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Old 26th Nov 2006, 17:28
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XL.com/Excel Airways

Hi all

Just wondering if theres any XL crew out there? If there is, what are they like to fly for? What kind of hours do you do/number of sectors???
Also, anybody out there applying for next year?
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Old 29th Nov 2006, 17:00
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Hey john,
Ive also applied... Its my first time applying to be crew so it should be interesting to see what happens! Haven't heard anything back mind you! What base are you applying for?
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Old 2nd Dec 2006, 21:31
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Ive been at XL for nearly 3 years, generally a great company that treat staff well. Been a tough 12 months....what with the mergers/takeovers etc. Seems to be settling down now and with the rebrand its giving a fresh look for the upcoming months.

Great crews, can always be sure you're going to have a good flight whether it be a Sharm and back or a week in the carribean.

Pay is average for charters. Good in summer can be a bit hard in the winter but rostering try and give fair rosters.

Majority of crew were kept on this year although on 50/75% rosters (actually looks quite appealing having a week off every month )

Good promotion oppurtunities and great airline to start with.

Fleets at moment are 737/757/767 and 767/747 so all on longhaul.

Generally only do 2 sector days....there and back, can involve positioning to diff bases etc. Hours can be from 6hours (ie; geneva) to anything upto 15 (Sharms and banjuls)

Any other questions just ask
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Old 3rd Dec 2006, 11:34
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Hey!
Thanks for the info, love the new brand, hopefully i get an interview now, if i do i'll be back for more advice. I'm applying for Dublin (cos thats where im from!) so it would be interesting to see how the new dublin operations work!!

Many Thanks,
SunCEO.
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Old 4th Dec 2006, 17:44
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I`ve been here for about 6 months now, and have just applied to be on the recruitment team.

I love it, although it has been a tough few months, as has been said.

Work is varied, as we are a charter carrier. It`s one of the things i like, the chance that you can be going off to somewhere different. For example tomorrow i`m off to Rio, a route that isn`t normal for us.

But if you have any questions, just ask.
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Old 3rd Jan 2007, 09:36
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Well ive just been told im invited to the interview for excel on 19th in Sussex...anyone else going?

Any hints or advice? I honestly dont know that much about XL and my research hasnt given me much either. Shall i dress very smart? Or a little more casual? Is there anything in particular (apart from the usual) they may be looking for?

Thanx

-Maxi
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Old 5th Jan 2007, 19:48
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Hi,
I flew for XL last summer before moving on to pastures new. They are a good company to work for, as long as you truly are flexible. If you can, be positioned at LGW, BRS or MAn as they are permanent bases. I worked at an outstation, and have to admit it was a very dodgy a/c, worked on 3 AOC's over 6 months, got stranded down route several times with very little contact from OPS unless we contacted them. The crews are great, they have now launched a new buy on board service, so everything that PAX require they have to pay for... no freebies! the 73's they have are really nice, they tend to do a lot of outsourcing through the summer and lease canadian, finish and other a/c... short haul fleets are 737-800/757/767-200 and longhaul is 767-300 and 747... however a lot of these are manned by Ex-Air Atlanta crew... it itends to be the old timers that get the long haul I'm afraid. You are only on a temp summer contract, approx april to November, unfortunately I am a little bitter, as no matter how hard I tried to prove myself, (no sickness, absence, lateness and glowing IF Assessments) I was still not offered transfer or even a part time contract... I know crew at the permanent bases that did get these contracts, although they took time off sick, were late etc...

It was a good first flying experience though! It gave me the flying bug and helped me get my role with my new airline now!

As for the interview day.... Smart and professional... be prepared to do a written exam about the history and aspects of the company, customer service, maths etc... Also a listening exercise, and a group exercise...

You will be measured and weighed as soon as you arrive, so don't fib on applications.

If you are successful, you will go through to a 2 to one interview, normally held with a trainer, and a purser... usual airline questions.... why do you think it is important to wear a uniform, give me a good example of when you have provided good/bad customer service etc...

Make sure your personality comes through tho! that's what they'r looking for!

Good luck to you all! I hope they treat you better than they did me
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Old 6th Jan 2007, 00:33
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xl.com now we are rebranded and things are looking good,stansted and dublin are new bases for s2007 recruitment started now.xl is a good airline has faults like others but all is working together.
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Old 6th Jan 2007, 08:40
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Does anyone know what the rosters will look like from stn. I guess as its a new base theres not much info but also pay and aircraft used at that base. I have seen that xl have the 747 but I guess this would be LGW
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Old 6th Jan 2007, 14:03
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a/c at stn will be canadian reg 737-800,doing short haul routes think approx 12 flights a week,so will be a nice little base not to busy probably do 3 or 4 flights a week as a crew member.
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Old 6th Jan 2007, 15:38
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747 is at both MAN and LGW.

But last year they were training people to go either 737/767 or 757/747.

So hopefully with that mixture you are likely to get a nice mixture or long and short haul.

Not sure what Carribean route we are going to do over the summer, but we have lots this winter, I have 2 Antiguas this month

Nice crew, very friendly and most of the passengers we get are great too!

Best of luck to all those that apply and hope to see you online in the near future
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Old 7th Jan 2007, 21:08
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hello, i too worked for XL in the summer based in man, they are a fab company , and as far as i'm aware they are only going to get better, what with the rebranding and all..... p.s man is a great xl base, but i've heard from many fellow flyers that glasgow is and excellant base they are all meant to be barking mad...and they sound it, the stories i've heard those crew get up to are hilarious.

x
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Old 17th Jan 2007, 15:55
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does every base get trained on a longhaul a/c? or just the bigger bases such as man and lgw?

Last edited by NCL1; 18th Jan 2007 at 18:17.
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Old 17th Jan 2007, 19:58
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hi there.

Trying to start a new post and it wont must be a newbie thing!

looking at a new career in cabin crew having spend 6 years dealing with face to face sales and c. service in the golf industry !

one thing is bothering me. what do they mean by "weight in proportion to height??" now im 5ft 9, weight in at 15st (not huge, but no means slim) Now my fitness levels are fine, but would i be classed as too big??

Any ideas??

Richard
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Old 18th Jan 2007, 00:43
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hmmm, tough one there. I think as long as you can get down the aisle then you'll be fine.

Cabin crew management can be a pain in the arse though.

Best of luck.
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Old 20th Jan 2007, 10:14
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Dub Base

03 AND 04 FEBRUARY, DUBLIN AIRPORT HILTON

'Walk-In' Interviews

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Old 23rd Jan 2007, 16:49
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Interview Advice...!!

Hi All,

Im looking for some advice if possible - I have an interview with First Choice in a couple of weeks time at LGW!

Does any one have any hints or tips for the big day....what to expect....questions etc?

I wld appreciate any help - It will be my first interview for cabin crew.....scary stuff!!

Thanks Jenn
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Old 23rd Jan 2007, 17:19
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Hey UFGboy,
How do you mean "walk in"? Just I got an invitation to an interview and they said that places were very limited!

Thanks,
SunCEO.
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Old 25th Jan 2007, 18:47
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Got the Job!

Hey all!

I did start a new thread but got diverted to this one!

I had my first airline interview ever last week for excel and got the job! All happened a bit fast but seems like a good shout! hehe!

Anyone out there who works/worked for excel? What are they like?

Also a big issue for me is accommodation as i live about 2 hours away from gatwick so will need to get closer! Any tips on what other crew do for accom etc? x
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Old 26th Jan 2007, 14:08
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XL? ............

Originally Posted by Princessjalee
Hey all!

I did start a new thread but got diverted to this one!

I had my first airline interview ever last week for excel and got the job! All happened a bit fast but seems like a good shout! hehe!

Anyone out there who works/worked for excel? What are they like?

Also a big issue for me is accommodation as i live about 2 hours away from gatwick so will need to get closer! Any tips on what other crew do for accom etc? x
Congratulations for your first airline job!!

What are they like??

Some of the crew love it, and some of them hate it!

I personally think XL is the worst charter airline!!

Bad salary - I earned last summer between 790£ - 1080£- that's a joke !!!!!!

Useless crewing and rostering!!

Lots of stanby and called out only 3 times ( in seven months)!!

If you get called out from your standby, they can expect fom you to be there whitin 45 minutes!!!!!!!- I HAD to do it twice!

Rostering is very unfair, some of the crew had each month two trips, my first long haul flight was in september.... - I was not the only one........
Everyone is complaining about everything.......etc...etc...

Also pilots are copmlaining, one of them was screaming at the front of Concorde House how he hates the company!!!............

Be aware - don't be sick!!!!!

Also this copmany discriminate people!!They have problems with crew who have a different culture....I know few crew, they just left because they coul't handle it anymore!!
Can you imagine?One of them is flying with Ryanair again!!!!

One of my best friend who is flying now with XL, just called me before, she was crying because she have only one flight for the hole month..........and she does't know how to pay the rent!!!!!


People are leaving every day!!

I know that there is no perfect empoyer, but this is too bad, this is a JOKE!!


I just try to tell you the truth, and I think for a first airline job is XL all right, just make sure someone can help you financial until you fly with them!

There are other charter companys like Monarch, Thomas Cook,Thomson, those are much much better!
My friend is flying with Thomas Cook, she have the avarage salary app. 1400£ after tax,every month long haul ...etc...she is very happy!
Why don't you try one of them???????

I wish you all the best, and if you go for XL GOOD LUCK!!
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