Hai u0062,
Back to your original question, I think my situation is quite similar to yours, in that I will have to move to Holland and take a paycut to start at KLM. However, I will definately do it for many reasons:
- Eventually your salary will increase above Easyjet's
- Pension plan is second to none, with retirement at 56
- You have the option in your career to fly short or longhaul adjusting to your personal needs
- Part time possible
- 10 weeks holiday per year
- Normal working patterns, normal working days. 2 or 3 leg-days instead of 4
- Good union
- Still only a 45min flight to the UK, and now you can jumpseat!
- At present a 737 position and 80% contract will easily allow you to manipulate your schedule in a way so you can commute from the UK.
There are many more reasons for me. I am not at all saying Easyjet is a bad company, but it does appear to me that the pilots are on average more happy in klm. Just think about the number of pilots complaining about Easyjet and the number complaining in KLM. And consider how many pilots have left KLM versus Easyjet. To me that says a lot.
Good luck with your decision!