Swiss RJ Contract Skippers
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Swiss RJ Contract Skippers
Hi all...
I am looking into the pros and cons of joining Swiss as a contractor on their RJ fleet and would be grateful for a insight into what the RJ fleet is like to work on? What is morale like... perhaps not that great according to the other posts that I have seen or are they misleading? I am aware that Ts & Cs will be different for a contractor but a insight into a typical roster would be helpful? I presume standbys are few and far between since they are so short of crews?
Finally how are contractors regarded and treated by fellow crew? Having a foreigner amongst Swiss nationals must be hard work at times but could I expect a warm welcome or a cold shoulder from the other crews?
Any info would be appreciated.
I am looking into the pros and cons of joining Swiss as a contractor on their RJ fleet and would be grateful for a insight into what the RJ fleet is like to work on? What is morale like... perhaps not that great according to the other posts that I have seen or are they misleading? I am aware that Ts & Cs will be different for a contractor but a insight into a typical roster would be helpful? I presume standbys are few and far between since they are so short of crews?
Finally how are contractors regarded and treated by fellow crew? Having a foreigner amongst Swiss nationals must be hard work at times but could I expect a warm welcome or a cold shoulder from the other crews?
Any info would be appreciated.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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The mood hasn't been great the last years, but now they see a future and most of them are looking forward to the Embraers. Moral within the crews was always excellent, very family-like. You as a contractor might get more problems because you stand in front of an upgrader, but still you will be welcomed.
Former Crx pilots are a happy bunch and never had anything against foreigners.
Dani
Former Crx pilots are a happy bunch and never had anything against foreigners.
Dani
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Well, it's still on rumours level, but LH has ordered a bunch of them, and it's very likely that at least some of them are going to SWU. The first E190/195 will arrive 2009/2010 (to LH in general).
Big stepping stone would also be the LCY certification (of the E170/175). If that won't work, Embraers will most likely never make their way to Switzerland. One could think of outsourcing the Avro city pairs but also that is not very likely.
Thanks, F4F (whoever you are <grin>), I just started the technical refresher!
Dani
Big stepping stone would also be the LCY certification (of the E170/175). If that won't work, Embraers will most likely never make their way to Switzerland. One could think of outsourcing the Avro city pairs but also that is not very likely.
Thanks, F4F (whoever you are <grin>), I just started the technical refresher!
Dani
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Well Majulah, the whole situation doesn't look soo rosy to me. And many others.
As far as I've read (on PPRUNE amongst others
) outta 19 Avros SWU has, only 14 are being operated... due to lack of pilots. And there are still more leaving the soo fantastic SWU 
And why?
1) Because all pilots that were able to find a job elsewhere did!
2) Because the T&Cs offered in the toy dept are not attractive, but to the die hard wanabee
3) Because the move ARJ-Bus is a myth (yeah, 10 at the moment... let them finish the TR... remember the last similar shooting?)
4) Because an IPG/AP merge is another myth. It might happen, but working conditions won't be the same. Not as long as there are 2 different companies.
5) Because the rostering tool is crap and crew control ever so friendly
A total ineptitude, or is it lack of interest for this sector, of the company. Using this fuel guzzling dinosaur might be justified for the LCY sector, but for the rest of the network?
And what about all these other gorgeous companies such as Tampax, Hellectic, Flythemonkey, Evolution etc flying ACMI for SWU, a good sign?
Oops, forgot, pilots flying for those outfits have conditions even worse. We'll soon be back to slaving
All well really, but I for one will not work for u, thanks
live 2 fly 2 live
As far as I've read (on PPRUNE amongst others
) outta 19 Avros SWU has, only 14 are being operated... due to lack of pilots. And there are still more leaving the soo fantastic SWU And why?
1) Because all pilots that were able to find a job elsewhere did!
2) Because the T&Cs offered in the toy dept are not attractive, but to the die hard wanabee
3) Because the move ARJ-Bus is a myth (yeah, 10 at the moment... let them finish the TR... remember the last similar shooting?)
4) Because an IPG/AP merge is another myth. It might happen, but working conditions won't be the same. Not as long as there are 2 different companies.
5) Because the rostering tool is crap and crew control ever so friendly
Avros phased out starting 2010/11
And what about all these other gorgeous companies such as Tampax, Hellectic, Flythemonkey, Evolution etc flying ACMI for SWU, a good sign?
Oops, forgot, pilots flying for those outfits have conditions even worse. We'll soon be back to slaving
All well really, but I for one will not work for u, thanks
live 2 fly 2 live
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Having gently moved away from the point (this is Pprune after all), Mister Geezer asked a pertinent question that no-one has actually answered!
To my knowledge, Swiss European are NOT taking any CONTRACT Captains on at all.
However if they were, the treatment of the contract pilots by the Swiss pilots (and Cabin crew) would no doubt be fair.
Swiss European have had a number of CONTRACT First Officers from the beginning of the year, a couple of whom are good friends of mine, who are still there. They have been extremely well treated by the directly employed crews, and have felt very welcomed, despite all the problems between pilots and company.
All may not be rosy at Swiss (where is actually?), but the Swiss crew have been nothing but nice about it. Most of the time it is the behaviour of the Contractor that governs how well they are received.
A lot of people criticise the Swiss as being cold. However, I am English and have lived here for 4 years, and actually find them very warm, amusing and accommodating. If you make the effort to follow their 'codes of conduct', you have no problems at all!
The old guard at Swissair were difficult (but think BA, Air France, Lufthansa...do I need to go on!!), but most of the current crew simply want to do a job, be paid fairly for it and get on with their lives like everyone else.
Therefore, Mister Geezer, if the opportunity comes up, give it a go, and see what happens. Pilots are people after all, and they are either nice or not, and that does not change the world over!
Just my thoughts.
BD
To my knowledge, Swiss European are NOT taking any CONTRACT Captains on at all.
However if they were, the treatment of the contract pilots by the Swiss pilots (and Cabin crew) would no doubt be fair.
Swiss European have had a number of CONTRACT First Officers from the beginning of the year, a couple of whom are good friends of mine, who are still there. They have been extremely well treated by the directly employed crews, and have felt very welcomed, despite all the problems between pilots and company.
All may not be rosy at Swiss (where is actually?), but the Swiss crew have been nothing but nice about it. Most of the time it is the behaviour of the Contractor that governs how well they are received.
A lot of people criticise the Swiss as being cold. However, I am English and have lived here for 4 years, and actually find them very warm, amusing and accommodating. If you make the effort to follow their 'codes of conduct', you have no problems at all!
The old guard at Swissair were difficult (but think BA, Air France, Lufthansa...do I need to go on!!), but most of the current crew simply want to do a job, be paid fairly for it and get on with their lives like everyone else.
Therefore, Mister Geezer, if the opportunity comes up, give it a go, and see what happens. Pilots are people after all, and they are either nice or not, and that does not change the world over!
Just my thoughts.
BD
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Very good post, BD, exactly how I see it.
I'm not sure if there are no contract CMD in SWU at the moment. Maybe they didn't find anyone on the open market. Please give PAS Aviation a call, they can tell you. I'm pretty sure they take anyone they can get hold of.
Dani
I'm not sure if there are no contract CMD in SWU at the moment. Maybe they didn't find anyone on the open market. Please give PAS Aviation a call, they can tell you. I'm pretty sure they take anyone they can get hold of.
Dani
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Yes its only for FO, because they have enough downgraded Captains.
As a foreigner in Switzerland be careful..........
I left SWU like thousand others,and i think everday ,why didnt leave earlier.
The Embraer will never come.and the moral was never lower than now.
Good luck
TA
As a foreigner in Switzerland be careful..........
I left SWU like thousand others,and i think everday ,why didnt leave earlier.
The Embraer will never come.and the moral was never lower than now.
Good luck
TA
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Very good for you Majulah, so keep on enjoying it,but i mean what i was saying, and the Captains at SWU are not RHS they are FO with lower salary, but they might go back left sooner or later , not while they expanding but due to lack of crew.
So enjoy it
So enjoy it
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Majulah
well well, reading your different comments I don't really think that you know what you are talking about...
Either you work for the management, recruitment, or are wearing dark rosy tinted shades
live 2 fly 2 live
a good experience i'd say
Either you work for the management, recruitment, or are wearing dark rosy tinted shades
live 2 fly 2 live
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Well, I know personally all of you here discussing the topic hotly, and I know that everyone is correct, in his way. There is a foreigner, left Swissair Group after the bancrupty, happy. Then there is someone left Swiss just recently, but remained more or less in the country, also very happy. Then there is someone young worked on turboprops before and got a jet job in Swiss and reasonable hope for an Airbus cockpit in the future, also happy. It all has to do with your background. The young generation is slowly getting in, forgetting all the dirty tricks they played on the older ones. As long as economy is running and Swiss is making profits, there is happyness around. I do not doubt at all that Swiss will continue to grow, as it has comparative advantages to its mother airline.
Coming back to the original topic: Yes, Swiss is a good thing for a foreigner and you will not face any major problem.
Dani
[not working for Swiss anymore, also not management]
Coming back to the original topic: Yes, Swiss is a good thing for a foreigner and you will not face any major problem.
Dani
[not working for Swiss anymore, also not management]
