SKY's4ME,
This post has the disturbing whiff of a management fishing trip about it
However, on the off chance that you really want to know:
Life at Flybe is pretty good. There are a lot of good people and you can usually have an enjoyable day's flying. True, there are issues to be addressed; in particular, roster stability, pay and career path (ie progression onto the jet fleet).
There appears to most of us to be no credible reason (other than simple economy) to pay crews on the Q400 fleet so much less than the jet heroes. Indeed, it is easily argued that from a professional point of view - in terms of its complexity and demands - the Q400 is simply an Airbus with propellors. It also generates far more revenue for the company. In fact SAS already has a single pay scale for pilots in recognition of this.
From a management point of view, the company is making the awkward transition from cottage industry to serious player. It is also, we are told, being prepared for sale/ flotation. That's a change that is never going to be made easily or without pain. It may also be that some different faces in key posts may be better-suited to manage the process. It will certainly mean some short- to medium-term upheaval for everyone. However, it also presents an opportunity to reshape our T's & C's for the future if we all approach the problem constructively.
As far as I am aware, the northern bases (BHD, EDI & GLA) are the ones where there is a continuing need to recruit, although with 10 more Q400's coming next year it's not going to be a static situation. Those aircraft have to go somewhere and they'll need to be crewed. Norwich is planned to be quite a large base, quite quickly (from Spring '06). As to promotion - very much a moveable feast: minimum time (off the top of my head) is 2500 TT with 500 on type/ in the company. Exceptionally, 2000 TT but the number in each base at this level is limited by regulation.
As for Flying Fiona's attempts at 'help'; disregard them entirely. He has obvious issues of resentment and bitterness for reasons unknown. He certainly doesn't work for us and most of what he says appears to be founded on malicious fabrication:
- If the FOD was 'forced to resign', it was by personal circumstance, not the company.
- '.. average age of ops/ crewing ...' pure make believe. TOSH! Yes they may have improvements to make, so let them get on with it.
- '... one third of the pilot workforce replaced...' - complete rubbish. That would be 112 people!! Balls!
- Dr Helen Muir conducting a study.... A professional in her field form Cranfield Uni. Err... that's a good thing, isn't it?
- '... worst pay in the industry ...', No it ain't. wrong again. '... lowest flight pay ...' , Don't know. If it is, argue constructively for an improvement or leave if the last 50p is that important to you.
If you want to fly a smart, efficient piece of kit from a local base with pretty well no night stops, Flybe could serve you alot worse. Thankfully, it still also retains some of the family atmosphere from a few years ago, too. Strangely enough, and I can see why FF would have a problem here, if you treat people right they tend to reciprocate. Those with an axe to grind usually form the most vocal minority, but I and many others will not be looking elsewhere. The grass is most certainly no greener.
Good luck.