Azzurra Air
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Azzurra Air
Hi there Guys and Girls,
I have an interview for Azzurra Air on 01/02/03 for MAN base and am wondering if anyone knows much about the company? I ahve heard a rumour that they pay a salary of £17,000 and no flight pay. Just flat rate salary. Also heard that training is out in Italy to sit their own CAA exams.
Any info would be great!!
Cheers Hottowel (ex MON,BD and AEU) xxx
I have an interview for Azzurra Air on 01/02/03 for MAN base and am wondering if anyone knows much about the company? I ahve heard a rumour that they pay a salary of £17,000 and no flight pay. Just flat rate salary. Also heard that training is out in Italy to sit their own CAA exams.
Any info would be great!!
Cheers Hottowel (ex MON,BD and AEU) xxx
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That is nearly right captcat, only 3 people stayed (waiting for another job).
I didn't work for them, but a very close friend of mine did, and I would like to tell some stories (just a few) therefore I have to warn you to get your sickness bags ready
The interview was nice and relaxed according to my friend. It was held by Azzurra Cabin Crew deputy manager (who "spoke" a very broken English) and another very nice lady (who later on became Man based Cabin Crew Manager).
The course was held in Italy.
At the time of the certification (Italian Cabin Crew licence) in Rome, the session was stopped by the Union (Azzurra Air Cabin Crew Union) as they didn't want "foreigns" to get an italian certification!
Anyway, it was sorted eventually. Back to MAN it was a bit painful most of the time, as Italian crew were agaisnt non-italian crew (British, French, Spanish). Maybe because their (Italian crew) English was so poor it was hard (nearly impossible) to communicate
The place was a real mess, when daystopping/nightstopping hotels were lower than any low bed and breakfast, when expecting a pick up it never ever got there on time, catering was a real mess most of the time, as AZZURRA never sent equipment to ALPHA(or very very little) so sometimes (if it was their lucky day) they had other airlines trolleys, pots, boxes, etc, etc. I remember one occasion when they had NO TROLLEYS and the whole thing went on board (and stayed) in carton boxes!!!
Anyway, the summer came and suddenly found out Maersk Air was working with them in a "wet-lease". Maersk arrived, so did the CC base manager, and things started to work in a more efficient and normal way, even if so, ZS crew were left in MAN in "exile", no crew room, they had to call crewing (back in Milan) on their own expenses, the base Manager had (after numerous requests) a company phone, and yes, she was given a company laptop which ... didn't work!. Also manual changes and vital pieces of info never got to MAN, as well as pillows and blankets (according to ZS was to expensive to ship) so they went on with Maersk Air charity. Same for safety cards, wrong ones on board for a while. Also as best of my knowledge their base manager bought equipment (ice tongues, stationery, etc, etc) on her own expences, as ZS didn't want anything to know/do with what had to do with MAN (more than living in exile I would say they were isolated)
Some of the crew in MAN were Italians, got a contract to go to MAN and were promised after end of contract they were going to go back to Italy, not to make the story long, they were told by ZS to p*ss off at the end of the summer, either they stayed in UK or nothing (nice, isn'it???)
Catering got better (as for Maersk Air charity trolleys and equipment) Thanks to catering guys as well as ZS did not have agreements even for the "hot boxes" to put hot meals (foils) on top of trolleys!
Based Manager introduced touch screen computers for sales, but when she left for pastures new, ZS decided not to use them anymore
Pay was according to flight hours. During the winter anyway it was very low, as they operated, maybe, one flight per week.
Remember they are an Italian company, therefore salary was in Euros.
Commissions on sales were never right, crew never had the money they were expecting to get
Work load was high, 3 crew on a B737-700 with 148 pax, hot meal even in the SZG and all sales (1 hour and 10 flight time)
Between the crew the atmosphere was wonderful, but ZS in Milan never gave a thing for their crew there
and they also had set the best example of what I would say was the perfect example of a "mickey mouse operations"
After Maersk left and their base manager had enough of Azzurra and left as well ....
A pick up from MAN to BHX never arrived, and ZS cabin crew were asked to take the train to BHX (and they did)
Another pick up from MAN to PIK never arrived, crew were asked to pay a taxi to PIK
Maybe finding an UK based airline will be the best option for anyone trying to get involved with those pirates of the air.
This said I heard Air Malta is getting somehow involved with them (another lease?) althought contracts and pay will still be coming from ZS.
Wonder who could possibly do the training, as the only one who could speak an understandable English left
I didn't work for them, but a very close friend of mine did, and I would like to tell some stories (just a few) therefore I have to warn you to get your sickness bags ready
The interview was nice and relaxed according to my friend. It was held by Azzurra Cabin Crew deputy manager (who "spoke" a very broken English) and another very nice lady (who later on became Man based Cabin Crew Manager).
The course was held in Italy.
At the time of the certification (Italian Cabin Crew licence) in Rome, the session was stopped by the Union (Azzurra Air Cabin Crew Union) as they didn't want "foreigns" to get an italian certification!
Anyway, it was sorted eventually. Back to MAN it was a bit painful most of the time, as Italian crew were agaisnt non-italian crew (British, French, Spanish). Maybe because their (Italian crew) English was so poor it was hard (nearly impossible) to communicate
The place was a real mess, when daystopping/nightstopping hotels were lower than any low bed and breakfast, when expecting a pick up it never ever got there on time, catering was a real mess most of the time, as AZZURRA never sent equipment to ALPHA(or very very little) so sometimes (if it was their lucky day) they had other airlines trolleys, pots, boxes, etc, etc. I remember one occasion when they had NO TROLLEYS and the whole thing went on board (and stayed) in carton boxes!!!
Anyway, the summer came and suddenly found out Maersk Air was working with them in a "wet-lease". Maersk arrived, so did the CC base manager, and things started to work in a more efficient and normal way, even if so, ZS crew were left in MAN in "exile", no crew room, they had to call crewing (back in Milan) on their own expenses, the base Manager had (after numerous requests) a company phone, and yes, she was given a company laptop which ... didn't work!. Also manual changes and vital pieces of info never got to MAN, as well as pillows and blankets (according to ZS was to expensive to ship) so they went on with Maersk Air charity. Same for safety cards, wrong ones on board for a while. Also as best of my knowledge their base manager bought equipment (ice tongues, stationery, etc, etc) on her own expences, as ZS didn't want anything to know/do with what had to do with MAN (more than living in exile I would say they were isolated)
Some of the crew in MAN were Italians, got a contract to go to MAN and were promised after end of contract they were going to go back to Italy, not to make the story long, they were told by ZS to p*ss off at the end of the summer, either they stayed in UK or nothing (nice, isn'it???)
Catering got better (as for Maersk Air charity trolleys and equipment) Thanks to catering guys as well as ZS did not have agreements even for the "hot boxes" to put hot meals (foils) on top of trolleys!
Based Manager introduced touch screen computers for sales, but when she left for pastures new, ZS decided not to use them anymore
Pay was according to flight hours. During the winter anyway it was very low, as they operated, maybe, one flight per week.
Remember they are an Italian company, therefore salary was in Euros.
Commissions on sales were never right, crew never had the money they were expecting to get
Work load was high, 3 crew on a B737-700 with 148 pax, hot meal even in the SZG and all sales (1 hour and 10 flight time)
Between the crew the atmosphere was wonderful, but ZS in Milan never gave a thing for their crew there
and they also had set the best example of what I would say was the perfect example of a "mickey mouse operations" After Maersk left and their base manager had enough of Azzurra and left as well ....
A pick up from MAN to BHX never arrived, and ZS cabin crew were asked to take the train to BHX (and they did)
Another pick up from MAN to PIK never arrived, crew were asked to pay a taxi to PIK
Maybe finding an UK based airline will be the best option for anyone trying to get involved with those pirates of the air.
This said I heard Air Malta is getting somehow involved with them (another lease?) althought contracts and pay will still be coming from ZS.
Wonder who could possibly do the training, as the only one who could speak an understandable English left
Last edited by Hilary; 1st Feb 2003 at 10:29.
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Just been for my interview............scary!
Had to sit a safety exam (luckily easy) before interview. It was a three to one (in no way intimidating!) with a lady from ZS in Milan, a big wig from Air Malta and some guy who, well, I'm not really sure where he was from!
Anyway they want people to start in 2 weeks for a 2 week training course in Malta ON NO PAY! Air Malta own part of them apparently, that's where they come in. They didn't ask very much in the interview. Salary is 11000 sterling although they were cagey about telling me what the hourly rate was.
They said I will hear in a few days..........
MR XxX
Had to sit a safety exam (luckily easy) before interview. It was a three to one (in no way intimidating!) with a lady from ZS in Milan, a big wig from Air Malta and some guy who, well, I'm not really sure where he was from!
Anyway they want people to start in 2 weeks for a 2 week training course in Malta ON NO PAY!
Air Malta own part of them apparently, that's where they come in. They didn't ask very much in the interview. Salary is 11000 sterling although they were cagey about telling me what the hourly rate was.They said I will hear in a few days..........
MR XxX
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And then they say in South America we are in the third world
I have been working for AV for many many years, and I have never experienced anything even close to what Hilary described above!
Is it all true?
More than anything it sounded to me like an horror movie: "The airline from hell"
I have been working for AV for many many years, and I have never experienced anything even close to what Hilary described above!
Is it all true?
More than anything it sounded to me like an horror movie: "The airline from hell"
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Hi.
Interview went okay. Felt that I could not put any personality into it.... Very factual based interview and not on Competancy. Will find out in a few days..... We shall see. I do fancy a couple of weeks in Malta tho.. Need a holiday. They were dead grim in the interview, but it was nice to catch up with old mates from BMI and AEU who were there. MR, what time were u there, did I see u? I left the hotel at about 1130hrs... was there at 1000hrs. Hope it went well for u.
Lets keep our fingers crossed and maybe see you online.
Hottowel xxx
Interview went okay. Felt that I could not put any personality into it.... Very factual based interview and not on Competancy. Will find out in a few days..... We shall see. I do fancy a couple of weeks in Malta tho.. Need a holiday. They were dead grim in the interview, but it was nice to catch up with old mates from BMI and AEU who were there. MR, what time were u there, did I see u? I left the hotel at about 1130hrs... was there at 1000hrs. Hope it went well for u.
Lets keep our fingers crossed and maybe see you online.
Hottowel xxx
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Course will be held in Malta? that makes few things clear.
So new people will not have the italian CAA certification, thefore how will it be possible for ZS to give you a contract as a Cabin Crew if legally you can't fly? It is an Italian airline, and according to what my Italian friends told me in Italy ALL cabin crew must have a licence (exams in Rome).
Seems they sorted it out by making a fishy contract You won't be employed by ZS as a cabin crew (as you won't have the certification) but as "something else" (be whatever you wanna be) on a flat rate of £11000 per year for juniors and £14000 per year for seniors, all before taxes and not a penny more
Just wondering how long it will be before Azzurra Air Cabin Crew union will jump at this one, but saying so, for what we know by now they can easily "sell" their souls
Hottowel, the reason why you could not put any personality in the interview is very simple: they don't like people with personality as it is not suitable for them.
So new people will not have the italian CAA certification, thefore how will it be possible for ZS to give you a contract as a Cabin Crew if legally you can't fly?
It is an Italian airline, and according to what my Italian friends told me in Italy ALL cabin crew must have a licence (exams in Rome).Seems they sorted it out by making a fishy contract
You won't be employed by ZS as a cabin crew (as you won't have the certification) but as "something else" (be whatever you wanna be) on a flat rate of £11000 per year for juniors and £14000 per year for seniors, all before taxes and not a penny more Just wondering how long it will be before Azzurra Air Cabin Crew union will jump at this one, but saying so, for what we know by now they can easily "sell" their souls
Hottowel, the reason why you could not put any personality in the interview is very simple: they don't like people with personality as it is not suitable for them.
Last edited by Hilary; 2nd Feb 2003 at 15:55.
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hottowel and MR
I will keep my fingers crossed for you. If you need a holiday, spend as little time possible on Malta and get the 20 minute ferry over to the beautiful island of Gozo. Now thats relaxing
I will keep my fingers crossed for you. If you need a holiday, spend as little time possible on Malta and get the 20 minute ferry over to the beautiful island of Gozo. Now thats relaxing
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I think you can forget your holiday in Malta. AirMalta will be sending a Cabin Crew Instructor to MAN shortly. With that pay and conditions no wonder they don't want to use AirMalta crew for the operation. There are rumours of a ZS base in BRS as well as MAN this year.
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Azzurra Air
Well I found out on Thurs I got the job. They wanted me to fly out to Malta next Thurs. Decided to turn down the job offer. Just seemed a little fishy to me. Rather have a stress free summer. Thanks for all the advice and msgs.
Hottowel xx
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The reason why training may be held in Malta, or trained in the UK by AirMalta, is because ZS will be flying one, maybe two, aircraft leased from AirMalta - an A320 in MAN and possibly a B733 in BRS (?).
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I was also offered the job, but have turned them down. It seemed slightly dodgy to me too. The interview was hurrendous, any questions i posed on pay and conditions were answered vaguely, if not at all. The reason i went for the interview was for a senior position, but there were already current employees there at the same time having their senior's interview. It was made obvious to me in the interview, they were going to be prefered, even though I have 2 yrs senior experience on the a320. The scary panel told me that it was possible to become purser within 3/4 months (only 6mth contract anyway). So i would advise any seniors, applying to tread carefully,as i dont believe it is truly direct entry. However the existing crew there did seem a lovely bunch, and told me its a much improved operation. However those of you wanting to work for a smaller airline ex MAN to try Lapland Air (used to be Scandic), they are a fab bunch with excellent flight pay, or MD airlines when they recruit again soon. All the best.
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but there were already current employees there at the same time having their senior's interview. It was made obvious to me in the interview, they were going to be prefered
and rumors say only two had been offered a senior position
One of them with only one season @ Air2bob and last year ZS
That may help to understand how much experienced cabin crew count for such a fishy airline
Good luck to everyone hunting for a job, I am sure you will find better offers of employment in UK
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Kay-M,
The lady from Air Malta was v. scary! Not sure of her name, a larger lady with dark hair, dark skin and a lot of make up. Liked to smoke, and whilst interviewing me, believe it or not. I would say she was mid 40's - early 50's.
Hope this helps!
MR XxX
The lady from Air Malta was v. scary! Not sure of her name, a larger lady with dark hair, dark skin and a lot of make up. Liked to smoke, and whilst interviewing me, believe it or not. I would say she was mid 40's - early 50's.
Hope this helps!
MR XxX
