Not "tense" old chap, I just find them to be a decent enough employer and I struggle sometimes to reconcile the attitudes displayed by some of the pilot population that inhabits Pprune with the apparent state of the market. I fail to see why defending the company makes me "tense". Those slating it seem a lot more tense to me......
(Note - I am fully cognisant that Pprune represents a cross-section of absolutely nothing and that anonymous opinions expressed on here have little or no bearing on the real world, mine included)
There seems to be a high level expectation among many posters on here when it comes to employment. I fully support the idea that T&Cs of the airline pilot population have generally been pared to the bone in Europe/UK and that cutting them any further must be resisted where possible. That said, the days of 6 figure salaries for all, free flights everywhere, fancy hotels and trolley loads of free food are gone for pretty much everyone.
Employment opportunities in the UK market are flat for pretty much everyone and especially for those seeking to break into the "jet market" (a hilarious concept in itself). Folk have quoted other airlines recruiting but you only have to read the threads on the subjects to see what's actually going on.
EasyJet recruiting 200. Or are they? Is it a smokescreen sop to the CAA? Seems to be some pretty grotty contracts being discussed there, not to mention the high probability of applicants fronting up £30k+ for a rating. And what about the recruiting process there? "Congrats you're through!" "Actually we've changed our minds, you're not."
Monarch recruiting? Apparently. A great company with good Ts and Cs. Funded by the odd bail out now and then. Recruiting is apparently on but it's very a slow drip feed, certainly not enough to satisfy the demands of the pilot market.
BA? The Hopy Grail of airline employers. Yes, they offer proper old school T&Cs and a career for life. How's recruiting going there then? Pretty much 50-75% of the folk that got through BA's Terribly-Pleased-With-Itself recruiting into the hold pool have then been dropped as the company's circumstances/needs changed.
RyanAir recruiting. Apparently. Knock yourself out with that one. The absolute bottom of the barrel when it comes to airline employers.
So what about Jet2 then? A company that has grown rapidly over the last few years is now offering opportunities to a whole spectrum of the pilot community. Ex-military looking for their first civvy job, TP looking for first jet, returnees to UK, people wanting to move "home" up north, capable FOs looking for the chance of a shot at command, the list goes on. Yes the company isn't perfect and I don't seek to defend those aspects I find distasteful, however it is a fair employer offering choice and opportunity in a market that generally isn't.
The company generally works for me as an employer but to answer your specific criticisms:
No Crew Food - sorry, I find this oft levelled complaint to be hilarious. Buy a banana or take a sandwich. If you can't survive a Malaga and back without a three course meal you need a chat with yourself.
Dual Basing - I'm not but know many who are. None of them are bothered by it.
"Pathetic Pilot Contracts" - I wholeheartedly agree that the 70% contract is a pretty cynical HR tool to get something for nothing. A lesson was hopefully learnt earlier this year when it was turned down in droves leaving the company short of pilots. I don't agree with it however I know plenty of commanders who've taken it, rightly or wrongly, as "in" to the company. That said, I know people who joined simply because the 70% contract was available. The pay over the summer funds other activities over the winter. Some people do have lives outside of aviation....
50% pay during training - Yup, don't like that either. 50% during the TR fair enough but once on line training it should be 100%
Pay for your rating - I fail to see why this is a drama. Why should any company splurge a load of money to give you a fancy, marketable rating and then expect no return? Most people I know are on a non-repayment, reducing 3 year bond. If anyone can give me a realistic reason why this is unfair I'm all ears. I'm actually on a repayment bond - I'd rather not be paying it back but thems the breaks.
Jet2 isn't perfect - in my case I live away from home and am paying for my rating. On the other hand, I enjoy the working environment and people I work with. I get a decent enough salary that is paid on time. Is it the ideal company for me? Actually, no it isn't (location). Does that make them a bad employer? No, far from it. Would I take another job if there was one that better suited my needs? Yes. Does that stop me being able to recommend Jet2 as an employer. No, again, far from it as I am able to see the company for what it is.
It may not be a "career airline" for some but I know many for whom it is. Not everyone needs the moon on a stick and there are people out there for whom, surprisingly, £85k pa, a busy summer, a quiet winter and the chance to live at home on t'Dales is more than enough. For those that need the rock star wages go fill your boots in China or the desert. I hear the Terms there are idyllic....
Whether or not the intelligentsia of Pprune apply to the company is of little or no interest to me. I simply offer a counterpoint view to those on here who would seek to slate the company either through disgruntlement, outdated experience or just general "snobbery" and over-expectation. You're all grown ups (well, most of you), if you want a job that fits the criteria offered by the company then apply. Go to the interview and ask questions. If you don't like the answers you get then walk away. It's very very simple.
I'm not a company spokesman by the way, I'm just some bloke with an opinion.
PS. I was the wrong side of a bottle of wine when I wrote my response to Ben178v. That said, it still reads like it was written by an FO with a few thousand hours sulking that he gets jumped in the queue to command by a newcomer turboprop commander. I find the whole TP/Jet experience/hours argument to be a hilarious and baseless HR construct. (And before you ask, I haven't been a victim of it). As I said, Hours Maketh Not The Man. Who is probably the better pilot - the 4000hr BA 747 FO who logs 24 hours per trip and lands once a month, the 3000hr 737 FO who logs 5 hours per trip and lands 5 times a week?
Anyway, I can't see what the issue is with a FlyBe/Eastern LHS joining Jet2 on £75k + £9k pa as a commander and being bonded for three years? "Whatever conditions are offered"? What more do you want?
Last edited by StopStart; 14th Jul 2013 at 08:20.