TUI Summer Contract

[YosserHughes]

Does anyone know what the deal is with the UK TUI summer only contract?

I see that they want to take 7k out of your pay for a 6 month contract which seems a bit ridiculous.

Im interested to know what you could expect to be left with and if they will pay for accommodation etc whilst completing training? Also, if anyone knows what bases they need people in?

Thanks

[Alrosa]

I think the application window has now closed and assessments have taken place (based on the ads).

Whilst I’m sure some people were keen to apply, I imagine those on permanent contracts but wanting a change probably decided a temporary contract - plus a bill for £7000 for an OCC on an aircraft they were already type rated on - was not a serious offer.

[YosserHughes]

They obvs couldn't get enough people as they opened it again, but only with a short window to apply, applications needed to be in by midday today.

[340neo]

They are contacting people who decided not to attend assessment asking them to "reapply", so at a guess they haven't filled all the positions.
The training deduction, for a short contract, when the Type rating is already held is a joke.

[Mrmorreti]

Disgusting.... pure exploitation!! Even Ryanair don't bond or charge for an OCC!!

[roll_over]

Good luck finding short term accommodation. Pilot= Deliveroo/Uber driver nowadays.

[andymiff]

I was told I do not meet the requirements. 2k 777 1800 787 (tel:777 1800 787), maybe a blessing

[limahotel]

I was told I do not meet the requirements. 2k 777 1800 787 (tel:777 1800 787), maybe a blessing
Same here, 5k TT, 1400 B737.

[YosserHughes]

Its actually incredulous how airlines are behaving... offering this type of contract and then turning away good experienced guys. Who are they expecting?!

This used to be a great job however its clear TUI are also firmly engaged in the race to the bottom.

7K for a couple of sims and a uniform is a joke....

[OutsideCAS]

andymiff, limahotel - you will have likely not been contacted as they know you will want a proper wage, terms and conditions.

[340neo]

Rumour was they needed 30 and have got about 10 ?!

People in established job aren't interested, people in airline hold pools are being called back, alot of eu folks working in uk traded in for easa licence and headed back to home country during covid, alot have learned to live on less money and found other lines of work and just aren't interested in a poor contract in a rising job market.

If they offered circa £500 a day, no training costs, and a sensible bonus on completion of the full contract period, they could have filled these positions quickly without any fuss.

[Uplinker]

What has this industry become ? £7 grand for a 6 month job !!!

And the Orange airline wanted £8 grand from me for an Italian base a few years ago and I was type rated with thousands of hours on type - I didn't bother with their "offer".

Mrs Uplinker and I have spent the last few (jobless) years rueing the fact that maybe we will never fly commercially again, but actually, it sounds like we have had a very lucky escape from what it has become. Sounds like airline flying might end up like taxi driving - no disrespect to taxi drivers.

TUI said no to me several years ago - and again, I was perfectly competent, experienced and type rated - so no tears for them now.

[AIMINGHIGH123]

I wouldn’t say they are like rocking poo. I know a few (4) uk 737 guys who looked at it applied then cancelled interviews.

It’s a joke. I quite admired TUI but this stinks.

[Big Tudor]

Apart from a few Cargo Operators with a mere handful in total, no other UK airline has 737s…….

Well, apart from a certain Northern operator who has over 80 in the fleet! 🤨

[Whitemonk Returns]

Current and type rated 737 FOs with a UK license are like rocking horse poo. Apart from a few Cargo Operators with a mere handful in total, no other UK airline has 737s and the Ryanair guys who have some how managed to retain a UK license will not be interested in a seasonal gig with 15 years to command. They'll earn 3x more over a 5 year period and get a command sooner.

Umm what are you talking about Jet2 have 737s

[YosserHughes]

@ Mr Whitemonk.... correct... however can you see anyone leaving Yorkshire Qantas after the way they've been with their guys compared to pretty much every other airline during Covid, and for a 6 month contract AND to pay 7k for the pleasure?!

No chance!

[olster]

TUI / Thomson / whoever have long been overrated since a proper airline, Britannia was hijacked by external chancers and voila you have a 7k fee for a 6 month job. A joke. For clarity, my first jet job was Britannia and it was back in the day a great airline run by avuncular, paternal, realistic gents. Times have changed.

[hec7or]

I worked for Thomsonfly, then Thomson Airways for 5 years, couldn't get out quick enough, they had completely lost the plot.

[Biffsticksuperhero]

@ Mr Whitemonk.... correct... however can you see anyone leaving Yorkshire Qantas after the way they've been with their guys compared to pretty much every other airline during Covid, and for a 6 month contract AND to pay 7k for the pleasure?!

No chance!

You mean apart from making over 100 pilots redundant?! Compared to TUI’S 0 pilot redundancies?!

I don’t think this current offer is to attract currently employed pilots away from full time contracts else where. BUT, if you’re one of the unemployed guys due to redundancy from Virgin, BA, Ryanair or Jet2 then maybe this is a good deal to renew your rating and get some hours in the logbook for when more opportunities arise.

Surely a foot in the door and flying is better than working for Amazon.

[olster]

I agree hec7or. You are correct in saying that the plot was lost and never found again...

[am111]

due to redundancy from Virgin, BA, Ryanair or Jet2 then maybe this is a good deal to renew your rating and get some hours in the logbook for when more opportunities arise.

Doubt any of the Virgin or BA pilots have a current B737 rating so this won’t be any good to them.

And Ryanair technically didn’t make anyone redundant. They’re all dutifully waiting for the restoration of the 20% pay cut they took to help drive expansion and recruit experienced pilots save everyone’s jobs. Still don’t think they’d be tempted by this offer though.

A few ex-jet2 pilots could be tempted. Are there some ex-Norwegian pilots knocking about as well? If they want to stay relatively local, their only other option would be Ryanair. I wonder if you might make more money at TUI than at FR in the same 6 months (even when you start at -£7000).

[Alrosa]

As far as I understand. the TUI UK pilots on a 6 month contract will be offered a full-time contract at the end.

I can't speak to TUI Belgium/Netherlands though.

That’s interesting. The job ad made it very clear the contract would end on October 31st. There wasn’t any hint of a permanent contract being offered. Can you provide any evidence of your understanding ?

[SpamCanDriver]

That’s interesting. The job ad made it very clear the contract would end on October 31st. There wasn’t any hint of a permanent contract being offered. Can you provide any evidence of your understanding ?

Indeed

If that was the case then why a temporary contract?
Worked for Thomson fly but was one of the unlucky ones made redundant after the financial crisis.
Really sad to see its fall from grace, was a lovely place to work until then

[H44]

Worked for Thomson fly but was one of the unlucky ones made redundant after the financial crisis.

So was I, I'm back there now. I would say it is still one of the better places to work in the UK. Maybe not like in the "good old Britannia days" you hear so much about, but certainly far from the worst.

Personally I hope TUI don't manage to find sufficient interest in these fixed term contracts which will force them to employ people on proper contracts from day 1. However, I once joined an airline on a 6 month fixed FO contract with a £7k OCC cost. 2 years later I was a full time captain with them. Not saying TUI will definitely keep people on but as others have said it can be a foot in the door to better things and worst case keeps you current if you're currently unemployed.

[Superpilot]

Thomas Cook did the part time recruitment leading on to full time thing for over a decade. And I could be mistaken, but so have Monarch and Jet2? It's nothing new and for the vast majority it does lead to full time contracts. Where TUI differ is on the £7k OCC fee. That's a ridiculous amount and far beyond cost price. There's a very animated thread on LinkedIn where someone has complained about the recruitment process and OCC fee, TUI have replied saying they constantly review feedback to make improvements. If they've got any brains, they'll abandon the fee within the next few weeks as Jet2 are about to open their doors too. I say this carefully...there will be an acute (short, sharp but painful for the airlines) shortage of type rated UK license holder pilots within the next 12-18 months. UK airlines traditionally get to circumnavigate this by hiring cadets in their droves (young boys and girls who will sell their nan to fly) but these numbers have been down during the pandemic.

[AIMINGHIGH123]

Well when I asked my mate why he didn’t go to the interview despite being out of work and rated he called up asking for more details and was told “permanent was not guaranteed” and
“if permanent opens up you will have to apply again”

Thanks but no thanks was his response. He know he will get called back to his previous gig just wanted to get flying again. Virgin, BA are calling back a lot now so doubt any of those would go. RYR are hoovering up 737 peeps and cadets now. 200 plus have joined this year already maybe more.

[go-around flap 15]

As far as i'm aware, and this is 2nd hand information from a former colleague made redundant, Jet2 have recalled/offered an FO position to all the FOs made redundant 2 years ago. So I doubt any Jet2 crew would leave a permanant contract to join TUI with the vague chance of being kept on.

[YosserHughes]

I also heard (first hand) that J2 have taken back a lot of guys... when they were made redundant they were looked after as much as they could be.
Virgin have taken back a lot of guys and are calling the remaining guys form 78 pool.
BA the same.

Ryr being Ryr spin propaganda that they didn't make anyone redundant but they also didn't pay anyone and are now flying the balls off the guys whilst paying them 20% less.

I also see a shortage of rated guys approaching, compounded by a lack of 200 hr sky gods coming through Oxford which will hopefully lead to a very painful experience for those who have gone out of their way to make pilots lives an even worse during these challenging times.

[SpamCanDriver]

So was I, I'm back there now. I would say it is still one of the better places to work in the UK. Maybe not like in the "good old Britannia days" you hear so much about, but certainly far from the worst.

Personally I hope TUI don't manage to find sufficient interest in these fixed term contracts which will force them to employ people on proper contracts from day 1. However, I once joined an airline on a 6 month fixed FO contract with a £7k OCC cost. 2 years later I was a full time captain with them. Not saying TUI will definitely keep people on but as others have said it can be a foot in the door to better things and worst case keeps you current if you're currently unemployed.

Glad to hear it's not all bad
still have very fond memories of working there & some great layovers

[Alrosa]

Totally wrong, we were told very clearly at the assessment, that after the 6 months, if not extended before the end, we would be in a hold pool for the next recruitment. And that we would NOT have to assess again, as we're already "in". Again, from James directly.


Fair enough - I’m sure it will suit some people. To take £7000 out of one’s salary for the OCC and then make vague statements about being extended or perhaps not won’t suit others. I hope they do manage to extend those that go for it.

[am111]

Totally wrong, we were told very clearly at the assessment, that after the 6 months, if not extended before the end, we would be in a hold pool for the next recruitment. And that we would NOT have to assess again, as we're already "in". Again, from James directly.
That’s just a very convoluted way of saying ‘permanent not guaranteed.’ But as others have said, it will suit some, and the less pilots out of work, the better for us all.

[AIMINGHIGH123]

Totally wrong, we were told very clearly at the assessment, that after the 6 months, if not extended before the end, we would be in a hold pool for the next recruitment. And that we would NOT have to assess again, as we're already "in". Again, from James directly.

Well I did say my mate didn’t go to the assessment. He called them up and was told what I wrote earlier.
As you said in a hold pool, possibly extended.
Nothing guaranteed. I had an interviewed booked with TUI May 2020. Obviously never happened because of COVID. I have an email that says “Your application will remain on pause until we plan to recruit again”
Just before they opened recruitment this year they sent an email that said “you have been unsuccessful”.
Didn’t even get to an interview and was in a recruitment hold pool.

With the recent events and current climate I wouldnt bank on anything. They can say what they like and back track.

If you’re TR it’s a joke.

FYI that same mate is now starting with RYR. Had interview and was offered a start date a week later. Nothing to pay up front.

[Uplinker]

.......A few ex-jet2 pilots could be tempted. Are there some ex-Norwegian pilots knocking about as well? If they want to stay relatively local, their only other option would be Ryanair. I wonder if you might make more money at TUI than at FR in the same 6 months (even when you start at -£7000).

It's like the TV quiz show The Chase; "High offer please?" "50 grand". "Low offer?" "minus 7 grand"......."Have a chat with your team mates......."

[Nil further]

Rather satisfying to know that a fair chunk of people who were offered this “opportunity” didn’t take it up.

in-fact I’m told that some people simply didn’t turn up on day 1.

Reaping what was sowed.

[ICEHOUSES]

What a joke this industry has become.

[YosserHughes]

By your post history, you're very anti-airlines, and anti-aviation in general. In 2 pages I could be bothered to go back and look at, there wasn't a single positive post, only negative. I certainly hope you find what makes you happy one day. Thoughts and prayers!


Are you an employed pilot?

[YosserHughes]

What a joke this industry has become.


A very depressing truth.

[AIMINGHIGH123]

I always admired TUI but yes the £7k for summer contract stinks.

I wonder if those that didn’t start had offers from elsewhere.

A mate of mine started with Jet2 couple months back and was given very short notice (4 weeks). He said some on his course received less than 2 weeks notice.

I have noticed on many people getting jobs now so things definitely picking up.

I think TUI played the wrong hand this time.

[SpamCanDriver]

I thought the contract was a terrible offer, but think it's a bit silly to accept the job and then not turn up.

Burning bridges for no reason or reward IMO

[back to Boeing]

I thought the contract was a terrible offer, but think it's a bit silly to accept the job and then not turn up.

Burning bridges for no reason or reward IMO
I thought it was a bad offer in 2014 which is why I turned it down then. Every man and his donkey has seen an extreme experienced pilot shortage coming on the way out of Covid. Big bulge of retirements coupled with enough people leaving the industry altogether and still offering this low ball offer shows an extreme arrogance of the bean counters. I bet the pilot recruiters were banging their heads against the desk saying “please don’t make us make this offer”.

We should be in the golden era of t’s and c’s negotiations. But we’re not but that’s a whole different rant.

[OutsideCAS]

We should be in the golden era of t’s and c’s negotiations.

They are over in the USA. Europe and the UK from an employer perspective are being too arrogant,

[SpamCanDriver]

They are over in the USA. Europe and the UK from an employer perspective are being too arrogant,

A combination of very strong Unions & and the 1500hr rule, meaning less people straight out of fkting school able to sell their granny. To get on the first rung of the ladder maybe?

[Rt Hon Jim Hacker MP]

Comms from TUI management point to some significant upheaval for the winter 23/24 season. The Sunwing arrangement ends summer 2023 and they then have a fleet which is too big for the low season.

There are better gigs out there than poorly paid summer contracts where the pilot pays the training costs. My own outfit still pays for the heavy jet type rating with the traditional bond arrangement that used to exist years ago. Full time employment as well.

[AIMINGHIGH123]

Yes, I saw the Sunwing videos, and whilst it seems bad, they seem confident they can "fix it" time will only tell. I can't say I know any thing more about this than the rest of us.

People on the starting courses for this summer season contract appear to have been offered permanent contracts on "PPY50".

Whats PPY50? 50% contract?

It’s still not ideal. People trying to get mortgages etc. Laughed out of the bank with that contract.

[annakm]

Are TUI now paying the price for their “interesting” recruitment policy? I’m aware we have a perfect storm with half term etc and it’s a cabin crew shortage as well, but they (and EZY) seem to have been particularly hard hit. Will this force a review by their HR department?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61638567

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/28/tui-apologises-for-flight-cancellations-as-uk-faces-half-term-travel-chaos

[Airone2977]

Are TUI now paying the price for their “interesting” recruitment policy? I’m aware we have a perfect storm with half term etc and it’s a cabin crew shortage as well, but they (and EZY) seem to have been particularly hard hit. Will this force a review by their HR department?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61638567

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/28/tui-apologises-for-flight-cancellations-as-uk-faces-half-term-travel-chaos

Correct me if I'm wrong, but TUI UK and TUI belgium/netherland are two different airlines and has different recruitment policy. Only TUIfly offers the summer contract with the 7K bond.

[MachBrum]

People on the starting courses for this summer season contract appear to have been offered permanent contracts on "PPY50".

Remember the days when PPY50 for 5 years was standard at joining…..