Callsign,
apparently there were 4 summer only contracts taken on, mostly @ MAN.
TCX are in quite an uncertain position at the moment. Firstly, there are 3
A330's going back off lease at the end of the summer (these were previously used for the Canadian Affair contract which we recently pulled out of). This would in theory create a surplus of Pilots going into this winter.
Coupled with this, a large exposure to Egypt has bitten with the political issues over there and will hit the Airline. This has lead to a large portion of the flying program to Egypt being pulled and re-deployed. This means those Aircraft are now operating shorter routes and can therefore fly more sectors each day, and hence require more drivers. TCX is quite unique in that the tour operator drives the Airline and its establishment. At the moment due to other pressures and a slow economy people aren't booking and this could lead to a reduction in capacity for next summer. Of course us Brits will end up booking our holidays in the end and the company will probably be playing catch up as usual!!
To mitigate this voluntary severance has been extended until the end of the summer to give people more chance to organise their lives (unlike the previous 3 weeks to decide). Also the company have it on authority from BA that some 20 people are sat in the hold pool awaiting start dates. The future is very very grey, there could potentially be a surplus at the end of the year or possibly further recruitment going into next year. It really depends on people booking holidays and the company's perception of the holiday markets for the next twelve months.
Expect anything......................