WEST AIR SWEEDEN
 

I am looking for information regarding the the working like style, the salary for both F/O & Cpt and bases in West Air Sweeden.

Dunno about the company,
But living in Sweden is AWESOME!!! Go over there every year for 3 months in the summer! What a place.
Move there tomorrow if I could!
Ghostie

I worked for West Air for 18 months before moving on. PM me if you like, you can also do a search as they've appeared on hear before, as have my opinions. Search here and in the Nordic Forum.

JFP

Just a hint: it's spelled S-W-E-D-E-N; getting the name right is the first stage!

Is there any truth in the rumour that they have received one ATR 72 freighter? I remember reading in Flight that they wanted to build their ATR fleet to 6 aircraft due to shortcomings with BAE Systems ATP product support, but so far very little seems to have happened in this respect...

Cheers :cool:

...if you are not Swedish you will have to back..back.. way back in the line !!
Alot of unemployed pilots who would like to start with WAS in Sweden.

I have friends that flew with them, and most of them had not that good things to say about the company, ie lack of SOP, complete briefings, following MEL, captains who should be driving an ice cream truck not an aircraft (really!)

Apparently they have also joined up with the rest of the companies that like to charge you as a cadet, and so you have to pay for your TR.:{ :{ :mad:

Peace-out :cool:

more infos
 

I am still looking for more info about WAS but more the West Air Luxembourg. Is ther someone working for them actually that can give me infos or could you recommand me somone to speak with ?
Menhir.

Looks like you need it spoon feeding to you.

When I left Capt salary was Euro4000 basic, F/O was Euro 2500 basic per month. Per diem allowances were Euro65 per day. I doubt they've changed much.

Bases, I believe, are where they want you to be, there are several around Europe, but I'm pretty sure you won't be based in Sweden.

Lifestyle is poor, you'll fly nightfreight on a very regular basis, when I was there it was at least 4 nights per week every week unless you're on leave, oh and don't expect to get much of that granted, the Swedes get first choice.

JFP

As of last summer, FO salary was Euro 2400 and only increased annually in line with inflation. Several FOs and Capts had no pay rise in 3 years or more as company declined to pay!

Since summer, most of experience capts and FOs have left or are leaving due to poor terms and conditions and absolutely crap management. They are trying to fill spaces by using self-funded TR but beware. Max hours will be around 350 per year and you will have to base yourself and one of their nominated bases - at your own cost. No Per Diems unless away from base, no duty pay and forget taking your annual vacation.

West Air lux is a slave subsidiary of West Air Sweden and although Swedish crews have a strong union and rights under Swedish law, WAL flaunts the Lux law and uses its staf to fill up gaps; all Swedish pilots get most of their entitlements but Lux ones have to fight tooth and nail. The company will cheat you at every opportunity, that's why I left.

Better buy an ATR TR and work for Air Contractors who have better pay and T&Cs.

HP

So, like I said, no real change, and I'm not at all surprised. As for the advice above, if you're going to buy a type rating, for the price of either the ATP or ATR you could probably get a B737 or A320, then you'd have a much better chance of long term employment.

If you have to go to West Air then do so, but use it to your advantage, and get out asap.

JFP

As a former WAS Pilot I just spoke to my friends still flying there. Management still treat you like s:mad: t and eveyone 50 or younger are desperatly trying to find new employment as soon as possible. Over the last 3 months I know of 9 pilots who have left for new positions.
I agree with JFP that if possible get a 737 or 320 rating instead and only resort to West Air Sweden as an absolute last option.

Good Luck BVF

same way they treat us engineers...:yuk: