Thomas Cook UK - a/c types, bases and routes

[Dave Martin]

Hi,

I'm struggling to track down information on which bases are home to which aircraft, and typical destinations from these bases for Thomas Cook.

Obviously TCX flies from Stansted, Gatwick, Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow, with a mixed fleet of A320, A330, B752 and B753, but how is the fleet split up among these bases and what are the typical destinations for each?

Could the combined knowledge of Proon possibly provide any more information?

Many thanks!

[wheelbarrow]

Dave,

Dunno exact figures for all bases, but:

LGW : 757,320 and 330
MAN : as above
GLA : 3 x 757
BHX : ? x 757
NCL : 2 x 757
EMA : 1 x 320
STN : 1 x 320

All 320 and 757 fly sun routes to popular resorts. Additionally we have 2 x 757 which fly to Canada.

330 flies westbound, ie Canada, USA and Caribbean.

Seniority rules, you will get either 757 or 320 at first and have to bid for 330 eventually.

[Dave Martin]

Thanks for the info.

How are bases usually assigned on joining? Are they open to change at later dates? Is there much movement between aircraft types (ie. A320 to B757 and vice versa).

Ta.

[gliding777]

Dave,

Just to add some further information for you:

MAN: 3 or 4 x 757-200, 2 x 757-300, 1 x A320
LGW: 3 or 4 x 757-200, 2 x A320
BHX: 2 x 757-200
NCL: 2 x 757-200
GLA: 3 x 757-200
STN: 1 x A320
EMA: 1 x A320

The 2 A330s are shared between MAN and LGW.

These figures are for the summer, I know that both NCL and GLA lose an aircraft in the winter.

As for initial basing, there is no fixed pattern for assignment, it really is a case of where the vacancies are - this year there was lots of MAN and LGW needed, as well as a few at GLA and NCL. It is more likely that as a new joiner you will go on the 757. There is some movement between fleets but as wheelbarrow says this is usually onto the A330, but if the fleet changes then the airline will most likely require pilots to undertake conversion courses!!

Hope this helps.

Wheelbarrow, check your email please!

[Dave Martin]

Thanks Gliding777, very helpful stuff...much appreciated.

As an extra, has there been any talk of 757 replacements at all? As I understand generally TCX's 757s are quite new aircraft, but it seems the type as a whole, now off production, might be gradually on the move.

[gliding777]

No, the 757s will be around for some time yet.

[Dave Martin]

Gliding777, Wheelbarrow,

Cheers, that's all I was after.

[randomair]

Sounds good,

Do any of you know when they are due to start asking people forward for interviews? has anyone been called yet?

Also including your basic salary and flight/duty pay, what can you expect to earn each month for the first couple of years.

And....hows does the type rating work? is it bonded, self funded?

thanks