The CTC Wings (Cadets) Thread - Part 2.
Join Date: May 2004
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You wouldn't believe what we got given in the "old days". Highlights included £5000 each from easyjet as a contribution towards living costs that in reality was spent on copious amounts of god-awful beer and strippers to come out to the compound near Ardmore when it was a cadets birthday, and of course the weekly CP grocery visit to Wendy's Burgers. We got 2 Corolla's between a course of 6 and we even got a laptop each. To be fair we didn't do future cadets any favours - the laptops situation was "reviewed" after one too many needing their hard-drive reconstructed after being totally corrupted by copious amounts of dodgy porn that were downloaded on them - one of the lads from CP12 (allegedly) won the medal for the most dubious content - I won't go into details...
We also finished off the Corolla era with some pretty impressive driving efforts, the best being the cadet from CP 20 I think who wiped out 4 cars in one go in the Peachgrove car park after his "foot got stuck on the accelerator" while he was "heading out early on christmas morning" to "go to church". So to all those cadets now having to buy rusty Japanese death traps, I salute you, and on behalf of the offending members of the many CPs' who boldly went before you, I apologise!
We also finished off the Corolla era with some pretty impressive driving efforts, the best being the cadet from CP 20 I think who wiped out 4 cars in one go in the Peachgrove car park after his "foot got stuck on the accelerator" while he was "heading out early on christmas morning" to "go to church". So to all those cadets now having to buy rusty Japanese death traps, I salute you, and on behalf of the offending members of the many CPs' who boldly went before you, I apologise!
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Yeah, the good old days sound like a lot more was given to the cadets for the initial financial investment.
In today's climate, you want to make sure that when you buy a car, you get a permitt to park in the Clearways Car Park to avoid the threat of being "clamped" by the powers that be. The problem is something to do with too many cars per CP
Well either provide cars to the cadets or build a bigger car park 
I'm not surprised that the laptop give away was 'reviewed'. However, no matter how much RAM, or flashing lights, or apple logo's you've got on your laptop these days, the internet connection at Clearways is ridiculous. Or at least it was when I was there. It was somewhere between either completely off, to slower than dial up. And the 5mg limit per cadet a month is laughable.
In today's climate, you want to make sure that when you buy a car, you get a permitt to park in the Clearways Car Park to avoid the threat of being "clamped" by the powers that be. The problem is something to do with too many cars per CP
Well either provide cars to the cadets or build a bigger car park I'm not surprised that the laptop give away was 'reviewed'. However, no matter how much RAM, or flashing lights, or apple logo's you've got on your laptop these days, the internet connection at Clearways is ridiculous. Or at least it was when I was there. It was somewhere between either completely off, to slower than dial up. And the 5mg limit per cadet a month is laughable.
I was on one of the first CPs into Clearways. To be fair, despite the fact we didn't have it quite the same as BMRR's era (£5000 from the airline?!!), we still had it pretty good overall. There were a few design faults with Clearways and evidence of certain bits being done on the cheap, but generally it was a nice place to be and many of the problems there were caused by the cadets themselves thinking they were 18 and in first-year university halls again, and treating the place like a dump. I remember visiting the place during my second stint in NZ, and it was totally different to the brand new, spotlessly clean facility I moved into when it was first built - and it was still less than a year old. Some people just didn't know how to behave.
That said, ever since the place was built the internet connection was a joke. I can't remember what the bandwidth limit was, but I do remember that the package they had at the time was nowhere near suitable for 96 rooms (as it was then) and they were paying a ridiculous sum for excess downloading, which caused no end of stroppy e-mails and threats to cut people off. In fact, at one point they disconnected everyone from everything except e-mail and 'Tracker', and then wondered why the flying schedule ground to a halt every morning because nobody could do their planning the night before! Even before then, most people were left with no internet from mid-afternoon onwards because the router was put in a small cupboard with no air-conditioning and kept automatically shutting down, and not rebooting until about 1am the next day. I think it did improve after we left, but not massively so going on what One9iner says!
Clamping their own cadets' cars in their own car park at their own residence is a new one though - that is hilarious. And not altogether surprising.
That said, ever since the place was built the internet connection was a joke. I can't remember what the bandwidth limit was, but I do remember that the package they had at the time was nowhere near suitable for 96 rooms (as it was then) and they were paying a ridiculous sum for excess downloading, which caused no end of stroppy e-mails and threats to cut people off. In fact, at one point they disconnected everyone from everything except e-mail and 'Tracker', and then wondered why the flying schedule ground to a halt every morning because nobody could do their planning the night before! Even before then, most people were left with no internet from mid-afternoon onwards because the router was put in a small cupboard with no air-conditioning and kept automatically shutting down, and not rebooting until about 1am the next day. I think it did improve after we left, but not massively so going on what One9iner says!
Clamping their own cadets' cars in their own car park at their own residence is a new one though - that is hilarious. And not altogether surprising.
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Not sure if the clamping ever happened, but threats were made... Think a "2 car per CP" limit was trying to be enforced when I was there. Some CP's would have a few cars, and the car park became very full. I didn't see the problem though.. People buy a car, they expect to be able to park it where they live !!
The internet issue - we were continually assured that investment was being made to improve the service. It never happened when I was there. The 5mg limit was enforced however, you would be cut off with only access given to CTC email and the ops website if you reached the limit for the month. Not great when you wanted to skype home, although skype was a comical experience with the internet connection anyway.
Like all things, nothing is ever perfect, but the way in which some of the 'problems' were managed was hilarious.
The internet issue - we were continually assured that investment was being made to improve the service. It never happened when I was there. The 5mg limit was enforced however, you would be cut off with only access given to CTC email and the ops website if you reached the limit for the month. Not great when you wanted to skype home, although skype was a comical experience with the internet connection anyway.
Like all things, nothing is ever perfect, but the way in which some of the 'problems' were managed was hilarious.
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Does anybody know the T&C for the CTC/Qatar placement. Does the "old" standard 6 months at 1200£ tax free and no upfront type rating payment apply? Any indications of QR taking more than the first 18 pilots ?
I have been in the CTC ATP pool for more than 3 years....
I have been in the CTC ATP pool for more than 3 years....
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QUOTE:Would any present NZ students like to tell us what it's like now?
Right how long have you got.
The ground school in nursling is a joke although the instructors are good.
The CBT isnt fit for purpose.
The organisation is atrocious.
The housing in Southampton is sound.
In NZ you get a car for 3weeks usually 3 per CP.
You'll be lucky to get into Clearways unless your a Jap student, Royal Brunei or if you have an airline. What they don't tell you when they sell you it is that they have a Brothel/Crack Den of a place called Peachgrove where you go until a place opens up in Clearways, which is possibly 3-4 months down the line. Its about 10 miles from the airport, cockroach infested and you share this place with drug dealers and other folk (sadly no hookers). The only good point is that its walking distance from Hamilton Centre. Whilst in NZ you spend a lot of time doing nothing so buy a bike, guitar, ball and cup or whatever else amuses you as it can get intensely boring unless you have enough money to do things or drink heavily(which isn't cheap).
But when all is said and done the flying is amazing and very well taught, the scenery is to die for whilst up and flying is what you came out here to do not a holiday.
At the end of it all if CTC get me a license and contracted employment well it was all worth it, if its flexi-crew then It may of been worth it, we'll see.
Go into it with your eyes open, do your research, don't fall for the sales pitch!
Right how long have you got.
The ground school in nursling is a joke although the instructors are good.
The CBT isnt fit for purpose.
The organisation is atrocious.
The housing in Southampton is sound.
In NZ you get a car for 3weeks usually 3 per CP.
You'll be lucky to get into Clearways unless your a Jap student, Royal Brunei or if you have an airline. What they don't tell you when they sell you it is that they have a Brothel/Crack Den of a place called Peachgrove where you go until a place opens up in Clearways, which is possibly 3-4 months down the line. Its about 10 miles from the airport, cockroach infested and you share this place with drug dealers and other folk (sadly no hookers). The only good point is that its walking distance from Hamilton Centre. Whilst in NZ you spend a lot of time doing nothing so buy a bike, guitar, ball and cup or whatever else amuses you as it can get intensely boring unless you have enough money to do things or drink heavily(which isn't cheap).
But when all is said and done the flying is amazing and very well taught, the scenery is to die for whilst up and flying is what you came out here to do not a holiday.
At the end of it all if CTC get me a license and contracted employment well it was all worth it, if its flexi-crew then It may of been worth it, we'll see.
Go into it with your eyes open, do your research, don't fall for the sales pitch!
Blimey, don't let some of the older CPs hear you talk about their beloved Peachgrove with such disdain! A lot of people held it in great affection when I was there... 
Does anyone know if they still use Dey Street? Because Peachgrove was/is a palace in comparison to that dump, where I ended up for 3 weeks while Clearways was still being built. I've a feeling they don't any more - what an utterly depressing place it was.
Does anyone know if they still use Dey Street? Because Peachgrove was/is a palace in comparison to that dump, where I ended up for 3 weeks while Clearways was still being built. I've a feeling they don't any more - what an utterly depressing place it was.
Join Date: Mar 2012
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So I was reading through this post and there seemed to be a lot of negative stuff on employment with easyJet as an outcome from CTC becoming a part of flexi-crew etc.
I was wondering what happens with the Jetstar program after you graduate do you become a part of flexi-crew or do you actually get employed by Jetstar.
Also what things are involved in the Aptitude Test and what tests on the Internet would be most similar to the CTC one?
Thanks
I was wondering what happens with the Jetstar program after you graduate do you become a part of flexi-crew or do you actually get employed by Jetstar.
Also what things are involved in the Aptitude Test and what tests on the Internet would be most similar to the CTC one?
Thanks
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Can I take out a possible modular route at ctc wings?
Hi, I am eager to know whether it's possible to take out a modular pilot training route at CTC Wings as I am currently training to obtain a PPL. I have had a look on their website but I can only get 'Cadet' or 'ATPL' option. And another thing I'd like to find out is what are the chances of getting a job as a Airline pilot straight after graduating with all the licences. I'm still 16 but I am very keen to find out about this as I'm doing my PPL.
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Hi,
I realise that this has probably been covered in this post or in any other posts but i cannot find any using the search function but can someone enlighten me to the difference between being employed by EasyJet and being part of the "Flexicrew" for EasyJet?
I realise that this has probably been covered in this post or in any other posts but i cannot find any using the search function but can someone enlighten me to the difference between being employed by EasyJet and being part of the "Flexicrew" for EasyJet?
Join Date: Mar 2012
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CTC and Qatar T&C
Could somebody tell me about the T&C for the Qatar deal with CTC.....information is highly appriciated 
Please send me a PM if you have information.
Thank you in advance.
Please send me a PM if you have information.
Thank you in advance.
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These questions may have already been answered but could somebody clear them up?
1) You have to take a bond of £70k, is this repayed or not?
2) What is the employment like after finishing the course...is it contracts or full time etc...do you have to pay for type training
3) Is CTC better than going modular or OAA etc?
Thanks
1) You have to take a bond of £70k, is this repayed or not?
2) What is the employment like after finishing the course...is it contracts or full time etc...do you have to pay for type training
3) Is CTC better than going modular or OAA etc?
Thanks
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1) Forget the use of the word bond.
You pay the course fee. If you take out a loan for this fee of £70k+, you repay it in accordance with the loan agreement.
2) Employment after finishing the course is dependent upon the situation when you finish the course. You will have no guarantee of a job, which is true of most courses.
Others can update on the situation today.
3) Best course is to get a tagged scheme, e.g. BA. This question is for another debate.
You pay the course fee. If you take out a loan for this fee of £70k+, you repay it in accordance with the loan agreement.
2) Employment after finishing the course is dependent upon the situation when you finish the course. You will have no guarantee of a job, which is true of most courses.
Others can update on the situation today.
3) Best course is to get a tagged scheme, e.g. BA. This question is for another debate.
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Welcome to the forums, expect your post to get moved into a different section as you've posted in the "Cabin Crew Wannabes," which isn't really what you are after.
As for CTC and/or becoming an airline pilot you do not NEED to go to university or have a degree. CTC take applicants from 18, but you need to have shown some get up and go in other respects, high grades whilst holding down a weekend job to earn money to pay for flying lessons for example but be a good start. Join an air cadets near you and do as much flying as you can - gliding or powered.
Again, physics isn't essential - but a solid grounding in basic maths and science generally will help with learning along your training. Buy a couple of PPL books (your local flying school can help) and start looking over physics of flight and law to get an idea of what you will need to learn later on.
Good luck - I won't mention the cost, I assume you know it's going to be over £100k already.
As for CTC and/or becoming an airline pilot you do not NEED to go to university or have a degree. CTC take applicants from 18, but you need to have shown some get up and go in other respects, high grades whilst holding down a weekend job to earn money to pay for flying lessons for example but be a good start. Join an air cadets near you and do as much flying as you can - gliding or powered.
Again, physics isn't essential - but a solid grounding in basic maths and science generally will help with learning along your training. Buy a couple of PPL books (your local flying school can help) and start looking over physics of flight and law to get an idea of what you will need to learn later on.
Good luck - I won't mention the cost, I assume you know it's going to be over £100k already.