easyJet Employing Contract Captains in Summer 2010

[Alexander de Meerkat]

My spies tell me that while it is all smiles and reconciliation at Hangar 89, behind the scenes easyJet management have made plans to employ 75 contract captains for the 2010 summer season. I cannot verify this yet as I have had only one source, but it did come 'straight from the horse's mouth'.

Furthermore, easyJet have approached Oxford Air Training to provde low-houred and, by definition, very cheap pilots to undertake type-rating training early in the new year. They must be willing to work at both UK and European bases on a contract basis. The cost of the deal to the aspiring pilot is around £30k and for his troubles, he receives a low pay and the chance to fly as an FO for easyJet. Alas, predictably there is a significant uptake of young people to this scheme who are willing to work for no guarantee whatsoever of permanent employment at the end, Tesco shop assistant wages in the meantime and a massive increase in their already-significant debt.

Both these plans are in keeping with the policies of the 'Roland Berger Report', which is a document commissioned by easyJet management detailing how to emulate Ryanair practices and costs. A key feature of the report was the de-unionisation of the company through temporary contracts and sub-contracted work, which meant that many of the pilots flying for the company would not actually be easyJet employees.

[gyni]

Contract Captains as well now? I wondered when that one was going to come. If the management hadn't convinced all of us to stand up for ourselves with everything else, I would like to think that this issue will make everyone stand up and be counted. Some communication and leadership please BALPA!

[one post only!]

I hope this is not true but given the latest FO contracts from parc and CTC I would not be surprised. With regards the FO and Capt contracts I would strike tomorrow. If we let contract capts in the next round of upgrades will be temp contracts again or upgrades onto a contract similar to the new join FO's are getting. Block hour pay, no lol etc etc. It amazes me that some people just don't see the danger this all presents!!!

All the skippers and FO's on a full time permanent contracts, take a long look at one another. We are all part of a dying breed at EZY!!

[ShortfinalFred]

Can’t help but recall my mate who met a Greek economics advisor to the easyjet board. The incredulity on his face as he told me of the contempt this guy had for pilots was a picture. Apparently, this advisors' view was that before long it will be possible for easy and ryan to employ former Soviet Bloc pilots on a kind of commuting contract at "a fraction" of current wages and conditions. They would be on totally flexible terms and used and dropped as necessary. They would also serve to, if I quote my mate correctly in recounting what he heard this guy say, serve to "keep the few wretched Europeans we have to employ as trainers and so on honest by holding down their wages".

Don’t count on the supine CAA to help here - their goal is the keep the air travel market "dynamic", (read as low a cost to the public as conceivable), and the 'regulation', such as it is, is increasingly devolved to the airline itself for self-audit. Likewise BALPA - there is absolutely no public understanding of the contribution a secure, stable, professionally remunerated pilot workforce make to the safety and efficiency of an airline and I doubt they can halt the slide either.

It took the Bader Commission that stopped the abuse of pilots flying hours for there to be a change in that area with the introduction of Flight Time Limitations, (themselves now used as a target, not an absolute limit as previously intended), and the Commission itself was prompted by a string of accidents. I am appalled to say it, but until the same happens and it is attributable to the degradation of skills and stability in the flightdeck then nothing but nothing will halt the slide. This industry will go the way of the UK Merchant Fleet: totally off-shored.

The only other thing that may stop it is the insurance industry that is asked to underwrite this circus. In the merchant fleet they have now pretty much refused to insure, for example, single hulled oil tankers. The risk is too great. Likewise, BP who off-shored all their merchant crewing, went back to a UK crew and its own nautical training college, I believe I am right in saying, because the risk was deemed to great otherwise and insurance rates demanded it.

That alone, cold hard cash, will change this but, as the merchant fleet found, not before many ships had foundered or been sunk and crews lives lost with environmental catastrophe caused.

Regulation might too, but show me a single MP who knows anything of worth about the civil airline sector, let alone a journalist in the mainstream press, (99% sensationalist B*st*rds when it comes to airline reporting).

It’s a sad, sad situation. Would be CTC cadets take note before you burn your or your parent’s hard-earned cash.

[TRon]

Well if this is true there are around 65% of people that would strike tomorrow.

They took us to task on this last time and they knew the reaction so I would be very, very surprised if this is true.

I am sure it is a threat to push through another batch of seasonal commands or a reduced command contract...

[despegue]

If EasyJet wants to work with permanent "contractors" then they are doing completely illegal practices, just like Ryanair.

European legislation states that any person who is receiving a duty schedule (roster), company uniform and holiday/ off-days from a company is an EMPLOYEE of that company and NOT self-employed. The company is then accountable for organising false self-employment,which is a crime and which is always the resonsibility of the employer, not the employee. As a result, the company is also liable to pay the employees taxes etc.

Also, to be "self-employed" you need to have at least 2 customers, something which is not allowed by most airlines...

I have extensive files from various law-firms about this (mostly focussing on the Belgian legislation) and the case is very simple. The airlines EMPLOY us, there is no such thing as self-employed pilots flying full time for airlines.

[MaxReheat]

Add to which soon to be introduced legisaltion that will entitle 'contract' staff exactly the same terms and conditions as permanent staff, then the supposed advantages of employing 'contract' staff begins to disappear.

It strikes me that the airline industry in this country is rapidly approaching rock bottom and the time has come to man the barricades, and that means everyone.

[Thad Jarvis]

I am not sure that the requirement for captains is via contract or internal and the figure that I've heard is 50 not 75 but one thing is for sure -
Contract Captains = Strike.

[u0062]

Thats as far as we go. Contract fo must stop. Contract captains must never start.

Lets have confirmation from Balpa, if there is any doubt let the company know what the ramifications will be.

Strike is a final action i am sure there are many ways we can interupt the efficient flow of the well oiled machine.

Should these not bring the company to there senses then lets walk.

Let us not do a ryan air lets stand our ground and protect the minimal terms and conditions we have.

Oil drums at the ready

[captplaystation]

despegue,
whilst I agree broadly with what you say, tell me then how, year after year Ryanair have, and are continuing to, get away with it ?

Strange that Easy shelled out so much for some fancy consultants (no doubt some tasty back-handers there ? ) to tell them what anyone could have told them for free .Just do what Ryanair do and cr@p on everyones terms and conditions willy-nilly, quite simple really.

The question ladies & gentlemen, is whether you , and BALPA are going to stop them. If you don't ? well you are stuffed, and will be even more stuffed each and every year, just like the blue and yellow team.
Forget the economic situation, they need you as much as you need them, this is not about the economic survival of Easy , this is about them trousering some more bonuses on your back.
If you have b@lls, now is surely the time to use them, as there won't be a next time, this is castration or reprocration, stuff it up them please, for all of our sakes.

[FRying]

Dear Mister BALPA : I'm ready to strike tomorrow morning. Please call me.

Talking to people around me, I'm only one of many (all).

[Babylon]

Easy has in the past used contract captains few years back , they used PARC .
but it was a short contract while they trained there crew on the bus .this time it will be different if they follow the Ryan air example .

[Fly Better!]

Out of interest, when was the last time BALPA ever called any for of industrial action?

[bluepilot]

in 2006 KLCuk pilots voted for strike action, the ballot was 100% yes! however there was no strike as the company agreed to acas talks and a settlement was agreed.

I believe BA balloted for strike action agains the new openskies airline in 2008, however the company challenged the legality in the courts and BALPA backed down.

[TOFFAIR]

While I agree with most statements here, i would doubt a strike could resolve the situation, in the best of cases would postpone some ideas...
Maybe some of you guys noticed most job offers posted on flight or pjn are from contractors, and honestly, being unemployed I would post a CV on any of those I fit. Not to speak of the low experience guys who after a costly ATP training still hv to pay for the TR, and then at the bottom line of bossible waiting list, and maybe some years doing some survival jobs consider even paying just to get to the promissed seat! Who puts its hope on Unions are dreamers, our Union gets us a rise 3-4% a year telling its an improvement over an official 2% inflation rate a year while the reality is between 12-13%, at least for the stuff i hv to pay... I think UK might not be that different.
Unfortunately companies are not ordering many planes this days, and those performing best are those "contracting" , so, an outlook for crew shortage? I don't count on this, keep it real, if western crews are applying for eastern companies, Uk pilots flying for the carriers of their former colonies (to upgrade salary and lifestyle!) why doubt if guys from every corner show up and get the job as long he does it for fewer bucks!
Another thing some of you may think wrong is about the skills people from other places may bring, because the flightschool, in order to comply with the LCC New Order and compete with others on the self sponsoring wannabees, thighten the program to a minimum and the idea of using some simulators its posible to place a Katana almost proficient guy to a A320 right seat;)
On the other side, the other day a captain in my company on a GT, stopped for break and got a bus drivers discount in the restaurant:)
Lets fly whille it makes fun, the we continue for the addiction and when you wanna give up its too late anyway!
cheers

[McBruce]

I think its time for the EZY guys to stand up and be counted.... been a busy past few weeks for the orange board room me thinks.

[hollingworthp]

Strike action by British pilots within the UK would appear to be illegal:

British pilots to strike over long hours - politics.co.uk (http://www.politics.co.uk/news/employment/british-pilots-to-strike-over-long-hours-$1331970.htm)

[A4]

Strike action by British pilots within the UK would appear to be illegal

Why? The link is just an article with that statement in it - with nothing to back it up. We're not the Police Force, sorry Service :rolleyes:

A4

[hollingworthp]

I also recall the BBC mentioning it (so it must be true :ok:) during the protests a few months ago.

[HundredPercentPlease]

Industrial action and the law - Guidance - BIS (http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/employment-legislation/employment-guidance/page17758.html)

[lpokijuhyt]

God damn. I love this career more everyday!

[turbine100]

How many oxford students will take up this offer assuming they already owe money and perhaps no promise of hours from EZY via PARC for a regular income.

Surely the banks will pull the plug on financing training for a 20K starting salary in some of the airlines and perhaps it will kill some of the pay to fly / self employed schemes.

Hope BALPA do something and support the low hour'd and less experienced members like myself :)

[kick the tires]

There are 53 commands this year and 175 FO's, why do we need another 80 Contract captains??

[skianyn vannin]

I noticed a post on the BALPA website, where Philip Smallpiece has officially denied that we will be getting contract captains!

[Norman Stanley Fletcher]

flapsfullretard - I am here! The answer is that our CC are facing 6 battles on 6 fronts and are doing magnificently despite the concerted efforts of our management team to bring the company to ruin and destroy our pilots' careers! We ahve just received notification via BALPA of the company's intention to suspend disruption payments due the weather crisis. The sad thing is that the weather crisis is only part of the problem. We have had a breakdown in command and control from the top to the bottom. At last, today Andy Harrison wrote to us all to say what a fine bunch of chaps we were, albeit neglecting to mention he was suspending our disruption payments!

I am not sure what to make of the contract captain report. There is no doubt that at a very senior level it was discussed and a conversation took place between a line captain and very senior management pilot indicating it was on the cards. It appears PS and his mates are backing away from it, but that does not mean it was not planned. Not really sure to be honest on that one. What I can tell you that it is about the quickest way to ensure a total strike in very short order, but past experience says that our managers do not learn from experience so we will have to wait and see.

What I can tell you is that in 6 years at easyJet I have never known an atmosphere like this. There is an overwhelming feeling among the pilots that we are in the hands of utterly untrustworthy and unreasonable people who are hell-bent on destroying the power of the pilots. Led by our nameless Flt Ops Director, who no one really ever hears from, they seem intent on having an all out conflict. They are well on the way to achieving that as they are about to discover. Their treatment of pilots and cabin crew alike has been outrageous this last year and the chickens are coming home to roost. The cabin crew boss (who has just received a £200K+ bonus by the way) is back-peddling in a big way. She is having to offer permanent contracts to all the crew because, strangely enough, they hate being treated like dirt and are leaving in their droves. Consequently we are having to sub-in Monarch to run our flying programme as we do not have sufficient cabin crew. If ever you needed proof about the commercial foolishness of mistreating your staff, this is it. We have run out of captains at Gatwick today, yet we were able to demote 10 of them a couple of months ago because they were 'not needed' for the winter programme! No doubt that decision earnt someone a few quid, only to lose the company hundreds of thousands 2 months later. We are in the hands of short-termists who are so intent on saving a fiver that they then go onto lose fifty grand in doing so. When this current debacle is over, I fully expect to see heads on poles and it cannot happen too soon.

Although we are facing the darkest times I have known in my time at easyJet, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I believe there is going to be a clearout, and it will be good news for everyone. Like most dictatorships, the direction of flight ops is determined by one or two zealots at a top and a bunch of adoring acolytes who lack the moral fortitude to disagree with the insane decisions that are being made. It would come as no surprise to me to find that the top people there are gone very soon as they have been weighed in the balance and found wanting in spectacular fashion these last few days. Our Flt Ops director has not sent a single message of any kind to anyone (is he on leave or, indeed, is he still alive?) whilst presiding over a catastrophe. No one could pick him out in an ID parade, no one outside of Luton ever hears from him and no one has one ounce of respect for him. He has come to represent to the pilots everything that is bad at easyJet. He literally never communicates with his staff (in 3 years or whatever it is he has been here, he has maybe sent 2 e-mails that I can recall). I still believe that Andy Harrison is sufficiently switched-on to know the complete breakdown with his people that is unfolding before his eyes, and will act soon to rid himself of the people who are bringing the whole ship down.

It is not all bad, but we do have some serious issues to resolve. My past observations of easyJet tell me that once the initial disaster has been sorted, questions will be asked and we will sort this out. I certainly hope so.

[wind check]

Norman, do you know why andy harrison is about to leave easyjet (in a few months)?

[Ivor Fynn]

Excellent post NSF,

I do hope we see Cor Blimey's head on a stick shortly, after the debacle over the last couple of days.

Ivor

[Doug the Head]

I still believe that Andy Harrison is sufficiently switched-on to know the complete breakdown with his people that is unfolding before his eyes, and will act soon to rid himself of the people who are bringing the whole ship down.Dream on Norman! Take a wild guess why AH has thrown the towel into the ring...

[411A]

You folks at LCC's in Europe are screwed/blued/tatooed, in reality.
Whether you have a pilots 'union'...or not.
With cross border employment now a distinct reality, EASA combining regulatory authorities/pilot licensing, the door is clearly firmly open to cheaper FD labor.
Like it or lump it.
Management calls the tune, others follow.
BALPA can do absolutely nothing about it, either....except huff & puff a little.

[ShortfinalFred]

Ah, 411a. I was going to give a reasoned response but, why bother so here it is: F*ck you you Texan Git. Stay in your misery-ridden hooch and bleat away on a US forum and leave Europe to itself you moronic, one-themed tw*t. Seasons greetings and all.

[Doug the Head]

Fred, don't worry too much about 411A, he's just about on everybody's ignore list! ;)

[alternateprocedure]

.....

[Mr Angry from Purley]

NSF
Even as an outsider -valid comments. I feel the bonus culture is causing a lot of problems in many uk airlines we seem more than ever before to miss the point and targets become the be and end all of decisions.
:\

[BMEDFO]

According to 411A the best thing to do would buy a L1011 type rating and demand what salary you get!

This is one serial pprune poster who doesn't fly.

Back to reality and 411A to my ignore list :ok:

[Leo Hairy-Camel]

I must apologise for ShortFinalFred, 411A, or Flatulence Fred as I like to call him. He's a proselytiser for our version of the airborne Teamster admiration society (http://www.balpa.org); you know the sort, all moustache, RAF accent, general cluelessness, that type of thing. Funny, in a sad way, when viewed from a distance.

He's often tedious, frequently deceptive, occasionally fond of barefaced lies, but is rarely so unrestrainedly rude as he has been to you. Please accept my apologies on his behalf. I can only imagine that, as an Aer Lingus pilot recently in receipt of his pink slip, he's feeling rather more grumpy than usual. Seems he's won a while in solitary for his troubles too.

I agree with you about the prospect of FD labor (sic) having an interesting future, but you'd do well to realise that avoidance of the dreaded SHIG (http://www.airdisaster.com/photos/ec-hfp/photo.shtml) focuses the attention of LCC management on our side of the pond, even those with frustrated, resigned CEO's like Easyjet, in ways that will prevent your prediction coming true, thanks be to God. As I'm sure a man of your experience will appreciate, a nexus in the collective mind of the LCC customer between low cost and low cockpit quality, must be prevented, no matter what the costs.

Ergo, here at my particular employer at least, we're possessed of the apparently old fashioned view, that pilots need to be of the highest quality. Its all about threat tolerability matrices (http://info.ogp.org.uk/RiskManagement/Terminology/main.html), old boy. Can't speak for the Brady Bunch (http://www.easyjet.com/asp/en/book/index.asp), but I'm sure Norman is more than capable of filling in the gaps for you.

All the very best for the New Year, old boy. You cause me to frequently smile.

Leo.

[FRying]

How can anyone even think BALPA has no power ? How can anyone imagine striking would have no effects on the trend of decisions made ??? Of course it would ! How do you think workers in Europe and the western world acquired their status ? Does anybody here read history books now and then ?

Industrial action. Period. BALPA, have an action set up and you'll witness a great deal of humility from some on the management side.

Don't fear to protect your T&Cs. This pilot job is very demanding. Eventhough it is despised by several poorly grown directors. But then they have no idea what they're talking about. I used to be a director myself. That really is no big deal. I have met with many dumb directors who were there just because they had the right networks. Being a director takes nothing more than flying an airplane, and probably much less. Believe me ! I've seen directors making so much more money than you all for so much less skills.

While some directors (who make outrageous amounts of money for doing nothing outstanding) dream to have you on **** money, you must not feel your job takes less competence than theirs. Everybody here must fight for conditions even if it means crossing a bit of money out of the "take home" in the short run.

Do you people realise what portion of the cost structure our incomes represent, hence a portion of our incomes ? Having pilots 10%, 20% or even 50% paid less would only yield marginally cheaper tickets. This LCC policy has gone too far and it makes no sense anymore.

Not to mention the bleeding of pilots workforce once business kicks back in. What do they think ? Do they believe pilots will forget about the way they've been treated in harsh times ? Pilots will be leaving for greener pastures on the first opportunity, even if they're bonded for many of them. Pilots have always wanted to make more money and always will. Easyjet will then have to produce so much efforts to catch up on the draining workforce this will erase several times the laughable costs cuts made before. Many airlines will thank EZ for taking care of their new pilots during the economic crisis. Now that's a strategy : having a grab on competitors' pilots, cheap to train and expensive for the competitor to replace.

Anyway, fear nothing. Aim at the longer run. Have no hang-ups. Take no bargains for your job is very special. So are your skills. Bind management to have those cadets hired on a fair deal. A finance graduate will make good money and surely would never sign up for such crap contracts.

Be proud !