Silverjet Second Officer Recruitment

[shaun ryder]

Paying for type rating blah blah! Ok lets say you do, you would then have to be an idiot in my eyes to have no job waiting for you at the end of it. As much as I disagree with certain outfits for making you pay your way, at least you get some work at the end. Massaging your ego and spending a small, hh,hhmm large fortune on a rating out of choice i.e 757 with no hands on experience seems like a foolish choice. Tell me those of you with a rating and six circuits to your name, was it wotrth the money? Because the longer you aint flying the more worthless that rating becomes, no hands on experience you see. Beware paying for types with no job prospects, because it does'nt improve your prospects of getting a job, except in exceptional circumstances.
The silverjet thing is a joke in my opinion, if maxjet are anything to go by they wont last the course.

[Dreamshiner]

All future posters please read the thread title before posting and digressing away from the main issue. As normal this thread has stayed a little from the proposed vacancies at SJ into a debate on self funded TR's.

So in an attempt to bring it back on:

Its £27,810 + £2.75 per hour away from base. That makes it low 30's total?

How many flights per month could a SO expect and hours logged? I'm doing about 4 flights (10 sectors) and 95 hours a month at present.

Good company to work for? Conditions, etc. or is that a question for Terms and Endearment forum?

It says 2 years till promotion but any chance that can be moved forward?

Future routes? NY and Dubai are not the worst but any new ones definitely happening, not just conjecture and rumour?

Financial stability? I don't want to leave a stable job on a wing and a prayer for a company who's jacket is on a shakey peg.

Do you spell 'shakey' with an e or not?

[Brian Fantana]

Dreamshiner
You are already flying 10 sectors 95hours a month. PLUS you are, I'm guessing, getting a take off and landing,what type are you flying, for which airline, what routes are you operating and whats your pay like, what total time do you have? Are you 75/76 type rated could you apply else where for a F/O position with your experience? TCX MON Globespan, Excel,DHL.
I would seriously think twice about leaving a stable job to end up sat in the right hand seat only logging cruise time. I'm gessing it wont be all the cruise time either, only when one of the operating crew wants a rest.
Dont think Silverjet have crew rest area so a lot of time spent sat on jumpseat, or will they make a passenger seat available - looking at the load factors there should be plenty spare.
£27810 after tax?? mmmm. Flight pays not too bad.
Sim session every 3 months - ouch!! - not nice.
What route would you be on. Dont need cruise pilot for New york or Dubai. so only ever going to be flying to the same place rumour of South Africa, LA, San Fran, I'm guessing they wont start all 3 routes. Looking most likely as West Coast US, after their latest recuitment.
All the above are just my twopence worth.
Lots to be considered. Silverjet share price currently at 25p!!
I spell shakey with an E doesnt mean I'm right though
BF

[Dreamshiner]

Brian in answer to your questions:

You guess incorrectly on a number of things and to be honest I don't really want to divulge too much extra however as a) its an open forum and b) I have no idea of who will view my comments and c) I don't want anyone else second guessing me.

I've sent you a PM explaining all.

I also checked dictionary.com and found out there's no 'e' in shaky.

[mightymouse111]

Looks like initially San Fran & LA.

The 3 month sim I expect will be for the landings rather than full OPC.

Not too sure how much time will be logged, expect minimal but still not a bad wage for doing very little! & promise of FO position.

On the other side - poor wage if rated & very little experience obtained.

[BottyTotty]

Dreamshiner, you makes reasoned observations, and inside the calm well written serenity, I am sure there is a fire and hunger to get in a right hand seat. Though don't look for tits bits to confirm that desire, always look at the whole picture and stay objective. I was there many years ago, desperate for any job.

Tread very carefully with SilverJet for all the reasons mentioned. The reason they are looking at cruise pilots, is to lower their costs because THEY ARE going backwards financially.

all new starts are very volatile, and economic factors point to an economic slowdown.

Maxjet had more of the fundementals to succeed and still couldn't, I doubt SilverJet will make it through.

The salary is rediculously low for someone expected to have a rating. and cruise relief time is pretty worthless to you if it all goes pear shaped, (as their figures suggest), which could result in a big finacial hit and useless time with no take off and landings.

You won't get better than the Lo Co's for first job, experience, hand flying, rapid hours, job/company security and you will earn a lot more than that at Ryan or Easy.

This is a MASSIVE gamble and the odds are you'll lose.

Good luck to you if you do roll the dice

[Dreamshiner]

Oh the contrary BT, I'm more than content to serve my apprenticeship and learn the ropes before given the reins of a 180,000kg beast.

My time in the RHS will come, I am in no rush, I am just content to absorb information and assimilate it at present.

I do agree that SJ looks not peachy at the moment. For some reason a post on this thread this morning were removed either by moderators or the poster, I only know because I am subscribed to it and it was sent to my inbox. It did not make pleasant reading.

[LeavinonaJetplane]

Usual "Down with Silverjet" comments are out again I see. Why does it have to be a scam or a rip off? Well it wouldn't be worth posting on pprune i suppose.........

I think this is a great opportunity for type rated pilots with no experience to get on the big jets. Compare the wages with elsewhere and you will see they pay more than double. I think some of the pilots on here quoting higher salaries, are for pilots with more experience. I hope the opinions on this forum doesn't scare off those who would genuinely benefit from this, (as unfortunately there are vunerable people that base their career decisions on this website??? Madness.....)
There are posts on another thread moaning about Silverjet and indeed other airline's minimum requirements where pilots felt more jobs should be offered to low experienced pilots jobs. Now they are offering out jobs which would help build experience - the gloves are back on?? The hours all count and they don't have to worry about long seniority lists and working for managers they hate, politics and everyone who works there has nothing but good to say about the company/people.

If the company continues with its current amazing sales (despite all the bad press - I see those figures haven't been published on here) then they are still on track for a stab at success. Look at what they have achieved since launching, the load factor for 3 operations is higher than other start ups, expansion plans are still on track and BA are trying to compete - says it all.

I know a few of the pilots there and know that they are promoting from within and are keen to do so, so IMHO they will look after those joining their venture in the future. A great opportunity for the SO's. Good luck to you

[CABUS]

Well said! I think Silverjet are a great company and I look forward to them announcing their forcast profits in March and as you quite rightly have pointed out they have caused a stir within BA.
I think this opportunity with Silverjet is an excellent way of gaining experience in an extremly professional company with great opportunities of new routes and a long term career for any type rated low hour pilot.

[BottyTotty]

Didn't realise the Silverjet HR team are tapping away on Pprune on the weekend.

"This ships unsinkable" said the captain of the Titanic.

Blind optimism in the face of factual loads real finanacial performance and economic conditions doesn't change facts.

I have no association with Silverjet or BA, but if one is thinking of handing over heanous amounts pf money for a 76 type, to work for virtually free. in jet terms as a cruise pilot then at least get your facts straight.

The results havn't been released, wonder why?

Don't let desperation lead you into rash decisions, many any Airline pilot has been without job overnight as out of nowhere the company went bust. Silverjet may well suceed, but the financial fundamentals are not great and the success talked about on here and the laughable suggestion that with 2 routes out of Luton that BA is quivering, is built on delusion and mere optimism over substantative fact.

Whatever you decide good luck and safe landings,

[Thomas coupling]

Does anyone genuinely believe SilverJet will be operating by the end of this year???? C'mon get real guys.

[Brian Fantana]

For those of you too young to remember.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2283244.stm

Hope Silverjet dont do an encore to Sir Freddie.

[Chicken Leg]

I think gator 32 seems to think if you have a T/R you can just choose what airline you want to work for! I have a 75TR with low hours, and have been applying to airlines since last summer, with no luck yet

I have a family to support and have already spent a small fortune getting to this point. If I have to lay out a little more in order to secure my families future then that is what I will do. Anything I can do to make me more marketable and I can afford it I will do it.

Are these sanctimonious idiots advising against it going to pay my mortgage or any of my other bills I DONT THINK SO.

Sanctimonious idiots eh? It's you that's paid for the TR and now can't get a job and you have the gall to call others idiots! I also like the way you explained the cost of your TR as 'a little more'!

I know that I'll get a virtual kicking for saying this, but I chuckle when I read of how people like those above can't get a job. Not because I want to see anyone struggle to put food on the table or a shelter over their head, but because they're responsible for their own misfortune, yet blame everyone else, but themselves.

islasdad implies that his motives are dictated by his need to secure his family's future and yet he is willing to pay thousands for the privilage of going to work. I suggest that his motives are more to do with him getting the job that he wants, which is fair enough, but don't lecture us about family values. If it was all about doing what's best for your family, you wouldn't have spent tens of thousands on getting the 'dream' job. You would have chased one of the millions of other vocations where the employer pays you to work, not you pay them!

Sanctimonious maybe, but the above posts suggest paying does nothing more than increase your debts. I know it's not fashionable anymore, but in my job, they pay me. They haven't yet expected me to pay them.

[SAM 2M]

Thomas Coupling....The answer to your question is YES.

[BottyTotty]

From mail on Sunday - Sunday Feb 10th 2008

Silverjet woe for tycoons

The billionaire Rueben brothers, who are bankrolling the struggling Silverjet business class-only airline, have decided not to convert their £10 million loan to the company into shares.
Property tycoons David and Simon Reuben, who could have swapped the loan for shares tomorrow, have decided to keep it in place. A conversion would have given them 22% of Silverjet equity and two seats on the board of the airline, led by Lawrence Hunt.
The decision not to convert reflects the nosediving value of Silverjet shares, which closed week at 24p.
The airline operates two daily round-trip flights on the New York Newark route and a daily return service between Luton and Dubai.

Good luck to you if you go for it, wish I had more money than sense.

[islasdad]

chicken leg

Sanctimonius idiots is what I said and what I meant. I am in the fortunate position of having paid for my training entirely myself with no assistance from mummy and daddy and with no debt to my name.

I had a succesfull business of my own after having spent many years in the airforce of The business however took up far to much of my time and the family suffered so with my families full support have chosen this path.

Without the type rating I was getting no response from my C.V. s. However one cannot continue without an income indefinately. The difference in responsed since I have done one has been extremely marked.

Please stop telling me what I should or shouldnt do with my money and what is best for me and mine when you know nothing about me or my circumstances.

[Chicken Leg]

Please stop telling me what I should or shouldnt do with my money and what is best for me and mine when you know nothing about me or my circumstances.

That's absolutely fair enough, but at the same time don't play the guilt trip card by saying you're only doing what's best for your family; You're not, you're only doing what's best for what you want to do. Again, that's fair enough, but don't try and kid yourself (or us/me).

If you want a particular job so badly that you are willing to reverse Economics Lesson 1 (you go to work, you get paid) still fair enough, but don't get too surprised when those of us who work in order to earn money get excited and accuse you of damaging the industry.

In spite of the above, I hope that you find the means to support your family soon.

[islasdad]

Guilt Trip

There is o guilt trip involved I am doing what I believe to be right in face of the fact that the industry has reached the point where you get a job easier if you have a t.r.

And yes I have studied economics so I do know that aint going to change any time soon.

The guilt trip is al from people who say dont do it cause I cant.

[Dreamshiner]

Whoop Whoop ALERT ALERT!!!!

DANGER .... Off thread, denegrating into a Pay for TR vs not debate, not the thread title or topic.

Can we keep it Silverjet orientated please, God Almighty, please

Whoop Whoop ALERT ALERT!!!!

[clunk1001]

Just a thought…

lets say you got the job, and in 24 months time lets say silverjet are still going strong. That would give you 24 months experience of the right hand seat. And when I say experience of the 'right hand seat' I mean just that - you’ll have more experience with the seat adjust lever than actually flying the plane.

This is all fine if you stay with SilverJet and move to FO, but what if you want to leave, or Silverjet go bust? You’ve spent a lot of money and a lot of time learning how to fly - can you put up with being bumped out of the RH seat when any real flying needs done – for 2 years?

If you’re at a job interview for another airline, how much advantage is 24 months A/P monitoring actually going to give you over a guy with a new TR, you’re CV may still be put in the pile marked ‘never actually landed the thing’. Although you'll have an advantage over new TRs of knowing exactly what the best seat position is for you. You'd be looking for £35k+, and the low hour guys would probably take £20k+

I know I’ve over simplified this, but 2 years monitoring seems a very long time to me.

…just a thought.