KLMuk Pilot Pool
 

I have just been told that I'm in the pool with a probable start date of August. I'm trying to get an indication of how accurate that is.

Is there anyone out there who has been in the pool a while and if so how long. Also if anyone has recently started, how long did they have to wait?

You're more likely to be in a puddle at the rate people are leaving klmUK. Appox. 40 going to Virgin and 80 have applied to DHL. Probably your delay is due to lack of sim slots. Even jet TRE's considering jumping from the sinking ship.

[This message has been edited by Imhotep (edited 27 March 2001).]

I passed the Sim mid Feb. I am due to start in June although I haven't had a letter to confirm it yet. It's a waiting game and I can't wait.

Passed the sim ride end of Feb, and was told the wait is until about August.

I don't mind the waiting game so much anymore. It's been a while already, another four months is OK, now that I know there's something on the way.

I've a mate who passed the simride in early Feb, had the you're in phonecall, but no letter. They phone him every week to say have you had any interest from anyone else and to tell him they haven't forgotten him. He always says no and is still waiting...

I told him to say yes and see how quickly he finds himself with a slot for the Type Rating course!

I was in the pool for about six months. When the call comes, it comes at very short notice. Despite what others may say its a brilliant company with top notch training.

Any indication as to at what point you actually sign something with KLM UK?

I would like to have something to show for the "you're in" phone call", particularly to my good friend the Bank Manager, so he can see his loan was a good idea after all.

If anyone is currently working for KLM uk, can u please enlighten me with the kind of lifestyle u are experiencing with days away.
How many days do you spend away from home at any one time?

How many nights do you stay in AMS at any one time?
How often do you see your wife? And when you do, how long before you have to return to work?

If anyone is currently working for KLM uk, can u please enlighten me with the kind of lifestyle u are experiencing with days away.
How many days do you spend away from home at any one time?

How many nights do you stay in AMS at any one time?
How often do you see your wife? And when you do, how long before you have to return to work for another shift?



[This message has been edited by Jetheat (edited 30 March 2001).]

Jetheat, the lifestyle is such that you will certainly see your fair share of the Golden Tulip Hotel in AMS. Typically you will do 4-5 nights away, then 3-4 nights at home (5 on 2 off, or 6 on 3 off). You tend to start on day 1 at about 0930 and finish in the UK at about lunchtime. This can always change.

Training is good. F50 done in Maastricht. Groundschool is Mon-Fri and you will most likely go home at the weekends. Sim takes about 2 weeks and again you will go home somewhere in the middle.

Expect to do a lot of sitting about in hotels or positioning. We seem to do many duty hours and only about 400hrs flying per year.

It is not a happy company at the moment. Route network is limited (ie. to and from AMS). Many lifestyle issues outstanding and pay is seriously falling behind the competitors. However, the guys you work with are great. It is a company which lets you get on with the flying without too much hassle and F/O's get a lot of responsibility. Shame it is not still Air UK. THAT was a good company to work for. KLM have screwed it up.

Thanks Triple Stop,

That's exactly the kind of info that I needed. Thanks a lot. Any extra info will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Again

I had the interview/sim in August & September, and started in mid December. Upto 6 months seems to be the waiting time, quite probably as stated above due to sim slots and TRI availability

Ther's seems to be a lot of people waiting to start in August, from what I know there's about 8 people I know of and now it sounds like more!

So exactly how many people on a course?

Is it really only 400hrs a year?!

Jetheat and any others, if you want any specific info, e mail me at [email protected] and I will do my best to answer your queries