WestAir Europe

[Leo45]

With reference to their recruitment ad in Flight International, last month, for BAe ATP and ATR FOs, has anyone been invited for an interview yet?

[french clover]

no ,not yet as far as I'm concerned!(it's just to make the 15 letters required by pprune) but please PM if any further information !

[Leo45]

French clover check your PM.. or shall I say: vérifie ta boite au lettre

[azzurraguy]

How can u apply for such an airline?

[Leo45]

If it's that bad, could you, please, expand a bit more on your views about WestAir?

[azzurraguy]

bad payment, bad structure, no personal policy, they treat you like you are a complete idiot with no proffession, they have no contact with union, they dont upgrade to become captain in proper way, they promise you one thing - then you get noting other than work work and shut the f... up!
I have just left the company after 5 years. Too many years.

[Treetopflyer]

Apparently they are conducting interviews from the Feb.18th to Feb.20th in Paris.

Does anybody have any ideas what kind of questions they ask and what one should prepare before showing up?

Thanx...

[Treetopflyer]

Okay... I've just phoned these guys at WestAir, and here is what they are offering for the ongoing recruitment for BAe ATP copilots:

- You pay your type rating upfront, 17,000 € that is... And we are talking about the BAe ATP, a type of which there are less than 50 aircraft remaining in the world...

- Then you get paid 2,400 € per month... And we are talking about bases like Paris or Munich, some of the most expensive cities in Europe...

For captains it's the same drill, except you get paid 4,000 € at the end of the month.

I thought slavery had been abolished for a long time in Sweden... Well, maybe not... :E :E :E :E :E

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

Basic pay is pretty poor, but dependent on your circumstances the tax rate in Lux is low, so when I worked there as a Captain I banked Euro3800 of the basic pay. The allowances really bumped up the salary, but you have to work away about 20-22 days per month, so if you can hack that then you'll bank about Euro5500-6000 per month. I'd have to agree with Azzura Guy though, the company is let down by it's management's arrogant and short sighted attitude towards it's employees. There are very few pilot's working there that are happy with the company, though most won't admit it to the management.

If you want my advice, then I would have to say that I think you want your bumps feeling if you are considering paying for an ATP type rating and then working for West Air. There are lots of job's at the moment working for much better companies where you don't have to pay for your rating, and even more jobs working for better companies where you do have to pay but will at least get you a B737 or Airbus rating which is a whole lot more useful than an ATP rating.

[Hard Port]

Just heard on grapevine. All you new westair guys watch out. Almost 50% the west air luxembourg pilots are leaving all within 2 months period.

Not just natural moving on, I think. Some include chief pilot and training captains. How are you new boys gonna get trained? No fly no pay! What if your base is changed when the Fedex contract is moved.

No pay rises in 3 years unless upgraded but now company hiring direct entry capts before upgrading current pilots with required hours and experience.

No vacation either as you have to cover the mandatory swedish vacations.

New interviews on way, but be very cautious about joining this company especially if paying for own TR. Is it worth it.

[downtwogreen]

Just for information: No fly, no pay? Do the crews not get paid when on the ground? I thought the contract was mentionning a fixed salary.

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

When I worked at West Air you got a basic salary which is quite poor, and your take home was boosted by the per diem allowance. So, whilst it's probably not quite correct to say no fly,no pay (although I wouldn't put it past West Air management to try it), it would be more correct to say no fly, no money to play with.

Having spoken to some of my former colleagues at West Air it really sounds like they're still trying to screw the crew at every opportunity, and with no union back up they just ride roughshod over you. They will implement a new rule which will have a significant and detrimental affect on your life, but will be very favourable to them, and if you question it you will be told, "tough, take it or leave". Be warned, don't expect very much out of it, but at the end of the day a job's a job, and if it get's you onto the ladder then go for it, but I would discourage anybody from paying for the type rating on an ATP to get screwed by West Air at the end of it.

I'm not a bitter ex-employee with an axe to grind, I still have many friends working there, but I am fully aware of their tricks and their management style.

For anyone who is in the position of having to take a job at West Air I wish you every success in finding a better employer soon.

[onthejob]

I was also employed by WAS in Sweden for a while and can only agree with the other guys replies about a very poor management style. It's all about taking and not giving back.
This ís a job to have while you are looking for another one.

[Hard Port]

No fly no pay refers only to new hires who do not start getting paid until they start there route training. With so many leaving and more to come including training captains, who is going to train these poor unfortunates who have walked into a well laid trap!

Approximately 12 pilots out of 26 have left and there will be more to come. Before you take the plunge and work for this company ask yourself WHY!! I am not a bitter ex-employee either and I agree with JFP also. Caveat emptor. Spend your money on a Q400, ATR or MD 80 instead.

[DIRRIK]

Leo45, onthejob, johny f@rt pants, downtogreen, treetop...

Check PM

[french clover]

Anybody on this forum invited for interviews next week in Vienna?It seems to be for the ATR72.

[DIRRIK]

Hi Folks


Is there somebody who went to the interviews in Vienna the 19th and 20th of April or the selection in Amsterdam one month earlier for Westair? Please send me a PM.

Greetings

Dirrik

[Caraman]

Strange. I heard that the management told the employees in West Air Sweden that they would be converted from the HS to the ATR during 2005.
So in that case, there is some misunderstanding. :confused:
Wonder who will get the ATR:s- West Air Lux or West Air Swe...

Good luck, everyone and keep looking for other jobs :ok: