I assume you're talking about the UK contract as they are all very different in different countries (PM me for more details if you're looking for info about elsewhere).
Originally Posted by
Flys4Funs
Roster - I understand SOs are on Flexi Roster for 2 years until you’re an FO. How does Flexi work in practice - is it like being constantly on call? Do you still get 25 days leave? Do you get 5/4/5/3 as soon as you’re upgraded to FO
It's actually 4 years until you are able to go onto fixed pattern. 2 years as second officer, then 2 years as first officer, then finally SFO. At the moment, guys are getting commands between 4-5 years if they play their cards right, at which point you'd go to fixed pattern anyway. That will undoutably change if the UK economy tanks WRT brexit, but that one is for another thread. Flexi is not reserve (like people at BA do occasionally), it is a random set of duties in a month. The roster comes out on the 17th and you might work a pattern like this - brackets are days off... 4 - (2) - 3 - (3) - 5 (2) - 3 - (4) - 4 etc... You get 25 days of leave a year and blocks of days attract wrap days. For captains, less than 3 days attracts just 1 wrap day either side (eg you book 3 days off, you get the 3 and then 2 either side). 4-9 gets 2 days each side (you book 5 days, you get 9 in a row). Cant remember exactly how it works for FOs but it is similar. You can also book guaranteed days off each month and are allowed 2 of those, so if you're creative, you stick them before your leave making it pretty efficient. If you book 5 days of leave, you get 9 (including the wrap around days) and then a further 2 (using the GDOs), meaning for 5 days of leave, you get 11 off in a row. You can do this 5 times a year with the leave allowance.
Originally Posted by
Flys4Funs
Pay - PPJN say just over 45k GBP for an SO. Is it basically the same across all bases? Are there any increments in the SO grade? How do the increments at FO get applied, is it just based on time? Sector pay just for FOs and up?
That's about right for SO's. No increments, on that salary for 2 years, although the current pay deal has had minor increments relating to RPI. There is a new pay deal this year, no info yet, but potentially could be quite different as we're struggling to keep FOs. Basically, pay uplifts are related to rank, when you get FO, you start to get sector pay, which might be worth between 6-10k a year (including nightstop/day off payments etc). I'd imagine realistically, 45k for SO, 65k for FO and 75k for SFO. If you trained with CTC/L3 and are eligible for the tax dodge, you can avoid tax on approx 11k a year, on a SFO salary, that's effectively worth another 10k before tax (6k after tax) as you'd be on the 40% tax band.
Originally Posted by
Flys4Funs
If you get allocated a base you’re not that into, how easy is it to change?
I think there is a 6 month base freeze when you join (perhaps someone else can correct me on that as it's quite different to my day), then you can put your name on a base transfer list. As an FO, you can move around the UK pretty easily. There is an embargo against moving to Europe now due to Brexit.
Originally Posted by
Flys4Funs
Culture - most things that I read say it’s great place to work and people are really supportive. Is that the same across all a bases, any known outliers?
Wouldn't say there are outliers to that, people who've never left LGW moan about the workload, but it is worse in other bases and those guys cope. In LGW, you just get used to lots of disruption that you perhaps wouldn't have to the same extent elsewhere. Since I joined, things have only gotten better T+Cs wise, that's not the case everywhere, so it has given me confidence I'm in the right place. Realistically, I don't think I will cope with working this hard indefinitely, but part time options are available.
Originally Posted by
Flys4Funs
Training - Again all I read is good on this front anything worth being aware of?
Just do as you're told, honestly. I think our training department is fantastic and keeps moving in the right direction. Keep your head down and you'll be fine.
Enjoy it!