Originally Posted by
Count of Monte Bisto
Enzo999 - there appears to be some aspects of easyJet you do not understand. The first is that we are literally inundated with thousands of applicants for a relatively small number of jobs. We can afford to pick and choose our FOs in particular. The second is that the cadets who come through the flight schools have historically done very well in easyJet. The reason for that is they go through a very careful selection process and are a known product. What they lack in experience is normally made up for in raw ability and a great willingness to learn. Our type-rated pilots who come from other airlines can be very good, but that is not always the case. It is particularly tricky if someone comes with their own ideas of how they want to do things - they quickly find that easyJet is a big follower of SOPs and unashamedly expects its pilots to embrace them. So to say that easyJet does not value experience is not correct - what they want is someone who wants to embrace our culture and values and be part of a team. It would also be true to say that easyJet does not see 6000+ Airbus hours on someone's CV and feel overwhelmed - we are equally interested in the attributes of the individual. It is a bit like a marriage - love gets you to the altar but to stay happily married you have to be dedicated and willing to compromise. Finally, if you feel you are 'better' than the contract that easyJet is offering you, that is fine, but do not expect to turn up here again a year or so later demanding a job because it may not happen. No one has a divine right to employment and it is a very competitive business.
Having worked here for many years, I am only too aware that easyJet is not a perfect employer. It is, however, overall a great place to be and most people enjoy it. We are probably not as good to work for as a national carrier, but we are a better gig than most of the loco's. We have been badly let down in the past by some appalling pilot recruitment blunders - people being offered jobs and then have those offers rescinded etc. I have personally felt deeply embarrassed at such events, and they do not reflect who we are and what working for easyJet is like. Once you are out of the clutches of the pilot recruitment world, life here is actually pretty good and the promises made to you are almost invariably kept. If you come here with a reasonable attitude, there is no reason why you should not have many happy years with us. EasyJet is not for everyone, but if you can put up with our little eccentricities then it can be great fun.
With the greatest amount of respect I don't think there are many aspects of Easy I don't understand. My original point was they obviously don't value experience amoughst their FOs and nothing that has been said on here has made me change my views on that. You can give the party line all day long about cadets being full of "raw talent", follow SOPs perfectly and doing exactly as they are told Blah Blah Blah, but personally I think they are preferred because of the 9 million in revenue they will bring this year and the years of reduced pay untill they either leave to BA or make command (then the whole process starts again).
Anyway luckily for me BA did see some value in me (despit my lack of ability and talent compaired to a Cadet) so I have a good job, but there are lots who don't that will yet again miss out on an opportunity at Easy.
Anyway this could go around in circles for ever, and for the record I am not saying EasyJet are a bad place to work or a bad company, simply that they value profit more than the experience levels of FOs and maybe they are correct to (but to admit that opens up a huge can of worms for us all)!