Some answers, from an insider, as requested:
- yes, they are now saving tax in malta, office now "officially open"
- lot's of new hires around, even more coming, stealing the old guys jobs on the Globals(because they are scared that all the old guys will run after they get the rating, happened a few times already in the younger history of VJS
)
- all new aircraft and all globals are Malta registered. As far as I know the CL 605's will follow soon(but not sure if that is a fact). The 850's stay registered in Austria(propably to have a a bit more serious AOC then that one from Malta - and Austro Control has not really the best name between european authorities)
- new order has just been anounced, now we get the CL350's as replacement for the Lear 60. Start of phasing in(and out) - 2014.
That's the latest facts.
Is Vista a good employer? Hard to say, depends from where you come from. If you are used to some kind of standard and nice treatment(especially from some non flight ops departments)then not. Crewplanning and OPS became are really nice bunch of people because most of crewplanning did not make the move to Malta and there are now all new hires).
Why do I say that? I have been around Vista already for a while - the new brush (Nick) is brushing not so bad, unfortunately he is not a very honest guy and does not take critic of any kind very well(well , that what most managers have in common
).
Examples? Ask him something he dosen't like and he will never come back to you. If you meet again and you ask the same question he will behave like he never heard that from you. Same with his "assistant", the new FOM, Sander.
All new hires are now on the "famous" Malta contract. That opens the door for tax fraud. Was not possible on an old German, Swiss or Austrian contract.
All "old" contract are not getting any benefits(pay rise, inflation correction, Loss of license, additional insurance, etc.), just the Malta ones get that.
Lesson learned: Never be on an "old" contract with Vista(so, don't stick around there to long) as there will be always a "new" contract and the guys being loyal to the company long enough get f****d by Mr.Nick or someone who will take over his job as he climbs in the Vista career ladder(moved already from FOM to Accountable Manager). Of course the new contract is worse then the old one, they need to save money for buying more aircraft.
Just try to stay on your old, not very big salary for 5 years and more without ever getting a rise... Frustrating.
Some guys(most from far abroad or the island) are quiet happy on the new contract. Why? Simple - some don't pay tax on this contract(again, not possible to do that on the good old ones) or they create a company with only themself inside and hire himself(or herself) to Vista as a contractor. That's nothing else then fraud(my humble opinion), but at least they make Vista work for themself.
A big part of the crews(mainly the ones being longer in the company) are not that happy. But what to do in times of a never ending crisis.
To sum it up: If you are without a job, go for it.
If you are happy at your current job and just not that happy about your pay - stay away from Vista.
If you are young, without experience worth to mention, like to see the world or try to join the office in Malta to have party for some years - yeah, go for it. As a pilot you will get your promotion soon(as long as you shut up), and soon you might check your old captain on a linecheck and a bit later on the simulator. Key element is to play along, don't be critic(especially not anything what lies in the responsibility of Nick) and you will do fine.
And of course - always be prepared for a "new" contract
