Blue One AVRO RJ via PAS Aviation

[5Papa]

Evening guys,

Anyone who can tell me some details about this 12 month loan spell in Helsinki? I know I can contact PAS myself but I have the interview coming up in two weeks or so and would like to know a bit more beforehand. So things like how many hours a year people do over there, in which hotel I can expect to stay in HEL, amount of over overnights... But also about the general atmoshpere over there! Other hints, tips or tricks are also much appreciated.

Cheers, thanks in advance

[mini-jumbo]

Can't tell you much about the conditions in HEL, but PAS are a great agency, top guys (and girl) in there.

[liftman]

Agreed.

A lot of things depend directly from the company, but I worked with PAS they are really good guys.

Talk to Mr robin Hepworth, really friendly and quite clear about everything ( no hidden surprises!)

[judge11]

Sources suggest that this deal has been 'stictched up' - sorry - arranged - between Cityjet and Blue 1 with PAS cut into the deal. Other applicants need not apply unless the Swords mafia can't 'persuade' sufficient numbers to spend a long, cold winter in Helsinki.

[Bob Down]

Nice one Judge 11, no hidden agenda there then!!!

I think you will find that is completely incorrect on nearly all counts, not quite a record but close!!!

I believe that there may be some Cityjet pilots offered the opportunity, but most likely there will be a majority of Ex-Transwede, Malmo and current Air Atlantic crews doing this. The only 'stitch up' is Blue1 electing to take Scandinavian based pilots WHERE possible, but there again with guys like 'Judge 11' around, I think I would do that as well!!

BD

[judge11]

Always delighted to be put right from someone clearly as authoratitive and 'inside' as yourself BD. I have been told differently. I can't imagin why the originator of the post, one would suspect a Cityjet FO, be asking for information about a 'cold, long, winter in Helsinki' for the benefit of his/hers health?

Sources close to Cityjet revealed their crews were being 'offered the opportunity'......or the alternative some time ago on less than favourable conditions.

It's no secret that CJ has been overcrewed for ages and have come up with all manner of schemes, some good and some bad, to avoid lay-offs which is to their great credit.:D

[Bob Down]

Hi Judge 11,

I suspect you are correct there, and thanks for a much more reasoned post, for which I give you the recognition it deserves. Debate is good, unreasoned mudsliging is below most pilots dignity!!!

As you suspect I am quite 'close' to this, and prefer people to know the reality. Cityjet have in fact been trying to find alternatives to layoffs, which bearing in mind their reputation (deserved in many cases I am sure) is actually more than some Airlines will do. Hence the offer to the crews.I believe there were few takers. This is fine, it is a personal decision, and HEL in winter is not for the faint hearted believe me..

My experience of PAS and Blue1 however leads me to comment, which I do rarely. PAS contractors at Blue1 have been, well the vast majority anyway, excellent in the past 6 years, and also the Blue1 pilots have been very gracious work colleagues (one wishes one could say that of other operators). People are expected to work hard, as always, but are treated well in return.

Conversely, I believe that Blue1 used PAS to take their own pilots to Swiss on contract, so there is obviously a very good working relationship between the two companys.

I believe that the interviews for this will be taking place in late October, in DUB, which, whilst it sounds like a 'stitch up', makes sense as there is an ARJ simulator there for the testing...sounds wise to me!

I would suggest that whoever is interested, should contact the 'horses mouth' and see whether they like what they hear, as my personal experience with both the above companies was entirely satisfactory.

BD