TCX actively sought out many pilots from many airlines that have recently failed and they are now on the payroll. What TCX want, quite rightly, is a broad spectrum of experience in the flightdeck. This caters for FO/CP ratios, retirements, etc.

In the UK, there have been low-hours pilots being mentored by an airline during training and then going on to fly airliners for decades. It's not the new 'cancer' some suggest it is. Yes, the T&Cs of previous schemes were substantially better than those of the last couple of years or so (pay-for-a-rating, pay-to-fly, etc.) but this scheme represents a shift towards more investment from the airline, which is, I think, a step in the right direction.

I agree that BALPA should be stamping on paying for ratings and, more so, on the ridiculous practice of paying for line training/flying but too many people on these forums lump pay-to-fly with low-hours pilots. Yes, low-hours pilots are those paying to fly but not all low-hours pilots are paying to fly.

Are you suggesting, though, that BALPA should be discouraging new pilots from joining the industry (through reasonable, fair schemes)? Note: we don't know the financial details of this scheme just yet so can't classify it as a good deal or a p***take but it looks like it might have the potential to be fair deal, with give and take on both sides...

I am suggesting that lets keep the whole recruitment fair and above board. For many months / years now Easy, Ryan and others have only advertised for ‘low hours’ FO’s. Yes they were good enough to take on crews from a few sinking ships, but the only way in is still via CTC, or other, if you are not experienced on type. With airline time, why should anyone become a victim of their own experience?
If they need, for example, 60 FO's – recruit:

6-10 cadets, depending on their current number of cadets
20 TR pilots from various age groups, again depending on their current situation
Remainder from instructor or Turbo Prop backgrounds 1500hrs +.
All from the UK and outside if they cannot fill the places.

PAPI-74,

I completely agree. I can't think, off-hand, of any other industry that does this.

Again, I think something like this is a good idea and, speaking as someone who knows a bit about TCX, I genuinely think TCX try and do something approaching this - admittedly though, positions for those with experience don't seem to be advertised quite as obviously as you might hope.

From your first post I got the impression that you advocate a freeze on new pilots entering the industry until those, experienced, guys who have fallen on bad times are employed. I don't think airlines like TCX owe people a job - the company interests should come first but I completely agree with your proportional representation idea (with the 'cadets' still being a minority of those recruited) - that way there are still opportunities for those with the drive and ability to be accepted on to 'sponsored'/tagged schemes to enter the industry, while, quite rightly, the company can poach the best qualified/most experienced pilots at the same time, like any other industry/profession.

B&S :ok:

Running it through FTE... apparently 3 years with Flybe then onto Thomas Cook..? Info should be on net within a week.

what are the region and postcode reqd in the search engine to apply?
cheers..

rick0,

It's 2 years with flyBE.

Felys & aviator001,

You've just failed the first stage of selection, finding the (not very well hidden) application section!

B&S :eek:

In fairness, the application on the website came out a few hours after it was linked on FTE's site.

It's up and running now though!

Find the latest vacancies for Thomas Cook pilots

My bad.

Good luck!

B&S :ok:

...Any idea of what the selection process will consist of ? type of test ect ?

anyone know what about the cadet pilot will be?

money,selection,course....

thanks!:ok:

There doesn't appear to be any detailed information about the scheme on FTE's or TC's website. Anyone have link to something with a bit more information?

K

I actually posed that before the page was up on FTE's website :ok: I got the info from a bloke who did the career fair in Manchester.. but yeah.. my mistake.

give that man a coconut..............:ugh:

please...anyone know something about the cadet pilot?

antes56 -If you read through this thread, you'll find links and information that contains everything you need to know. The link to the recruitment fair was a pretty detailed account of the role and requirements. At this stage though, I'd hope you would know fully what was expected of you. If you go to Thomas Cook's recruitment page, it will tell you everything you need to know. You have to do some things yourself, don't expect everyone to do all the hard work and post everything here for you. I don't mean that in a patronising way, but you should be looking through the links that were very helpfully posted by others in this thread.

Dear Chrisbowe82

thanks for the answer...I read all the thread,and although I find the information interesting,i think they are almost only what all the people here supposed will be this scheme...
anyway,as i understand,you have to pay for the course with fte ,the TC pay 1000£ a month for you and at the end they will pay for the TR on the aircraft..is this correct?

:ok:

on the tcx website it says you will need to be able to pass a class 1 medical.

I started the application and it asked if I had a class 1 medical. I clicked no and it refused my application?! :{

Im a fit and healthy young laddy! lol

It said the same to me!.I think you have to get the medical before you apply.

Hi all,

it was asked:

2. Do you hold, or are you able to obtain, a valid JAR class one medical certificate?

So if you don't have it but are able to have it it is ok ?

I'm french but i think i well understood ;)