Ignoring handfly's rather bitter and cynical comment for the contempt it deserves, the CC at easyJet is driven by its members and they tell Balpa what they want for their members.The representation easyJet members have had so far is beyond reproach and this is the reason the level of membership is so high. It is quite true most pilots there are fed up, but most wish to stay and make it the airline it is capable of being, despite the inept management which serves only to increase their own bouses at the expense of running the business properly and keeping well trained pilots on side.
On Septemeber 10th, 2001 easyJet had a massive pilot shortfall and was desperate. After the catastrophic events the next day, suddenly they had about 2000 CV's to filter through as airlines went bust or laid off. The management has, in its arrogance, not understood that those times are no more and for a number of reasons, easy jet is no longer the pick of airlines.
Case Number 1, CTC cadets pay a massive 60K loan (around 87K with interest) to come on board. They are paid £1000 allowances for 6 months, no leave and not accruing holidays either. Of course, these cadets go to other airlines like TCX, Thomson and get treated like normal pilots as soon as they are type rated. Our lot, bearing in mind the poor treatment, then go on 90% of their mormal pay for another 6 months, being "double-dipped" as the 10% they are docked is to subsidise training they are still paying for themselves!! Guess what?They are going to BA in droves, as soon as they get the minimum 500 hours which is about 6 months work at easy, bearing in mind they have no leave!! Some start applying within weeks of Line Training!!
Case Number 2: Recruitment: It has been a while since anyone form the Services has come to easyJet. In fact, on a recent recruiting day 9 pilots were scheduled, 5 turned up and only two were accepted. They have just recently cancelled a course at CTC as nobody wanted to join easyJet.
Case Number 3: With over 330 pilots having left since 2002, I predict this figure will increase to 400 by years end. The airline says this is an acceptable figure for which they cater for. Oh yes, I always plan to subcharter when running an airline because I cannot keep enough of my own pilots on board!!!Cabin crew losses are running at 25% as Virgin, BA and BMed soak up our well trained staff.
Meanwhile, at the first Pay meeting in October, 2005 having extracated about 15% more hours from our hard working pilots, they come to the table with an empty bag citing "no money for you!!" Having worked the pilots up to a frenzy due to their inept rostering and degraded pay, now they are shuddering in their boots as membership in Balpa has reached record levels and suddenly the airline is able to find more money in the pot to placate its pilots. What a surprise!!! The arrogance with which the management has treated the very pilots that help make easyjet such a profitable airline is breathtaking. Now we have a letter from the COO stating how their intention was to reward us appropriately all along; how can you do that with no money???.
Finally, they have grown up. The reality is that subchartering this summer will cost them dearly as up to 6 aircraft may be parked due to crew shortages. Be it on your head gentlemen as you alone will have to explain to the board how you go it soooo wrong and that rather than a reasonable pay rise costing only so much, you have now paid out far more to other airlines to keep easyJet running!!