John Smith,
Joining TOM as a career move at 30 would imply a 35 year career. Chances are you would achieve command in that time scale! Seriously though, there have not been many command opportunities in recent years, although a group recently achieved commands initially temporarily, which have just been made permanent. The company is regarded by many who join as a "career airline", so turnover is low, and times to command have exceeded 10 years. Who knows what the future holds, but hopes of a quick command would not be a good reason to choose Thomson.
Council Van,
I guess that depends on whether 80% of full time represents a pay cut on your present scales, with the prospect of a 20% pay rise in the future. (80% of current new join FO scale is roughly £44500). On top of that would be company loss of licence of £50000, £8.95 an hour duty rig, £164000 death in service benefit, £450 for working on a day off, medical paid for, uniform provided, private health cover etc etc. These are all subject to current negotiations between BALPA and the company as part of ongoing pay negotiations, the pilots having recently rejected the original RPI offer. Sometimes it's about more than a headline salary figure.
Last edited by Matey; 15th August 2014 at 23:23.