Maxchat,
Are the Eastern Counties pilots directly employed now?
You are right in your logic and everyone knows that it is a cost effective way of employing pilots but.............
One of the main reasons some of the forces I have worked for don't go for the cheaper option is the fear of a pilot going long term sick or not being able to recruit the right pilots. If they pay through the nose for pilots they know that it is not their problem to get pilots,it is the contactors and any shortfalls they can use to beat them with in contract negotiation.
Most directly employed forces still have to have the back-up of contractors for leave relief and sickness. If everyone goes directly employed it may not be worth the contractors maintaining a pool of floaters (no pun intented!) to cover the various aircraft types currently used in the UK. The solution is to have their own pool but who manages it, who has priority and has is it funded?
The answer, which has been around for sometime, is a Home Office/ACPO/Government pilot wing to cover all pilot and training requirements nationally. And I think we know the likelihood of that...........
FNW