Pastures new
Some good posts here. Truth is right now there are few other options in the UK for disgruntled Flybe drivers but if that situation changes there will be an exodus of enormous proportions - and not just from the right seat. I personally know Captains with Exec jet options ready to go and others with a military background who have applied to Virgin.
I'm sure you're right that the Easy lifestyle is tiring and 5 earlies or lates in a row is hard (but arguably no harder than 3 earlies followed by 2 or 3 lates which is what Flybe offer). The big reason people will still leave for Easy is that:
They work you hard, but they pay you properly for that
They offer 5/4/5/3 compared to 5/2/5/2 and even 6/2 at Flybe. Your Easyjet driver gets 5 days a month more leave to enjoy their life!
They fly 'proper' jets from which a world of doors open elsewhere
Comparing 2 people I know:
1 joined Flybe 4 years ago and takes home £2000 a month as a F/O
1 joined Easy and is now a Captain (expat) taking home 8000 Euro a month
They both work hard but who would you rather be??
It's a no brainer mate - and everybody here knows it!!
DP