7-5 Contracts

[Okavango]

Some employers seem to make the above offers (TC one I think). Is the belief that you go and find something else to do for the 5 months effectively out of work and are you free to do so (if so what are people doing?) and otherwise do they simply pay you a reduced salary over 12 months and expect you to be on standby?

[ChrisE]

Some employers seem to make the above offers (TC one I think). Is the belief that you go and find something else to do for the 5 months effectively out of work and are you free to do so (if so what are people doing?) and otherwise do they simply pay you a reduced salary over 12 months and expect you to be on standby?

Hi Okavango,

You're right TC do still have 7/5 contracts, I was initially recruited on one. You can find alternative work over those 5 months, although I believe the contract states that it must not directly affect Thomas Cook (i.e working for a direct competitor) and must be approved by a manager beforehand. A few guys I know have found other flying jobs during the 5 months off and may not return (because they've been offered full-time elsewhere).

Salary wise, it's a yearly salary pro-rated over the 7 months paid either fully for 7 months or split over 12 months, the choice remains with the employee. Also, you are not on standby for the 5 months off - it's rostered as part year off - TC do often recall pilots before the 5 months is complete, but generally pilots in their PYO won't be rostered or called for any flying duties.

[MCDU2]

I cant see how this would practically/legally work unless you had another source of income other than flying or were happy out travelling the world with a backpack. TC no doubt want as many of your 900hrs as possible which then means you have little to offer another prospective employer unless one was to cough cough....

[shaftsburn]

J2 offer a similar pattern with their Optional Winter Leave. They usually have 5 variations or you can put your own idea forward for consideration. Up to 5 months is usually available.

I'm tempted with the BOGOF offer e.g. taking 5 months off and only losing 2.5 months salary. You're not on standby, but I gather there is a contract term that allows the company to bring you back if necessary.

People go travelling, education, or just get away from work. I'm considering it to give more time to my self-employment, which requires much more time over the Winter months (retail).

[RAT 5]

Salary wise, it's a yearly salary pro-rated over the 7 months paid either fully for 7 months or split over 12 months, the choice remains with the employee.

1. Are you a full-time employee with all the protections that implies?
2. If you are not an employee how can what you do in your time off be controlled?
3. Are you guaranteed a recall, and what compensation do you get if not? Are you then made redundant?
4. What is the average annual flying hours productivity of full-time pilots? If you fly 100hr/m and no SBY's for 5 months you will produce at greater rate than 7/12th of an annual average. If you fly 75% of an annual average you could argue for 9/12 salary.

I had this at a young airline, non-union, where I worked 50% days for 50% pay, but produced 65% of average. No discussion. Long flights & no SBY's. Then came the union and 50% was limited to 450hr/yr.

[PA28161]

Salary wise, it's a yearly salary pro-rated over the 7 months paid either fully for 7 months or split over 12 months, the choice remains with the employee.

1. Are you a full-time employee with all the protections that implies?
2. If you are not an employee how can what you do in your time off be controlled?
3. Are you guaranteed a recall, and what compensation do you get if not? Are you then made redundant?
4. What is the average annual flying hours productivity of full-time pilots? If you fly 100hr/m and no SBY's for 5 months you will produce at greater rate than 7/12th of an annual average. If you fly 75% of an annual average you could argue for 9/12 salary.

I had this at a young airline, non-union, where I worked 50% days for 50% pay, but produced 65% of average. No discussion. Long flights & no SBY's. Then came the union and 50% was limited to 450hr/yr.

It's exactly as Chris E described above. My son (24 yrs old) is on a 7/5 and has completed his first year. He's just gone back for his second year and his base(at his bid request) was changed from GLA to MAN. After the ground school PTR/CRM/LPC/OPC (MAN/GLA/LGW-Sim) et al he is rostered to fly 6 sectors with training Cpt then all back to normal FO duties. The second PY 7/5 ends in November and he will go full time after that. He got paid for the full 12/12 prorated on 7/5 basis. He spent his time studying music and learning to play the guitar.