XL.com/Excel Airways
Join Date: Oct 2006
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From an ex- excel'er!
Hi there,
From what I remember with my time at XL, the 767 can operate SFB out of MAN, and some caribbean routes. However the majority of long haul is out of LGW, and from what I remember SFB's were bullet trips from MAN. All I would say is be prepared for uproar if you do get long haul trips... There are crew that have been there for years and are still operating shorthaul only. If you check out xl.com and there route schedules from MAN you can see what destinations they fly to... (obviously some ad hoc charter work can come into it... that's what the charter industry is about!) Xl still operate on 2 AOC's as far as I am aware, the british AOC is for the 73/75/762 and the Icelandic AOC is for the 763/747 which most of the long haul routes are operated on. (there are many more AOC's within the company depending on the base, when I was there I used to operate on an English and Greek AOC independantly depending on the a/c type I flew on... Newcastle operate on a Finnish AOC, and cardiff used to operate on a Canadian one... all depends where the a/c comes from!)
I enjoyed myself when I was there, I did only operate probably 5 flights per month, but I was based at an outbase that had a scheduled service, so MAN may be completely different.
From friends in the company now I am aware they are overcrewed at the minute, but Staff turnover does have to be allowed for!
Give it a go... what have you got to lose?
From what I remember with my time at XL, the 767 can operate SFB out of MAN, and some caribbean routes. However the majority of long haul is out of LGW, and from what I remember SFB's were bullet trips from MAN. All I would say is be prepared for uproar if you do get long haul trips... There are crew that have been there for years and are still operating shorthaul only. If you check out xl.com and there route schedules from MAN you can see what destinations they fly to... (obviously some ad hoc charter work can come into it... that's what the charter industry is about!) Xl still operate on 2 AOC's as far as I am aware, the british AOC is for the 73/75/762 and the Icelandic AOC is for the 763/747 which most of the long haul routes are operated on. (there are many more AOC's within the company depending on the base, when I was there I used to operate on an English and Greek AOC independantly depending on the a/c type I flew on... Newcastle operate on a Finnish AOC, and cardiff used to operate on a Canadian one... all depends where the a/c comes from!)
I enjoyed myself when I was there, I did only operate probably 5 flights per month, but I was based at an outbase that had a scheduled service, so MAN may be completely different.
From friends in the company now I am aware they are overcrewed at the minute, but Staff turnover does have to be allowed for!
Give it a go... what have you got to lose?
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: UK
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hi there ,
thanks for that guess i am just worrying myself to death , i mean i hate my current job although the people are fantastic the management and company are not , suppose it cant be worse than now !! ha ha .got my interview this week so hopefully i will get it , i mean the uniform looks great !!!
cheersxx
thanks for that guess i am just worrying myself to death , i mean i hate my current job although the people are fantastic the management and company are not , suppose it cant be worse than now !! ha ha .got my interview this week so hopefully i will get it , i mean the uniform looks great !!!
cheersxx
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London
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XL.COM
Hi guys
Just a bit of advice for those of you who thinking to go to XL.COM (or whatever they re-brand to next).
I v been working for them for 10 months and have previous cabin crew experience so this was not my first Cabin crew job.
I have left bout a month ago, well they "ended my contract" because I dared to confront them about a few home truth regarding rosters, aircraft prep (for those who don t know what that is, they basicaly drag you in for 6 hours to prep seat pockets, toilets......) and pay!
But unfortunately they did not like it very much, so they then invite me for a "meeting" without ringing me, I had to see it as a change on my roster. I went there in the morning just to be told "We don't require your services anymore, please give us your ID and leave the building", They didn t actualy fire me but just ended my contract. Can you believe this is actually legal even tho I was on a permanent contract but not in the eyes of the law.
I am not the only person this has happend to and am disgusted of this company.
The rosters are VERY unfair even tho we were supose to have a new roster system.
The pay is crap!!!!!!!!!!!! With £9,819.20 Basic plus £2.28 flight pay but when you got bout 4 flights a month in the summer season, it's pretty sh...t!!
And also don't think you just goona get to Xl to be cabin crew and you will be expected to do those stupid aircraft prep, and also the lovely Check-in in the airport on saturdays to advise pax where to go
Some of the crew there think XL is brilliant and when you tell them that you think they going low fares, they going mad! but they obviously haven't worked for anyone else before or they are very naive.
When you stand in the cabin and all you hear is pax complaining regarding the IFE not working, sink in toilets out of use and major delays, well you feel ashamed to work for them. Espacially on their long-haul fleet which is just falling apart and you are always delayed because of technical problem. One night stop could easily end up as 7.
To be honest, I am glad to be out coz I now know how they treat their crew and how bad they are.
Good luck if you still decide to go!!
Just a bit of advice for those of you who thinking to go to XL.COM (or whatever they re-brand to next).
I v been working for them for 10 months and have previous cabin crew experience so this was not my first Cabin crew job.
I have left bout a month ago, well they "ended my contract" because I dared to confront them about a few home truth regarding rosters, aircraft prep (for those who don t know what that is, they basicaly drag you in for 6 hours to prep seat pockets, toilets......) and pay!
But unfortunately they did not like it very much, so they then invite me for a "meeting" without ringing me, I had to see it as a change on my roster. I went there in the morning just to be told "We don't require your services anymore, please give us your ID and leave the building", They didn t actualy fire me but just ended my contract. Can you believe this is actually legal even tho I was on a permanent contract but not in the eyes of the law.
I am not the only person this has happend to and am disgusted of this company.
The rosters are VERY unfair even tho we were supose to have a new roster system.
The pay is crap!!!!!!!!!!!! With £9,819.20 Basic plus £2.28 flight pay but when you got bout 4 flights a month in the summer season, it's pretty sh...t!!
And also don't think you just goona get to Xl to be cabin crew and you will be expected to do those stupid aircraft prep, and also the lovely Check-in in the airport on saturdays to advise pax where to go
Some of the crew there think XL is brilliant and when you tell them that you think they going low fares, they going mad! but they obviously haven't worked for anyone else before or they are very naive.
When you stand in the cabin and all you hear is pax complaining regarding the IFE not working, sink in toilets out of use and major delays, well you feel ashamed to work for them. Espacially on their long-haul fleet which is just falling apart and you are always delayed because of technical problem. One night stop could easily end up as 7.
To be honest, I am glad to be out coz I now know how they treat their crew and how bad they are.
Good luck if you still decide to go!!
Join Date: Jan 1999
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Do some thing about it!
If you feel that XL have a case to answer in law then do some thing about it, take advice from the CAB or your union rep, if the union thinks you have a case they will back you.
It is very easy to sling mud on this forum but the real test of your case is in court, if you are in the right they will probably not take it to court and will offer you a pay off......... now do you wan't to stand up for your self in the face of this "unreasonable" company? Or are you just letting off a lot of hot air on a forum in which the company can't defend its self?
In short are you man or mouse?
It is very easy to sling mud on this forum but the real test of your case is in court, if you are in the right they will probably not take it to court and will offer you a pay off......... now do you wan't to stand up for your self in the face of this "unreasonable" company? Or are you just letting off a lot of hot air on a forum in which the company can't defend its self?
In short are you man or mouse?
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London
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Hey
I am in the process of taking them to court but I only been there 10 months so it's pretty hard to stand out in court but a few people has been fired the same way as me so it's shouldn't be to hard!
I am in the process of taking them to court but I only been there 10 months so it's pretty hard to stand out in court but a few people has been fired the same way as me so it's shouldn't be to hard!
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Sorry Stephen - you misunderstood me.
I meant the way they treat their staff is crappy. It's not the first time I heard bad stuff about XL.
As said, if this goes against the law, you should take further action. Never had anything to do with XL, but had to do with similar employers.
I meant the way they treat their staff is crappy. It's not the first time I heard bad stuff about XL.
As said, if this goes against the law, you should take further action. Never had anything to do with XL, but had to do with similar employers.
Join Date: May 2007
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The 76/73/75 fleet does mainly shorthaul from manchester although the 767 does the Barbados/Caribbean bullet once a week. the 747/767 fleet does mainly longhaul, at the moment there is a Saturday - Friday trip to Sanford and a Thursday - Sunday one. There are also Ascension Island/Falkland trips which are either 5 days or 3 weeks. At the end of this summer the 747's are going because XL have decided they don't want them so there is a lot of bad feeling, especially from the ex air atlanta crew who joined a long haul airline to fly on the jumbos!
I would advise against anyone coming working here, they are vastly overcrewed, noone is getting flights and if you do complain the other crew take it badly if you then get some flights and turn against you! The original XL crew are very bitter since air atlanta joined and will do anyting to stab you in the back, I know, I have experienced it. full of yes people all they want to do is tell tales so that they get promoted. very bad company to work for at the moment!
I would advise against anyone coming working here, they are vastly overcrewed, noone is getting flights and if you do complain the other crew take it badly if you then get some flights and turn against you! The original XL crew are very bitter since air atlanta joined and will do anyting to stab you in the back, I know, I have experienced it. full of yes people all they want to do is tell tales so that they get promoted. very bad company to work for at the moment!
Join Date: Feb 2007
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hi there ,
I had my interview and got in , have decided to take the job as the thought of staying at flybe is just not viable . it is onl a summer contract and i intend to keep my head down and just get on with what i am given .
I have maxjet in the bag but like many people are waiting for a start date .
Having worked for other airlines i can totally undestand what you mean , this can be the best and the worst industry to work in . However cheer up , you could after all be working for flybe !! ha ha
think that the best policy may be just to keep ones mouth shut !! ha ha something i may find hard to do , but hey it is only for the summer !!
hope to meet you soon xx
I had my interview and got in , have decided to take the job as the thought of staying at flybe is just not viable . it is onl a summer contract and i intend to keep my head down and just get on with what i am given .
I have maxjet in the bag but like many people are waiting for a start date .
Having worked for other airlines i can totally undestand what you mean , this can be the best and the worst industry to work in . However cheer up , you could after all be working for flybe !! ha ha
think that the best policy may be just to keep ones mouth shut !! ha ha something i may find hard to do , but hey it is only for the summer !!
hope to meet you soon xx
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Laurap - If it's that awful, why do you stay....????
Why not go & find that elusive airline where everyone gets exactly the flights they want, perhaps on brand new 747s, with nice long trips whenever you fancy them, everyone gets promoted after 6 months, everyone earns a fortune and everyone is best friends with everyone else
The AAE vs XL thing is surely not an issue, except in some peoples imagination. Its rather contradictory to state that there is 'bad feeling from ex AAE crew', and that 'XL crew are very bitter'......I havent heard it mentioned for months, most people have moved on........
Why not go & find that elusive airline where everyone gets exactly the flights they want, perhaps on brand new 747s, with nice long trips whenever you fancy them, everyone gets promoted after 6 months, everyone earns a fortune and everyone is best friends with everyone else
The AAE vs XL thing is surely not an issue, except in some peoples imagination. Its rather contradictory to state that there is 'bad feeling from ex AAE crew', and that 'XL crew are very bitter'......I havent heard it mentioned for months, most people have moved on........
Last edited by Souzan; 22nd May 2007 at 15:31.
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At the end of the day, before one joins an airline (either as flight deck or as cabin crew), he or she does their homework (either on Pprune or by word of mouth) to see what the "true" conditions are. There is no excuse in my opinion to then join an airline and then be confronted with a reality you werent prepared for.
There are many of us that do enjoy the airline and take the good with the bad (as with all other operators. Thats just the way it is in the real world). I'm sorry, but the classic "if youre not happy....then leave!!!" applies in this case. Please dont ruin it for the rest of us who are happy to chip in now and then for the good of the airline.
There are many of us that do enjoy the airline and take the good with the bad (as with all other operators. Thats just the way it is in the real world). I'm sorry, but the classic "if youre not happy....then leave!!!" applies in this case. Please dont ruin it for the rest of us who are happy to chip in now and then for the good of the airline.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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i was AAE then we were shifted over to xl .......i lasted 3 months, was horrible.
I dont think its a good airline, and they really dont treat their staff very well.
Delays, delays, delays comes to mind
i felt like i spent my whole shirft, arguing with pax, over delays, IFEs, meals etc.
NO-speed.....can i just say, you dont always find out what you want in these forums, and the "if you dont like it just leave" is not always the best.... people have commitments......mortagages, families to look after etc, its not always that easy.....but, i know people who are still at xl and love it and other who hate it, i think its all down to personal opinion.
I dont think its a good airline, and they really dont treat their staff very well.
Delays, delays, delays comes to mind
i felt like i spent my whole shirft, arguing with pax, over delays, IFEs, meals etc.
NO-speed.....can i just say, you dont always find out what you want in these forums, and the "if you dont like it just leave" is not always the best.... people have commitments......mortagages, families to look after etc, its not always that easy.....but, i know people who are still at xl and love it and other who hate it, i think its all down to personal opinion.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Stephen,
Hmmmm Any real issues notwithstanding:
Your attempts to confront the management are commendable....if thats what really happened. I thought Instant dismissal is a result of gross misconduct. Did your criticism extend to doing something unnacceptable?
Are you that idiot that nievely posted sensitive information on myspace? Maybe not , but there is usually more to an offence than criticsm to warrant an instant dismissal. Your claimed previous experience contradicts the nievety you show as to the realities of life in UK charter.These problems (although unnacceptable) are endemic in the industry, ask your mates in the other utopian jobs. That is the only fair comparison to make....not ba etc. Lets have a few more details of what you did to incur such wrath,surely you want to help your fellow cc members to avoid the sort of behaviour (as innocent as you claim) that got you canned.
Otherwise you should clean up in court...I doubt you will though. Something a little fishy. Good luck anyway
As the other guys have said lets hear both sides.
XLcrew. Im confused. The market is buoyant why havent you found other crew work if its that bad.People are changing jobs at the drop of a hat, moving to much greener pastures .Or is there more to your attitude as well that is preventing sucessful reemployment. Give GSM a ring theyre fandabbydozy.They'll love you and Stephen. :
Fuzzy hayley
That is soooo last season. It was Probably best you left.
BB
Hmmmm Any real issues notwithstanding:
Your attempts to confront the management are commendable....if thats what really happened. I thought Instant dismissal is a result of gross misconduct. Did your criticism extend to doing something unnacceptable?
Are you that idiot that nievely posted sensitive information on myspace? Maybe not , but there is usually more to an offence than criticsm to warrant an instant dismissal. Your claimed previous experience contradicts the nievety you show as to the realities of life in UK charter.These problems (although unnacceptable) are endemic in the industry, ask your mates in the other utopian jobs. That is the only fair comparison to make....not ba etc. Lets have a few more details of what you did to incur such wrath,surely you want to help your fellow cc members to avoid the sort of behaviour (as innocent as you claim) that got you canned.
Otherwise you should clean up in court...I doubt you will though. Something a little fishy. Good luck anyway
As the other guys have said lets hear both sides.
XLcrew. Im confused. The market is buoyant why havent you found other crew work if its that bad.People are changing jobs at the drop of a hat, moving to much greener pastures .Or is there more to your attitude as well that is preventing sucessful reemployment. Give GSM a ring theyre fandabbydozy.They'll love you and Stephen. :
Fuzzy hayley
That is soooo last season. It was Probably best you left.
BB
Join Date: Jan 2006
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bushbolox......oh it was definatly best that i left lol
would have pulled all my hair out by now
as i say ......i think its all down to personal opinion, and what your prepared to put up with.....again, i know people who are still there and love it
would have pulled all my hair out by now
as i say ......i think its all down to personal opinion, and what your prepared to put up with.....again, i know people who are still there and love it
