It absolutely is a no brainer that a Boeing 737-800 TR is better than a Q400. I don't think anyone is disputing that. VJW seemed to throw this one in the mix from nowhere. If I made the point about not buying a 738 rating, it wasn't because I'd rather buy a Q4 rating, hell, who would?
But more the fact that if I even had the money to pay for a rating it would be a 320 rating, which, in my humble opinion is a far more useful rating than the 738.
757_Driver
We are taking on people, but from the sponsored hold pools. The MPL guys and girls are just starting online, and a few have started over the past 6 months from the various hold pools we have. The only hold pool they haven't taken from yet is the main hold pool. At a guess there's about 15-20 people in this, and they have been in it for over a year now.
I think as recruitment picks up nationwide they'll have to start taking from, and filling the main hold pool so just bide your time.
As for the lifestyle, well probably the same as alot of airlines. I'm not sure if you are already in an airline or not to compare it? Basically it's ok, but the lates to earlies is a big killer, finish on lates, start on earlies. Especially if you have just come off the back of a 6 day week and then you only get 2 off. The roster is supposed to run something like 5 on 2 off 5 on 2 off 6 on 3 off but it never seems to work that way. Plenty of standbys in the winter, but they have just taken off crew information from the AIMS system, so you can't even see whether or not you're likely to be called any more.
The fact that we get our rosters issued on the 12th of every month can also be a pain, you cannot plan any kind of short term life at all. At best you know what you're working 6 weeks in advance, at worst 2 weeks.
On the whole it's ok, but it could be far, far better with a little thought and want.
Pay wise, as you probably ascertained you start on £25k, you get about £2k per year flight/duty pay. After year 1 you get about a £3k pay rise which is nice, and by the time you are in year 3-4 you should be earning about £35-£37k per year. Apart from that everything is as ppjn states.
CC