As an FO on one of these contracts.
Firstly I didn’t go to the bank of Mum and Dad as CTC was as close to an old sponsored scheme as possible due to the unsecured bond. This was the only way I could afford to enter the industry, otherwise I would have joined the RAF. Hindsight is a wonderful thing I know.
I think that the zombie references is very unfair, this is a career I have always worked towards and have worked very hard and sacrificed a lot to get here. Airlines have always had a requirement for direct entry pilots and airlines have had schemes allowing this. Everybody has to enter the industry through a path and to the best of my knowledge no one I ve flown with has ever had anything critical about the standards of us cadets.
None of us want to be the ones responsible for driving terms and conditions down and are all acutely aware we are. We all turned down joining Ryanair, which CTC were heavily pushing when we finished training, deciding instead to hold out for one of the partner airlines, myself over 9 months. Along with other CTC colleagues I see this as a career and not just the opportunity to fly a big aircraft and hence didn’t want to join Ryanair and contribute to the poor conditions however they appear to have followed us.
We were always led to believe that permanent contracts were on the cards with easyjet at some point. We’re now in the situation where we literally have no other options but accept what ever is given to us. In particular finances are very tight due to the bond now being handed over to us as we’re no longer entitled to the cadet salary. Refusing anything now will only result in us punishing ourselves while other cadets come through and take the positions. I personally do not hold CTC responsible, as if CTC said no, the airline would only go somewhere else.
I believe no one wants to be driving terms and conditions down and are aware this will eventually lead standards and abilities the same way. We want to be in an industry attracting the most competitive applicants.
I am a member of BALPA and am open to suggestions of how we can improve the situation but without the support of our colleagues leaves us with nothing we can do.
I am very grateful to BOECAPT for raising the conversation and on a personal note enjoyed EZGOEK330FO's story.