Frozen pilot has got his finger on the pulse with this one. Job security! Thomas Cook at the moment is almost trying to get rid of the expensive, senior pilots with talk of a/c going and doom and gloom.
However, TCX are a bunch of crafty b
ers and it wouldnt suprise me if the doom and gloom is becuase the pay deal is coming around again and after the last pay freeze and comedy value share scheme they know they could be in for a big hit.
Rgds LHaul, the most expensive and nicest 330s are definatly being prepaired to be returned however a few rumours are that one of them has already been extented for a few more months and that Canadian Affair has come back with a better offer. Maybe they are just looking for a better/cheaper deal on 330's to be able to keep canadian affair going? To back this up TCX are doing 8 CCQ's at the moment for F/O's.
It has been mentioned but what really annoys me about TCX is that they are almost afraid of competition. The routes that Virgin and BA are expanding into TC are pulling out of such as Vegas. I know loads of people who want to go there and book their own accom and the consumer doesnt think you can do this with TC so they go else where. I see BA and Virgin also are flying to Cancun in the near future so I can only image we have a couple of seasons of that left. I strongly believe that the senior management of TCX are fixated on package holidays and are not willing to move with the market. Yes people still want package hols, however there are more people who want to arrange their own hotel and just want a decent cheap flight which is why seat only operators are doing so well. I know TC have a website devoted to selling seat only but I doubt much of the market does.
CABUS