Some facts
Some facts about Flybe,
It's owned by the 101st richest family in the land, who stand to gain in excess of a further £400 million when it is listed. It is run by an extremely wealthy and bright Scotsman whose 8% stake in the company will be worth in excess of £50 million when it lists. His salary of £400 000 plus bonus and Audi A8 means he will have been paid many multiples of the sums earned by the CEO'S of Lufthansa, BA and other global airlines over the same period. This huge wealth has been generated by crews who are worked currently to within inches of the law on the worst roster pattern and wages in the industry. Captains are paid in line with train drivers, FO's are paid bus driver wages, the aircraft are amongst the most efficient on fuel in the world. The airline has expanded relentlessly on the back of its hard pressed workforce and continues to do so. The pay freeze last year and 0.6% pay rise offered this year attest to the fact that the huge profits being earned are not intended to be used to improve the lot of the workers who have taken Flybe into the big league.
Ask yourself why when the market was last buoyant they were losing almost 10% of their pilots every month and the CAA was becoming concerned about experience levels amongst crews. The terms and conditions are rock bottom and a better deal can be had almost anywhere else.
The management must act now if they are to prevent the biggest exodus the company has ever faced coinciding with their big move into jets and Europe. You can't order $5 billion aeroplanes and then turn around and tell workers there's nothing in the pot without a backlash.
Flybe despite its friendly face is a ruthless juggernaut, every bit as hard nosed as Ryanair and Easyjet. The majority are suddenly waking up to this and their support is moving behind BALPA to address these issues with management before an unparalleled exodus begins.
Desk-pilot
Last edited by Desk-pilot; 8th Aug 2010 at 22:38.