Yup...

actually all these 12 months recency rules aren’t backed up by any EASA regulations ; as long as you have a valid type rating and the relevant experience then you can join an operator conversion course regardless of the time you have spent on the ground, even if somebody’s selling ice creams. That’s why it’s a stupid rule out of nowhere that prevents loads of highly qualified professionals to actually APPLY for a job (not talking about being hired).

It's not that simple, say way more people get through the assessment than there are positions?

Than it does mean the assessment was not effective. Prior to the pandemic almost everybody had a flight within 6 or 12 months and was able to reapply somewhere else, hence keeping this “rule” only disqualifies those who have been unlucky. When I applied where I was actually supposed to work right now, I obviously had loads of flights within 6 months (even too many... my jet lags can vouch for that) then I got screwed like many others by the pandemic. Keeping such a rule is simply discriminatory against those who have zero responsibilities for being stuck without a job.

Fair or not is up to the employer unfortunately for the topic starter. Recency generally means less training necessary to be on the line. You might be a TRI/TRE but that does not necessarily mean that you are a better operator. Anyhow, all the vacancies that are open nowadays are mostly filled by networking. It is “who you know”. But stay current. Times will change and then the airlines will be desperate for guys like you.

It has always applied to me and to everyone else as well. The unfairness begins where You have no faults for being left out without a job and you can’t apply for another one because you’re not flying 2 sectors a month. Amazing.

sorry mate but that is life. You better accept that before it eats you. Life isn’t fair. The airlines who are hiring at the moment can pick and choose. It has happened to me, it has happened to a lot of friends as well. Times will change. C’est la vie and stay current and stay networking. DHL is the only one that I know of that is hiring on 330.

If anything this shows that the earlier you can join a decent airline in Europe (or US) the better. None of my mates who work in KLM, Lufti, Tui, Luxair etc has been mate redundant. Guys I know who went to Asia or the ME are mostly let go or on severely reduced pay sitting at home.

Thanks mate, appreciate it.
“Funny” thing is hadn’t I resigned from Ek I’d probably got fired anyway following the COVID outbreak like dozens of my colleagues... all the best to our industry and fingers crossed for all. Seat belts on, ignition and hopefully we’ll go through it.