SmartLynx
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: EU
Posts: 26
SmartLynx
Hello,
Does anyone have some recent information regarding SmartLynx in Latvia, and more specifically on their self sponsored TR program on the A320? I got an email from them but it says employment is not guaranteed, so I'm wondering how big the chances are of getting hired afterwards.
Thanks guys!
Does anyone have some recent information regarding SmartLynx in Latvia, and more specifically on their self sponsored TR program on the A320? I got an email from them but it says employment is not guaranteed, so I'm wondering how big the chances are of getting hired afterwards.
Thanks guys!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: go west
Posts: 1
as far as I heard foreign pilots don't stay there for very long. Nothing wrong with the airline or T's and C's, it's just that only one or two aircraft at any given time are actually based in Baltics. Given the nature of the airline, in any given year crew moves around from Tunisia, Vietnam, Spain, to UK and Poland etc, not everyone likes living on the suitcase and moving around from hotel to hotel. Thus they require quite a few pilots and if you are a decent pilot, they will not mess around. Selling TRs for wannabes without any job at the end of it is not really their business.. that's what the grape wine says anyway..
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Croatia
Posts: 1
If anybody concerns SmartLynx ATO Type Rating program as an option for their career start, the latest news are - this season company plans to train from up to 80 students, with only 20 to be offered a contract afterwards. Surprisingly, the price for the type has also increased.
Intentions are obvious.
Intentions are obvious.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: hun
Posts: 3
There are a lot of pilots after bankraptcy of Small Planet. So SmartLynx has no real interest to hire young rookies. They are offer type rating for 30,000 EU and doesn't not have any plans to hire. It is just a way to earn money for the company. Tricky. This is their way to earn money.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ireland
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by fflyby
There are a lot of pilots after bankraptcy of Small Planet. So SmartLynx has no real interest to hire young rookies. They are offer type rating for 30,000 EU and doesn't not have any plans to hire. It is just a way to earn money for the company. Tricky. This is their way to earn money.
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: anywhere
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by whistling turtle
That's not entirely true, Smartlynx are understaffed at the moment and need pilots. People who do the Type Rating with them and do OK in the course will get work. It's a gamble but it's not a scam either
They needing pilots for 3-4 months in year only, rest of time you will be sitting home. Ask guys sitting still 5 months with no line training about understaffing situation. I am meeting many smartlynx cadets at BAA and hearing only about big delays for line training and months of no flying ... impossible you will develop like this as pilot. Go there only if absolutely desperate, but current market is not desperate market.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ireland
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by tecnamflyer
They needing pilots for 3-4 months in year only, rest of time you will be sitting home. Ask guys sitting still 5 months with no line training about understaffing situation. I am meeting many smartlynx cadets at BAA and hearing only about big delays for line training and months of no flying ... impossible you will develop like this as pilot. Go there only if absolutely desperate, but current market is not desperate market.
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: anywhere
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by whistling turtle
That might be the situation now but its a charter company and the amount of flying pilots do there is dependent on the contracts they get. The High season is only beginning now for them with the summer. As there is always less in the way of contracts in the winter there is less flying being done and hence reduced line training. Also they only have 10 to 15 line training Captains. In recent years pilots were flying up to 12 months per year, it all depends on the market for ACMI. It's an airline not a flying school.
Last edited by tecnamflyer; 29th Apr 2019 at 17:37.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ireland
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by tecnamflyer
OK but do not come to here telling people there is understaffing and a shortage when it isn't the fact. People looking here for the entry positions, is not their concern if they are having shortage of line training pilots, for me even this company come to me saying we guarantee you job i would not sign. I saw enough from those who went already. Is not at all normal to stay 4/5 months line training, school or not, that is not acceptable and is no justification for it. You are ready to train? hire, you are not ready to train? do not hire - simple. The one willing to throw 30,000EU type rating to sit 4+ months is having some issues, i don't speak about ones already went, they didn't know. From now though people knowing better and to be careful.
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: anywhere
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by whistling turtle
Well they are understaffed and need pilots whether you like the fact or not. No one is putting a gun to your head and making you join them. If you don't like their terms and conditions then go find a job elsewhere.. Easy
I will be and i can take care of myself thanks for concern. However i am posting here to give the reality of situation to ones thinking to join, and reality is what i said - 5 months queuing for line training. This is actual fact of reality.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ireland
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by tecnamflyer
You and i are having very different understanding of meaning "need pilots", the airline needing pilots is not leaving their guys sitting so long doing no training, ask anyone in any other airline, tell them 5 months wait for line training and you will be understanding immediately that it's beyond crazy.
I will be and i can take care of myself thanks for concern. However i am posting here to give the reality of situation to ones thinking to join, and reality is what i said - 5 months queuing for line training. This is actual fact of reality.
I will be and i can take care of myself thanks for concern. However i am posting here to give the reality of situation to ones thinking to join, and reality is what i said - 5 months queuing for line training. This is actual fact of reality.
I actually worked in Smartlynx a few years ago and I have friends still there so I suspect I am better informed about the situation there than you are. But you can take the information it or leave it, makes no difference to me.
