Smartlynx

[Platypus]

Hello everyone,

anyone reading here who is (or has been) working with Smartlynx? I am currently trying to get some first-hand reports about the company.

[RakeZazi]

Hi! Iam working, how i can help you?:hmm:

[Lynx320]

I am not working for them, yet, but will start next week their cadet program with BAA...I do know a couple of FO's working for them tough..let me know if you need anything.

[Platypus]

Great to hear from you guys!

I will soon have the final interview for the BAA/Smartlynx cadet program and I am very excited about it. I try to figure out what working with them would look like, if I make it. I realize that they are an ACMI airline, operating point-to-point flights towards the mediterranean area and egypt out of Talinn, Vilnius and Riga, and also will station you anywhere in the world where they have a wetlease contract (I see that they have aircraft in Vietnam, France and Norway at the moment). That sounds very interesting to me, especially regarding hourbuilding and getting handflying experience at special airports as a young pilot.

I would be especially interested how many hours you make there per month in both winter and summer seperately, and maybe someone could give me an insight into a duty plan?

[320alpha]

Hi! Iam working, how i can help you?:hmm:

Was wondering what the pay is like, how many hours you tend to fly a year and what the basing is like (in terms of time spent at one base, do you get any sort of say where you go) and any other info that may help re life at smartlynx! thanks.

[adamdxz777]

I too would like to know about the airlines if anyone can shed some light on in. Thanks

[adamdxz777]

Thank alot for the info. Is the Small Planet Airlines also like SmartLynx? or is the Pilots life a little better there?
Also, do you happen to know what is the average gross monthly salary of the FO?

[ShotOne]

What is pay for FO?

[macdo]

I think LOLO put it plain enough above. Only go here if you can't get anything better. Simples!

[Flocks]

Does someone know about Direct entry cpt ? Do they pay the type as well ? Got interview in Amsterdam coming, but I don't have info.
Thanks

[763 jock]

You can make more money per day in your local ALDI.

Seriously.

[FlightDetent]

Except that SPA PL is a pure charter operator? Never mind the facts. :ugh:

[Klimax]

Except that SPA PL is a pure charter operator? Never mind the facts. :ugh:

BOTTOM feeder with seriously bad employee contracts! At best - a training institution. Gone with the wind. Sorry for the casualties in form of
employees - but just another bottom feeder that will
NOT be missed. Ciao.

[FlightDetent]

You are correct, not so pure, also many ACMI for SPA.de (this is getting really funny right here) My bad. Still, there is a fundamental difference between the (almost pure) ACMI specialists SLX, AvEX and SPA.pl who were a charter airline dedicated to the Polish market (with logical exceptions in the winter time). The point was to know your enemy, not to mix them. Lynx does ACMI "wholesale" for easyJet, running crews on 7/2 rotations whereas EZY do 5453. Truckload of beans right there!

The business powers that be also lobbied successfully in few CE and EE countries for piloting to become a recognized contractual profession. Can't blame them, but that is the real beast in my opinion.

[152wiseguy]

The rates of pay listed on ppjn are quoted per day. Do the pilots in Smartlynx get paid for everyday of the contract period? How many days in a month will be paid on average?

[uberfly]

Small Planet Poland went just bust.
I would be very cautious joining these ACMI operators now.
Wind is turning bad for these operators.

You are right, better be cautious. However SP has dark side. Their bankruptcy in Poland and Germany in my opinion is staged.

[Lolo75020]

The rates of pay listed on ppjn are quoted per day. Do the pilots in Smartlynx get paid for everyday of the contract period? How many days in a month will be paid on average?


It depends on the business they do with other airlines.
On the contract it is stated that you can stay up to 60 days at home as unpaid leave according to their needs. So it means that your pay will be between full rate and 16% less in average over the year...
Some month it might be possible to have 0 euros as salary.

[jonesyinthesky]

i would be very careful with this crowd, the financials are not looking good and would suggest they could be the next Small Planet, Primera etc

[Officer Kite]

i would be very careful with this crowd, the financials are not looking good and would suggest they could be the next Small Planet, Primera etc
What's the basis for this claim?

[jonesyinthesky]

What's the basis for this claim?

i have friends working in aviation leasing and whilst the companies they work for DO NOT lease planes to Smartlynx, the chatter around the table is that they are in big trouble and could be the next airline to go, of course could just be a big rumour but would make sense given their business model and what has happened to SP and Primera. They might be able to get through the winter as price of fuel has dropped but i doubt it. If i was looking for a new job at present i would stay well clear of start ups and charter companies and would stick to the 4 or 5 established LCCs and the legacy carriers if you can get in as a direct entry captain. I have friends who were made redundant by Monarch, went to Primera and are now back to square one again, they have new driving jobs lined up but a lot of upheaval for the families over the last 12 months.

[FlightDetent]

Would you say their business model is any similar to SPA and Primera? Or perhaps that whatever thin ice the two walked over also lies ahead for SLX?

[jonesyinthesky]

Primera was slightly different. An established charter operator for it's own parent holiday company for many years before they went trans-continental. If this rumour is true, it's pretty shocking that these guys can't make any money given the license to print money they were given by TCX when they shafted pilots by closing 3 bases and asking SmartLynx and Avion to do it all.

i doubt TCX would come out of this smelling of roses if it was the case and could spell trouble for them ahead as well if they had fewer 3rd parties to operate flights on their behalf

[Martin_123]

i would be very careful with this crowd, the financials are not looking good and would suggest they could be the next Small Planet, Primera etc

Smartlynx have very little or nothing in common with the other two. SP and Primera pretty much grew out of unsustainable bank loans whilst Smartlynx have been growing at a very slow and sustainable rate for over 25 years. Company has millions in their own assets and their annual reports are looking healthy. I honestly don't know what "financials" you are looking at but I would like to know.

[macdo]

LoL that was pretty much the reaction a friend of mine had after a selection day and sim ride a couple of years ago.

[jonesyinthesky]

to be fair at least they SIM checked their drivers, Small Planet hied a bucket load in Germany last year and never did a SIM

[RoyHudd]

You don't build hours in the right-seat of an A320/B737. You learn your profession.

That prevailing attitude of new FO's, who have paid for their ratings, is that hour-building is the next stage of training. IT IS NOT. You are flying freight/paying passengers, and gaining experience and airmanship along the way.

[Martin_123]

OT: Ended up proceeding with Smartlynx the other day. What an appalling experience. Everybody around me was shocked. How EasyJet can subcharter them is beyond me. Not expecting much of Easyjet. But, Smartlynx is way below Easyjet standard.

can you share a bit more details? Like what went wrong, in what way was it appalling and so on? Clearly a pilot attending assessments and being in position to compare it with Easyjets operation should be able to articulate him(her)self a bit better?

[macdo]

Well, that was an unexpected reply:oh:

[Martin_123]

Martin,

seat pitch so small, I couldnt sit normally without my knees pressing against the seat in front of me. I got the same feedback from passengers around me.

A passenger behind me got into an argument with an FA. The FA threatened to deboard the pax while plane was taxing to the runway. That went so far, that police boarded the plane after landing. Wont share more details on that issue. How about some de-escalation strategy/training?

I honestly thought your post was about assessment/job interview experience, I didn't realize someone could drag consumer issues into this discussion :D Regarding the seat issue - Smartlynx has the same 180 seat 29 inch pitch layout as easyjet. Regarding FA, I can't comment, wasn't there.

[Martin_123]

Martin,

you did read my first post, right? I was proceeding on Smartlynx. Not more, not less. U wanted more information. U got it from a pax perspective.

Good luck with your application, anyway.

I did. English dictionary describes word "to Proceed" as "begin a course of action" or "move forward". One can assume it means as much "going to work for them" as "going to travel as a pax with them" if no additional context is given, however you did refer to the OT (Original Topic (Thread)), which reads loud and clear - anyone reading here who is (or has been) working with Smartlynx?

I, personally, do not work for them, I have not applied to them, I have no intention to do so as I'm happy in my current company, however I have traveled with them and I have friends who work there and it looks like our mileage varies

[wondering]

Thanks for the English lesson. In my world OT means Off Topic. But what do I know. It´s just wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off_topic

I can only comment on this one flight. Unfortunately, that was more than enough for me.

Regarding seat pitch, I flew Easy and Smartlynx on the same day. Unless I grew longer legs during the day, there is no way both aircraft had the same seat pitch on that particular day.

[Martin_123]

Thanks for the English lesson. In my world OT means Off Topic. But what do I know. It´s just wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off_topic

I can only comment on this one flight. Unfortunately, that was more than enough for me.

Regarding seat pitch, I flew Easy and Smartlynx on the same day. Unless I grew longer legs during the day, there is no way both aircraft had the same seat pitch on that particular day.

chill.. We had a bit of a giggle at your expense, no reason to turn bitter. Any chance easy is using one of those new fancy slim chairs? I think Smartlynx are still with the old fashioned cushion type recaros or whatever they were, maybe that's where the difference comes from. Or you were sitting at an extra legroom seat in easy..

[achimon]

Any captain working for Smartlynx can tell me what is the gross salary per working month? What bases they operate?

[caravel]

Hi! I will have interview with smartlynx for the cadet program next month and was wondering if anybody there has already done it and would not mind sharing the experience! :)

[Intrance]

If it is the program offered via Baltic Aviation Academy I would think twice and read this thread thoroughly: https://www.pprune.org/professional-pilot-training-includes-ground-studies/428114-baltic-aviation-academy-9.html

[caravel]

Thanks for sending it over, it will of course be considered. I am however scheduled for an interview and I would like to talk to them myself, and perhaps they will be able to offer some clarification on a few issues raised in this discussion.
I just would like to talk to somebody who has gone through the interview in order to prepare myself better, I of course have been reading a lot online, but I am missing personal insights that only a frank talk with somebody who has experienced it can give, just for my own reference :) things like what kind of questions, most discussed topic, tone of the interview, lenght of the interview, dress code, etc.

[Intrance]

Thanks for sending it over, it will of course be considered. I am however scheduled for an interview and I would like to talk to them myself, and perhaps they will be able to offer some clarification on a few issues raised in this discussion.
I just would like to talk to somebody who has gone through the interview in order to prepare myself better, I of course have been reading a lot online, but I am missing personal insights that only a frank talk with somebody who has experienced it can give, just for my own reference :) things like what kind of questions, most discussed topic, tone of the interview, lenght of the interview, dress code, etc.

Some of those things you will find in a post by user "Idontlikeusername" on the very page I linked to. You can try sending him/her a message. But please please please, read the last three or four pages of the thread first. It should tell you all you need to know without going for an interview.

[JohnnyBee]

Thanks for sending it over, it will of course be considered. I am however scheduled for an interview and I would like to talk to them myself, and perhaps they will be able to offer some clarification on a few issues raised in this discussion.
I just would like to talk to somebody who has gone through the interview in order to prepare myself better, I of course have been reading a lot online, but I am missing personal insights that only a frank talk with somebody who has experienced it can give, just for my own reference :) things like what kind of questions, most discussed topic, tone of the interview, lenght of the interview, dress code, etc.

I have been to the interview. They seem to take everyone, nothing to prepare. I guess they rely on BAA's assessment, but just want to see your face. It took around 15 minutes. I was very happy to take 2 days off and travel to Riga for 15 minutes.
Then I read the thread on BAA, and declined the proposal.

[uberfly]

Thanks for sending it over, it will of course be considered. I am however scheduled for an interview and I would like to talk to them myself, and perhaps they will be able to offer some clarification on a few issues raised in this discussion.
I just would like to talk to somebody who has gone through the interview in order to prepare myself better, I of course have been reading a lot online, but I am missing personal insights that only a frank talk with somebody who has experienced it can give, just for my own reference :) things like what kind of questions, most discussed topic, tone of the interview, lenght of the interview, dress code, etc.

Interview means nothing. They took everyone. It is waste of time, money and energy to attend and even consider Smartlynx cadet programme. There will be only February group in 2019 and today 11 Jan. They are still looking for candidates to join the programme. All of the current Smartlynx cadet looking for not to join them but attending job fairs and information sessions of other airlines. I think this is self explaining.

[uberfly]

Hi! I will have interview with smartlynx for the cadet program next month and was wondering if anybody there has already done it and would not mind sharing the experience! :)

Why not to try European Flight Academy?

[caravel]

Interview means nothing. They took everyone. It is waste of time, money and energy to attend and even consider Smartlynx cadet programme. There will be only February group in 2019 and today 11 Jan. They are still looking for candidates to join the programme. All of the current Smartlynx cadet looking for not to join them but attending job fairs and information sessions of other airlines. I think this is self explaining.
I see. But how does that work, I understood with this program you have a bond with Smartlynx! Can you just go and work for other airlines once you finnish the course? And also why don't the cadets want to work for Smartlynx? On the other thread I only found complaints about the school, nothing about the airlines...

[caravel]

Why not to try European Flight Academy?
Because I had the impression this academy had a preference for German speaking candidates, but I do not know much about the school tbh. Any insider info you could share?

[uberfly]

Because I had the impression this academy had a preference for German speaking candidates, but I do not know much about the school tbh. Any insider info you could share?

Since I saw your location is Germany I thought you are German. I visit them before and and about school there is nothing much to discuss since it is initiative of Lufthansa group. I would say no fake selection process, no useless promises. Traditionally they choose only strong candidates. In my opinion I would only go there to experience their selection process. Yes about German language you might be correct but when I was there back then it wasn't a problem.

[caravel]

The selection process in BAA was made with the Compass Test, which I beleive to be a rather common selection tool... I mean, that did not seem fake to me :/ why do you say it is fake, due to the airline interview? And what about these empty promises, what exactly are you talking about?

[uberfly]

The selection process in BAA was made with the Compass Test, which I beleive to be a rather common selection tool... I mean, that did not seem fake to me :/ why do you say it is fake, due to the airline interview? And what about these empty promises, what exactly are you talking about?

Hey, actually this is not correct thread ( Terms and Endearment (https://www.pprune.org/terms-endearment-38/)) to discuss this. If you ask your questions in correct thread I believe you will find an answer to your questions.

[caravel]

Alright, thanks!

[uberfly]

Does anyone knows whether Smartlynx use their own pilots for winter Vietnam operations? Or planes flying there under dry lease agreement?

[Solenoid]

Own pilots

[favete linguis]

is SL recruiting then?

[uberfly]

thank you for both for answer. If you know further about it how is the rooster looks like? How many duty weeks pilots are send to Vietnam and than how many days off to go back home country?

[handsome goafer]

It's got feathers and a big red thing on its head!
Sorry couldn't resist

[Smokie]

I had 3 enjoyable years at SLX, wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
I got to operate out of some interesting and awesome places and bases.
NCL, WAW, POZ, CDG, BUD, TLL, SZG, MAD, PRN, CRL and SGN. :ok:

[caravel]

I would also add the price of the type rating versus the salary offered, specially in the beggining, and the fact that this airline can give you up to 2 months of unpaid leave per year. Finances must be considered carefully before joining, particularly if loans are involved, which is quite likely as the type rating must be paid upfront.

[Lolo75020]

They pay everyday you are on duty, off days included. They don't pay if you are unpaid leave asked by yourself or by them. They promise at least 10 months of salary. So it means you can be at home during 2 months with no salary.(unpaid leave). The contract is for one year.

​I think avion express or get jet or even other acmi providers have much better deal with permanent contract and almost 10k€/m.
Smartlynx is I guess the worst offer at the moment.

[Scagrams]

No idea about the actual percentage, but they're always looking for FOs. 5/8 people from my TR were called, and I'm almost sure the 3 other guys will be called for the next OCC.

[runsi]

Any captain working for Smartlynx can tell me what is the gross salary per working month? What bases they operate?


I would like to get some details as well. What can a DEC expect to make. What are the bases? What is the roster like?

[Klimax]

I would like to get some details as well. What can a DEC expect to make. What are the bases? What is the roster like?



DEC can expect around 9000 Euros net of tax, bases can be at any major airport within Europe - business class on all majors on available basis. Roosters have improved a lot, as of lately, and the latest CoS now offers 5/4 on/off duty. The experience level of the F/Os and S/Os have increased as of lately, and you do not need to feel burdened with the higher work load no more. Nobody is really leaving this outfit anymore, as things are simply too good to be true. Anything else you'd like to know please do ask, I will be around here to answer. Also, I have a direct connection with the recruitment department with this awesome company, so I might be able to help. Best regards,

Capril.

[Lolo75020]

Capril are you working in the management of smartlynx or for the agency in link with them?
As far as I know the conditions are :
The rate is 250 euros/d (not 9000 euros/month net). On this you can expect 2 months at home with no money during winter. On this you have to pay the tax and social security by your self.
Moreover you will not fly in business class during your travels, I don't know where you got this information. They book you a flight when they decide you to be transfered from one base to an other that's all. Ifyou want to go home during your day off the cost is for you and you have to take your luggage with you as the room at the hotel is not booked during your days off anymore.
At the moment my feeling is that smartlynx has the worst contract on the market.

[dirk85]

The date in which Klimax made his post should ring a bell or two.

[Lolo75020]

The date in which Klimax made his post should ring a bell or two.

Indeed... 🔔

[ShotOne]

Klimax, are you able to confirm your information? It is very much at odds to all the other posts regarding Smartlynx conditions. Your fellow pilots (?) use this seriously please don’t yank their chains.

[hph304]

It's an April fool's joke

[Klimax]

Aprils fool. For heavens sake!

[Klimax]

Klimax, are you able to confirm your information? It is very much at odds to all the other posts regarding Smartlynx conditions. Your fellow pilots (?) use this seriously please don’t yank their chains.

Aprils FOOL mate. For heavens sake!

[uberfly]

I wrote in other Smartlynx group but I will post it here too.

Anyone in the company (or having current information) and can tell what would be situation in Autumn 2019 and Winter 2020. They have type rating courses in October and November 2019 however what I read from above and willing to know whether starting line training would be possible before spring 2020 in case of contract offer after TR. How about yearly flying hours, is it too bad as it is stated above regarding to Winter months?

[todisflying]

hello, just wondering if someone knows about their type rating programme and if it's possible to get hired after. thanks

[turbine100]

I think your find they make money from those courses and sometimes they hire a few people. So its a bit hit and miss ...

If you hired its through agencies like mountain high. You don't get any benefits, need to cover your own taxes and you don't get paid when not flying. Might be okay for a few months to get 500 hours and then leave but nota place with a good reputation for taking care of employees.

[Rocket61]

Up ! I've been reading quite a lot about this airlines but couldn't find any info regarding their type rating course. Do they offer employment before starting the course, or is it easy to get a contract after it ? Are many trainees working for SL after the type rating ? Thanks !

[AviatrixIva]

Hey guys,

Anyone starting A320 type rating in October with SL?

[Pinuz89]

Hello guys,
I'm considering to do a TR with them, does anyone have more up to date infos about the possibility to get recruited after ?
Any other plans if it doesn't go as expected ?

[Banana Joe]

What's the deal with them? 30k for the type rating and then if you get recruited it's 100 euro a day? It's ACMI, so you might be living in different hotels for long periods. The problem is, will they recruit you or not?
They had an incident in Tallinn a couple of years ago during a base training exercise.

[Pinuz89]

What's the deal with them? 30k for the type rating and then if you get recruited it's 100 euro a day? It's ACMI, so you might be living in different hotels for long periods. The problem is, will they recruit you or not?
They had an incident in Tallinn a couple of years ago during a base training exercise.

I can imagine, not the best place for sure, I was wondering the likelyhood to get hired after.
I'm open to everything, even not being paid for getting experience.

[strobelighton]

I'm open to everything, even not being paid for getting experience.

precisely the reason why terms and conditions are in the gutter

[Banana Joe]

That's a good way to turn many future colleagues against you...

[El Capitano]

That's a good way to turn many future colleagues against you...
indeed, stop supporting pay2fly!

[uberfly]

Chances to get hired after type rating depends on many circumstances. Now it is season end, many F/O's which are over 500 hrs or 1500hrs will go to better companies. Also, depends on airline's next season planning. This high season they reached their highest number of A/C ever it should be around 23/24. I don't know if they will ever go above this number. To me 24-25 A/C seems like ACMI operator maximum unless they got more long term wet lease businesses. Also this autumn and winter there will be cadets in TR which are trained for Smartlynx since the beginning of their ATPL. I think they will get priority to get hired over other TR students. However, I still believe that at least half of the TR people will be hired as F/O considering the data from previous years.

[Nick 1]

What about the final report of the 320 destroyed in Tallin ?

[skyscream]

Anyone starting in November?

[Adney]

Hello everyone, I applied for SL, specifically for the option of the 19k + 500euros for the pre assessment with 3-year bond in case of successful pre-assesment. I will probably have the pre-assesment in January, does anyone have any helpful feedback or hint to help me pass them or get there more prepared? Also informations/fun facts about the company would be very appreciated :) Thank you in advance to everyone

[Omis95]

Hello,
does anybody have any info about the screeing day in Riga?
Should the candidate expect personal as well technical question during the interview?

I would appreciate any info.

Thanks

[Ahmedshedieda]

Hello,
does anybody have any info about the screeing day in Riga?
Should the candidate expect personal as well technical question during the interview?

I would appreciate any info.

Thanks


Hey,

am going there too any chance to get direct in contact with u ?

[MarTaq]

Hey,

am going there too any chance to get direct in contact with u ?
Hey, I'm also going. send me your email or whatsapp in private and I will text you

[MarTaq]

Hello everyone, I applied for SL, specifically for the option of the 19k + 500euros for the pre assessment with 3-year bond in case of successful pre-assesment. I will probably have the pre-assesment in January, does anyone have any helpful feedback or hint to help me pass them or get there more prepared? Also informations/fun facts about the company would be very appreciated :) Thank you in advance to everyone

Hey man, can we reach each other I am also going for the assessment. Thanks

[Np07xp]

Hello everyone, I applied for SL, specifically for the option of the 19k + 500euros for the pre assessment with 3-year bond in case of successful pre-assesment. I will probably have the pre-assesment in January, does anyone have any helpful feedback or hint to help me pass them or get there more prepared? Also informations/fun facts about the company would be very appreciated :) Thank you in advance to everyone


Hi Adney,

tried to send you PM but your inbox seems full. Can we get in touch by WhatsApp? PM me please , if you like.
Regards

[IFLYyouBREATH]

Hello dear folks,

Would you please be so kind in providing some feedback from the online test?

Much appreciated,
Regards

[Np07xp]

Hi fellow pilots,

anyone went or was called for interview in Riga ?
please let me know. Also, someone has info about pay,bases,accommodation,roster etc, for someone who starts with the 19k option/3 year bond ?

much appreciated! Thanks !! :)

[Np07xp]

Hey,

am going there too any chance to get direct in contact with u ?


Hi,
Another one here going for interview. Any useful info you could share please !
I'd be super appreciated !
PM me please ..!

[IFLYyouBREATH]

Hello,

I am in!

Thanks

[rp001]

Hello everyone, I applied for SL, specifically for the option of the 19k + 500euros for the pre assessment with 3-year bond in case of successful pre-assesment. I will probably have the pre-assesment in January, does anyone have any helpful feedback or hint to help me pass them or get there more prepared? Also informations/fun facts about the company would be very appreciated :) Thank you in advance to everyone


Did you have a pre assessment? How was it?
Can you tell something more about it? Did they promise you will you get the job?

[ENRI80]

Hi All,
I'm interested to get info over the pre assessment as well. Please PM me.
I'm waiting for a date.
Thanks in advance.

[IFLYyouBREATH]

Hi
Not difficult selection imo, pre assessment with cut-e, then 30 atpl questions that you have to pay eur 500
If satisfactory grades, you are requested to go to Riga, to talk during one hour with a psychologist and 3 people from smartlynx about your motivation and some technical questions.
Info regarding the contract will be communicated if we got the job.
I talked to some guys and if you choose the 19k program, expect to receive eur 1500 per month during a long time and 2 months unpaid leave per year. Contract from Dubai

[rp001]

Hi
Not difficult selection imo, pre assessment with cut-e, then 30 atpl questions that you have to pay eur 500
If satisfactory grades, you are requested to go to Riga, to talk during one hour with a psychologist and 3 people from smartlynx about your motivation and some technical questions.
Info regarding the contract will be communicated if we got the job.
I talked to some guys and if you choose the 19k program, expect to receive eur 1500 per month during a long time and 2 months unpaid leave per year. Contract from Dubai

Everything sounds good except for the 1500 per month. If you consider that you have to pay insurance and pension from this, even if you are self employed... it doesn`t stay that much....
But that is the way. As long we will be crazy enough to fly for this money, so long time the companies will do like this.

[Scagrams]

Everything sounds good except for the 1500 per month. If you consider that you have to pay insurance and pension from this, even if you are self employed... it doesn`t stay that much....
But that is the way. As long we will be crazy enough to fly for this money, so long time the companies will do like this.

Your message is non sense. It is not «the way» to accept bad conditions.

[rp001]

Your message is non sense. It is not «the way» to accept bad conditions.

And what would you do if you would like to flay and you cant get a job?
Would you rather be out of a job or accept bad conditions and start to fly

[strobelighton]

And what would you do if you would like to flay and you cant get a job?
Would you rather be out of a job or accept bad conditions and start to fly


Only fools and horses work for nothing.

[rp001]

Only fools and horses work for nothing.

That makes me a horse then :)

[CW247]

Hi all,

They are advertising a lot for A320, A330 and B737MAX since October last year, new ad almost every week. Me and several friends applied (mixed experience levels) last year, so far no one has had an interview. Anyone have any information what's going on?
Yes, I know it's not a great airline with great pay but right now anything will work.

Thank you

[YosserHughes]

Hi guys... has anyone recently done 737 interview, and if so could shed some light on it?

Thanks

[Dumblynx]

Good morning all, I
would just like to warn other pilots about SMARTLYNX.
The Airline is a mess. Standards are below....let's put it this way, a more realistic way, there are no standards.
You will only be rostered for a flight if you have connections in the office or you are an Italian pilot. You will only be a trainer if you have connections in the office or you are an Italian pilot. Most experienced pilots are leaving. Salary is ilegaly paid by the day, from an agency in Dubai, So you will be paid from the UAE, working for a Latvian company, operating under Maltese AOC, ACMI anywhere in the world managed by Italians. Not a nice thing to say but it's a warning. Stay away from SMARTLYNX.

Truly Yours,
DUMBLYNX

[latecoere240]

Quite true but I will correct in some area. First of all, stop saying it's a salary as it's not. As a service provider you are paid Fees. Technically you are not working only for a Latvian company but for 3 different entities ( 3 AOCs) in Latvia, Estonia and Malta. On A320 fleet you will fly on YL, ES and 9H registered aircrafts. Mainly pilots are paid by this agency in UAE (AERVIVA), some from F2R or CONFAIR.
Operation is really a mess. Pilots are leaving. They are forced to schedule 2 captains time to time as there is a lack of FOs. Don't expect any support from them. The last straw that break the camel back, that for a customer in UK it was asked to not delay flight despite we don't have water. Portable water is an option.... Are you serious ???
This airline is a JOKE. At least you are warned where you are getting to..

[FlightDetent]

It's all about straws you carry and family time + cash to keep you motivated.

I was once presented with a contaminated water delivery at Cabo Verde, discussed with MX if at least for toilet flushing for the 6 hrs flight up north it made any sense.

Departed 30 mins later with an extra package of gloves, sanitary napkins and 15x 6x1.5 l of bottled water.

Smiles all around. Forcing the water in and having the complete poTable system desinfected would trigger a 24 AOG for spares and manpower thus a need to fly in a reserve plane into the base to avoid the penalties. Amount of those for approx 3x extra EU flights would kill the whole season's earnings. Job done, (different operator).

Brothers here suggesting SMLX makes you work inside the haystack. So buyer beware.

[Dumblynx]

I am just surprised that authorities don't take action.
We don't have any kind of legal contract, and the company doesn't pay Taxes/Social Security anywhere even though we have asked them to do it. How come? This is completely illegal.
I honestly didn't know that the A320 didn't have enough FO? A330 is even worst. We are always flying 2 captains because no FO's joined us. On top of that our brilliant management decided to upgrade 4 FO, among the few we have, to send a message out there that YES WE DO UPGRADE PEOPLE, hoping that like this note FO will join us. Again, are you serious? Why don't they upgrade terms and conditions and then people will come?
We are flying with instructors, form a certain nationality that barely speak any English.
We have currently only 1 A330 flying. It's flying from FRA to JFK. It's so embarrassing to fly to the USA and ATC treats you like a baby because they know we can't speak or barely understand any English.
In 2 weeks most of us on the A330 will be grounded as apparently there are no flights for people that are not trainers. I am warning other pilots, please don't join Smartlynx, it's not what it looks.

[dirk85]

To be fair nobody that has been in aviation more than 5 minutes has ever thought Smartlynx was a decent company.
Together with the various GetJet, Avion Express and sister companies they have always been considered the absolute worst company that one could work for.
Barely good to keep one’s license current.

[Dumblynx]

That's exactly my point.
In the beginning when we joined, we were even asked to fly as Cargo attendants but with the salary of a pilot. Those were very tuff days. Then we saw the company willing to improve the contracts but it has reached a stage that we see its all lies.
I don't know about the training on the 320, on the A330 it's ridiculous but I imagine it's the same thing because the A330 training Manager is in fact an A320 Captain with 0 hours of experience on the A330. How is this possible?
Let's wait for the next episodes of the new season. New trainers for the October fest!!!

[Dumblynx]

Yes, it's true, it's happening now.
Just heard that the Chief pilot is flying AGAIN instead of working at the office.
We only have one A330 flying, but around 60 rated and current A330 Captains.
So why are the flights always done by the same pilots?
CP, his buddies or by the Italian mafia?
So why did they hire us?
To be all on stand by?

Truly yours,
Dumblynx

[dondino]

Yes, it's true, it's happening now.
Just heard that the Chief pilot is flying AGAIN instead of working at the office.
We only have one A330 flying, but around 60 rated and current A330 Captains.
So why are the flights always done by the same pilots?
CP, his buddies or by the Italian mafia?
So why did they hire us?
To be all on stand by?

Truly yours,
Dumblynx

If it’s that bad, who forced you to join that operator? 😉 seems like a very deep Napoleon syndrome isn’t it?

[Dumblynx]

If it’s that bad, who forced you to join that operator? 😉 seems like a very deep Napoleon syndrome isn’t it?[/QUOTE]

I am sorry, but I don't understand what's your problem. You have no idea what's to work like over here. We all know that this is a temporary job while we wait for something better. And everything is better than working for Smartlynx.
I could give you so many details about SMARTLYNX but I would just get some of my fellow pilots in trouble.
And let's not even talk about tax evasion by Smartlynx in Germany and other European countries as well. But God bless those little souls that have already alerted German authorities. Because please, don't forget, SMARTLYNX is flying for Condor a German company, and SMARTLYNX employees don't pay taxes anywhere while Germans do.
Isn't this cool?
Do you want for example a recent operational mess? I can give you an example. The only A330 airplane we have now flying is still AOG in JFK. 2 days later they have decide to send a replacement airplane. And who is flying it? As usual, it's the A330 CP best friend. How difficult was is it to guess?
Yes the one that doesn't stay in Frankfurt and barely speaks English. The one that's always at home and doesn't even bother to come to the hotel for his standby dutys , He is currently flying 4 times a month. And us? if we are lucky, we will get 1 flight every 21 days and some will get 1 flight every 2 months. It all depends on nationalities.
This is what it's like to work over here.
We are all on the way out.
Slowly but we are.

Truly yours,
Dumblynx

[RudderTrimZero]

This company is forcing unpaid leave for one week on rosters just so they can squeeze 90 hours flying and pay you for only 23 days of the month. The result is fatigue and sickness and then hopeless crew control kids running around looking for guys who will sell their soul to cover a very broken scheduling system. They are calling people during their sleep reat and removing days off once day off has started! I have never seen such a mess in 20 years of flying.

[uberfly]

Since the aviation back to normal, there is no excuse for pilots who will join this company in coming months. So read whole topic and make your conclusion.

Beside offering illegal employment contracts and conditions for few decades until few years ago nobody was complaining because pay was acceptable. Of course many pilots were and will be hiding their income from their tax authorities in order to avoid income tax and social security contributions. Company have no responsibility on that because it consider you as well as also contract states that you are service provider, however for most of the EU countries, pilot job cannot be done as service provider or self employed. Pilots cannot work for more than 1 airlines at a time. Time will come authorities will tackle such companies just not yet because even legacy carries start to enjoy cheap labor force of ACMI companies. However, one should keep in mind that such companies killing competition and create unfair labor market conditions. Also airlines who are hiring Smartlynx responsible for due diligence how company treating their employees, any illegal practices and etc. It is well known that Smartlynx was rejected to be partner with one of the well known airlines due the its employment conditions.

Specific for company, it is hard to say this is an airline but more like farm of someone. I dont have to mention how terrible they are on the office side, specifically operation department and other supporting departments. Of courses management is successful because they are making good profit however bear in mind they have this profit due to each pilot cost them %50 less on market average. Of course everybody fighting for flights, pilots prefer not to go home for months in order to make money. If you know someone in the office, in management, in key positions certainly you will get the best bases most flight hours and most likely you will skip going to Nigeria. Unpaid days in the middle of season is another fact, company has contractual right to assign 15 days unpaid leave during high summer season. Soon company will go to winter sleep, more than %70 of the fleet will not be operating until late April 2023 and first time in history they have that many pilots, real problem will start then.

[Dumblynx]

I can see that the game that they play on the A320 is similar to the A330 but with lower salaries.
What I don't understand is the reason why.
You guys have already lower terms and conditions then pilots on the A33.
And you work a lot more than we do. The salary on the A320 is at least 2/3 lower than on the A330, if not lower than my calculations.
So what is the solution? Should we join forces and go on a general strike? Call some press? Ask for labor inspections? Civil Aviation inspections? Should we talk about our ilegal ops and our dangerous flying?

Should a strike work?
The bad publicity would hit them in a such a way that they could turn things around for the better?

Maybe even end the illegal Unpaid Leave that we see every month ?
Get us a legal European contract?
Get us some kind of health insurance? Should we join forces in all fleets and proceed this way, or just talk to management and see if they can do better for all of us before it's too late? I'm on my way out, I have my foot iin another job like all of us, but I wouldn't mind to stay if things get better.

On the A330 we are daily losing pilots and the CP has just announced new routes. Who will fly them for now? His friends?

A strike would be my suggestion, let me hear your thoughts in other fleets.

Truly yours,
Dumblynx

[RudderTrimZero]

The reason is simple. Most pilots do not view this as a career airline (how can you when you do not have a decent contract that pays all year round?). Even the cadets start to plot a way out after 200 hours flying experience. Most pilots are not complaining anymore because they are past it. They don't write letters of complaint to the chief pilot or management. No one is writing any company reports any more because they know they will be ignored.. So management thinks situation is A-OK. No reason to change anything. The worst one is pilots (Especially Bulgarians, Serbs, Greeks and Italians) who don't write anything in the tech log. We have so many broken airplanes with questionable maintenance but the captains refuse to write things for fear of being seeing as trouble makers. What I noticed here is people accept this **** for what it is because they have other jobs lined up for next year. Or they think they do.

[heavydane]

Mistake

[Dumblynx]

The catastrophic airline keeps on going, but just for some.
Only 1 A330 is flying and always with the same set of crews. It's either the CP and his friend, or the Belgium that thinks he is the DCP but its not.
The salaries are still low, they will not increase, and unfortunately no sight of the famous German Tax authority which was our last hope to get better and legal conditions.
So if you take the two mentioned above pilots, only 22 flights left available in a 30 days month for 78 captains and First Officers. That means almost no flights for anyone.
I am still warning everyone, please don't join us. On top of that mess, at least 12-16 pilots are leaving in the next 60 days. Winter ops are coming and with our amazing bad flying standard the chances are that the operation becomes messier than already is.
The last pilot leaving shuts the lights.

[Shartlynx]

737 Fleet no better except lots of flying.

Crew Travel making life harder than it needs to be always.

Shambolic.

[Dumblynx]

737 Fleet no better except lots of flying.

Crew Travel making life harder than it needs to be always.

Shambolic.

So you guys should start thinking of joining us. If we join forces and make a strike we have better changes to improve our salaries and change our ilegal contracts to legal.

[Theholdingpoint]

If it's illegal then just bring it to court...

[skysurfer0805]

Isnt Smartlynx owned by Avia Solutions Group , is Bluebird (Nordic) Cargo the same mess?

[CW247]

Below is SmartLynx Contract Conditions for Roster.
Note: You will fly for a company where they can at will modify a PUBLISHED roster the day before so you start to fly 8 hours earlier or finish 8 hours later.
So if you have any appointments, child care duties or a hot date, you will have to cancel. This is a SLAVE contract.
Like other similar carriers, if you are SICK, you should still fly because you won't get paid otherwise - EASA the best!
Company is assigning 7-10 days UPL a month, then forcing you to fly 90 hours in 3 weeks.
Over 150 pilots (mainly FOs) resigned since August.
They are going to be recruiting for WINTER operations for the first time.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/604x631/capture_6b441232b9f61904fc5a49d138f8473173a4a357.jpg

[Jonnyknoxville]

I'd like to wish you all the best with those conditions , its up to the people flying the aircraft to do something about it , no use in coming on here whinging about it . The only thing they will understand are aircraft on the grounfd

[Dumblynx]

The perfect time to put the aircraft on the ground would be about now, before the new terms and conditions come out.
We are losing good pilots, left and right seat.
Definitely we don't have enough to operate through the winter.
Good for training though.

[Dumblynx]

It has to stop. It most stop!

Why is the CP flying so much? 3? 4 flights per month?
It's all because of the money right? Flying pays better than office days right?
Meanwhile all of us, we are flying only once every what? 60? 70 days? Yes, once every 2 months. All rosters are being manipulated before published. Look at his Belgium deputy as well.
It's enough!!

[SLX666]

Very bad here guys. Don't come unless you are very desperate. No need to be desperate now. Covid over. Lots of jobs. Do you a favour and don't take this one from these con men.

Bad safety. Bad company. Bad attitude. Take money from pilot for no reeson.

Training very bad. Italian mafia big problem for pilot unless you are friend of right man.

Bad news company. Leave alone.

[RudderTrimZero]

As usual, critisism is easy behind a computer with a nickname...

Why don't you post on the internal WhatsApp groups telling everyone the contracts are good?

For those of you who are whining because it's an illegal contract or whatever, nobody forced you to sign and my guess is, you didn't read everything or maybe you don't know what a contract is... Nothing illegal here.

You just started the TR, wait till they abuse the **** out of you over next summer, then we'll see!

[SLX666]

Terms and conditions have changed. For those who are interested, feel free to ask if you have any questions. It's not that bad for a first job.

As usual, critisism is easy behind a computer with a nickname...

For those of you who are whining because it's an illegal contract or whatever, nobody forced you to sign and my guess is, you didn't read everything or maybe you don't know what a contract is... Nothing illegal here.


Hello management dog.

First job NO. Bad training. This is last stop to get job. 50E per day line training plus it is taking months and months.

Company take money away from pilot if they ask for time off and do not give 20/10.

Smartlynx have big big problem now lots of other jobs available. No pilots next summer unless BIG changes to contracts.

But all ok in office because they have big 1990's party. Pilots not ok.

[FlightDetent]

320 PIC offer via inbred AvCV:
- 15 days at home / month contract.

Just arrived, no more details.

I'd incline to agree that companies only do the right thing when desperate.

[FlyHigher]

It would be interesting to know the rate on offer...

[Dumblynx]

That's the thing. Nobody is complaining, so no one is doing anything.
On the A330 only a small group of friends will fly. Everyone else is only getting current with a flight or simulator scheduled at last minute.
Inflation is high but Smartlynx doesn't care. No change on the T&C, shameful.
Flying standards are dropping faster than you can imagine. English captain diverting to a small airport, costs to company are huge. German captains unnecessarily returning back. Cost to company, huge. Italian Captains flying across the Atlantic in a different route than cleared. No direct costs but could have created a major air crash.
A330 is dangerously flying in Smartlynx, poorly paid, a friends club, so please listen carefully and don't join.
This is an Airline to be in between jobs, and not more than that.
CP is allowing everyone to do whatever they want as long as it doesn't come back to him. Training Manager, I don't even know, do we really have one?
Think wisely before applying. I would be in favor of a strike, or help some tax authorities have a closer look to our contracts. Allowing this to continue as it is? Not an option!

[Dumblynx]

A330 pilots cowardly left A320 and B737 pilots standing alone fighting for better conditions.
It's really sad to see that every pilot on the fleet is signing a contract renewal scared of losing their job.
Let's see how this will end up.

[RudderTrimZero]

Warning to pilots thinking of joining. There is WhatsApp Group of around 300 pilots. Around 150 agreed not to sign the new contract (deadline today for most). Of those, so far about 70 have committed and followed through (so far). So already 25-30% of the pilot workforce has told company they will not sign new contract. That has taken balls and shows you how bad situation is here. The contracts should be better but management are making them worse for 2023.

[SLX666]

SmartLynx send out new contracts and say sign or you have no job at 31 December. In 2 weeks time they lose over 50% of pilots.

Company say will give better conditions but now they give 2023 contract and pay is less.

Old. 260 a day. 15 per hour for flight.

New. 220 a day in summer and only 165 a day in winter for Captain. 30 per hour for flight.

This company very very bad. Like run by Russian mafia now.

[furbpilot]

Hopefully soon on the pressure of Russia and the scandals that are starting to surface artificially enlarged Europe will crumble and these eastern european post communist ruthless neo capitalist ****ers and their western financial accomplices will disappear and even more hopefully go back under Russian rule to get disciplined in Siberia.

[Dumblynx]

Please, let me tell you once again.
I have told you so and I have warned you before not to come here.
Last week a 2 man crew have poorly performed a 16 hours FDP and cleared by the CP to do the flight even though they already new that they would exceed everything.
So why is the CP still holding to his position? We have just suffered a major financial blow losing our contract with a German operator. And It's all because of the CP and his buddies.
Mate, like you love to call us all, how could you authorize a crew to fly out of base extending the FDP? Not only that but even way more serious, they have exceeded all possible FDP and extensions. A 16 hours FDP? What? Let's say it all again, a 16 hours FDP? That's crazy!
Mate, please just resign and don't hold on to your position, just do yourself a favor and resign. Think that If you don't resign the people above you will ask you to do it. Don't embarrass yourself even more.
And even if they don't do what is right to do, what do you think that the German authorizes or the Maltese authorities are going to do? They are coming after you.
There must be consequences, you must resign and the crew that has done that, should follow you. By the way, Cabin crew didn't all agree to continue the flight. The event should be further investigated and you and that crew? You should all leave.
Waiting for the next chapter.

Dumblynx

[Klimax]

Where is this clown CP coming from? I´ve seen this type of dumb "mate" behavior from management types before. They usually don´t last long. Sure sounds like this clown won´t either! I hope not anyways!

[RudderTrimZero]

The management with their soviet mentality will ruin this company forever. Incredible greed on display with the latest pay package. These ****ty Latvian/Estonian/Lithuanian companies have finally met the challenge they deserve. They usually rely on cheap labor to make a profit. Not possible any more due to so many company's hiring. Only desperate pilots will stay here passed May 2023. The good pilots all have job offers or several interviews planned already. 2023 will be the year dumblynx have to either double the salary or scale back operations.

[uberfly]

The management with their soviet mentality will ruin this company forever. Incredible greed on display with the latest pay package. These ****ty Latvian/Estonian/Lithuanian companies have finally met the challenge they deserve. They usually rely on cheap labor to make a profit. Not possible any more due to so many company's hiring. Only desperate pilots will stay here passed May 2023. The good pilots all have job offers or several interviews planned already. 2023 will be the year dumblynx have to either double the salary or scale back operations.

Well said and correct. Regarding to other issues, company is dangerous. They operate close to limit in every aspect. About FDP's and technical status of their fleet. Incredible pressure from each department to pilots that try to force them to take inadequate decisions. All pilots and cabin crew scared to be fired if they do not extend their duty or do not accept the aircraft due to technical conditions. It is fear culture.

[TheEdge]

Please, let me tell you once again.
I have told you so and I have warned you before not to come here.
Last week a 2 man crew have poorly performed a 16 hours FDP and cleared by the CP to do the flight even though they already new that they would exceed everything.
So why is the CP still holding to his position? We have just suffered a major financial blow losing our contract with a German operator. And It's all because of the CP and his buddies.
Mate, like you love to call us all, how could you authorize a crew to fly out of base extending the FDP? Not only that but even way more serious, they have exceeded all possible FDP and extensions. A 16 hours FDP? What? Let's say it all again, a 16 hours FDP? That's crazy!
Mate, please just resign and don't hold on to your position, just do yourself a favor and resign. Think that If you don't resign the people above you will ask you to do it. Don't embarrass yourself even more.
And even if they don't do what is right to do, what do you think that the German authorizes or the Maltese authorities are going to do? They are coming after you.
There must be consequences, you must resign and the crew that has done that, should follow you. By the way, Cabin crew didn't all agree to continue the flight. The event should be further investigated and you and that crew? You should all leave.
Waiting for the next chapter.

Dumblynx
Well dumblynx just lost the contract with Condor in Punta Cana on the A330 :)

Condor throws out Smart Lynx A330 after complaints (https://www.aerotelegraph.com/condor-wirft-nach-beschwerden-smart-lynx-airbus-a330-raus-punta-cana)

[RudderTrimZero]

Condor customers demand a high quality product, I don't know how this ****show lasted so long.

[latecoere240]

Well said and correct. Regarding to other issues, company is dangerous. They operate close to limit in every aspect. About FDP's and technical status of their fleet. Incredible pressure from each department to pilots that try to force them to take inadequate decisions. All pilots and cabin crew scared to be fired if they do not extend their duty or do not accept the aircraft due to technical conditions. It is fear culture.

it can be a fear culture, at the end of the day if any issue it’s for you.. there is gap between crew and corporate management.. There is a video showing the CEO what he is thinking about his customers.. Telling during a celebration that they will lick SLX ass it’s a bit too much.. If he has no consideration for the customers don’t expect much for their employees..
A lot of crews are leaving.. They want to pay you less and less..

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/828x1792/7fa0933b_747a_490c_a7ca_e3fe7df8bfdb_46e95a025a6ff92df985621 fb93eb70ae2ba689b.png
here it’s what you can expect from them with their bulls..t conditions..
With inflation they dare to pay you less than before and of course their number is completely not real.. no basic monthly fee. With their new VP production ( before VP operation) they had the good idea to decrease the duty day allowance and slightly increase the flight allowance in order to increase productivity and pay you less..

[RNP_AR_APCH]

There is a video showing the CEO what he is thinking about his customers.. Telling during a celebration that they will lick SLX ass it’s a bit too much.. If he has no consideration for the customers don’t expect much for their employees..
A lot of crews are leaving.. They want to pay you less and less..


You mean the video where zygimantas is drunk and talk busll**** about even hois own employees ? :ugh:

[latecoere240]

You mean the video where zygimantas is drunk and talk busll**** about even hois own employees ? :ugh:
You nailed it !!! 👌

[mindaugenius]

has the video been made public?

[latecoere240]

has the video been made public?
as far as I know, no.. but the video went around the company.
as far as I understood they are working on Option 4 as they cannot stop exodus of pilots there…

[semmern]

Does anyone know the deal about the ads for Scandinavian speakers for the summer? Presume it’s wet-lease, but for whom?

[FlightDetent]

The CEO himself is now posting job ads on LinkedIn, shows how desperate things have become. A pay rise in excess of 25% is on the card for most captains.I keep wondering why they arrange so differently than AvEx, despite doing pretty much the same business whichever side you look at it. The latter posted an ad the last week with 5000 EUR basic for their winter contract. Unheard of, but obviously necessary if they like to retain folks who actually could go somewhere up the ladder.

Popcorn out to see what that new offer is. Prepared to be underwhelmed though.

[uberfly]

Does anyone know the deal about the ads for Scandinavian speakers for the summer? Presume it’s wet-lease, but for whom?

Suppose to be for SAS.

[uberfly]

At the end it is combination of money and treatment of pilot received. If you ask me latter is a bigger problem. But management is so out of their mind that they even claimed hotel and transportation provided as a benefit and they were adding cost of hotel and travel to their yearly net fee calculation to prove they pay good to pilots. It is just ridiculous. They tried about lower salaries this year and actually it worked. They started the negotiations so low that later when they make some improvements people psychologically thought oh they are offering better. Offer might look better on paper but another problem is this money they offer just before income tax and social premiums (retirement funds) paid. Obviously many of the pilots do not pay either. Maybe it is ok for older Captains but i cant imagine young FO is not contributing its retirement.

[lleidapilot]

hey guys, whats the quality of training in slx and it's reputation at other airlines. Do ex-slx pilots get discriminated against at job applications for other airlines, despite fulfilling the hour requirements? (possibly due to poor training or poor SOPs)
like for example if 2 a320 rated FO's apply with 3000tt to EK , one from vueling and one from slx , would the vueling guy be preferred due to it's brand and reputation over slx?

[Scagrams]

Know of few guys who got job in AF, EZY and EK from Slx recently. I myself used to work for them and after 1.5 years in a national carrier in Central Asia, now got a job for the French flag carrier.
At the end of the day, it is more about personal investment and standards rather than what's on your CV which is evaluated, imo

[MD83FO]

What do you guys recommend among
AvEx vs Slx?

[CW247]

Same ****, different colours. Same style and type of management, same agency employers. Contracts look different but amount to the same level of airline control and gross monthly payments. My advice would be pick one that has a base that is suited to your personal/family needs. Example: SLX is big in Germany, last year massive presence in the UK. Avion do a lot of stuff out of the Americas. But things change from year to year.

[latecoere240]

Currently Avion express looks better than Smartlynx. With SLX expect to experience the Nigeria nightmare operation for Air Peace with peanuts income in Lagos during winter.

[andorra2004]

Don't forget the way they mock staff, offering improvements like more off days and rostering sims and exams after those. Or that they proclaim the travel as a perk, and pilots "enjoy" 20 hours travels for 500 km journeys. It's other example of their idea of better terms.

[MD83FO]

So the present situation has not improved comparing to the past?

[WhatShortage]

Same ****, different colours. Same style and type of management, same agency employers. Contracts look different but amount to the same level of airline control and gross monthly payments. My advice would be pick one that has a base that is suited to your personal/family needs. Example: SLX is big in Germany, last year massive presence in the UK. Avion do a lot of stuff out of the Americas. But things change from year to year.
Quite clear you don't know much about avex, literally the smallest operation is in America.

[andorra2004]

So the present situation has not improved comparing to the past?
Not at all. They keep changing contracts more and more, but in the end they only reduced the money for the FOs and increased for the captains. And they offered as an improvement more days at home, but, they send home the staff in very long journeys (to save very little money), using all kind of transports (bus, train, planes...) and then they roster activities after that are not compatible with rest time. They seem to not be aware of the luggage that it is required with so long stays at bases because they make that kind of arrangements (multiple changes of vehicles). That-s just an example of how the company is improving the terms.

[uberfly]

They are paying almost half of the competitors and they are still having pilots. What happened to us?

[Consol]

They are paying almost half of the competitors and they are still having pilots. What happened to us?

Friend, I'm coming close to retirement so don't think I'm harsh but some people who are a bit unlucky or maybe at the bottom of the skills set will do anything to fly. They will fill the jobs. Many will use the opportunity to improve themselves and that is great but some will sit there not gaining much skill, not being touched by any decent airline and a hazard if they are. I have seen it firsthand. Apologies to those of you who just yearn to fly but that is the reality. There is a disease at the heart of our industry. Fly safe.

[SnowPilot]

Can someone explain this part of the contract to me? And the 90 that they are referring to in the table below it? Schedule 3 Table A?

*UPL limit per
calendar year (UPL
days, reflected as part of
consecutive days free
from duty 1.13 do not
count towards the limit

[uberfly]

Can someone explain this part of the contract to me? And the 90 that they are referring to in the table below it? Schedule 3 Table A?

*UPL limit per
calendar year (UPL
days, reflected as part of
consecutive days free
from duty 1.13 do not
count towards the limit

High season (7 months between April-October) no UPL. Low season (November-March) they could assign you up to 90 days UPL. So you will not be paid during this period. Unless they assign you to work during low season you might end up having less UPL, or volunteer to go Nigeria. But for sure you will get some UPLs.

[uberfly]

For a while no message in the group. How is the prospect for the future? Has things improved comparing to 2022 (in terms of treatment to the pilots but not money)? If you happen to join now can you pre-agreed some bases to secure it if you live close by on this base? I heard it was the case in the past that they were sending away a German pilots who is living in Nuremberg while they were having Nuremberg base or Belgian guy living in Belgium out of Brussels base? Is that still the case or they started to make more logical choice in terms of base selection?

[aviate navigate]

Sharing some updates on the changes we've seen since March. No sugar-coating, just the facts:

More time at home with a solid block of 10 days off every month, plus 2 extra for travel.
Salaries have gone up for cadets, FOs, and CPTs.
Extra fees for TRI, TRE, and GI got higher as well
We all (cabin and flight crew) in a number of bases have access to UBER/BOLT Business accounts now, We call our own taxi and we don’t depend anymore on Crew Travel- simple and so easy
As of now, Instructors are booking their own flights through the internal system, and there's talk of extending that to everyone.
Communication with OCC and Crew Travel is improving, but there's still work to be done.


Now, regarding base assignments, it’s hard to comment on that as the projects are changing every year.

As far as I know, the priority is given to local crew as much as possible, with exceptions if the base is mostly for ICAO pilots, Line Trainings….

[Fly4Fun]

A friend recently attended one of those online roadshows and he said the only difference was the roster pattern. Now it is 2 days for commuting, 20 days on base and 10 days off at home. Pay is the same, no change except that, only, for 2024 the summer pay will be extended until November. Also the same thing of only 10 months guaranteed pay. Just sharing what I was told.

[andorra2004]

And the same crazy travel arrangements, everything in order to save some bucks: third class train tickets for five hours travels, booking five different transports when traveling with all the luggage for a month stay… The null respect for the staff is so impressive and so attractive...Just another example of how the things are going.<br />

[Aviator64]

Do any one know FO pay scale ? And how many hours in a month? Applied and no response till now. Could any one share contact details of their recruitment team ?

[kexx]

Hi, could someone from 737 fleet PM me about bases? I am thinking about going there, primarily for 20/10 roster - they advertise 2 travel days included in 20 ON. It looks better than at my current company. The other option would be possible cpt upgrage (6000 TT, 1500@737). Thx for help

[uberfly]

Any recent overview and update regarding to general situation in the company? Things that are improved and things has not ?