Monarch T & C's
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Would do but not much use as on the 20th of the month we get them and the only thing that is stable are the allocated days off. The rest, the company think they own you 24/6 and roster disruption rules. Most days/nights are 2 sectors (2:30 - 5:00 hr sectors) with quite a few taxi rides after a duty to get you back to base.
Be prepared to bet very flexible with life from work.
Be prepared to bet very flexible with life from work.

Possibly, although an early Preveza followed by an early TFS followed night Dalaman with a 2350 report..off duty at 1030 the next day is a killer, yet is typical of certain roster times.

Join Date: Jan 2007
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I have searched around and there doesn't appear to be a definitive answer regatding the typical roster for scheduled Monarch flight crew, particularily on the A320.
Would anybody be able to advise?
Many thanks,
WTFH
Would anybody be able to advise?
Many thanks,
WTFH

Join Date: Jun 2004
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WTtH
That may well be due to the fact that rosters in Monarch are quite simply not worth the paper they're written on.The only thing that's recognised is your day off but forget the rest ladies and gents.
Monarchs archilles heel is it's lack of roster stability and was the fundamental reason for my resignation almost 4 years ago. Things haven't changed since then and i'd srongly advise anyone who values their social and family life to think very long and hard before applying. I'd been there over 9 years and as a Captain with an excellent final salary, it was undoubtedly a tough decision but one which I don't regret for one minute. I miss some of the flying and certainly most of my colleagues ( on both sides of the door!), but not for one minute do I miss the severe dicking I got from roster changes. 27 plot changes in one month was my record. 3 in one month was the best achieved and that was with 2 weeks leave! Some people can live with it but for others like me it simply wears you down.
The Company were never prepared to change and BALPA, or should I say the Company Council, weren't prepared to fight it either. When Britannia( Thomsonfly) incorporated it 6-7 years ago, it was well received by pilots AND crew control. Their CC fought for it and it grieved me greatly that ours didn't and haven't since. The number of 'shots across their bows' that were threatened against the Company from the CC was laughable. I always believed there were some on that Council who were there ,not for us, but to further themselves and so true it came to be!
As a comparison, in the almost 4 years i've been with my new Company, i've had a total of 4 changes to my roster. 2 actual changes, 1 cancellation due training and 1 voluntary change that I requested through a trip swop.
Quality of life is something some people might describe as priceless. I'm one of them. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!
Regards
BYMONEK
That may well be due to the fact that rosters in Monarch are quite simply not worth the paper they're written on.The only thing that's recognised is your day off but forget the rest ladies and gents.
Monarchs archilles heel is it's lack of roster stability and was the fundamental reason for my resignation almost 4 years ago. Things haven't changed since then and i'd srongly advise anyone who values their social and family life to think very long and hard before applying. I'd been there over 9 years and as a Captain with an excellent final salary, it was undoubtedly a tough decision but one which I don't regret for one minute. I miss some of the flying and certainly most of my colleagues ( on both sides of the door!), but not for one minute do I miss the severe dicking I got from roster changes. 27 plot changes in one month was my record. 3 in one month was the best achieved and that was with 2 weeks leave! Some people can live with it but for others like me it simply wears you down.
The Company were never prepared to change and BALPA, or should I say the Company Council, weren't prepared to fight it either. When Britannia( Thomsonfly) incorporated it 6-7 years ago, it was well received by pilots AND crew control. Their CC fought for it and it grieved me greatly that ours didn't and haven't since. The number of 'shots across their bows' that were threatened against the Company from the CC was laughable. I always believed there were some on that Council who were there ,not for us, but to further themselves and so true it came to be!
As a comparison, in the almost 4 years i've been with my new Company, i've had a total of 4 changes to my roster. 2 actual changes, 1 cancellation due training and 1 voluntary change that I requested through a trip swop.
Quality of life is something some people might describe as priceless. I'm one of them. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!
Regards
BYMONEK

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I'm certainly not saying Monarch rostering is great...its not, but I only had 2 plot changes in Jan, one swapping a stby for a flight and one changing flight destinations. 1xstby becoming a flight so far this month.
As far as BALPA goes I believe that the current CC have done a pretty good job in testing conditions...we wait for the outcome of this years pay negotiations before making a final judgement.
In answer to your question Foxy there is a wide variation in the 'standard' minibus roster depending on basing and season. What base do you have in mind?
As far as BALPA goes I believe that the current CC have done a pretty good job in testing conditions...we wait for the outcome of this years pay negotiations before making a final judgement.
In answer to your question Foxy there is a wide variation in the 'standard' minibus roster depending on basing and season. What base do you have in mind?

Join Date: Sep 2003
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WTFH
I'm afraid what BYMONEK says is still true to this day. Most months I have roster changes in double figures, even in Winter when things are much quieter. It really does play havoc with arrangements particularly if you have kids and a wife / husband that also works.
As a general guide to your question though as an A320 F/O at LGW expect 15 to 20 flying days per month from May through to October. More than likely these will be a mix of early mornings, afternoons and nights. Often in Summer you may get two mornings, two afternoons and two nights, then 2 days off. That really is a killer fatigue-wise.
From November to April expect 9 or less flying days per month. All the remainder will be standbys or training days. You will not be rostered any extra days off even though there is no need to have so many people on standby. You will only get the minimum 8 days off in 28. Don't know what could expect at MAN, LTN or BHX, but I would guess busier all year round at MAN and similar to LGW at BHX and LTN.
People are currently leaving to BA and Virgin as one might expect, but also to easyJet and Aer Lingus and many have applied to Middle Eastern carriers, Cathay and Thomsonfly.
I'm afraid what BYMONEK says is still true to this day. Most months I have roster changes in double figures, even in Winter when things are much quieter. It really does play havoc with arrangements particularly if you have kids and a wife / husband that also works.
As a general guide to your question though as an A320 F/O at LGW expect 15 to 20 flying days per month from May through to October. More than likely these will be a mix of early mornings, afternoons and nights. Often in Summer you may get two mornings, two afternoons and two nights, then 2 days off. That really is a killer fatigue-wise.
From November to April expect 9 or less flying days per month. All the remainder will be standbys or training days. You will not be rostered any extra days off even though there is no need to have so many people on standby. You will only get the minimum 8 days off in 28. Don't know what could expect at MAN, LTN or BHX, but I would guess busier all year round at MAN and similar to LGW at BHX and LTN.
People are currently leaving to BA and Virgin as one might expect, but also to easyJet and Aer Lingus and many have applied to Middle Eastern carriers, Cathay and Thomsonfly.

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Many thanks for the replies, certainly doesn't paint Monarch as the company of choice to be working for it is a shame really. When are you due to hear anything regarding a new pay deal - any ideas
Spottyemm...I am asking particularily in regards to the LTN base, as Spinx suggested I would imagine it is pretty similar to LGW.
My impression is one of polar extremes, whereby some people seem to really enjoy Monarch while others suffer from poor rostering, etc. So surely to remain (attain) the rank of a choice employer and one people actually want to stick with, Monarch are going to have to review their T's&C's fairly quickly, especially if what ZeBedie says is true regarding the salary differential between EZY and Monarch how would they expect to remain competitive

Spottyemm...I am asking particularily in regards to the LTN base, as Spinx suggested I would imagine it is pretty similar to LGW.
My impression is one of polar extremes, whereby some people seem to really enjoy Monarch while others suffer from poor rostering, etc. So surely to remain (attain) the rank of a choice employer and one people actually want to stick with, Monarch are going to have to review their T's&C's fairly quickly, especially if what ZeBedie says is true regarding the salary differential between EZY and Monarch how would they expect to remain competitive


Join Date: Sep 2005
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I worked for Monarch for two years out of MAN on the 320/21 and left in November last year for Easyjet and I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made. Apart from the great people I had the pleasure to work with there is not much else to miss. With easyjet I got my base of choice, more money and a very predictable roster. If I so desired I could work out my days off many months in advance - not something you could do with Monarch. Obviously you do many more short sectors with easy but that it about the only downside. Different companies do things different ways and nowhere is perfect but easy suits me down to the ground.
Best Regards,
Office Pest
Best Regards,
Office Pest

Its probably been said before, but to reiterate, there is a real split between MAN 320/321 drivers and say LTN/LGW crew. Actually come to think of it, its not really a split rather more of a different perspective.
MAN 320/321 guys......900hrs per year mostly Spain, and too many back to back night Tenerife's
Everywhere else.....not as many hours, a bit more variety, and it appears, a little less roster disruption.
The pay claim is progressing, recently a survey has been carried out by an impartial agency to gauge the level and depth of frustration at the stagnating T & C's.
There seems to be an appetite to confront the current Ops director, and his "Zero Cost" policy, as well as the management hierarchy in general.
The demographics of the company are also changing, there are more junior pilot employees who have much more to gain, and a lot less to lose by taking direct industrial action, however there will be the usual cadre' of pilots who for their own reasons will never act industrially, but their numbers are reducing rapidly.
I'll predict that around 90% of BALPA members will vote for industrial action if the company doesn't stop taking the P$ss on T & C's
MAN 320/321 guys......900hrs per year mostly Spain, and too many back to back night Tenerife's
Everywhere else.....not as many hours, a bit more variety, and it appears, a little less roster disruption.
The pay claim is progressing, recently a survey has been carried out by an impartial agency to gauge the level and depth of frustration at the stagnating T & C's.
There seems to be an appetite to confront the current Ops director, and his "Zero Cost" policy, as well as the management hierarchy in general.
The demographics of the company are also changing, there are more junior pilot employees who have much more to gain, and a lot less to lose by taking direct industrial action, however there will be the usual cadre' of pilots who for their own reasons will never act industrially, but their numbers are reducing rapidly.
I'll predict that around 90% of BALPA members will vote for industrial action if the company doesn't stop taking the P$ss on T & C's

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"recently a survey has been carried out by an impartial agency to gauge the level and depth of frustration at the stagnating T & C's."
Monarch Man - Was this survey just for BALPA members or could none members take part too?
Monarch Man - Was this survey just for BALPA members or could none members take part too?

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Has all gone down the pan since the last Management change a few years ago, those of you thinking of joining - forget it -unless as is mostly the case now you have no hours and after a first job, then take the job, get the experience and leave, people are leaving and looking to leave in droves.
In the last couple of years experience levels in the company have become very low indeed for obvious reasons, terms and conditions are a joke and roster stability ??????? no..
Do yourself a favour.
In the last couple of years experience levels in the company have become very low indeed for obvious reasons, terms and conditions are a joke and roster stability ??????? no..
Do yourself a favour.

Has all gone down the pan since the last Management change a few years ago, those of you thinking of joining - forget it -unless as is mostly the case now you have no hours and after a first job, then take the job, get the experience and leave, people are leaving and looking to leave in droves.
In the last couple of years experience levels in the company have become very low indeed for obvious reasons, together with a commercial pressure to operate into some very unsuitable airfields.
Do yourself a favour.
In the last couple of years experience levels in the company have become very low indeed for obvious reasons, together with a commercial pressure to operate into some very unsuitable airfields.
Do yourself a favour.
RS, I trust you are reading this

