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!

Hi mate, I got same email... and same situation than you.

Yo guys. A guy from my school who flies in Smartlynx told me that all guys of last years training got hired after training. But some things changed. Dont know if this info I just wrote is still accurate.

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..

Appreciate your info Martin and P40

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.

What has it increased to?

TR price
 

The price for type is 30k, appart acomodation and traveling expencies.

Before i don't know the price.

Hi guys! Be very careful, friends told me, that after getting type, three guys turned away only from one group in 2017. This is a big question about they are want a pilots or a students for a Type rating

So let me get this straight
You pay 30K upfront for the TR and 50% chances to get a contractor job ??
Just lovely, aviation is such a candy land !!

Did anybody here had the final interview with Smartlynx and could share how it goes about? Is it a full day screening or just an individual interview? Any info would be appreciated! :)

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.

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.

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.

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 no 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.

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

Well I guess you haven't worked in many airlines as I've seen it happen in more than one. It's not only specific to Smartlynx. There is a shortage of instructors everywhere..
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.

Why don't you go back and read what I wrote before instead of ranting like an idiot. You don't seem to understand how ACMI charter companies work. They have more contracts in the summer than in the winter so that means less flying or even no flying at times in the winter. Equally Smartlynx did a lot of flying in 2018 so a lot of the aircraft were getting C checks in the winter. Like most other companies out there they are short of instructors so needless to say that causes delays with line training. When I joined them years ago I was waiting about 3 or 4 months after the type rating to get called for line training. With other people it took longer. I've had friends in other companies wait 6 months or more.
Make no mistake about it when you work for an airline you are there to serve the airline and not the other way around. It's not a flying school.
I don't really care if people join Smartlynx or not, it makes no difference to me.
If someone wants to work all the year on a 5/4 roster then they should go join Ryanair.
As for BAA cadets I'd imagine that they are bottom priority in getting online as they are joining the company with no previous experience
The fact is the company is growing each year and they have a high turnover of pilots. Also the summer season is starting They are short of pilots and need more.
Deal with it.