Also have a mate in FRA at Stn. He has been there 4 years and is very happy. Been for the initial interview last week. Hope to join soon. DD tells you straight. No bs. No culture bs either. 5 on and 3 off better. Expect to get 900 hours a year so work hard... but hours flying not positioning by taxy to here there and everywhere. Have a 5 year pay agreement with 3% rise per year. No likely chance of a strike then. Most info on their web site but some important bits not....Holidays 28 days - done in blocks, so 5 days hols = 11 days. No day off bidding system but can book odd holiday days off. Roster swopping is ok and the only solution. Have a death in service policy similar to easy. Also have a pension plan - they put in up to 5% if you do. Basic for qualified Capt is £49342 + sector pay. They pay tax on sector pay. Expect £15,000 sector pay in first year (probation for 6 months) then £20,000 each subsequent (all after tax). Quite how they get to the figure of £89,000 grossed up is unclear. By my calcs grossed up pay = approx £49342 + £33000 = £83000 - unless you add in pension etc. They also pay for medicals and have an annual increment of £300. Down side is that contract will say they can move you to whichever base they need to. Get a couple of weeks accom there then you are on your own. (Better than the poor new Captains easy sent to BFS then!) DD says that base move unlikely to happen ...especially if you get in soon and are not the latest at your base of choice. Sickness pay is 6 months basic then an insurance policy takes over to provide half basic TFN.
Good luck - I've made my decision.
