If you apply as DEC, I don't see them snubbing your application; unless you have some "history" from your previous tenure at FR
The last major intake of DECs all applied through BRK. As long as PB is at the helm, then it will be a BRK only contract. I believe it is his policy to drive this way of hiring. On occasion they do offer permanent contracts, however flight deck (I've only heard of FOs) are selected for interview on the basis that they are 'deserving' and that the offer is some sort of 'holy grail' - the former may be true, however the later certainly wasn't.
That questionable memo arising from PBs office a month or so ago suggested that four OCC courses for DECs had been cancelled as they were no longer required. Believe what you like; however the vast majority of the spam can drivers here believe they were scrubbed because they couldn't fill them! Added to the fact that most LTCs who you query with regard to the last major DEC hire and training suggest that it was all a bit of a headache to put it mildly! Many were binned! Internal CUs continue at a rate of knots; however you only
have to read a few posts on here and speak to the odd jumpseating crew member to discover that new upgrade = shipped off to the land of far far away on a 5/3. As a result a number are unwilling to move to the left. (At my base
alone I know of at least 3 guys who are happy to stay in the right seat - they all exceed the hours required for command). There is also the issue of remuneration, which if you are permanent varies from base to base + 10%
"probation?!?" cut for new upgrades As you can also tell from Mavericks post, BRK Cpts rates are also being pushed back; however they were able to take advantage of a number of guys who came cap in hand after their respective
carriers went to the wall over a year or so ago.
A lot of DECs who I have flown with did get their base of choice when joining a
year or so ago, however I'm uncertain of whether there may have been a case of management conceding to desperation as they were short on numbers for summer 2010? Some have spread a theory that a number of new joiners had approached BRK with an offer to work for less on the basis that they were guaranteed their first choice base. I don't know what to believe really, however
anything is conceivable; as you well know
I think there are quite a few that hope for an "exodus" however I think it may only be wishful thinking. There is certainly a cloud of concern arising; especially if you 'read in to' PBs memo. However crewing levels will be more than adequate to ride the winter schedule. There will be guys heading to EK and I know of colleagues with interviews at both Etihad and FlyDubai which are scheduled for the winter. Almost certainly BA will look to take a number of our guys for their 737 classic fleet (I doubt they will be short on choice from the volume of applications from FR!). EI will also be recruiting for next year, however rumour is that they will be following BAs line a looking for those already rated and current the 'Bus. I have also heard that a UK carrier
(Thomas Cook anyone?) will be placing an order with Boeing for NGs, however they'll be a long time in coming and they are also most probably replacement frames. So mass exodus or continuous trickle? You tell me? I reckon all won't
be truly revealed till summer 2011. Then the outcome will become apparent.
I'm not keen on painting all the blemishes, however you asked for transparency. I wouldn't go as far as agreeing with Maverick with regards to steering clear, however I can understand why there are many who are truly pissed at what is happening. I am still happy, however happiness can shift to dispair. I've witnessed it unfortunately. As for your Irish base, forgett it. It won't happen. I'm not even going to give you a glimmer of hope on that one.
Goodluck in the path you choose to persue. CK