Frank W. Abagnale - I think from your location you work in the States and so it looks like you want a move to Europe. I think you will enjoy it, but like all moves you have to have your eyes wide open when moving to a different culture. I am a TRE on the Airbus with easyJet (Check Airman in American parlance). I am not a manager but have worked here for many years and I think I understand us enough to be able to answer some of your questions. These are not 'official' answers and the only correct ones are the ones you get in writing from easyJet when you get offered a contract. Anyway, in answer to your questions -
1.Would I fulfil the requirements to get hired as an SFO with Easy ?
I would say 'Yes' - but you would be made to pay for your type rating.
2.Is there a base where I can get part time straight away or do I have to work my way up ?
You would almost certainly not get part-time straight away, but 'working your way up' may not have the same meaning here as it would in the States. We do not have a seniority list, but there is kind of a one for getting a command - again it does not function in the same way as you are used to. Regarding getting part-time, that tends to vary from base to base. If you go to a small base like Barcelona, it would be much more difficult than, say, Gatwick where there are nearly 900 pilots. The key thing to note here is that part-time contracts do exist but you would be very unwise to plan your future on the assumption you will get one quickly - it is just not that guaranteed.
3.Is part time as an F/O even possible if you want an upgrade with Easy ?
Part-time as an F/O is completely independent of you wanting an upgrade. However, if you accept an offer of a command (our parlance for an 'upgrade'), you will have to give up your part-time contract for 6 months minimum. That is an operational requirement to ensure you become completely proficient in the left seat. After that you will join the line and when your turn comes (subject to base and 'the needs of the Company'!) you can go part-time again. The critical thing to take on board here is that easyJet is as good as its word in my experience - be that good or bad. We are not Ryanair where you believe you have joined on one contract only to discover a day after you join that the terms are completely different. You will get a written contract and that will be the deal - but that works both ways. If it says, for example, you have a base freeze for 3 years on a full-time contract, and 6 months later you go to your base captain and say, 'where do I apply for part-time?', he will bring out your contract and politely advise you that is not what you signed up for. So, on balance, I would be vary wary indeed of turning up here in the expectation of a quick part-time contract and a quick part-time command - there are just too many variables and I think you will inevitably be disappointed.
4. What is the time to command on European bases, which are available at the moment ?
It is very variable from virtually zero in Lisbon to 7 years at Milan. The truth is no one can tell you an exact figure and the historical values are not accurate predictors of the future - again this is a case of applying great caution. What I would say is that you should expect a full-time command when it appears. It would be much more likely that they offer you a command at Gatwick (paid in UK£) and it is up to you if you take it. You can always turn it down, and wait for a slot at the base of your choice. The other complication is that you can only be on one transfer list - so you can either wait for Paris or for Berlin but not both. In terms of bases available at the moment, they are mainly Lisbon and Porto, but I think there may also be slots in Palma. Interestingly, I did some training on a direct entry captain yesterday (very high quality guy) and he was going to Barcelona.
5. Apparently the only bases for F/Os are Porto/Lisboa and Palma on a seasonal contract. Any rumors for other bases on the continent in the near future ?
There are no absolutely certain rumours, and once again until a base is formally announced I would be very wary of assuming anything. When the 'word is on the street' that a new base is imminent, even among easyJet pilots there are a plethora of rumours - 99% of which turn out to be wrong!
One other thing not directly covered by your questions would be the issue of 'upgrades'. In traditional legacy carriers, unless there is a huge black mark on your file, you wait your turn in the queue ('line' in American terminology!) and when your number comes up you go on the course. That is not how it works at easyJet. We have a very low failure rate on our internal upgrades - this last year it has been less than 10 out of 175. The reason for that is that we have a very stringent selection process. When you have the necessary time in the company on a permanent contract (6 months I think), you apply, go on a list and get a first interview. You do some online courses and have to undergo a psychological examination (you get a red, amber or green light from that - the meaning being obvious!). Remember you do not have to be mad to get a red light - it can be that you did not demonstrate the command profile we want rather than be a nut job! You will do another interview at some points and get some evaluation flights. You then do a command assessment simulator that tests both your manual handling skills and ability to deal appropriately with emergency situations. That is followed by a 45 minute technical interview. Your file then goes before a 'Command Review Board' who discuss all candidates by name before they get a place on the Command Course. There are clearly a lot of pitfalls along the way so you should not take it as a given you will be successful - although in reality many people are. We are absolutely not a 'chopping' organisation and you get a lot of rope to hang yourself before the trapdoor opens. Nonetheless, the bottom line is we want our captains to be safe operators and easyJet will not hesitate to remove anyone from the process who gives them cause for concern. They frankly have no choice given the scale of their operation.
My summary would be - do not come here thinking a part-time contract is imminent. Also, be aware of the robust nature of the command process. It is far from impossible, but there are absolutely not any guarantees of the kind you may be looking for. My own experience, and others may choose to disagree, is that easyJet are a good employer and do what they say - be that good or bad. You do not have to be a superstar to succeed, but you do need to be flexible and understand how the contracts and basing policies work. Anyway, I hope that helps.