Let me be clear and fair here. Positioning by train is only between LBA and MAN. Between other bases, it's hire car, self drive, taxi, fly etc. Originally train was the only choice but eventually it was realised that having cabin crew (sometimes alone) or pilots in uniform on a train with drunken yobos was asking for it so self position in own car was subsequently also permitted. (Yes you do buy your own ticket and claim it or go into work the previous day and get petty cash).
Shouldn't be a frequent thing once MAN is fully crewed up and less support is needed from LBA but it is indicative of how top management in the company is seeking to reduce even the smallest costs with scant regard to their employees comfort and even safety. "We have to compete with Ryan Air" I guess is every airline CEO's justification for all cuts.
However, to reiterate, Jet2 is blessed with a lot of nice friendly people in the air and on the ground. It's basically a good airline if you like the North and don't mind being paid less than others for doing 700 hrs a year instead of 900. (Training Captains do 900 though - guess they must really like the North!)
