Time for a moan!
I'm a contracting captain on a middle to heavy jet and have over 2000hrs. My work fluctuates and nothing is guaranteed. I'd love to join a UK airline even as a part timer, it would be more predictable than what I do now. However, my type is no longer used in the UK and I would need a TR. I'm happy to be bonded for this. However, everywhere I look it's CTC guys who are the only ones considered. I have vast experience, my 2000 hours are 2000 different hours not the same hour 2000 times, I've flown into over 260 airfields, some of the most challenging in over 70 countries, yet all of this counts for nothing against a 200 hour CTC guy willing to pay for his own type rating.
I'm not trying to sell myself here just reiterating what all DE pilots are sulking about. We are stuck in an industry where safety has taken a backseat to costs due to lack of experience of the operating aircrew (Air France 447, an error that would have been picked up by any UK military trained pilot).
When will the DE military pilot be looked at as a commodity again?