Good things about easyJet
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Good things about easyJet
Hi,
I have just been accepted onto the ctcmcalpine sponsorship scheme. Throughout the selection process I heard a few guys mention pprune, so here I am reading it.
I do not know what airline I will end up flying for, but the most likely possibility is easyjet. However it could also be ThomasCook or another airline. I will not find out until I have been allocated to a course, but as I said my money is on easyJet.
With this is mind I starting reading threads on easyJet and was obviously left very depressed afterwards. I am under no illusions that life as an airline pilot isnt all pretty air hostesses and champagne fuelled stop overs but I never realised that I was letting myself in for a life of tiredness and sheer misery as it seems from these forums.
Are there any good points to being an easyJet pilot?
I have just been accepted onto the ctcmcalpine sponsorship scheme. Throughout the selection process I heard a few guys mention pprune, so here I am reading it.
I do not know what airline I will end up flying for, but the most likely possibility is easyjet. However it could also be ThomasCook or another airline. I will not find out until I have been allocated to a course, but as I said my money is on easyJet.
With this is mind I starting reading threads on easyJet and was obviously left very depressed afterwards. I am under no illusions that life as an airline pilot isnt all pretty air hostesses and champagne fuelled stop overs but I never realised that I was letting myself in for a life of tiredness and sheer misery as it seems from these forums.
Are there any good points to being an easyJet pilot?
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Firstly, good on you mate and congratulations. You have a wonderful opportunity ahead of you and there are many others out there who would love to be in your shoes.
Secondly, do not get too involved in worrying about something that may never happen. My advice would be to look forward to the training and not to care too much about the minority who rant about their experiences. Wait and see for yourself, Easyjet is a big company and sure they make work you hard but you're training is being subsidized and you'll be straight into the right hand seat of a jet. All careers at entry level involve serious hard work, aviation is no different.
Go out, get pi$$ed and cheer up, you lucky b@stard!
Secondly, do not get too involved in worrying about something that may never happen. My advice would be to look forward to the training and not to care too much about the minority who rant about their experiences. Wait and see for yourself, Easyjet is a big company and sure they make work you hard but you're training is being subsidized and you'll be straight into the right hand seat of a jet. All careers at entry level involve serious hard work, aviation is no different.
Go out, get pi$$ed and cheer up, you lucky b@stard!
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Great airplanes and thus great learning opportunities. You have the 737-300/700 and the A319. You will learn a lot more in a multi-segment day that you would flying long-haul.
Look at it as a learning experience. If you like it, and many do, then you can stay. If not, you can find another gig later on - but at least you will have a good experience.
This job is what you MAKE OF IT - attitude counts! Good luck and let us know which airline and aircraft you get...
Look at it as a learning experience. If you like it, and many do, then you can stay. If not, you can find another gig later on - but at least you will have a good experience.
This job is what you MAKE OF IT - attitude counts! Good luck and let us know which airline and aircraft you get...
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The good things about eJ are that you will get your hours up quickly and will have minimum time to a command, with any luck you will end up with both Boeing and Airbus type ratings. The money is good, the people are nice, the routes are varied. The company is profitable so your job security is pretty good.
You don't have to stay forever, but you should be snapped up by other airlines if you want to leave.
Another good thing about eJ is that it's not Ryanair! (so you don't have to bring you own water).
Anyway, you only wanted some good things, so I'll stop there.
Congratulations!
You don't have to stay forever, but you should be snapped up by other airlines if you want to leave.
Another good thing about eJ is that it's not Ryanair! (so you don't have to bring you own water).
Anyway, you only wanted some good things, so I'll stop there.
Congratulations!
Hi Fred,
Congrats mate, you're on your way to a very satisfying adventure.
I am relitively new at easyJet, having just completed 6 months. It's the fourth airline I've flown for in the last three years, so I think I can give you a fairly impartial view.
Firstly, don't be put off by the nay-sayers on PPRUNE. People with a beef will never hesitate to complain. Those with nothing to gripe about are usually too busy enjoying life to publicise it!
I think a lot of the ill-feeling in easy is left over from problems that have been largely resolved and are somewhat base specific.
One of the major gripes was roster stability. As a Liverpool based Captain, I have never had a more stable work pattern than now. Not once have I been asked to work on a day off, and the few schedule changes have been non-eventful and very infrequent.
We work long hours, flying near (Though, and again this may be specific to LPL, not THAT near) to max hours. However, as the majority of our flying happens in what would be considered "Normal" waking hours (earliest sign-on 0600 local, latest arrival 1:30am), it doesn't disrupt your sleep patterns that badley. London bases do have a few horror trips (night Athens seems to always get a mention) but, coming from charter flying where through-the-night trips were the norm, it's not bad at all.
My advise would be 1) Go for one of the smaller, non-London bases, and 2) When someone with a beef bitches to you, smile politely, than go fly your nice shiny jet.
The aircraft are nice, the routes are varied, and as a first job you are SO far ahead (You COULD be flying a Shed on night freight, or a C206 in the Aussie bush!) it's not funny.
Enjoy.
Congrats mate, you're on your way to a very satisfying adventure.
I am relitively new at easyJet, having just completed 6 months. It's the fourth airline I've flown for in the last three years, so I think I can give you a fairly impartial view.
Firstly, don't be put off by the nay-sayers on PPRUNE. People with a beef will never hesitate to complain. Those with nothing to gripe about are usually too busy enjoying life to publicise it!
I think a lot of the ill-feeling in easy is left over from problems that have been largely resolved and are somewhat base specific.
One of the major gripes was roster stability. As a Liverpool based Captain, I have never had a more stable work pattern than now. Not once have I been asked to work on a day off, and the few schedule changes have been non-eventful and very infrequent.
We work long hours, flying near (Though, and again this may be specific to LPL, not THAT near) to max hours. However, as the majority of our flying happens in what would be considered "Normal" waking hours (earliest sign-on 0600 local, latest arrival 1:30am), it doesn't disrupt your sleep patterns that badley. London bases do have a few horror trips (night Athens seems to always get a mention) but, coming from charter flying where through-the-night trips were the norm, it's not bad at all.
My advise would be 1) Go for one of the smaller, non-London bases, and 2) When someone with a beef bitches to you, smile politely, than go fly your nice shiny jet.
The aircraft are nice, the routes are varied, and as a first job you are SO far ahead (You COULD be flying a Shed on night freight, or a C206 in the Aussie bush!) it's not funny.
Enjoy.
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Agree with the post above.
I'm only a lowly dispatcher, but the vast majority of crews I meet are a good bunch, and I don't see the same black bags under their eyes that I have under mine.
Yes they work hard, but no they aren't all clinically depressed as some might have you believe. It's no different to any other company in any other line of work in that there are a small number of moaners who try to make it unpleasant for everybody. Fortunately these appear to be very much in the minority, so I suspect you'll enjoy the vast majority of your trips.
I'm only a lowly dispatcher, but the vast majority of crews I meet are a good bunch, and I don't see the same black bags under their eyes that I have under mine.
Yes they work hard, but no they aren't all clinically depressed as some might have you believe. It's no different to any other company in any other line of work in that there are a small number of moaners who try to make it unpleasant for everybody. Fortunately these appear to be very much in the minority, so I suspect you'll enjoy the vast majority of your trips.
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Thing about this sponsorship scheme is that you have to stay with your chosen airline for seven years, as they pay your bond back to you over that period.
Im in the same boat. Out of interest how hard is it to get your first choice of base, given the seniority system? I really want to be based out of Glasgow, will this be possible first go?
Thanks
Im in the same boat. Out of interest how hard is it to get your first choice of base, given the seniority system? I really want to be based out of Glasgow, will this be possible first go?
Thanks
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FRED4000,
Congrats on your success so far
Can't add anything to this wrt easyjet specifically, but don't believe everything you read on Proon. It is a great resource but the fact that it is anonymous is both its greatest strength and weakness.
People tell you things that they would never dare to if their name had to be put to it - people also make things up (and some even pretend to be pilots and make entirely false statements, god knows why, it is an anonymous chatroom its not like you are propping up the bar and wowing women with tales of derring-do).
The other point is that a lot of people with an axe to grind do it here, while a lot of people who are pefectly happy don't say a thing (how many times have you written a letter to customer service saying their service was entirely adequate compared to the number you may have written to complain). This will skew opinions somewhat, generally towrds the negative.
As I said, well done - and onward and upward
RP
Congrats on your success so far
Can't add anything to this wrt easyjet specifically, but don't believe everything you read on Proon. It is a great resource but the fact that it is anonymous is both its greatest strength and weakness.
People tell you things that they would never dare to if their name had to be put to it - people also make things up (and some even pretend to be pilots and make entirely false statements, god knows why, it is an anonymous chatroom its not like you are propping up the bar and wowing women with tales of derring-do).
The other point is that a lot of people with an axe to grind do it here, while a lot of people who are pefectly happy don't say a thing (how many times have you written a letter to customer service saying their service was entirely adequate compared to the number you may have written to complain). This will skew opinions somewhat, generally towrds the negative.
As I said, well done - and onward and upward
RP
Mooney12,
If you are talking about easyJet, there is no seniority system. Base transfers are assigned in the order they are requested. With the growth of the airline, most are getting transfers of their choice in 6-12 months.
As to the sponsorship scheme, that's easily solved. Just pay for your own training...
If you are talking about easyJet, there is no seniority system. Base transfers are assigned in the order they are requested. With the growth of the airline, most are getting transfers of their choice in 6-12 months.
As to the sponsorship scheme, that's easily solved. Just pay for your own training...
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Excellent, that sounds good. Trust me Im delighted to get on this scheme and am not complaining one bit about the commitment it requires. Im just saying because a few people are saying to Fred that he can leave if he doesn't like it, well you can't. But yeah I would rather this than have to pay for all my training and not get a job. Its a fantastic opportunity, no doubts.
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Word of caution:
Wizofoz:
So thatīs where theyīre hiding all those nice and shiny jets..! In LPL! Havenīt seen any of them in LTN of STN lately. 
We only seem to get the īleft overī -300īs with APU inop, airstairs inop etc...
Wizofoz is right though, good airline to get high quality experience with. Go for it if you get the chance!
Problem with this is that the Base Tranfer list is not very transparent, i.e. not published on the EZY intranet, which leaves it subject to īchanges.ī Politics usually prevails over common sence, hence Wizofozīs advice: When someone with a beef bitches to you, smile politely, than go fly your nice shiny jet. Mind you, as you will most probaly be type frozen (they donīt tell you this during the interview!) it might be worth it trying to immediately get the base you are interested in. Example: if you end up as LTN based 737 rated, on the EDI waiting list and EDI changes to the A319 before you get there, then your name will most probably be taken off the base transfer list or you will be bonded yet again. (The procedure is not very clear what happens to type frozen people on the waiting list, when the desired base changes to Airbus)
When someone with a beef bitches to you, smile politely, than go fly your nice shiny jet.
As a Liverpool based Captain....
We only seem to get the īleft overī -300īs with APU inop, airstairs inop etc... Wizofoz is right though, good airline to get high quality experience with. Go for it if you get the chance!
Base transfers are assigned in the order they are requested.
Cousin,
Not sure, but I was under the impression that if your base changed to the 'bus, or you went to a new base that was being set up with the bus (e.g. Dortmund) you got the rating with no extention to the bond. I would say, however, that you are correct in saying that if you volentarily transfer to a base with a different type, you'd get the new bond on top of the old. Out of interest, are any CTC cadets going straight onto the 319?
(Of yeah, flew KF the other day. 250hrs on the clock. Lovely!!)
Not sure, but I was under the impression that if your base changed to the 'bus, or you went to a new base that was being set up with the bus (e.g. Dortmund) you got the rating with no extention to the bond. I would say, however, that you are correct in saying that if you volentarily transfer to a base with a different type, you'd get the new bond on top of the old. Out of interest, are any CTC cadets going straight onto the 319?
(Of yeah, flew KF the other day. 250hrs on the clock. Lovely!!)
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Life at easyJ
I'm a SFO for easy. Firstly, if you're so far from finishing your training don't be put off from rumours that could change next month!!!
I read a few other posts about interviews (such as the vast amount of BM pilots failing interviews at BA).....There was a huge proportion of BM guys who failed the sim ride at easy - when SOP's differ so vastly between companies you must remind yourself to go back to the highest standard you can during a sim assessment. Going from easy to other companies such as Virgin doesn't even require a sim ride!! The industry knows well trained pilots!!! I can say one thing about easy, they do maintain high standards and any pilot staying at easy for even a short while will be well trained and have a secure future.
Believing that life as an airline pilot is anything other than hard work these days will lead you into the wrong career. I urge anyone to find out what they are getting into. It's a well paid job and has a few benefits with the right company. The view from the office is great, and beats any 9-5 job!
I read a few other posts about interviews (such as the vast amount of BM pilots failing interviews at BA).....There was a huge proportion of BM guys who failed the sim ride at easy - when SOP's differ so vastly between companies you must remind yourself to go back to the highest standard you can during a sim assessment. Going from easy to other companies such as Virgin doesn't even require a sim ride!! The industry knows well trained pilots!!! I can say one thing about easy, they do maintain high standards and any pilot staying at easy for even a short while will be well trained and have a secure future.
Believing that life as an airline pilot is anything other than hard work these days will lead you into the wrong career. I urge anyone to find out what they are getting into. It's a well paid job and has a few benefits with the right company. The view from the office is great, and beats any 9-5 job!
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For newhires who bid the 737 (or are awarded it) for the London-area airports, do you bid a particular airport like LGW, Stansted or Luton? With the 300s operating from Stansted and the 700s operating from Luton and LGW (perhaps some 300s at LGW as well), wouldn't you want to bid Luton for the more advanced 700?
Are the Airbuses going to a particular London airport for now or are all three airports getting Airbuses and allowing those based pilots to transition into them? Or, if you absolutely want to fly an Airbus now, should you bid a particular London-area airport?
I think you will work hard at Easy, but it will be a great experience.
Cheers
Are the Airbuses going to a particular London airport for now or are all three airports getting Airbuses and allowing those based pilots to transition into them? Or, if you absolutely want to fly an Airbus now, should you bid a particular London-area airport?
I think you will work hard at Easy, but it will be a great experience.
Cheers
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atrpilot,
Are you saying ezy pilots are better trained than BM pilots? Are ezy renound in the industry for high pilot standards?
I heard, IM sure its rubbish, that Ryanair pilots have a bad reputation.
Are you saying ezy pilots are better trained than BM pilots? Are ezy renound in the industry for high pilot standards?
I heard, IM sure its rubbish, that Ryanair pilots have a bad reputation.
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Hi LVL CHG,
Bit of a mix for LTN and STN as far as -300īs and -700īs are concerned. Especially LTN gets a lot of old knackered -300īs lately, driving down the On Time Performance. STN always had old and knackered -300īs and recently got some -700īs.
LGW is Airbus only for new joiners as far as Iīm aware. The same for new bases on the main land EU: all Airbus.
There are rumours floating around about a UK base changing itīs Boeings for Airbusses, but I havenīt got the faintest idea which base might be the lucky one.
Then there are more rumours about another EU base being announced this month. Who knows... Maybe Basel...or Malaga.....or Nice...
Things (including your roster) change very often and very quickly at EZY.
Good experience and high level of training, an excellent start for your career.
Good luck!
Bit of a mix for LTN and STN as far as -300īs and -700īs are concerned. Especially LTN gets a lot of old knackered -300īs lately, driving down the On Time Performance. STN always had old and knackered -300īs and recently got some -700īs.
LGW is Airbus only for new joiners as far as Iīm aware. The same for new bases on the main land EU: all Airbus.
There are rumours floating around about a UK base changing itīs Boeings for Airbusses, but I havenīt got the faintest idea which base might be the lucky one.
Then there are more rumours about another EU base being announced this month. Who knows... Maybe Basel...or Malaga.....or Nice...
Things (including your roster) change very often and very quickly at EZY.
Good experience and high level of training, an excellent start for your career.
Good luck!
