Tony Underwood!!

[Tarmach]

Airline last night showed Tony Underwood training to be a first officer with easyjet. Does anyone know which flying school he attended and did he do the full approved intergrated course?

Tarmach.

[This message has been edited by Tarmach (edited 27 March 2001).]

[Pielander]

With the way he was saying "I'm actually going to be flying a plane tomorrow - scary!", you'd think he hadn't had any training at all! That's the way it came across, anyhow. Very disconcerting to Joe Public.

BTW, Let us know if you're out there, Tony! We need some high-profile Ppruners.

Pie

[Tosh McCaber]

Whilst not the answer to your question, I seem to remember one of the Underwood brothers was/is a pilot in the RAF- I don't think that it was Tony?

[Murray_NN]

He trained with OATS at Gloucester doing the Modular course.

You will have to be famous to get a job as quick as he had.

[Tarmach]

No that was his brother- Rory Underwood! He is a fast jet pilot. I think he is due to come out of the RAF anytime now though.

[BigTimeWannabe]

I don't think Rory Underwood was a pilot in the RAF, I thought he was only 'in' the RAF.

And it also appears that Tony is a S/O at Easyjet, that's what the photos i've seen portrait.

Could anyone shed any further light on this?

BTW

[Delta Wun-Wun]

Rory was or is a RAF Pilot,was on Transport types but curtailed his England Rugby career to concentrate on getting onto Fast Jets.Dont know whether he made it.

[Dhlawrence]

Re Rory Underwood - I think he was on Canderras then Hawks at 100 sqdn.

[Going Around & Around]

Tony Underwood was at the OATS 737 sims in May 2000 filming a typically pants "watch so&so train to be a pilot type" cum OATS cheap publicity tv program.
I was lucky to be the one to step out while they made a complete arse of him, the girl sitting in the other seat and the sim instructor. He had no prebrief, no idea of the speeds or anything and was currently training for his IR on the Seneca. I discussed it afterwards with the instructor, he said it was a basically a complete crock. Felt pretty sorry for him, but I'm sure a nice shiny orange jet to fly makes up for it!

I think the outcome was so bad that OATS asked them never to show it! (Please correct me if anyone's seen it!)

[SkyCruiser]

Have you guys got nothing better to talk about than a guy flying for an airline, get a life guys.....

[performance limited]

About four years ago, (was it really that long ago?!) I was doing the LOFT 737 thing at OATS, and this stunningly good looking reporter from Flugrevue (I think) came in and asked to observe. I remember she was most impressed when I said I regularly read the english section of my Namibian friends copy.

It was my turn to be PF so I wanted to make it good. I promptly proceeded to completely hash up the departure, ending in stick shake and flustered recovery.

I never did find out what she wrote in the article!

[schuler_tuned]

Rory was on cambera's(incidentally the only English military aeroplane to be built under liceince by the american's) but failed his fast jet upgrade(Tornado) a few times. Well at least he scored a few more tries for England.Tony also scored some tries, but also made a T.V. advert for pizza hut featuring himself being flattened by Mr. Lomu, which probably made him enough to cover the training costs alone!I normally have to pay for such personal humility, you know the story, Friday night too much Friday night liquid ( oh the shame!).
Mind you Lomu's BIG, Tony's small and so am I compared to Jonah(who isn't),anyway he passed the tests both caafu's and sleazy's so good luck to him....
Tony if you read this and happen to bump into a good looking girlie called Louise say "hello" (I know her I do)

[Chirpy Pilot]

Great publicity for EasyJet. How many other graduates with low hours have been taken on by EasyJet. I also was at Oxford (509) doing my MCC at the same time, and I echo some of the comments made by the above respondants. Great to be famous, nothing about ability.

[FlapsOne]

Chirpy

Tony, like MANY others of his experience level, got into EZY on merit. He is a very capable operator and a thoroughly likeable chap too.

Get off your ill-informed soap box if you want to get on in this world!

[Vmike]

C'mon guys, why not wish Tony luck is his new job. OK, so maybe his sporting prowess helped him get the job - so what? Which of us wouldn't/hasn't used whatever advantage we can to get a foot in the door.

Nobody doubted his rugby-playing ability when he was scoring tries for England, so why not assume that he's a decent flier who will probably do well in his second career - especially if EZY's marketing/advertising suits leave him alone to get on with the job. I say good luck, Tony.

[socrates]

Flaps

Whilst he may be like MANY others of his experience level and got in on merit my guess he certainly would not have even been considered had the application been based on hours alone.

He has used his 'name' to gain entry, who wouldn't?

The issue here is how frustrated all wannabees must be feeling based on his experience levels knowing that many are EQUALLY as capable but will almost never find a position based purely on hours alone. They all get to go in the recruitment pile and live in the hope that their CV is at the top on the day a job comes available.

It is further intersting to note that whilst OATS 'pushed' Underwood at BM it was ultimately Easyjet who took him on. BM's loss I guess...

Were he that good then BA would have taken him if OATS were 'pushing'. My guess is they were seeking the publicity too, but also 'knew' his limitations.

[foghorn]

schuler_tuned

Pedant alert sorry...

"cambera's(incidentally the only English military aeroplane to be built under liceince by the american's)"

What about the Harrier?
There was also the WWII one (name slips me) that was basically and English design manufactured in the US.

[Sagey]

I heard that Selios personally invited T Underwood to apply for the job.

Not that I am saying he cannot do it etc, as he holds the necessary qualifications.

Back to the case of who u know, or in this case who knows u.

"Wannabe that is thinking he shouldn't have given rugby up after school"<g>.

Good luck T Underwood
Sagey

[driver1]

aircraft built under license by the americans include the Harrier and the hawk.

[Stu Pidkent]

Schuler Tuned

Canberra - its spelt Canberra - as in the Australian capital.

Just to clear it up - You cannot 'upgrade' to Tornadoe's. You get streamed, Fast Jet, ME/Transport, Heli's. You may only go one way, not from the other. You may of course switch types via an OCU if you get put on a tour. Do you really think the RAF has got the time and money to let someone repeatedly try to 'upgrade' to fast jets when there are plenty of capable young pilots sitting behind a desk waiting for their turn ?

[HomerSimpson]

Good Luck to you Tony.

Homer ;)

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Duff, Duff, that Wonderful stuff. Ummmmm Doughnuts

[schuler_tuned]

Driver1/foghorn yuo're right sorry, bit of a brain shutdown, just finished another mind numbing 12hr nightshift(got to get the flying tokens somehow), anywho,Hawks are called Goshawks and harriers AV8Bs,I think!
Stu Pidkent, the canberra must be classed a
fast jet,the one practacing around Coventry before Air Antique's show looked pretty nippy to me, and it must have been an O.C.U. and I was only reporting what i'd read sometime, somewhere. Anyway why pick on me, Dhlawrence spelled it canderra!(sorry dh).
Still it beats bitching about Tony, as I said earlier, good luck to him , another
wannabe bites the dust!

[f/spninx]

I have to correct Flapsone Tony is one of two or three British 200 hr pilots to join easyjet UK. The rest are Dutch around 15 of them.
easyjet Swiss Do not employ 200 hr pilots and they employ there own Nationals first.

[FlapsOne]

Did I say British?

socrates

Your GUESS.........exactly. How did the others get it then?

[This message has been edited by FlapsOne (edited 28 March 2001).]

[schuler_tuned]

Hope I'm not over-doing this subject, but in hindsight, during yet another eternal nightshift, the thing that strikes the most is that it just seems "un-real".
I've got a young family,(thankfully supportive, for which I'm eternally gratefull for) work long, long hours to fund the dream, which is probably a famaliar story to lots of you, and to be honest it,s not the inspiring story I'm sure lots of us tune in for, to stave of the warm bath and razor blades.
I,m not trying to denegrate Tony,s success , but "Dave" the milkman trades in his float....(there,s got to be pun in there somewhere!) tell it more like it really is.
Sorry Tony, but you make it seem too eazy(ah there it is!)

[GJB]

To all those that are knocking him - just remember that he had to pass every exam and test, like any other pilot, to get to where he is.

Good luck to him!

[Base leg]

Anyone else who landed (sic) a jet job would get 17 pages on this forum of 'well done mate !' from strangers. Someone who gets the exams, flight tests etc. gets my thumbs up-

Good luck Tony.

[AffirmBrest]

I can only say congrats to Tony (1 of my rugby heroes!). Poor guy obviously has had to deal with unwanted attention of this sort for a long time - it's about time it bloody stopped.

Couple of points:

I wonder how many people said "He's only got in the England team 'cos his brother's in it"

I wonder how many of those who see fit to sneer at Tony for what they perceive as 'getting it handed to him', have had their nice little £50K OATS course at age 21 entirely funded by Daddy?

Tony has acheived his ATPL and position on his merit as a pilot and a person. To suggest/assume otherwise is not only cynical and bitter, but just plain rude.

AB

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[foghorn]

Right, let's look at the facts.

Tony Underwood has been a regular member of one of our national sports teams. He has a Cambridge degree. He has worked in the city for some years.

CV points
- Exemplary history of achievement
- Highly intelligent
- Proven track record in business in another career

Tony has a frozen ATPL/IR via the modular route, passed the sim check, 737 type rating and EZY's line checks

CV points
- Shows dedication and has been willing to take risks to get to his goal
- Passed all the same exams, skills tests and checks as his colleagues

Oh, and he's famous as well. Will make good TV for Stelios.

Look at you own CV. Put yourself in the position of someone in an interview. Who would you hire?

Let's take heart from the fact that a 200 hour modular pilot can make it straight to jets, rather than slating this guy, eh? Another one over the fence....

[This message has been edited by foghorn (edited 29 March 2001).]

[GJB]

Affirmbreast - being a 'jock' means he certainly isn't one of my rugby heroes! ;)

[AffirmBrest]

Oh - you'll be interested to know that I 'ad that Gavin 'astings and Craig Chalmers in the back(front) of my Cab(in) the other day...jolly nice they were too!

And did those feet, in ancient times...

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[Chirpy Pilot]

Flaps One

I'm getting on fine without being famous.
Good luck to the guy, I would do just the same in his position!

My grudge is with EasyJet. They do not take on many Pilots around the 200 hours, no matter what the ability is. It is great publicity.

Why was is not taken on by B.A or B.M. if he is so highly qualifed and gifted.

[GJB]

affirmbreast - I hope they were well behaved and not being too ruggerbu**erish!

I could post a very amusing story........but wont!

[Almost Mile High Brummie]

I know that Roru Underwood flies Tornado's for the RAF, but I am not sure what Tony did. I don;t think that he was as good at rugby than his brother.

Good luck to him though...we are all desperate (us low hour pilots) to get job on jets and if being famous gets you there...then so be it!!!

[Vmike]

OK, I'll throw in a story. Back in 1988, I was a CFI at a flying school in North Carolina. Had two black twins from Detroit who were going through their CPL/IR for which I was instructing them. One day, we couldn't fly coz the weather was utterly awful, so we adjourned to the pub and had a few jars.

One of these chaps said to me: "Although you have much more flying time than us, we will be in the cockpit of a jet much sooner than you, because you are white and we are black and this is the USA, where political correctness rules".

Slightly put out, I said: "Doesn't it bother you that you will be hired because you are black rather than because you are good at flying and are the best person for the job?"

The black twins replied in unison: "we don't care why they hire us, just so long as they do. If they hire us because we're black, then fine. If being black gives us an edge in this day and age, then we should use it".

I couldn't argue with that, and I'm quite sure the same applies to Tony, who like those guys, is only using what he's got to get himself into the cockpit of a jet, which is, after all, what we all want. As I said to the black twins at the time, and I now say to Tony, bloody good luck to you.

[A Famous Person]

Hey I'm famous and fresh out of OATS.

Managed to pass everything first time, averaged 90% on exams, flew well according to my peers (and myself!).

Passed the IRT first time too.

CV: Got a degree in Aeronautical engineering.

Gave up a good career to persue the dream.

Married with 2 children.

Therefore I believe I show the same determination and commitment as Underwood...

Gissajob Stelios; I can do that too!

[AffirmBrest]

A famous aeronautical engineering graduate?

Pull the other one, mate!

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[008]

Famous person - you forgot to add these attributes to your CV,

-arrogant
-exaggerator
-and I can imagine very unpopular.

I hope you enjoyed your ego trip, as when you return to earth you will realise what a pathetic life you lead.

Congratulations on your 90%s, but I think you should spend less time telling others of your "genius", and more time socialising.

[Chirpy Pilot]

What a bitchy lot we all are!

[A Famous Person]

008

I am neither arrogant, an exaggerator or very unpopular and probably a little too old for ego trips.

Jealousy will get you everywhere. I cannot agree more with the comment posted by Chirpy.

If you cannot accept that what I say is the truth then that is your problem, I merely stated the facts. If you want proof I will gladly provide it.

As a student you obviously have much growing up to do.

Meanwhile, if you intend seeking an aviation career or even anything connected with aviation you will discover there are many intelligent people, both male and female, all whom have worked hard and dilligently to get where they are now; that includes me.

Meanwhile, I believe I have a social life. At 22.33 (the time of your posting) I for one was enjoying a few beers in my local with a few friends. What were you doing...?
:)

[luvly jubbly]

Tony trained for his PPL at the same time as me at Newcastle Aero Club.

I also had Tony's instructor at OATS modular in Gloucester for the CPL/IR.

He put in a lot of work and attained first time passes in all his flying tests.

Give the guy a break. He may be famous, but deserves his luck. How many of us would love to have rugby player for England on our CVs??

[f/spninx]

Tony Underwood is one of about 4 British 200hr pilots to get a job in easyjet in the last six months.
The other 12+ are Dutch 200hr pilots.
I find it disgusting that there is a thread on pprune that takes a pop at Tony Underwood. He is a good bloke and he is British. Why not have a go at the Dutch 200 hr pilots that work for easyjet.

[This message has been edited by f/spninx (edited 01 April 2001).]

[Base leg]

Seeing as yo'all interested- tonight (Monday) 2nd April on ITV at 8.30- Airline

[schuler_tuned]

tony underwood?...katrina!!!come fly with me,come fly let's fly.....

[zerouali]

To be honest I've skipped through much of this thread, so apologies if it's already been said (poetry!) but do any of you honestly believe an airline would take on a pilot just for publicity? That would effectively be gambling with folks lives, which generally makes for bad publicity. The guy is obviously a capable pilot. He must have impressed at interview and maintained a decent standard throughout training to get into the rhs. Concern yourselves with doing the same and less on "just 'cos he's famous" and you won't go far wrong.

[Pilch]

Any news about any airline taking on 200hr Modular qualified pilots is brilliant news as far as I'm concerned. The reason Easyjet are taking on Dutch guys might have something to do with the fact that they are looking to add 3 737s to the fleet working out of Amsterdam. With european employment any UK pilot could have been sucessful in securing those positions - couldn't they ?

[socrates]

theoretically.....yes

In reality: No.

Unless you satisfy certain criteria, ie, right to live etc and can speak the native language then your chances are extremely slim at best.

Just because we are part of JAR does not mean equality across the board. There still exists prejudice against 'foreign' pilots of member states, except here in the UK, where foreign pilots are more often welcomed over UK pilots. The whole system is madness.

It also helps if you know/are someone with influence. Tony Underwood has NOT achieved this position on ability/character alone.

Good luck to him. We would all do the same in his place, if only we had half the chance.
:)

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Tony passed all major hurdles at his first attempt, had no problems in conversion and base training. He was licensed and qualified for the job. With a fairly unique experience of team working at the highest level I am sure he was an impressive ineterviewee and that is why he got the job.

SUBSEQUENT to that easyJet pursue a high media profile by promoting the personality of their owner and of their staff via the Airline TV programme. It is therefore perfectly understandable that Tony is being utilised for publicity.

No more snide remarks please.

I condsider this thread closed.

WWW

[Mr Tuck]

i personally dont see this thread closed ......

without the owner investing in aviation there would be know Easyjet whether that be from greek shipping funds or whatever.

without Mr Underwood having the quals he would not be flying at all.

its really nice to see positive progression on all fronts (industry/profession/media/)working in sync and on the TV for free.

[EricTheRed]

Tony - told you at Glos that you would get a job before me.

Well done and best of luck to you!

ETR

[Superfly]

Socrates,

What you're saying is rubish, in France alone (Air-France)there are more than a couple of pilots who are not French, a majority of them are Brits/Irish (from what I read on the French forum) > you know this is not only a one hundred year/ mad cow disease war between France and England. Being British won't do you any harm in France if you apply for a job, off course you'll have to speak and write the native language > but what do you expect/want? that everybody in the World speak your language ? in your dreams maybe ! I would even say that you may have more chances to the local pilot as you come from somewhere else and have a background/culture that will bring diversity
and different ways of thinking.....
A bon entendeur... Salut

Superfly

[jobsworth]

I have worked with people who know Tony and by all accounts he sounds like an idiot, He only got as far as he did in the RAF because he was goood at sport, Also worked the tornado O.C.U and they said he failed miserably. Not sour though!

[EricTheRed]

Jobsworth -

If you don't have any first-hand knowledge or reliable info, please be quiet! Idle gossip is not for this board.

You have taken some hearsay and attached it to the wrong bloke. Please don't make yourself look any sillier.

ETR

[Delta Wun-Wun]

Jobsworth,
I think if you look theresre two Underwood Brothers,Rory is in the RAF,Tony worked in the City.I cannot comment on Tonys flying ability or on what he is like as a bloke,as 1. Ihave never been flying with him,and 2.I have never met him.
Now maybe being a famous rugby player has helped,but I think eastjet took 16, 250 hr pilots on,the majority Dutch ,I know ,but for basing in Amsterdam.
If nothing else it is a start as Airline entry requirements are starting to come down.
Nobody said it was fair!..Good luck to him.

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GET THE BLOODY NOSE DOWN!

[springbok449]

Hoops Jobsworth, are you sure you are following the thread because you are talking about the wrong chap!

[Undercarraige]

Leave the man alone. There is not one person here that would not do the same were they in his position. Good luck to him and happy flying!!

[NorthernSID]

Jobsworth, you seem like a complete a*se. You obviously know nothing about the people involved and can't even get your facts right.

I worked and flew with Rory on 100 Sqn and he was a great bloke. His career went Tornado GR1s (didn't pass the OCU), Canberras (where he was an IRE), Hawks on 100 Sqn until ~1995. Lost touch since then.

If you know nothing, say nothing. It avoids you looking stupid.

[GJB]

Can't believe some people on here.

Give T.U. a break - all these people who don't even know him, yet are hell bent on discrediting him?

It's a great sign of the times that a low hour self-improver can get a jet job. Furthermore, as has already been said, there wre 16 low hour pilots taken on by EJ - is anyone having a dig at them?

Lighten up.

[lone eagle]

I can't believe all the people out there having a go at poor old Tony Underwood. If I was in his position I would use my fame as a lever, but I expect that he has no choice regarding this. What is a guy to do???