Originally Posted by
Whitemonk Returns
Well to be fair I actually do get where the Jet2 bashing comes from but it is a bit weird how quick people on here go mental about any pro Jet2 posts... However, back on thread, if you are going to leave BA and remain a pilot living in the UK you only really have maybe 5 options that I can think of and I'll give you my take, assuming you are an FO:
Virgin - long haul obviously attracts, London base makes the swap easier from BA but from what I have heard I believe they are cutting all of the good stuff, bullets etc and not what it once was, second hand info though. Swapping one seniority list for another.
TUI - same as Virgin with more base options. Very precarious financial situation and would take a brave man to swap BA for TUI right now. Salaries are probably equivalent, a friend has earned close to 100k as an FO doing day offs etc. Seniority list again though and that stupid 7k a year for the TR if you don't have the rating has put most people off, part time contract aswell.
Easyjet: Good salaries for Captain although I don't know the exact figures. European bases, quicker command, if you are already Airbus this is going to be a quick transfer. High workload, don't know what you fly at BA but if I wanted to fly 800 hrs a year i would just go to the desert
Jet2: Growing company. Not top level salaries but 85k+ for an SFO and 130k+ for a Captain is competitive. Probably the lightest workload of the lot if you can survive the random roster. Like night flying it won't suit everyone. Good choice of bases. Summers are busy busy and fatiguing, normally you have the winter to recover but with the growth of the business that may not last forever. Long haul is inevitable in my opinion if that's what you want but TUI or Virgin will. Offer this quicker. Brexit seems to have killed the European bases for now unfortunately.
DHL: safe. Cargo is literally flying and will most likely continue to grow. Night flying is tough, FO salary isn't great. Relatively long time to command but I think its worth it when you get there.
Whitemonk obviously you are favouring J2 as it’s your place.
Im at none of these know enough in each to get a picture bar DHL.
From Jet2 Salaries you quote are the very top end. I was told at recruitment that SFO pay wouldn’t be until at least 6 months post final line check and it wasn’t quite that figure. Summer is what 6 on 2 off? Savage man!! Even with winter off that is bloody hard.
Virgin on paper and what people have said is amazing but the hint of a wobble and they make redundancies. I know a guy who has been made redundant twice with them so be aware of that.
OP I think you should go part time and ride it out. Enjoy time off or if you want set yourself up to leave if that’s what you want. Maybe you have a business you want to start.
Can’t predict the future with any airline but BA is not the worst place. Not the best to start with but 10 years in I would put it at the top of the pile for UK airlines to work for.
I thrashed out with my mate who went from J2 to BA. He was close to command at J2 but said he has never been happier at BA and much less tired. More options, pensions is amazing and travel perks are great.
Grass isn’t always greener.