Guys for what its worth, i must agree with a lot of the sentiments about the CTC guys. Its thier fortune that they are in the right place at the right time when circumstances have smiled on them, for those still waiting ,at least that is another half dozen out of the way for the next job.

The way it appears at the minute from inside the cage is the usual type of firefighting that follows any quick reaction to the market. Last September Brit was recruiting 48 pilots for this summer, then all of a sudden we don't need them, the program has contracted to a small degree and we are suddenly overcrewed(!) at the start of the season,( all beit too many P1 and not enoughP2). Then our european masters ,it seems, finally give the go ahead to future plans, (Farnborough is the rumuor for any announcemnent fleet wise for BY or Prussag airline group.)

Now we have a situation where we lose a large chunk of trainers to gain experienc on a new type(s), a short period to train new P2's in and the demands of the next Hadj contract to fulfill in Jan - March. Therefore the CTC guys and girls can be on line with min line training as they only need to convert to Brit SOP's etc which are now increasingly Boeing standard.

They are fortunate, but as I understand it, this isn't the way ahead for Brit as far as standard practice is concerned. In house training and recruitment is still prefered and will happen again. Don't get me wrong the right person fits into Bal not the one with the biggest wallet. It is frustarting,4 years ago ,had I been able to afford the pc, not easy as a FI, I would have made the same comments, it is frustrating and soul destroying but those on the line and BALPA are on your side, I certainly have yet to hear support for this situation.

I believe things will settle down to the more normal cycle of recruitment and training in the next 12 months depending on what is happening to the fleet, but rest assured,no matter how much flexible working is about (overtime flying) the company has to recruit. Hang in there and keep the faith but if a seat offers itself get in the air, its better to have a choice than be watching the letter box!

regards

Chin.

letter from Brits
 

Well received a letter from them the other day. Nothing definate but it´s nice to know that they are keeping in touch with us.

Basically stated that they are taking on some contract guys for the summer and will let us know when they have a better idea regards winter recruitment.

I hope it´s not too long as i´m totally skint now and am more than ready to ¨jump into the seat´.

thanks for the 'nside news chaps, keep it coming.

Bluebaron ;)

all gone a bit quiet around here?

BB

Heard that the movement of training cpts towards the end of the year is internal only. The source was very reliable and stated that drawing from the hold pool this side of xmas was very unlikely.

I can see how the people from CTC are causing the people in the pool who got so bloody close to a job, only to be disappointed at the last minute - I suppose sadly that’s aviation.

Alot of people has there plans change after Sept 11th, you guys / girls were just caught up in the mess at a stage when things looked fantastic.

My brother is one of pool pilots and we both now instruct to keep in the system.

Good luck for the future.

How do you pooled guys do it?

On this thread theres been talk of 3 years! Do people ever get over this career stop? Can you fly for another operator between and is it possible that after say a couple of years in a pool that your dumped and find yourselves uncurrent and unemployed.

Sorry if all this is true, But i dont know as Im from a corperate background, not airline ( thank god by the sound of it)