CTC holdpool (ATPers)
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: 15nm SE Edinburgh
Age: 33
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Mint...
I am not in the pool nor have I been in it, although the months between new year and Easter are those in which most people are recruited in general, I hear. The time phase we are in at the current moment is known to be a bit stagnant.
Regards
Regards
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: With RollerGirl
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Just a couple of questions to you guys and gals in the pool...
Do you have to remain current with the flying whilst swimming, by that I mean current IR and have flown around 50hrs in the last year? I seem to remember that Flybe and BA have some sort of currency requirements, does this apply to hold-poolers?
I am sure if you have been in the pool for over a year now since your AQC that skills will be getting a little rusty. Will CTC complete a mini course before your TR begins OR will they expect you to complete another interview and sim check before moving onto a partner airline? If so, could these courses/check rides be pass/fail?
Also having just finished an AQC, with the prospect of waiting possibly a year wouldn't it be an idea to contact Flybe or other such airlines and show them your results you may get a shot there.
Just few thoughts would welcome your views.
Roller
Do you have to remain current with the flying whilst swimming, by that I mean current IR and have flown around 50hrs in the last year? I seem to remember that Flybe and BA have some sort of currency requirements, does this apply to hold-poolers?
I am sure if you have been in the pool for over a year now since your AQC that skills will be getting a little rusty. Will CTC complete a mini course before your TR begins OR will they expect you to complete another interview and sim check before moving onto a partner airline? If so, could these courses/check rides be pass/fail?
Also having just finished an AQC, with the prospect of waiting possibly a year wouldn't it be an idea to contact Flybe or other such airlines and show them your results you may get a shot there.
Just few thoughts would welcome your views.
Roller
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK
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Incidentally, reference my post number 289 from way, way, way back:
QED.
Still reckon you should get your money back.
Respect to those in the pool, hope it comes good soon. Best of British.
QED.
Still reckon you should get your money back.
Respect to those in the pool, hope it comes good soon. Best of British.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: In an office job
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Easyjet Buys GB Airways
Easyjet Buys GB Airways
This could go eitherway in doing us a favour.
In simple terms
1) GB pilots B*gger off, creating lots of positions (like BACON guys did when Flybe took them on)
2) Consoladation, putting a further hold on recruitment, and we continue to tread water for much longer.
Mint
This could go eitherway in doing us a favour.
In simple terms
1) GB pilots B*gger off, creating lots of positions (like BACON guys did when Flybe took them on)
2) Consoladation, putting a further hold on recruitment, and we continue to tread water for much longer.
Mint
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Europe
Age: 41
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This is an accelerated growth driven acquisition and GB have 6 aircraft on order (+options) at the moment... with plans for GB to be fully intgrated by winter next year, could be some positive news for us swimmers!
found this a good read;
http://www.easyjet.com/common/img/ea...cquisition.pdf
back to swimming/pmdg'ing :P
Boonie
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rFGYcnBFxlw
found this a good read;
http://www.easyjet.com/common/img/ea...cquisition.pdf
back to swimming/pmdg'ing :P
Boonie http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rFGYcnBFxlw
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK
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My understanding was that EZJ were not planning to recruit in a major way in 2008. People are just not moving on like they were and most of the major carriers (bar BA) are not in the market for pilots. The jobs market seems to be running out of steam and I can't see how the aquisition of GB can do anything to help in the short run. A period of consolidation is bound to happpen. Combined with economic storm clouds building, the picture is less than rosy. The GB pilots are going nowhere as they have nowhere to go to! If EZJ don't recruit then that will result in the WINGS cadets being placed in a holding pool just like us, making placement for the ATP pilots even more distant. In my view, the bubble is about to burst. Hope I'm wrong but......
Maybe the medium run (1 year away) outlook is brighter and the jobs market and economy will shake itself out.....but if Flybe or whoever come a knocking welcome them with open arms.
Maybe the medium run (1 year away) outlook is brighter and the jobs market and economy will shake itself out.....but if Flybe or whoever come a knocking welcome them with open arms.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: uk
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I've given up on CTC. Went to the BALPA Employment Oppertunities Conference and although I hate to be doom and gloom, the general message was that recruitment across the board was going to be very flat this year
(2008) in the UK but expect it to pick up the year after. Not good news as far as hold pool is concerned and think CTC are going to get a hammering on their reputation for bad judgement. May well be deserved. No longer can they say that "we are so reliable and trustworthy that even after 9/11 the longest one of our cadets waited was 9 months" (I was told this!). They had all our trust but it's fading. Great shame really as I though it was one of the only companies out there I respected for trying to change the game for the benefit of us pilot types. Have managed to find a job elsewhere and am going to take it. Not quite as good as the Easy scheme but new doors will open in a short while! The big wait is over! I know it's been said before and I dismissed it as the views of doom merchants but I really suggest having a look around for jobs if you intend to enter the industry any time soon particularly if you are at the back of the pool. Best of luck guys! Arm bands going on e-bay if anybody wants them and can someone get me a towel!!!
(2008) in the UK but expect it to pick up the year after. Not good news as far as hold pool is concerned and think CTC are going to get a hammering on their reputation for bad judgement. May well be deserved. No longer can they say that "we are so reliable and trustworthy that even after 9/11 the longest one of our cadets waited was 9 months" (I was told this!). They had all our trust but it's fading. Great shame really as I though it was one of the only companies out there I respected for trying to change the game for the benefit of us pilot types. Have managed to find a job elsewhere and am going to take it. Not quite as good as the Easy scheme but new doors will open in a short while! The big wait is over! I know it's been said before and I dismissed it as the views of doom merchants but I really suggest having a look around for jobs if you intend to enter the industry any time soon particularly if you are at the back of the pool. Best of luck guys! Arm bands going on e-bay if anybody wants them and can someone get me a towel!!!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: At your Six!
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MAY07 AQC (i think it was the last one or... the second last AQC for ATPers)
And I trust CTC... probably I won't be doing my TR even in May 08 but... even if I have to wait more than one year... I'm proud and happy where I am.
Back of the pool...
Good Luck Mates!
(It would be a good idea to do a list again with the ones we are in the pool... ex. AQC month / number... etc. as we used to do months ago)
And I trust CTC... probably I won't be doing my TR even in May 08 but... even if I have to wait more than one year... I'm proud and happy where I am.
Back of the pool...
Good Luck Mates!
(It would be a good idea to do a list again with the ones we are in the pool... ex. AQC month / number... etc. as we used to do months ago)
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: uk
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Thanks very much guys! Was on the December course so not too far from the front but I'm an impatient bugger!!!
I think I can see your mind ticking.... one more out the pool makes me one closer to the front!!!! Best of luck ya all!
I think I can see your mind ticking.... one more out the pool makes me one closer to the front!!!! Best of luck ya all!
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Berkshire
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Long time reader, first time poster, long(ish) time CTC holding monkey. Any thoughts from the group regarding the recent holding pool movements? Seems we are finally getting some positive news.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Berkshire
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Other than the Jet2 and mini-jet opportunities I've heard there are talks going on with Easyjet, although that does seem to contradict the fairly recent pool update.
I must admit I'm liking the look of the Jet2 opportunity, although I've only really looked at their website for info. Anybody else have any thoughts?
I must admit I'm liking the look of the Jet2 opportunity, although I've only really looked at their website for info. Anybody else have any thoughts?
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Looks like Ive missed out on some info here. Have you all received an update email from CTC or something, and Ive been missed out on the mailing list again??
Mint
Mint
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Don't think you'll have missed anything Mint, unless your near the top of the pool.
Last week an E-mail from CTC was sent to the top swimmers in the pool saying 3 things:
1. The four chaps at the top of the list are off to First Choice (interviews I guess).
2. 5 chaps needed to interview for two Jet2 positions.
3. 1 very nice co-pilot position going with Business Jet Operator.
Putting my optimistic hat on for a second this all seems like good news and hopefully an indication of future movement.
Last week an E-mail from CTC was sent to the top swimmers in the pool saying 3 things:
1. The four chaps at the top of the list are off to First Choice (interviews I guess).
2. 5 chaps needed to interview for two Jet2 positions.
3. 1 very nice co-pilot position going with Business Jet Operator.
Putting my optimistic hat on for a second this all seems like good news and hopefully an indication of future movement.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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1. The four chaps at the top of the list are off to First Choice (interviews I guess).
2. 5 chaps needed to interview for two Jet2 positions.
But yes, things do seem to be moving a bit.
Join Date: May 2005
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Quote:
1. The four chaps at the top of the list are off to First Choice (interviews I guess).
Starting in February for six month contracts and then.....?
1. The four chaps at the top of the list are off to First Choice (interviews I guess).
Starting in February for six month contracts and then.....?
Good luck everyone, my advice is : take any job that is offered to you.
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Sussex-by-the-Sea
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1) What is the surprise of it being a 6 month contract? I thought that was what we were going to get anyway with the option for the airline to keep us on afterwards, if the required standards were met! I'd certainly take it. After 6 months line experience you are certainly going to have sufficient experience to find another job easily enough.
2) If you have to stump 20k upfront is that not paying for your TR yourself and therefore not a bond?
Good to have some movement at least.
2) If you have to stump 20k upfront is that not paying for your TR yourself and therefore not a bond?
Good to have some movement at least.