Thomas Cook Airlines

[mustang1]

I hear Thomas Cook may be recruiting shortly, anyone who flys for them care to divulge any info on the T&C's, rostering etc?

Am currently an F/O for a no frills airline and want to fly charter.

[phoenix son]

At least some of their eggs are in the "CTC basket"...Don't know how this affects non-CTC guys looking to be recruited?
Anyone care to comment?

PHX

[wheelbarrow]

I heard that we may take on up to 30 bods this winter. Fleet disposition depending of course.

[Localiser Green]

6 places already allocated to CTC cadets, the rest will be up for grabs, 20-30 places I heard since they lost a bunch to Branson Air

[LVL CHG]

Which aircraft would the cadets likely start in - the Airbus or the 757? What are the likely junior bases for newhires?

[clearfortheoption]

Hi Localiser green,

Do you know if the 6 places for the CTC cadets are allocated to the McAlpine or the ATP guys?

CFTO

[pilotatlast]

I've heard the junior bases that will be up for grabs are LGW and Man on the 757.

[LVL CHG]

I know that summer schedules can be ridiculous vs. a very light winter season. What are schedules "typically" like in terms of days on and days off - 5/2, 4/3, etc.? What about red-eye flights - how many per month on average?

[expedite_climb]

No fixed roster pattern, as a/c tend to do 3 rotations on weekends and less in the week, so more work sat / sun. You are guarunteed 8 DO's a month, in pairs, but as there is also a min on 104 DO's a year you occaisionaly get more than 8.

They claim to 'balance' weekends off / and night flights. Expect at least 4 nights a month, maybe more.

Winters are busier than they used to be, particualy gatters which has a lot of skiing. The company is keen for people to have the winter off and offer things like half paid leave over the winter, as well as actively finding temp contracts for crews over the winter.

Things are not fantastic in the company, but could be a lot worse. BALPA are doing a great job, and I think things can only get better. If I had the choice of all the airlines in the country TCX would be 4th best I reckon - so that isnt bad !

[Ropey Pilot]

expedite,

just out of interest who would you place 1st, 2nd and 3rd?

[expedite_climb]

BA & Virgin (you can argue which is first) then Brits. That said, I wouldnt jump ship from TCX to Brits....

[Localiser Green]

BA & Virgin (you can argue which is first) then Brits. That said, I wouldnt jump ship from TCX to Brits....

How come guys jump ship from Britannia to easy if they have it so good? Just for a quicker command?

[expedite_climb]

Localiser - Brits working agreement is well known to be one of the best in the industry. The BALPA force is very strong, so I guess yes it must be for a command....