Originally Posted by
flyboy146
A very well rounded view on TUI - however the time to command is not going to continue as it is currently. The 70 or so per annum is not the norm. Upgrade is still 6-10 years and those on the 81.3 will remain on it even after upgrading. 4 FTE being issued this year essentially means that it would take 20 years to become FTE. The company simply do not want it. Yes, you can earn vast sums in the Summer, however this comes at a huge cost to time off and fatigue. Furthermore as crewing numbers are resolved, flexi will dwindle. The sad fact is TUI is a million miles from being a premium employer of choice as it once was and the T&Cs have been ruined by selfish and incompetent past members of the CC. The vast numbers of those leaving for Jet2, VA and DHL are testament to this. The replacements will be made up of ex mill or cadets with little to no experience. Wonderful colleagues and easy days out but unless you’d like time off in the winter months to travel with nothing in return, don’t touch TUI with a MAX sized barge poll.
Agreed - the command number will likely not hit anything like that number again anytime soon, but looking at the retirement numbers (which were made viewable on the cc forum some time ago) for the upcoming years, its fair to assume it will stay at a reasonable level for the foreseeable. Although you make a good point regarding the 81.3% contract, I hadn't even given it a thought that those guys and girls may only be offered command on said contract - that's hopefully a fight the CC can and will take another day..
I disagree that only 4 a year will be made full time though. I assume you weren't in the company 6/7 years ago when every single FO joined on a part time contract, and then they were all made up at the same time overnight to full time. 6 months is a long time in aviation. Anything can and will change. Who is to say that JET2 with all of their new aircraft on leases with expensive winter downtime wont look to do the same thing in the future for their crew? Anything is possible in my opinion.
"Flexi will dwindle" - Ill believe it when I see it. I have heard that every winter for years now and nothing ever changes - maybe one day it will..
I agree completely that the TUI job offer is not what is used to be, and that is a shame. Professional pilots should be offered professional contracts. Vast numbers leaving? I empathise and respect their choice if so - but if they are leaving looking for the golden ticket gig, I think that all ended about 2 decades ago!