Many things pending at GSS at present. Namely the renewing of contract with British Airways World Cargo (BAWC) next year. BA secondee issue, looks like at least 50% of the commands will be established by BA first officers on a 3 year secondment. At present not all of these positions are filled, but they will be !! Some Secondees nearing the end of their tour want to stay and who can blame them - having to go back in the right seat for up to 10 years must be a daunting prospect.
Retirements: Well all depends on the new laws etc - Capts till 65 etc. Although the DFO had decreed that GSS will only employ Capts till 60, they do have the option to swap seats. Up to 10 Capts will be in this position within 12 months.
Life style: Can not complain about time off, you will be contracted to work 18 days. Many crewmembers live outside of the uk as far away as MIA and DXB, these guys have the advantage of tax reduced salaries. Downside can be long trips (up to 9 days away - with 4-5 days by yourself in Indian Hotels)......not fun. And no room parties or CC.
Pay/ Allowances/ Pension - These have all been well documented on previous threads. Suffix to say are not the same as BA or VS. The romantic 's of operating a 400F soon wear off after a 13 hr sector from STN- HKG a few beers down Dust till Dawn and then back to work 16 hrs later for a night sector to DEL and immediatly position with Jet Airways to MAA for a few days lay over (by yourself).
The people: A very friendy and basically happy enviroment to work in, from the Office staff to the trainers. The Management are approachable but can't produce miricles - after all GSS is still in a fairly embrionic state, they will and do however react to crewing /commpassonate problems down route - which is fantastic.
In Summary - Remember GSS is not BA or Virgin. At interview all prospective new Pilots are briefed about the T/C's - so if you sign on the dotted line you should know what your lot is going to be. Initial training is conducted at Lufthansa Flight Training in Frankfurt - You will not recieve salary till succesful completion of base training, although you do have Hotac and a small daily allowance to pay for food and incidentals.
The Future: All depends on re-newing contract with BAWC. A 4th Aircraft would alliviate some promotion prospects. Union (BALPA) recognition could help to improve T/C's. If you are seriously thinking about joining - Dont think for one minute that life is going to be easy - You spend long periods of time away at a time mostly in solitude ( Hotel Rooms in China/ India/USA - the execption being HKG, which is always Fun ---- Good luck.