what is excel really like?

[skyboy1919]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone can give me some info on what excel is really like, I know they did not have the best rep when it was Sabre but a lot looks like it has changed from the outside. however was wondering if you could tell me what its really like to work for them. I know you work hard, but whats the pay like for main crew, assistant Purser, and Purser, are they friendly, fair, or are things bad.

I know everyone has a different opinion, and so airlines are not for everyone, but I honestly belive you can get a fair idea from feeback from these forums.

Also whats the management like, heard their are a couple of people who you need to watch your back with, no names of course, but are they still their?

Thanks in advance:hmm:

[Xenia]

Personally I worked for XLA as a Purser. I can honestly tell you it was one of my best times. Great people, great fun, nice fleet. I left cause I wanted to come back to Italy ... otherwise I'm sure I would be more than happily there
As you said what suit one may not suit the others ....
Good luck :)

[flyhalf]

Quite a few of my friends work for Excel. Basically, it is OK as an operation - decent aircraft, usual early starts and late finishes that you get anywhere (but perhaps a bit earlier on the starts than you find elsewhere - a few 0500 local departures!!).

On the downside, the chances of being kept on in the winter are quite low. They have announced they're going long-haul this winter to the Caribbean but they are apparently using this as a means of attracting new F/As for the summer. It's true to say that they are recruiting and true to say that they are starting the Caribbean this winter, but if you think you're being recruited now to fly to the Caribbean this winter, be careful. The two don't necessarily follow.

One of my mates did the numbers the other day and it was something like this for Gatwick:
6 x 737s @ 5 F/As per aircraft x 6 crews per aircraft = 180
4 x 767s @ 8 F/As per aircraft x 6 crews per aircraft = 128
Total crew of 308 for Gatwick - Summer

Winter :
3 x 737s @ 5 F/As per aircraft x 5 crews per aircraft = 75
1 x 767 @ 8 F/As per aircraft x longhaul 7 crews per aircraft = 56
Total crew of 131 for Gatwick - Winter

Basically, you've got 170 crew more in summer than in winter so don't assume you'll get kept on regardless of how good you are.

If you're looking for a start and flying experience, Excel's not a bad place to be and you won't go wrong. If you're looking for a long-term career, keep your options open.

[crundale]

Dear Flyhalf,
A good attempt at guessing the numbers, but not quite right :O
Currently 6*737s and 3*767s. We should have by the end of training around 320 cabin crew just at LGW.
Can i also remind you of 4 aircraft in MAN and one in GLA. Next year there will be more....
Long haul Caribbean is signed up, but that is just one 767. There is a good possibility of more than that being here all winter, but nothing else signed as yet.
With recruitment and ID problems I would be amazed if anyone decent was allowed to leave at the end of this season, so your comment about this not being a long term option was unfair. I would assume the opposite of what you wrote - if you are good you will be kept on.
And not sure what you mean when you suggest new people won't do Carib trips. There will be no division of bases - if you are at LGW you will fly 737 / 767, wherever. Whatever best fits the roster.
It is a good company to work for, and is certainly going in the right direction. You should have no concerns about joining!

[pulse1]

Sorry to butt in on your thread but I am due to fly with Excel in a few weeks. I knew nothing about them so it is reassuring to hear from happy staff. That's probably good for the passengers too, I hope.

[YYC F/A]

Just out of curiousity, how does Excel hire it's Seniors / Pursers? CAA regs require pursers to have min 12 months flying experience and Excel is a pretty new operation?

Sounds promising for you guys down there - good luck with the summer season!

[747dream]

hi there guys & girls

I can only say that they seemed like a happy bunch of people in Manchester that interviewed me end of last month. At my one to one interview they were honest about what company was like when it was Sabre they were a real laugh.

Manchester only crew for 1 - 2 a/c in winter but more they said in Gatwick. I was offered the job but didn't accept as i thought that i would be finished end of season, maybe the wrong decision.

[MinimumRest]

YYC F/A - Excel have been going since May 2001, previous to which they were Sabre, so many of the pursers and assistnt pursers have been flying for them since they were Sabre. I do not know any pursers wuth less than 3 years experience here at Manchester. They have taken on some direct entry assistant pursers from other airlines, most of which had over three years flying under their belt too.

Having flown for other airlines, I find Excel friendly, laid back and generally enjoyable. Rosters can be a tad erratic which is the only down side - last month I had one flight each week and 6 standbys (of which I got called on, erm, none!) this month I have five flights in a row ending on a deep night (tonight!) and the rest of the roster is all standbys! Money is fairly low compared to other charter operations, basic is average but flight pay isn't great.

Overall.......................:ok:

MR XxX

[747flyinggirl]

I was working for excel and to be honest I wouldn't go there. The crew you work with are great but the office staff are evil and nasty. If you can get by with no contact from the office then cool.
I now work from another airline and very happy there. If you do go to excel have fun but be careful. Also beware of the problems they have with getting the security ID's for you to be able to fly. Excel seem to have major problems with doing this and really mess the applications up that go to BAA.
Anyway have fun flying all

[crundale]

Flying Girl,
Not really fair. The only people I know who have had trouble with management are those who have brought it on themselves.
And as for IDs - all those problems are because of new rules meaning that applications are rejected when people spell their own names wrong, cant remember what year they were born etc. And all airlines are going through it this year.
Good luck in your new job.

[yoohoo sista!]

I work for excel as a Purser and having had experience of working for scheduled airlines, I am thoroughly enjoying it. With regards to promotion, there are the opportunities, but take some advice and crawl before you can walk...enjoy your job, work for excel and the rest will follow...
Happy flying!

[Xenia]

As I said before I enjoyed Excel 100%
To be honest I agree with Crundale and yoohoo sista! But then again ... what suits one may not suit another!!!
Wishing Excel could open a base in Italy ;) Miss those funny flights with lovely crew! :E

[747flyinggirl]

crundale

I never had any problems there with the management. To be honest I had nothing but excellent assessments written on me, and was getting on with the job to the best of my ability. Also I am able to spell my name, and know my date of birth, so I for one know that it was down to me. Anyway I was just giving some friendly advice to be careful as they are rude in the office, and one minute you could be flying thinking everything is cool then suddenly your out of a job.
Good Luck

[Xenia]

:eek:
And you consider that a friendly advice? :confused:
I can honestly say that unless things have changed since I was there (but I don't think so) Excel was one of the best places I worked for!!!
But then again ... how many of us had move around in the last years? I did :bored: and believe me ... Been there, done that and got a T-shirt!!! :ouch:
I am not spitting on the plate I am eating now .... but if I compare it, Excel was really like Disneyland! :ok:
Happy landings.

[747flyinggirl]

yes i was just giving some friendly advice. And it wasn´t just me that this has happened to, excel have got rid of a lot of people lately due to problems with ID, so i was advising people to be aware. Anyway I am not willing to get into an arguement over this, i know what is happening as know alot of people there at the moment and they seem to also be having a lot of problems, especially with the rosters, which seem to be very erratic a times. Excel is great for the crew that you work with, but that is all, i enjoyed working for them and not trying to put them down too much. Excellent crew is all i can say about the company.

[chippy63]

Looking forward to flying Excel tomorrow to Olbia with Mrs C and the young chippies, a thread on Pax and SLF has some good things to say....

[crundale]

Flying Girl
2 (TWO) people have left due to ID problems and that was because previous employers would not return references.
Rosters are far from erratic - come out regularly, get up to 6 weeks ahead and changes are very low for a CHARTER airline.
Maybe excellent crew is all you should have said about the company. Its often best not to listen to airline tittle-tattle.
:O
Mr C
Hope you have a great flight, you've got a top captain flying you.

[dicksynormous]

crundale,
i believe you may be wrong on the "top captain" bit as I hear they are all in manc.so maybe just an ok captain from lgw.

:cool: :E

[747flyinggirl]

crundale

I know that more than 2 (TWO) people have left due to ID's, as I know these people personnally and they no longer work for Excel. And its not because they couldn't get references from employers, there are other underlying problems. Ok!!!
What I meant by the rosters being erratic it that the last month there were loads of flights, but this month hardly any (at least on the rosters I have seen). I give them credit for issuing the rosters well in advance that was always a good thing (at least you could plan your life around your flights).
I am also intrigued to know if i ever flew with you, hahaha!!!

[yoohoo sista!]

Rosters at Excel are excellent! I have never been treated so good in all my flying career. They tend not to call you out for SBY only if desperate and they NEVER alter days off, so , yes, you can have a life and fly - what a brilliant combination!!!
Happy flying!

Also, while I'm on the subject of Excel, I can honestly say that they have recruited some damn mighty fine EXPERIENCED cabin crew from all over with donkeys' years of experience, which, in my book, can only lead to a happy, disciplined but fun working environment.
Happy flying!

Also, while I'm on the subject of Excel, I can honestly say that they have recruited some damn mighty fine EXPERIENCED cabin crew from all over with donkeys' years of experience, which, in my book, can only lead to a happy, disciplined but fun working environment.
Happy flying!