EasyJet Announces Gatwick Expansion
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Sounds to me like a lot of very frustrated people out there, most of whom appear to be blethering without any close knowledge of the real situation.
True that the plans for BFS have been delayed, as pointed out elsewhere this is, to accomodate LGW. Would any other Airline have reacted differently to an opportunity like this??
BFS, I am confident, will go ahead, hopefully sooner than many of the above contributors think.
As far as the situation regarding the "NI Boys" I can categorically assure you that many BFS and BHD Pilots are watching with great interest and at the same time trying very hard to secure Employment with EZY.
Ironically, the events of 9/11 have released many suitably rated people onto the jobmarket and so this has had the effect of making it more difficult to change employers. Couple this with the fact that most of those working in NI choose to accept less shiny equipment at lower salaries, than many of their mainland colleagues, precisely because they wish to remain in the Province, where, until now, choice has been extremely restricted. There is therefore, understandably, reluctance and apprehension about giving up these positions.
However, easyJet are already an established force in Northern Ireland and the future for them is most definitely bright. There will be no problem obtaining Crew, if the vibes that I'm getting are correct.
Since securing employment with the "Orange Order" I have been inundated with requests for information from Pilots here in Belfast. For what it's worth I have found EZY extremely good communicators, providing me with info before it was generally available and having already offered to accomodate me fully during the period of consolidation at LGW and until BFS gets sorted.
My experience of both the selection day at LTN and indeed the Sim check at CTC was that they were both comprehensive and enjoyable.
The people propogating this vitriolic garbage either don't know what they are talking about or they are carrying around the chip of rejection. In either case they will never work for EZY by virtue of their attitude nor will they ever be satisfied with their present positions, again by virtue of their attitude. Sad BA$T@RD$!!
True that the plans for BFS have been delayed, as pointed out elsewhere this is, to accomodate LGW. Would any other Airline have reacted differently to an opportunity like this??
BFS, I am confident, will go ahead, hopefully sooner than many of the above contributors think.
As far as the situation regarding the "NI Boys" I can categorically assure you that many BFS and BHD Pilots are watching with great interest and at the same time trying very hard to secure Employment with EZY.
Ironically, the events of 9/11 have released many suitably rated people onto the jobmarket and so this has had the effect of making it more difficult to change employers. Couple this with the fact that most of those working in NI choose to accept less shiny equipment at lower salaries, than many of their mainland colleagues, precisely because they wish to remain in the Province, where, until now, choice has been extremely restricted. There is therefore, understandably, reluctance and apprehension about giving up these positions.
However, easyJet are already an established force in Northern Ireland and the future for them is most definitely bright. There will be no problem obtaining Crew, if the vibes that I'm getting are correct.
Since securing employment with the "Orange Order" I have been inundated with requests for information from Pilots here in Belfast. For what it's worth I have found EZY extremely good communicators, providing me with info before it was generally available and having already offered to accomodate me fully during the period of consolidation at LGW and until BFS gets sorted.
My experience of both the selection day at LTN and indeed the Sim check at CTC was that they were both comprehensive and enjoyable.
The people propogating this vitriolic garbage either don't know what they are talking about or they are carrying around the chip of rejection. In either case they will never work for EZY by virtue of their attitude nor will they ever be satisfied with their present positions, again by virtue of their attitude. Sad BA$T@RD$!!
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Papillon / Mudcity
Re the comments that EZY have chosen GB/CityFlyer routes.....true, but they are also existing EZY destinations, where EZY already have a management infrastructure, handling agreement, etc. The costs of operating into these airports are therefore quite minimal, as adding extra frequency will be beneficial to the overall cost......probably reduced handling rates for higher frequencies, plus better utilisation out of existing airport management / sales / ticket desk staff. A handful of extra flights can easily be slotted into AGP, ZRH, etc. with no effort / set-up cost whatsoever. The cost of starting new destinations would obviously outweigh some of the above benefits.
Mudcity raises the issue of utilisation / operating cost. No doubt yields will be better from LGW than LTN, which will make up for a reduction in utilisation. Also, much of EZY's growth at LGW is likely to be southern routes (PMI, AGP already announced, plus others possibly to come), where airborne time per sector is likely to be less than having to route round London to get to LTN. This equates to 15-20 mins less airborne time per rotation which could be built into additional ground time at LGW. This may not offset things entirely, but would certainly be a consideration in terms of the overall cost / yield per sector.
(Edited twice by the spelung police)
[ 22 December 2001: Message edited by: In trim ]
[ 22 December 2001: Message edited by: In trim ]</p>
Re the comments that EZY have chosen GB/CityFlyer routes.....true, but they are also existing EZY destinations, where EZY already have a management infrastructure, handling agreement, etc. The costs of operating into these airports are therefore quite minimal, as adding extra frequency will be beneficial to the overall cost......probably reduced handling rates for higher frequencies, plus better utilisation out of existing airport management / sales / ticket desk staff. A handful of extra flights can easily be slotted into AGP, ZRH, etc. with no effort / set-up cost whatsoever. The cost of starting new destinations would obviously outweigh some of the above benefits.
Mudcity raises the issue of utilisation / operating cost. No doubt yields will be better from LGW than LTN, which will make up for a reduction in utilisation. Also, much of EZY's growth at LGW is likely to be southern routes (PMI, AGP already announced, plus others possibly to come), where airborne time per sector is likely to be less than having to route round London to get to LTN. This equates to 15-20 mins less airborne time per rotation which could be built into additional ground time at LGW. This may not offset things entirely, but would certainly be a consideration in terms of the overall cost / yield per sector.
(Edited twice by the spelung police)
[ 22 December 2001: Message edited by: In trim ]
[ 22 December 2001: Message edited by: In trim ]</p>
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Stelios - my neck isn't out - just putting some truth to the rumours but for some the truth hurts. As far as getting ones just desserts, I think you'll find that is what is happening to Big Airways now. Laker, Air Europe, Dan Air, Virgin, then the sneering at the likes of ezy.......!
Dik.D - okay, so you think that when ezy eventually want to open a base in BFS the pilot community there is somehow going to be not interested. Dream on.
Zeroflap - well said.
Dik.D - okay, so you think that when ezy eventually want to open a base in BFS the pilot community there is somehow going to be not interested. Dream on.
Zeroflap - well said.
On the subject of slots, I heard from a very reliable source that many of the new slots required by easyJet for its expansion at Gatwick have been "borrowed" from Virgin Atlantic. Virgin has spare slots at Gatwick after dumping Toronto, Boston, Newark etc post 11 September and easyJet is going to be using them. Should make life interesting when Virgin wants them back - or are easyJet assuming that they will have finished off BA at Gatwick by then?
If I was being really cynical, is this another Virgin attempt to have a go at BA?
If I was being really cynical, is this another Virgin attempt to have a go at BA?
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I find this a worrying trend..while,I congratulate easyjet on its continued good fortunes,its current level of service(ie.none) to its passengers is simply not suitable for a major international hub.Gatwick is not Luton and god forbid that it should become so..that will only leave Heathrow free from this awful tarnish of mediocrity.There is nothing worse in life,in my view,than mediocrity.Its fine from Luton,Birmingham,Bristol where the majority of people are Brits wanting a cheap fare to the sun.But Gatwick is(or certainly was) a major international hub with foreign transit passengers who would be left with increasingly few options(if BA and real carriers continue to suffer).
I think their presence and growth at LGW is good news in the short-term but what effect will it have long-term?Will they force BA to diminish its service even more or induce BA and others to follow its example of mediocrity?What a shame that would be...all of us,Brits and unsuspecting transit passengers who might be visiting Britain for the first time,being herded onto these orange fat alberts by people with little or no grace and manners..being snapped at by teenage cabin crew and thrown a cheese and ham sandwich..all of us being thrown into this orange melting pot of proletarian mediocrity.
Is this what people want?Safe,cheap and on-time and thats it?And is easyjet those things in any case?If all airlines are forced by economic necessity to copycat the lowest common denominator,then I see a very sad future for aviation,certainly from the passengers POV.
Imagine a business-man at the transit info desk at LGW in 2006..
"When's the next BA flight to Frankfurt?"
"Not for 4 hours"
"Thought they had five flights a day"
"No,sir.Cutbacks you know"
"Well,what about Lufthansa?"
"Not for another 5 hours..same thing I"m afraid"
"Well,is there anybody else?"
"Well,you might try Easyjet."
"Whats that?"
"Its a low-cost carrier"
"No god-dammit..I've just had a helluva day.I want to unwind..have a drink and just relax"
"Well,there's a Ryanair leaving in 1 hour..but there's just one problem..."
"Whats that?"
"Well,they dont actually fly to Frankfurt."
"Well,where do they fly to"
"A place called Hahn..its quite near,sir."
RESULT:Next time,the businessman re-routes via Schipol or uses video-conferencing.
I think their presence and growth at LGW is good news in the short-term but what effect will it have long-term?Will they force BA to diminish its service even more or induce BA and others to follow its example of mediocrity?What a shame that would be...all of us,Brits and unsuspecting transit passengers who might be visiting Britain for the first time,being herded onto these orange fat alberts by people with little or no grace and manners..being snapped at by teenage cabin crew and thrown a cheese and ham sandwich..all of us being thrown into this orange melting pot of proletarian mediocrity.
Is this what people want?Safe,cheap and on-time and thats it?And is easyjet those things in any case?If all airlines are forced by economic necessity to copycat the lowest common denominator,then I see a very sad future for aviation,certainly from the passengers POV.
Imagine a business-man at the transit info desk at LGW in 2006..
"When's the next BA flight to Frankfurt?"
"Not for 4 hours"
"Thought they had five flights a day"
"No,sir.Cutbacks you know"
"Well,what about Lufthansa?"
"Not for another 5 hours..same thing I"m afraid"
"Well,is there anybody else?"
"Well,you might try Easyjet."
"Whats that?"
"Its a low-cost carrier"
"No god-dammit..I've just had a helluva day.I want to unwind..have a drink and just relax"
"Well,there's a Ryanair leaving in 1 hour..but there's just one problem..."
"Whats that?"
"Well,they dont actually fly to Frankfurt."
"Well,where do they fly to"
"A place called Hahn..its quite near,sir."
RESULT:Next time,the businessman re-routes via Schipol or uses video-conferencing.
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Caulfield
So in 2006 Easyjet and Ryanair can provide flights out of LGW , BA not? Probably True.
EJ and Ryanair OK for meer Brits who are so stupid as too waste their cash on a inferior product. I think not.
So foreign transit pax are more worthy than "local Pax"
You are "Victorian Pilot" Should not be seen or heard.
So in 2006 Easyjet and Ryanair can provide flights out of LGW , BA not? Probably True.
EJ and Ryanair OK for meer Brits who are so stupid as too waste their cash on a inferior product. I think not.
So foreign transit pax are more worthy than "local Pax"
You are "Victorian Pilot" Should not be seen or heard.
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Caulfield.
Some of your comments are probably reasonably accurate. For example there will always be the business people who want to feel like they have had a "free" drink". However in this day and age more and more people are waking up to the fact that they don't have to pay BA three times the cost of an easyjet flight to get from A to B.
They can pay the lower price, fly on a brand new 737-700 and pay for what they want to eat and drink on the flight. The seat pitch is reasonable and after all it is only a short flight isn't it.
Don't you find it remarkable that Southwest Airlines in the US is such a success? Low cost was born in the US not the UK.
Your comments most probably are similar to those BA senior management who expect the paying public to willingly throw their money to BA because of the brand. Not surprisingly, those days are numbered.
Some of your comments are probably reasonably accurate. For example there will always be the business people who want to feel like they have had a "free" drink". However in this day and age more and more people are waking up to the fact that they don't have to pay BA three times the cost of an easyjet flight to get from A to B.
They can pay the lower price, fly on a brand new 737-700 and pay for what they want to eat and drink on the flight. The seat pitch is reasonable and after all it is only a short flight isn't it.
Don't you find it remarkable that Southwest Airlines in the US is such a success? Low cost was born in the US not the UK.
Your comments most probably are similar to those BA senior management who expect the paying public to willingly throw their money to BA because of the brand. Not surprisingly, those days are numbered.
Caulfield, from November 2000 to November 2001 around 7,485,000 people considered themselves mediocre. 
The city business types who frequently have a hard day at the office <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> , consider it a bland enough company to invest money in even after September the 11th, check the share price trend to see how spectacularly dull and turgid their share price has been since 911!. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Do the public want safe, lo-cost, and punctual travel?, it appears they do, is easyJet all of these? any firm evidence that it isn't? <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
The city business types who frequently have a hard day at the office <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> , consider it a bland enough company to invest money in even after September the 11th, check the share price trend to see how spectacularly dull and turgid their share price has been since 911!. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Do the public want safe, lo-cost, and punctual travel?, it appears they do, is easyJet all of these? any firm evidence that it isn't? <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
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"I find this a worrying trend..while,I congratulate easyjet on its continued good fortunes,its current level of service(ie.none) to its passengers is simply not suitable for a major international hub."
Thus EZY should also leave AMS, ZRH and MAD? Or is LGW better than these airports?
At AMS EZY is now the second largest airline (after KLM and friends) and I haven't heared AMS management complaining about the negative effects it has on AMS image.
Thus EZY should also leave AMS, ZRH and MAD? Or is LGW better than these airports?
At AMS EZY is now the second largest airline (after KLM and friends) and I haven't heared AMS management complaining about the negative effects it has on AMS image.
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Caulfield,
Do you work in a large office in Waterside? You seem to think that being ripped off my major airlines is OK. The travelling public, particularly the business travellers who do day return trips to Europe are tired of being penalised for mid week travel. As you can see from the available passenger figures they are voting with their feet. However, if you have the money and want to pay 500 quid to travel in Club on a major carrier good luck to you. As you can see there is a growing majority that don't think it's worth it anymore.......
Do you work in a large office in Waterside? You seem to think that being ripped off my major airlines is OK. The travelling public, particularly the business travellers who do day return trips to Europe are tired of being penalised for mid week travel. As you can see from the available passenger figures they are voting with their feet. However, if you have the money and want to pay 500 quid to travel in Club on a major carrier good luck to you. As you can see there is a growing majority that don't think it's worth it anymore.......
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Horses for courses folks.
I used to fly SWA (still on their mailing list) a lot MSY - Houston Hobby. Really good service even with cabin staff in shorts and no catering. Some of the cabin announcements were good crack and took the sting out of the the few flight delays encountered.
However as soon as you want to go international one has to go to IAH and I suspect this is where the cheapo's fall down (or gain, depending on where you come from). Therefore I go AA westbound to NRT (via DFW) or BA eastbound to LGW (via IAH). Southwest doesn't come into it airmiles does. So I suppose the cheapoe's aren't interested in the feeders? I dunno, just give us SLf the best deal
I used to fly SWA (still on their mailing list) a lot MSY - Houston Hobby. Really good service even with cabin staff in shorts and no catering. Some of the cabin announcements were good crack and took the sting out of the the few flight delays encountered.
However as soon as you want to go international one has to go to IAH and I suspect this is where the cheapo's fall down (or gain, depending on where you come from). Therefore I go AA westbound to NRT (via DFW) or BA eastbound to LGW (via IAH). Southwest doesn't come into it airmiles does. So I suppose the cheapoe's aren't interested in the feeders? I dunno, just give us SLf the best deal
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I agree with Caulfield,whilst there is an increasing place for low cost travel,the idea of businessmen or any other traveller for that
matter, having no option but to travel with the
peasant masses fills me with horror.
matter, having no option but to travel with the
peasant masses fills me with horror.
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Although not directly responsible for recruitment, I spoke for eJ at the BALPA conference so I'm just jumping in to answer Rinky's appeal for an 'insider' to answer his question regarding how the LGW expansion affects plans for EDI and GLA.
The current situation is that we have crews based in each of GLA and EDI, with others assigned to those bases either under training, or scheduled to join in the coming months. However, we will still be needing further pilots for those bases during 2002 as the expansion in Scotland continues. If anyone comes along for recruitment at the moment and expresses a first choice for GLA or EDI, there is a very good chance of getting it.
Hope that helps to clarify that point.
Wishing everyone a great Christmas.
Kind Regards, AndyL
The current situation is that we have crews based in each of GLA and EDI, with others assigned to those bases either under training, or scheduled to join in the coming months. However, we will still be needing further pilots for those bases during 2002 as the expansion in Scotland continues. If anyone comes along for recruitment at the moment and expresses a first choice for GLA or EDI, there is a very good chance of getting it.
Hope that helps to clarify that point.
Wishing everyone a great Christmas.
Kind Regards, AndyL
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Rockon Tommy.
"Peasant Masses"?
Your attitude stinks. Look at most easy flights and you'll find a reasonable percentage are business people who are fed up paying the so called "full service" operators rip off prices.
The rest are probably people who couldn't afford to travel at the normal prices anyway. Is it something to do with "Ego" that makes you want to pay 3 times the price?
"Peasant Masses"?
Your attitude stinks. Look at most easy flights and you'll find a reasonable percentage are business people who are fed up paying the so called "full service" operators rip off prices.
The rest are probably people who couldn't afford to travel at the normal prices anyway. Is it something to do with "Ego" that makes you want to pay 3 times the price?
Caulfield
I have twelve years cabin service/dispatch experience with British Midland, Airtours and British Airways. Following the big heave-ho from the latter, I am now looking forward to serving easyJet in the New Year and can assure you, that at 36 years old, I wouldn't dream of throwing a sandwich at anyone! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
I have twelve years cabin service/dispatch experience with British Midland, Airtours and British Airways. Following the big heave-ho from the latter, I am now looking forward to serving easyJet in the New Year and can assure you, that at 36 years old, I wouldn't dream of throwing a sandwich at anyone! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
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Caulfield, [quote] "What a shame that would be...all of us,Brits and unsuspecting transit passengers who might be visiting Britain for the first time,being herded onto these orange fat alberts by people with little or no grace and manners..being snapped at by teenage cabin crew and thrown a cheese and ham sandwich..all of us being thrown into this orange melting pot of proletarian mediocrity."
I'm glad you are so informed as to the quality of our (cabin) crews, more so then our company. Maybe you'd like to join our Orange company and start off as head of recruitment? What's more worrying then your opinion about our crews, is that people like you dare to write the above, downgrading people just because they work for easyJet, the low cost carrier! Can I ask you if you've ever flown on one of our (new) aircraft recently and enjoyed the comfort of a quiet cabin being served on the press of the call-button when required? Or are your opinions based on rumouirs rather than facts? In which case I cannot wait to hear what you've heard about us pilots...
(As a lady in row 1 was very scared recently to see the captain come out the flightdeck go to the toilet. After she buckled in and grabbed her belongings tightly, the captain asked her what the problem was. Her reply was short and to the point, "Surely easyJet can't afford two pilots in there!")
[ 23 December 2001: Message edited by: Skyjob ]</p>
I'm glad you are so informed as to the quality of our (cabin) crews, more so then our company. Maybe you'd like to join our Orange company and start off as head of recruitment? What's more worrying then your opinion about our crews, is that people like you dare to write the above, downgrading people just because they work for easyJet, the low cost carrier! Can I ask you if you've ever flown on one of our (new) aircraft recently and enjoyed the comfort of a quiet cabin being served on the press of the call-button when required? Or are your opinions based on rumouirs rather than facts? In which case I cannot wait to hear what you've heard about us pilots...
(As a lady in row 1 was very scared recently to see the captain come out the flightdeck go to the toilet. After she buckled in and grabbed her belongings tightly, the captain asked her what the problem was. Her reply was short and to the point, "Surely easyJet can't afford two pilots in there!")
[ 23 December 2001: Message edited by: Skyjob ]</p>
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Caulfield and Rockon Tommy are just sad sad people. Haven't seen any teenage cabin crew in ezy and many pilots have come from what these 2 warped individuals would describe as 'real airlines', therefore one wonders how they suddenly lost their manners and good grace when they moved jobs.
If you want to talk about bad manners and poor grace - look at yourselves
If you want to talk about bad manners and poor grace - look at yourselves
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Hey AndyL, have you managed to trim-down that promo-video yet ? <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
That said, (imho) it'd make great 'streaming media' and perhaps you should ask the eJ IT/Systems folks to put it up on the eJ web - seriously.
Ps. I was seated in row 2 at the conference, and I too also remember AE with much fondness.
That said, (imho) it'd make great 'streaming media' and perhaps you should ask the eJ IT/Systems folks to put it up on the eJ web - seriously.
Ps. I was seated in row 2 at the conference, and I too also remember AE with much fondness.