Terms and EndearmentThe forum the bean counters hoped would never happen. Your news on pay, rostering, allowances, extras and negotiations where you work - scheduled, charter or contract.
You are right, however I am still paying down my training loan - and i'll need to rent my own place! If I had neither it may be a viable proposition, but alas it is not.
I'd be interested to hear anyone else's thoughts on what they plan to do?
Jet2 is a good bet for a career, you with have base stability and not be changed at a whim and i dont think it will be too long before you are back towards your Ryanair take home pay. Sure there is a bit of pain to start with BUT probably worthwhile in the longrun. You have done well to get through the selection, however you may be closing a door for short term considerations. Good luck!
The Southerners in Jet2 will soon be leaving the Norths dark satanic mills for the green uplands of West Sussex and new shiny jets, because there will soon be another B737NG operator based at LGW.
There is no way anyone in FR could leave for 70% in jet2. The 100% contract in jet2 is a pay cut never mind the 70%. don't really buy the career argument either it's not BA or anything and in some bases you will only fly the 300 so staying in FR and keeping your hours on the NG will be more beneficial. Jet2 will argue it's not all about money but with a pilot loan, mortgage, wife & kids it is all about money, can't tell the person at the till after your monthly shopping that it's not all about money.
It's a pity because I'm sure jet2 is a nice place to work I just wish they would get rid of this 70% crap
I'm sure that Jet2 would say that the 70% contract is about quality of life, remember you get paid 70% of the full line rate for about 60 % of the work so it cuts both ways.
With lower housing costs in the north of the UK you might well be better off with the 70% contract than being 100% with another airline and having to pay the cost of housing in the south........and do less work !
It's a fallacy that the North is cheaper. Sure there are cheap places in the North, but not where any of the Jet2 bases are - because airport catchment areas tend to be reasonably expensive. The area to the north of Leeds to Harrogate and across towards York is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK. Same with parts of Manchester and Edinburgh. Sure you could live in a shit hole next to dodgy schools, but who is going to accept that. Why should you accept that?
Jet2 can get away with it because it is supply and demand. A lot of airlines which fly the same equipment as Jet2 have gone bust in recent years. However I know quite a few guys who have got 70% contracts in their hands for a next year start who have started with Norwegian or Monarch recently, or are about to start, and can't be bothered to tell Jet2 to shove it. I guess there will be quite a few empty courses come next year. So, there will be openings I'm sure.
I see you are too highly financialy geared with the training loan to be able to take advantage of the situation.
A lot of people have committed themselfs to large debts to get into this industry and then find themselfs slaves to there loans, I decided that being a slave to the banks was not for me and I saved the money to pay for my training.
It's a nice feeling knowing that you don't owe anyone and that if the current airline goes bust ( as four of them have!) you won't have the bailiffs knocking at the door within weeks.
I have to ask who thinks it is a good idea to get into thousands of pounds of debt to get into this business ?
Everybody is entitled to look at what's on offer from Jet2 and decide if it suits their personal circumstances or not.
Personally I joined on a fixed term contract as an FO, which was a bit of a risk considering the alternative was a lucrative posting to Qatar, which although financially far superior to Jet2, didn't suit my circumstances (wife and kids settled in uk).
Towards the end of my 6 month summer contract, it became a permanent contract with effect from 1st November, followed a year later by promotion to captain. Initially then, from my perspective, Jet2's offering wasn't great but was grudgingly accepted - however, I'm now on reasonable money, am amassing 737-800 command hours rapidly, and most importantly am in a stable, profitable, expanding uk airline.
Each to their own, and everybody has different requirements and expectations from an employer, but I would just like to point out that dismissing a 70% contract as unacceptable might be a little bit short sighted, considering (as my experience shows) how quickly things change in aviation.
Penworth while I agree with you if someone is unemployed or military or on a tp but the earlier poster is in FR and I don't think it is a worthwhile move from Fr. In 2 years they could also be a captain, also be flying the 738 but for more money
About £4400 in the summer, obviously a bit less in the winter. That's after taking off £300pm for pension.
N747EX
Clearly if you're purely talking hard cash, then Ryanair is going to win out, but the fact the earlier poster is considering leaving Ryanair for jet2 suggests there must be factors other than salary being considered. I've never worked for Ryanair so couldn't possibly comment on any cultural or lifestyle differences between the 2 companies which may have encouraged people to consider moving!
I am interested to read that some posters reckon they have good career prospects at Jet2. So did some of the pilots in Channex until they found themselves out of work.
Whether I have debts to service or not does not make a difference to the fact Jet2 are offering HALF what Ryanair are. As you rightly elude, I am looking for more than just the bottom line at the end of each month. The combination of Loss of Licence, Pension, expenses paid, life insurance, etc etc.. Makes up for a drop in pay, but not one worth 50%, especially when I am command ready NOW and could be on £6000 pm in a few months.
It is interesting to note that from the people I have spoke to (ok, only 10 or so), ALL have declined the contract. One of my colleagues who applied a few days ago has been offered an interview near immediately because they appear to be short of people who will accept the deal.
Penworth - you describe the situation I aspire to. But it would seem the company is offering these contracts full in the knowledge they will be made 100% at the end of the summer, but are merely using it as an excuse to screw down the wage to save a few bob. All that means is that people with experience will take their toys elsewhere and you'll end up with no one command ready, because they won't take the paycut and internally they all sod off elsewhere in search of better T&C's.
I still have a few days to decide whether to take it. I appreciate all the messages I have from people on here offering their insights, or the inside line on the company. Even after I described everything above, it's still a difficult decision. No one I have spoke to has said they don't like to work there!
One of my colleagues who applied a few days ago has been offered an interview near immediately because they appear to be short of people who will accept the deal.
Just curious, are all of your colleagues UK native?
Applied like 2 months ago and nothing so far. (2600hrs in the NG)
A lot of them are yes, but are based abroad. It's a big deal for people to be based where they want - one that Ryanair uses to it's advantage. Alas, we are haemorrhaging pilots, especially now that the guys on the old Brookfield contracts are being renewed at a "renegotiated" (Ryanair need to look at the dictionary term) block rate of 83, rather than 85 Euros per hour!
Was a bit strange to have no answer, no contact, nothing after such a long time and be reading at the same time that they really need people. Guess they see the passport and think it is not suitable for their english requirements. Nevermind, considering the t's and c's maybe is a good point not to be called! Won't have to face the difficult decision between choosing to live in Europe (accepting a poor salary) and the €
Anyone here have any idea if Jet2 have enough TR'd applications to cover their requirements or is there any possibility of them opening up to experienced, non TR'd/ TP bods?
They have taken un TR before but , now , it looks like TR only. Funny thing is my mate just finished 6 month contract , looking for something else, and they are already advertising for people for 6 months next year. I weep for the industry.
