Tag Aviation

[fortuna76]

Good morning all,

I would like to ask for some information about TAG aviation. It appears that they are still hiring but I am not too sure. At the moment I have very good experience with quite a lot of hours and both airline and GA experience. I ended up with a major airline but find myself seriously out of place there and would like to return to the GA world. For the moment the best option seems to be TAG aviation in terms of economic stability and pilot opportunity, however I am not even sure about that.

Neither the website nor PPJN goes in to any of the terms and conditions at TAG. It is also difficult to get an idea of the schedules and rotations that are carried out there. Since I am not in the GA world at this time I cannot go around geneva and ask. Is there anybody that can give some good information here on Pprune, maybe somebody who is currently working there.

Many thanks in advance, best regards!

[Flintstone]

While I can't give you specifics about TAG Geneva I can tell you about TAG Farnborough. Been with them two and a half years and have nothing but good things to say. A proper grown up company that have treated me very well.

T&C's vary slightly from aircraft to aircraft because each owner is different. While I've not worked for everyone in our part of the industry they are, in my and many other peoples opinions, one of the best. Recruitment? They are not interviewing en masse but there have been a few new 'surprise' (well, to me) aircraft arrive recently and I think there have been a few new hires for those.

Don't restrict yourself to applying to Geneva only unless you specifically want to be based there. Geneva, Farnborough and Madrid all have aircraft at a number of places if a rotation suits you.


(Can I have my pay rise now boss? :E)

[fortuna76]

Thanks for the information. I was actually mostly interested in Madrid as a base, mainly because I live there at the moment.

I understand that rotations will depend on the needs of a specific customer, but can you give me an idea of the amount of days that you would normally work. Also I am curious about the reward package. Do you mind to give me an rough idea (maybe PM me).

Many thanks!

[Flintstone]

Not sure about Madrid pay but generally UK salaries are around middle of the road. Challenger line captain for example about £80,000 plus per diems, pension, medical. FO seems to be about 55-60%. Lots of other variables of course including base, offshore etc. Sorry I can't be more specific.

Rotations seem to be equal on/off time but again that may vary. With Farnborough as my home base I work week on, week off but people who work from remote bases (Moscow, Almaaty) might work 2/2. That said I don't fly every day either, maybe four days a tour.

None of this paying for type rating nonsense, just an honest bond which doesn't scare me as I'm not planning to go anywhere else. Good Ops backup, likewise maintenance. Everything clear and above board. Unlike some places you don't spend half your time looking over your shoulder for fear of your own colleagues stitching you up to meet their own performance criteria in (say) scheduling and as a captain you decide what is safe and when you can fly without having to beg permission from a desk-bound jobsworth. Like I said, a grown up company.

Hope this helps.

[PicMas]

So...
Out of general curiosity, does TAG offer open basing? PPJN mentions MAD, FAB and GVA and "remote bases".

Mind expanding a bit on the basing question?

[Flintstone]

It would depend on the arrangement for each aircraft I think, how many crew available and where they live. To a certain degree the company aren't too bothered as long as someone shows up for work each day ;) For those operating from a 'home' base they leave it to the crew to sort their own roster.

Farnborough is my base and I live within a reasonable distance as do the rest of the crew so we've opted for week on, week off. If need be we can give and take a day here or there to accomodate each other when we want. If we find that's not working and we want to try another pattern we'll do so. Like I said earlier, all very civilised.

Things are a bit more regimented if your aircraft is at a remote base seeing as TAG have to pay your airfares. Can't see them shelling out on a weekly basis for that.

[x933]

As a sidenote, it's difficult to see FAB as a remote base when they own the terminal & hangars!

[Pilocol]

Where do I send my CV ??

[oz_faf81]

On their website!!

[Arkwright]

With TAG making pilots redundant from Farnborough in the last few weeks I doubt theres much chance of an outsider getting employment anytime soon.

[SpainFly]

They did lay off crews in farn ?

[Arkwright]

Two Sovereign pilots a few weeks ago. Not sure of the exact reason, but suspect it was due to not a single charter on this aircraft for some considerable time.

TAG have an excellent reputation as employers, so I would have expected any excess crew to be re-deployed onto another airframe. Because they weren't, and I'm sure they will be offered a job again as soon as there is a requirement, I seriously doubt an outsider would have much chance of employment.

[max.aret]

Deleted by the author.

[Arkwright]

Hi Max,

Nope, I have never worked for TAG, but I do know a few friends working at FAB and they are very happy. It seems to be a strange company.....your overall work happiness seems to be sheer luck, as each aircraft has its own crew and lead pilot. Get a bad one and you'll have a bad time.

Everyone is suffering at the moment....charters are unseasonably quiet...... I really hope the skiing season turns things around a lot!

[Flintstone]

max aret.

I think it's safe to say that at least one of the Sovereign pilots is more than secure within the company. I also have first hand experience of TAG looking after their crew and can only report good things. Maybe it differs from one person to another?

As always it helps to know the full story and I'm sure there are at least two sides.

[cit56x]

Arkwright

'two Sovereign pilots laid off'

Sorry mate but your information is incorrect.

[max.aret]

Deleted by the author.

[Nail Biter]

Fact is one pilot was stood down from the Sovereign due lack of charter, and has been reallocated to new aircraft. That's all there is.

[Flintstone]

Two Sovereign pilots (laid off) a few weeks ago.
Unless TAG receives another Sovereign within the next couple of weeks the pilots will never hear from them again.


Well, more accurately one was taken off the Sovereign and is moving to a Falcon 900.

Poor b@stard eh? Must be gutted :O

[RAPA Pilot]

Yer, who'd want to fly a 900?????????

[King Chav]

I'm in the holding pool for TAG.

Is there any news regarding possible vacancies in the near future ?? Anyone else drowning in the pool ?

[Flintstone]

I was told recently of three Falcons joining the Farnborough fleet though only one to be based there. T'other two will live in Geneva and Paris.

On the whole charter may be down a bit but it's nice to see people think TAG is still a safe place to put their aircraft and there's no air of doom and gloom about the place. Signs are all good.

[Paradise Lost]

Flinty, pas me your rose-tinted monocle immediately!
Tag is a top operator, but NO-ONE is immune from the sh#t heading our way fast!

[Flintstone]

Didn't say immune. How else wouldst thou see new aircraft coming? "Ok-ish, not good but alright I suppose"?

Cynical old b@stard.;)

[Street]

Are there any legacy possibilties coming up?...

[Bizpil]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on the forum!

Does anyone have any information concerning the assessment at TAG Aviation? Psychometrics, interview, sim assessment?

Cheers