Do pilots need to relocate
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Leeds
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Do pilots need to relocate
Hi All
This might sound a silly questions, i have recently attained my CPL, IR next... but one thing that is dawning on me is
Will i have to relocate to become an airline pilot? i live in leeds, i am 1-1-30h from LBA,MAN,LIVERPOOL & East midlands, and im banking on that being my saving grace. i dont mind the commute but with a relationship and planning for a baby i am really worried about having to relocate to achieve my goal , my girlfriend, soon to be wife has her own business here.
I dont want responses like "You are in the wrong job if you dont want to move", when i started flying i was single, no kids, but 3 years later everything has changed and i dont want to "up ship" and have to move., i just want to know what the reality is
I am open to being away for 3-4 months for training, but what is the reality. what will the airlines say to someone who says, he cannot relocate. is it common practise? i have 4 decent sized bases near me, i dont mind the odd crash pad near the airport if i am on stand by etc. i know it will limit my options but i want to know that options are still available to me
Any advice or tips i would appreciate
This might sound a silly questions, i have recently attained my CPL, IR next... but one thing that is dawning on me is
Will i have to relocate to become an airline pilot? i live in leeds, i am 1-1-30h from LBA,MAN,LIVERPOOL & East midlands, and im banking on that being my saving grace. i dont mind the commute but with a relationship and planning for a baby i am really worried about having to relocate to achieve my goal , my girlfriend, soon to be wife has her own business here.
I dont want responses like "You are in the wrong job if you dont want to move", when i started flying i was single, no kids, but 3 years later everything has changed and i dont want to "up ship" and have to move., i just want to know what the reality is
I am open to being away for 3-4 months for training, but what is the reality. what will the airlines say to someone who says, he cannot relocate. is it common practise? i have 4 decent sized bases near me, i dont mind the odd crash pad near the airport if i am on stand by etc. i know it will limit my options but i want to know that options are still available to me
Any advice or tips i would appreciate
Join Date: Dec 2015
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It seems completely reasonable to live 1 hour away from base.
Many pilots live 2-3 hours away (using an airplane from their own airline) and it works perfectly fine.
Having your own car gives you complete freedom so it's even easier.
Many pilots live 2-3 hours away (using an airplane from their own airline) and it works perfectly fine.
Having your own car gives you complete freedom so it's even easier.
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I used to work for Thomson based in Manchester. I am from Manchester. Thomson made me redundant in 2010 along with around 100 other pilots. The only job most of us could get was here in the Middle East. My wife gave up her job of 35 years to be with me. Whatever you have to do, you have to do. Life is one big adventure and the world is not that big.
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Probably yes. But in case like yours, regionals like Flybe or Ryanajr with their regional bases offer you a quality of life that's hard to beat.
Mind you, I'm willing to take a temporary paycut to get a job in my home country.
What works for you, might not work for many others.
Mind you, I'm willing to take a temporary paycut to get a job in my home country.
What works for you, might not work for many others.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
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You have to go where the jobs are because aviation is a volatile business. My last move (with family in tow)
was 6,000 miles.
was 6,000 miles.
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I’m from a similar area to you, so I know what it’s like to be a after a local base.
There are plenty of airlines in your catchment area, but the problem is that most don’t take newly qualified pilots. The best chance you’ve got of staying local is the Jet2 apprentice scheme, flyBe, or Ryanair (providing they start recruiting again).
LBA have Jet2 and Ryanair. The Jet2 apprentice scheme is in my opinion the best crack at getting a local base. As far as I know Ryanair aren’t recruiting at the moment, and are looking to downsize their Leeds operations. Eastern Airways still do a few flights out of there, who take new hires.
MAN have flyBe, Jet2, Ryanair and easyJet. To my knowledge, Manchester is one of flyBe’s most-wanted bases. Lots of internals want it, and the odds of a new hire getting it are slim. Same problem as above with Ryanair, and the main way into easyJet is through an integrated school with a £40k type rating. TUI, Thomas Cook, and Virgin don’t take newly-qualifieds.
EMA have Ryanair, Jet2, and West Atlantic. West Atlantic could be an option, most probably on the BAE ATP on nights. Same problem as above with TUI.
LPL have Ryanair and easyJet. Same issues as above.
DSA sadly are waving goodbye to flyBe, and are left with only a TUI base.
BHX have flyBe and Ryanair. It’s probably a decent chance of getting a flyBe base there.
All in all, when you get your licence it’s needs and musts, and you’ll probably be grateful of any offer that comes your way. It’s not unrealistic to expect a local base. But, it’s much better to expect and prepare to relocate. Even the airlines with bases close to you are perfectly capable of sending you to far flung corners of the country (or even Europe in the case of Ryanair).
There are plenty of airlines in your catchment area, but the problem is that most don’t take newly qualified pilots. The best chance you’ve got of staying local is the Jet2 apprentice scheme, flyBe, or Ryanair (providing they start recruiting again).
LBA have Jet2 and Ryanair. The Jet2 apprentice scheme is in my opinion the best crack at getting a local base. As far as I know Ryanair aren’t recruiting at the moment, and are looking to downsize their Leeds operations. Eastern Airways still do a few flights out of there, who take new hires.
MAN have flyBe, Jet2, Ryanair and easyJet. To my knowledge, Manchester is one of flyBe’s most-wanted bases. Lots of internals want it, and the odds of a new hire getting it are slim. Same problem as above with Ryanair, and the main way into easyJet is through an integrated school with a £40k type rating. TUI, Thomas Cook, and Virgin don’t take newly-qualifieds.
EMA have Ryanair, Jet2, and West Atlantic. West Atlantic could be an option, most probably on the BAE ATP on nights. Same problem as above with TUI.
LPL have Ryanair and easyJet. Same issues as above.
DSA sadly are waving goodbye to flyBe, and are left with only a TUI base.
BHX have flyBe and Ryanair. It’s probably a decent chance of getting a flyBe base there.
All in all, when you get your licence it’s needs and musts, and you’ll probably be grateful of any offer that comes your way. It’s not unrealistic to expect a local base. But, it’s much better to expect and prepare to relocate. Even the airlines with bases close to you are perfectly capable of sending you to far flung corners of the country (or even Europe in the case of Ryanair).
Do pilots need to relocate? Yes.
The general rule for that first job is go anywhere and fly anything. If you're not prepared to move you'll be extremely lucky to make a flying career work from the start. Once you're more marketable you can afford to be more choosy.
The general rule for that first job is go anywhere and fly anything. If you're not prepared to move you'll be extremely lucky to make a flying career work from the start. Once you're more marketable you can afford to be more choosy.
de minimus non curat lex
The reality is that you might get lucky with the 4 airports you mention.
However no airline will simply tolerate an inflexible attitude from someone seeking their first employment. You take any fleet, anywhere, to get your first rung on the ladder. There are others queuing up who understand the nature of the contest.
Let us say you get 1000 hours on a turboprop after say 18 months, then you may well be more marketable. Asking nicely for a base is one thing, ‘demanding’ a base will simply not work.
Probably not the answer that you are seeking but that is the reality of the aviation industry.
Slightly off topic, read the EZY anxiety thread, and the FLYBE employment tribunal case which appears. Family pressures amongst other issues.
However no airline will simply tolerate an inflexible attitude from someone seeking their first employment. You take any fleet, anywhere, to get your first rung on the ladder. There are others queuing up who understand the nature of the contest.
Let us say you get 1000 hours on a turboprop after say 18 months, then you may well be more marketable. Asking nicely for a base is one thing, ‘demanding’ a base will simply not work.
Probably not the answer that you are seeking but that is the reality of the aviation industry.
Slightly off topic, read the EZY anxiety thread, and the FLYBE employment tribunal case which appears. Family pressures amongst other issues.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
You might need to relocate for your first job. You might need to relocate for your first command.
So yes. You might need to relocate.
So yes. You might need to relocate.
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Yes. If you join at the bottom of an airline, you go where they want you to go. The typical airlines with big bases in your area are Easy and Ryan and as I recall the northern bases were quite desirable, you have to spend some time in Luton or Stansted before you can bid out of there.
If you aren't prepared to play that game, fine, but other people will. The airline won't change their seniority / basing rules to suit the new kid, end of story
Jet2 is mostly northern I believe, probably your best bet?
If you aren't prepared to play that game, fine, but other people will. The airline won't change their seniority / basing rules to suit the new kid, end of story
Jet2 is mostly northern I believe, probably your best bet?
