out.

I sent my CV off, but nothing back.

I got 2400 TT, 600 Jet 1100 Turbine.

i do a communting contract and wish a UK based job.

[CaptainSox]

You should give them a call to make sure they recieved it.

For the J41 you pay 13K upfront and a further 8K line training bond. Or hopefully the Saab!!

Good Luck

[ITFC1]

I got the email saying they have received it, nothing further though.

thanks for the info on the costs.

I am looking for a job nearer home, and they have 2 bases within driving distance.

Just hope my CV is still in the pile.

Cheers

[CaptainSox]

With your hours I reckon they will just bond you for all me thinks! Coz you would be valuable to them for the Scatsta contracts.

I would still give them a call, nothing to loose.

[CaptainSox]

Yes good point. I do not know why. Perhaps generic advert or could be planning somthing.

[Dihaz]

This advert is very old.
My advice don't go Eastern unless your moving up from a company below regional airline pay and t+c's.

Good Luck.