Thomas Cook Pilots in the market

[Claude1]

So how's the collapse of Thomas Cook going to affect the possibility of getting a job? 600 current pilots will now be in the job market.

[dirk85]

I think you already answered your own question.

[737ng_x]

+ Aigle Azur and Xl Airways pilots (approx 500) ............

[Officer Kite]

Anyone on here from a few months back who got the job via IAGO? I never completed my application due to getting something else instead at the time but it was certainly a very attractive option

[Rottweiler22]

Given a lot of the TC bases were also TUI and Jet2 bases, I’m guessing those two will snap a lot of pilots up. Not the same rating, but still narrow body experience.

You’d have thought that easyJet and BA would also be in the picture, considering they fly Airbus.

I see Ryanair recruiters are trying to punt Lauda as an option to TC pilots, with relocation to Vienna or Mallorca. But Ryanair itself doesn’t seem interested.

Sadly, it’s true that there are a lot more experienced, type-rated pilots on the market as of this morning. Nevertheless, they’ll be going after jobs that typically aren’t available to newly-qualified pilots, so it’s not the end of the world.

[Rottweiler22]

Somewhat over optimistic I think. We're on the crest of the next downturn cycle. TCXs collapse has come at a bad time with the Brexit uncertainty. Ezy recruitment is pretty stagnant for that reason and has been for a while. I'd suggest anyone in training at the moment have a non-flying plan B income lined up when they finish because they may well find things a bit barren.

You may be right. It appears on the other thread that flyBe are knocking back newly-qualified pilots, which I never thought would happen. With Ryanair’s doors closed, it seems there’s not much out there at the moment. Not until you’ve got a bit of experience, anyway.

The big one that needs to open up is Ryanair. I would say 80% of people I trained with ended up there, so it’s been, and still will be a huge taker of new pilots.

Time will tell, but I agree, I too would advise anyone in the training system to have a plan B. Regardless of the state of the market. Some way of earning enough to pay your bills, loans if you have any, keep a roof over your head, and stay current. Possibly even do an instructor rating if you can.

[DrBrian]

This thread makes for depressing reading if you’re just starting or just planning when/where to start an ab initio course.
On the other hand people will still want to travel so maybe one can get the training done when the market is down to quality as it’s going back up.

[P40Warhawk]

This thread makes for depressing reading if you’re just starting or just planning when/where to start an ab initio course.
On the other hand people will still want to travel so maybe one can get the training done when the market is down to quality as it’s going back up.


Yes people keep travelling but when economy is not good companies let their employees travel by other means of possible.

It is always good to have plan B.

I finished in 2013. It took me 4.5 years to get my first job. I had plan b, so I survived.

In bad times you do not want to end up doing ****ty uneducated bad paid jobs. So plan b is always a good advise. 😉.

[yap800]

Yes people keep travelling but when economy is not good companies let their employees travel by other means of possible.

It is always good to have plan B.

I finished in 2013. It took me 4.5 years to get my first job. I had plan b, so I survived.

In bad times you do not want to end up doing ****ty uneducated bad paid jobs. So plan b is always a good advise. 😉.

During this time did you apply for flight instructor jobs?

[FuturePilot6]

+ Adria filed for bankruptcy today.. I'm not sure if they had wet or dry leased A/C

[P40Warhawk]

During this time did you apply for flight instructor jobs?

No I didnt. An FI Rating was another 10K and at that time I didnt see any use in that. The market was terrible. Flightschools werent able to to get students. At least not many.

Just doing FI rating was not going to do the job when no job is offered after doing the rating. The first 100 hours you are instructing under supervision. Not many schools did that so you would have another useless rating.

I decided to apply for FA job. If that would not work out I would even then have an back up plan. In meanwhile keeping MEP IR current.