Thomsonfly FTE Scheme
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chertsey, Surrey
Age: 41
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PIGDOG,
It's of my humble opinion that the airlines are following the philosophy of business and economics - basic supply and demand will dictate that as long as there are people out there who will pay for their training, negating the need of the airlines to provide funding, then these sort of schemes will continue. As I mentioned earlier, in the past the sponsorships were partly paid back through reduced salaries and repayment of a proportion of the training costs. I'll agree that this was far more economical for the cadet, both in terms of not accruing interest and that you then don't pay tax on your repayments. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be seeing a return to those days, at least not until the airlines run out of individuals who are prepared to pay for the cost of their training...
With regards to the Thomsonfly scheme and in reference to what I've written above, I would much rather come down here with contacts and a good chance of employment at the end than come down here with absolutely nothing. The selection for the scheme is not done by FTE, it's done by Thomsonfly and as a result they are investing a reasonable sum of money into that. As a business, they would not do this if they did not have a reasonable expectation of taking cadets into the airline upon successful completion of the course. Equally, it gives the cadet confidence knowing that if they can be successful going through a selection scheme such as that, then it clearly indicates a capability of passing an airline recruitment programme. As has been said, cadets do have the opportunity at all times (provided they weren't sponsored in any way) to go to another airline upon graduation.
As to your question regarding the airline paying back training costs, as far as I'm aware the loan remains the responsibility of the cadet. If I'm wrong on this, I'll ask one of my colleagues from the scheme to post here and put me right.
Whichever way you choose to be right for you, all the very best of luck...
Cheers, FJ2K
It's of my humble opinion that the airlines are following the philosophy of business and economics - basic supply and demand will dictate that as long as there are people out there who will pay for their training, negating the need of the airlines to provide funding, then these sort of schemes will continue. As I mentioned earlier, in the past the sponsorships were partly paid back through reduced salaries and repayment of a proportion of the training costs. I'll agree that this was far more economical for the cadet, both in terms of not accruing interest and that you then don't pay tax on your repayments. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be seeing a return to those days, at least not until the airlines run out of individuals who are prepared to pay for the cost of their training...
With regards to the Thomsonfly scheme and in reference to what I've written above, I would much rather come down here with contacts and a good chance of employment at the end than come down here with absolutely nothing. The selection for the scheme is not done by FTE, it's done by Thomsonfly and as a result they are investing a reasonable sum of money into that. As a business, they would not do this if they did not have a reasonable expectation of taking cadets into the airline upon successful completion of the course. Equally, it gives the cadet confidence knowing that if they can be successful going through a selection scheme such as that, then it clearly indicates a capability of passing an airline recruitment programme. As has been said, cadets do have the opportunity at all times (provided they weren't sponsored in any way) to go to another airline upon graduation.
As to your question regarding the airline paying back training costs, as far as I'm aware the loan remains the responsibility of the cadet. If I'm wrong on this, I'll ask one of my colleagues from the scheme to post here and put me right.
Whichever way you choose to be right for you, all the very best of luck...
Cheers, FJ2K
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ireland
Age: 43
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I know what you mean fastjet2k. I just don't like it. 
Here's a plan. How about if all the wannabes say NO to paying for training, then the 'lines will have to start proper sponsorship. If we were to get all the wannabes in the world to agree to this, then waited for the pilot supply to dry up, the world would be our oyster!!
Ah well, maybe not. All the best you lot.
Here's a plan. How about if all the wannabes say NO to paying for training, then the 'lines will have to start proper sponsorship. If we were to get all the wannabes in the world to agree to this, then waited for the pilot supply to dry up, the world would be our oyster!!
Ah well, maybe not. All the best you lot.
Silverknapper says "Also you don't hand over cash with CTC - FTE you do." !!!
Direct from the CTC website:-
"Because this is a significant exposure to us, you will be required to deposit a cash bond of £60,000 as security."
Maybe you don't actually hand over a bunch of dirty fivers at CTC but you still have to sign away your life on a loan guarantee? You might not actually see the money but you are still signing for it.
Silverknapper also says "The Thomsonfly scheme really doesn't mean much. They don't have to take you". Neither do any of the so-called sponsoring airlines at CTC. If they don't have vacancies at the end of the course, they don't take you!
Direct from the CTC website:-
"Because this is a significant exposure to us, you will be required to deposit a cash bond of £60,000 as security."
Maybe you don't actually hand over a bunch of dirty fivers at CTC but you still have to sign away your life on a loan guarantee? You might not actually see the money but you are still signing for it.
Silverknapper also says "The Thomsonfly scheme really doesn't mean much. They don't have to take you". Neither do any of the so-called sponsoring airlines at CTC. If they don't have vacancies at the end of the course, they don't take you!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
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Mr DOG,
I wasn’t clear in what I said above. I was not referring to you as someone that was sneering at this scheme. My response to your question was directed at you but the generalisation about the scheme was not. I certainly had no intention of offending you and apologise if I did.
I understand precisely where you are coming from when you question the commitment financially or otherwise from an airline in today’s style of cadet schemes. I realised early on that all the risk in this game lies squarely on the shoulders of the wannabe themselves. It is unfair and it is sad, but it is the way it is and everybody here wishes things were different.
As you rightly state it is the right of each individual to spend their money how they wish on a service that they feel offers the best value for their money. Anything that improves the chances of an airline job is surely worth something. Admittedly if you are set on the modular approach and hope to spend £20k less than on an integrated course then you could well justify that a scheme that has no guarantees may not be worth the extra cash. That is probably of more relevance to your personal modular versus integrated debate than it is when discussing the merits of a cadet scheme.
All the best whatever decisions you make or are made for you.
9mm
I wasn’t clear in what I said above. I was not referring to you as someone that was sneering at this scheme. My response to your question was directed at you but the generalisation about the scheme was not. I certainly had no intention of offending you and apologise if I did.
I understand precisely where you are coming from when you question the commitment financially or otherwise from an airline in today’s style of cadet schemes. I realised early on that all the risk in this game lies squarely on the shoulders of the wannabe themselves. It is unfair and it is sad, but it is the way it is and everybody here wishes things were different.
As you rightly state it is the right of each individual to spend their money how they wish on a service that they feel offers the best value for their money. Anything that improves the chances of an airline job is surely worth something. Admittedly if you are set on the modular approach and hope to spend £20k less than on an integrated course then you could well justify that a scheme that has no guarantees may not be worth the extra cash. That is probably of more relevance to your personal modular versus integrated debate than it is when discussing the merits of a cadet scheme.
All the best whatever decisions you make or are made for you.
9mm
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Something that you must take into account as a plus from the whole of these schemes and mustn´t get distracted from, is that ThomsonFly and BAcitiExpress will have the ultimate decision if you are good enough for their airline.
The Airlines will select you, not to fill places in the hope of finding you employment, but they will select you because you are the type of person that they want driving their multimillion pound jets or shiny turboprops! All FTE do is reduce the lots of applications to a number that is much more manageable for an airline, and cost effective to deal with.
Along with the Airlines liasion officer you end up with a much more personal scheme for both the student and the airline knowing a great deal about each other before the type rating begins!
Cadets would be looking to get the thumbs up for employment roughly 6-8 weeks before course completion as the airline will have to book a place on the type rating course for the student.
To help you compare the schemes with CTC, Second Officer starting salary at ThomsonFly is about 27,000 Pounds before allowances. Unsure about BACitiX.
Good luck if you are going for either schemes!
Sammy
The Airlines will select you, not to fill places in the hope of finding you employment, but they will select you because you are the type of person that they want driving their multimillion pound jets or shiny turboprops! All FTE do is reduce the lots of applications to a number that is much more manageable for an airline, and cost effective to deal with.
Along with the Airlines liasion officer you end up with a much more personal scheme for both the student and the airline knowing a great deal about each other before the type rating begins!
Cadets would be looking to get the thumbs up for employment roughly 6-8 weeks before course completion as the airline will have to book a place on the type rating course for the student.
To help you compare the schemes with CTC, Second Officer starting salary at ThomsonFly is about 27,000 Pounds before allowances. Unsure about BACitiX.
Good luck if you are going for either schemes!
Sammy
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: UK
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Peeps,
Anybody heard anything from Thomsonfly yet? I just got the BA CitiExpress questions and they are unfortunately different! So not a simple copy and paste job!
I agree with what people are saying with regard to these schemes being pretty much the same as CTC. The only real difference i see is that the money is easier to get with CTC's backing. Otherwise they are the same and both could go tits up and you could end up with no job at the end of it.
As far as i'm concerned i'm taking the plunge anyhow so i'd rather reduce the risk of not getting a job at the end by applying to these schemes!
Adios amigo's....hopefully i'll be saying that a lot soon in JEREZ. Good luck everyone!
Me
Anybody heard anything from Thomsonfly yet? I just got the BA CitiExpress questions and they are unfortunately different! So not a simple copy and paste job!
I agree with what people are saying with regard to these schemes being pretty much the same as CTC. The only real difference i see is that the money is easier to get with CTC's backing. Otherwise they are the same and both could go tits up and you could end up with no job at the end of it.
As far as i'm concerned i'm taking the plunge anyhow so i'd rather reduce the risk of not getting a job at the end by applying to these schemes!
Adios amigo's....hopefully i'll be saying that a lot soon in JEREZ. Good luck everyone!
Me
Join Date: May 2005
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Hello everyone,
I too have heard nothing from Thomson as yet and was beginning to feel a little anxious! From their website it states that succesful candidates would know by the end of May - I took that to mean that the whole process would be done by then because arranging finance for a July start date would, for me, be a little tricky!
If anyone hears anything it would be great if you could let us all know, similarly, I will pop a message on to advise if I have heard from them.
Cheers!
I too have heard nothing from Thomson as yet and was beginning to feel a little anxious! From their website it states that succesful candidates would know by the end of May - I took that to mean that the whole process would be done by then because arranging finance for a July start date would, for me, be a little tricky!
If anyone hears anything it would be great if you could let us all know, similarly, I will pop a message on to advise if I have heard from them.
Cheers!
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Boeing,
I'm pretty certain we get to know wether we're through to the next round before end of may. Not however if we are on the scheme by then. Still annoying having to wait though!
The money might be a little easier to get together if you have an airlines backing but i agree with you that its still pushing it time wise!
I had planned to start in July so if i do get through then i've got it sorted anyhow.
Good luck buddy,
Taiguin
I'm pretty certain we get to know wether we're through to the next round before end of may. Not however if we are on the scheme by then. Still annoying having to wait though!
The money might be a little easier to get together if you have an airlines backing but i agree with you that its still pushing it time wise!
I had planned to start in July so if i do get through then i've got it sorted anyhow.
Good luck buddy,
Taiguin
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Southampton/Isle of Wight
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I've heard nothing back either, neither has another person I know.....
Curious to know if people who have applied to Thomson/Britannia have also applied to CitiExpress?
I can't see any harm in applying to both?
Matt
Curious to know if people who have applied to Thomson/Britannia have also applied to CitiExpress?
I can't see any harm in applying to both?
Matt
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ireland
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well lads..
I still haven't heard anything back from thomson of the phase 2 results.. out of curiosity when did ye all e-mail your answers for the questions i did mine last sat the 15th.
I also applied for BACE but they e-mailed me back sayin that i was unsuccessful how the h**l is that considering i got through the thomson phase.
anyway lads keep the chin up, we should hear soon from them!!!
I too have to start looking for ways to get the money together, anyone else here from Ireland applyed for this if so where r ye gettin the money.. will FTE help us get a loan from HSBC?? Does anyone know could I seeing that I live in ireland get a loan from HSBC in England??
I still haven't heard anything back from thomson of the phase 2 results.. out of curiosity when did ye all e-mail your answers for the questions i did mine last sat the 15th.
I also applied for BACE but they e-mailed me back sayin that i was unsuccessful how the h**l is that considering i got through the thomson phase.
anyway lads keep the chin up, we should hear soon from them!!!
I too have to start looking for ways to get the money together, anyone else here from Ireland applyed for this if so where r ye gettin the money.. will FTE help us get a loan from HSBC?? Does anyone know could I seeing that I live in ireland get a loan from HSBC in England??
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Has everybody received the supplementary questions for the BACX scheme?
It looks like it's going to be a popular scheme!
The e-mail said:
"We have had a particularly high volume and high standard response for this scheme, and in order to be able to shortlist for Phase 3, we would ask you to answer the attached supplementary questions."
It looks like it's going to be a popular scheme!
The e-mail said:
"We have had a particularly high volume and high standard response for this scheme, and in order to be able to shortlist for Phase 3, we would ask you to answer the attached supplementary questions."
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Yeah mate i have too. Its a ball ache!! I thought i'd seen the back of the questions when i sent them this morning!! I've got my dissertation to write too.....
Good luck with them anyhow. Must be competitive your correct!
Taiguin
Good luck with them anyhow. Must be competitive your correct!
Taiguin
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Hey guys,
Just to let you know that i have recieved an email this evening invitiing me to Stage 3 of the Thomsonfly scheme. So get checking your emails!
Mine is on the 1st June at EMA. PM me if any of you are going to that day.
Good luck to everyone,
Taiguin
Just to let you know that i have recieved an email this evening invitiing me to Stage 3 of the Thomsonfly scheme. So get checking your emails!
Mine is on the 1st June at EMA. PM me if any of you are going to that day.
Good luck to everyone,
Taiguin
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: The Desert but shortly to be HK!)
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Congratulations on getting to stage 3.... think in 2-3 months you could be sippin' sangria in southern Spain .... any idea how many people are being invited to stage 3 (didn't apply myself just curious on the attrition rate)...