easyJet buys GB Airways
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This has been on the cards for months if not years. I reckon that most GB flight crew will welcome the fact that their futures are now certain with a forward thinking and progressive company that knows its market and is actually making a profit. For F/O's (unless idiots and there are only a couple in GB) they can virtually guarantee their commands within the next few years - maybe months for some of the more senior guys!
Some will be uncertain - especially the LHR guys, but Luton isn't that far away. Yes there are issues but i firmly believe that these can be sensibly dealt with by the two Company Councils - or preferably representatives from BALPA and the IPA so that the whole pilot workforce is represented.
What i want to know is what JG is going to do with the cash? There have been rumours about another GB airways starting in Gib flying to Madrid and Barcelona, as well as into Tangier and Casabanca et al AND Gib - LHR - i.e. where the company started.
Will Easy be flying to Gib?? I doubt it - why bother when AGP is just down the road and Gibair (that new company that mysteriously appeared a few months ago) will charge a fortune for services etc.
As for Mr KH - well we have all been naive; in hindsight he was obviously brought in to slash costs and prepare the business for sale, we've been shafted and we all helped him do it because we bought into the 'family run' bull****e!
Hello Easy, i for one, am looking forward to working for a company that knows where its going, in fact with only a few years before i have to finally retire i might even be able to lend my long haul expertise on the A33/35's easy might buy to screw BA (and others) on their prime long haul markets. Easy and Gatwick are now superbly placed to compete with that hell hole of LHR.
The future is shining bright, where do i sign?
Some will be uncertain - especially the LHR guys, but Luton isn't that far away. Yes there are issues but i firmly believe that these can be sensibly dealt with by the two Company Councils - or preferably representatives from BALPA and the IPA so that the whole pilot workforce is represented.
What i want to know is what JG is going to do with the cash? There have been rumours about another GB airways starting in Gib flying to Madrid and Barcelona, as well as into Tangier and Casabanca et al AND Gib - LHR - i.e. where the company started.
Will Easy be flying to Gib?? I doubt it - why bother when AGP is just down the road and Gibair (that new company that mysteriously appeared a few months ago) will charge a fortune for services etc.
As for Mr KH - well we have all been naive; in hindsight he was obviously brought in to slash costs and prepare the business for sale, we've been shafted and we all helped him do it because we bought into the 'family run' bull****e!
Hello Easy, i for one, am looking forward to working for a company that knows where its going, in fact with only a few years before i have to finally retire i might even be able to lend my long haul expertise on the A33/35's easy might buy to screw BA (and others) on their prime long haul markets. Easy and Gatwick are now superbly placed to compete with that hell hole of LHR.
The future is shining bright, where do i sign?
The fact is that both GB & Easyjet are friendly airlines to work for. This will be no doubt a shock to our colleagues at GB, and I am sure there are so many questions whirling around that it will be difficult to be completely positive about todays events. Once things have settled down and questions answered I am sure it will be easier for everyone involved.
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Isnt life in the airline industry weird, how many people within Eazy or GB realise that when Eazy started,it operated two GBairways 737-200 a/c wet lease including cabin crew, out of Luton to Glasgow .
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I would like too add my welcome to our new GB colleagues. Once upon a time I used to meader up and down to the Canaries too. EZY is certainly different to that but I have to say it does have plenty going for it. I would adivise you to try it out first before making your minds up but I do understand that being subject to a takeover isn't pleasant.
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i know this discussion is mainly about the crew, but what about the PAX? what are EZY planning to do with GB?
Surely they are not just going to take over the routes lock stock and barrel?
As good as EZY maybe I can't see their model working on a SSH or PFO or TFS. 5 1/2 hours with no food, no IFE and no premium class? it'll be just another alsoran in an allready crowded market. I'm flying (as a PAX) to SSH with GB next month on diving hols, and the reason I chose BA / GB is because they are a cut above the rest, give me free baggage allowance for my scuba gear and a generous hand baggage allowance, as well as providing amply for the kids. If I wanted 'low cost' I could have chosen from any number of flights, but I paid a few quid extra for BA (and it was only a few quid aswell).
You cannot do 20min turnarounds in Egypt, and FCLs limit the number of cycles you can do to those areas anyway.
Or are they just buying the crews and the slots and just fitting them into their current route map?
Surely they are not just going to take over the routes lock stock and barrel?
As good as EZY maybe I can't see their model working on a SSH or PFO or TFS. 5 1/2 hours with no food, no IFE and no premium class? it'll be just another alsoran in an allready crowded market. I'm flying (as a PAX) to SSH with GB next month on diving hols, and the reason I chose BA / GB is because they are a cut above the rest, give me free baggage allowance for my scuba gear and a generous hand baggage allowance, as well as providing amply for the kids. If I wanted 'low cost' I could have chosen from any number of flights, but I paid a few quid extra for BA (and it was only a few quid aswell).
You cannot do 20min turnarounds in Egypt, and FCLs limit the number of cycles you can do to those areas anyway.
Or are they just buying the crews and the slots and just fitting them into their current route map?
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757 driver,i suggest you take a trip in comfort to greneda/barbados..an extra 2 hours than sharm,2 bags per passenger allowance and decent diving when you get there.....taking a locost flight over 2 hours is absolute misery.no way to start or finish a well deserved break from the daily grind.
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I'd also like to extend my welcome to all the folks from GB, I have worked for Easyjet for just under 2 years now and in that time I've seen a huge improvement in working conditions. It's far from the company it was when it bought over GO.
Sure there are things which could do with being improved ......is that not the case with any airline though.
For me the reason that I don't intend to work anywhere else is that it's a regional airline as well as being international, I get home every night and didn't have to move to the other side of the country to get a job, yes the days are quite long but I know that after my 5 lates I get 4 days off and 3 off after 5 earlies and that's written in stone so I can plan things well in advance. I get to fly one of the most modern fleets in the industry, the people I work with are great and generally very upbeat, the company is very profitable so i don't need to worry about my future employment which is what most of us need when we've got kids and a mortgage, the standards at Easyjet are second to none. The salary is better than most.
During July I did 57 block hours, August 78 block hours, Sept 58 block hours, I reckon I'll do around 700 hours this year and don't feel that i've been run into the ground.
We have strong union representation who have done a lot for us recently and hopefully will continue to do so, like i said everything is not perfect but I'm very happy where i am as are most of the crew working for Easyjet, for those of you who don't intend to stay good luck where ever you end up, for those that do don't believe all you read on pprune you could be in a far worse place.
Regards
Sure there are things which could do with being improved ......is that not the case with any airline though.
For me the reason that I don't intend to work anywhere else is that it's a regional airline as well as being international, I get home every night and didn't have to move to the other side of the country to get a job, yes the days are quite long but I know that after my 5 lates I get 4 days off and 3 off after 5 earlies and that's written in stone so I can plan things well in advance. I get to fly one of the most modern fleets in the industry, the people I work with are great and generally very upbeat, the company is very profitable so i don't need to worry about my future employment which is what most of us need when we've got kids and a mortgage, the standards at Easyjet are second to none. The salary is better than most.
During July I did 57 block hours, August 78 block hours, Sept 58 block hours, I reckon I'll do around 700 hours this year and don't feel that i've been run into the ground.
We have strong union representation who have done a lot for us recently and hopefully will continue to do so, like i said everything is not perfect but I'm very happy where i am as are most of the crew working for Easyjet, for those of you who don't intend to stay good luck where ever you end up, for those that do don't believe all you read on pprune you could be in a far worse place.
Regards
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i know that - thats why I think that GB currently have a good product, and EZY won't fit into that market. Fortunately I'm flying next month, before anything is due to change.
(P.S I prefer Red Sea and Far east diving to the caribbean.)
(P.S I prefer Red Sea and Far east diving to the caribbean.)
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On the topic of 4 hour plus flights and the importance of ife.
I'm sorry but I've flown as a pax on these. It's fine, ever heard of a book and buying a hot or cold snack. I get the impression you guys haven't sampled the product thats taking your jobs. Time you did...
I'm sorry but I've flown as a pax on these. It's fine, ever heard of a book and buying a hot or cold snack. I get the impression you guys haven't sampled the product thats taking your jobs. Time you did...
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Just to add my welcome to any GB crew that join us at the land of easy. I am fairly new to easy i have to say i have been really impressed so far. The crew are all really friendly and make you feel at ease straight away. And as for all this orange, believe it or not our planes arn't all orange- infact not much at all - and you should check out our new uniform.. most people probably wouldnt recognise us!
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Tinytim
re your comment:
Speaking as one who happily worked for FLYBE for several years, with friendly colleagues, I have met plenty of amiable ex BACON crews.
I am glad that the likes of you bailed out. I wish the GB crews good luck during the take-over and hope they don't meet too many types with your attitude in EJ.
re your comment:
Speaking as someone who was sold by BA to the nasty little operator FLYBE and quickly bailed out
I am glad that the likes of you bailed out. I wish the GB crews good luck during the take-over and hope they don't meet too many types with your attitude in EJ.
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I would also like to welcome all from GB to easyJet and hope you enjoy it as much I do.
one question though ……… Will it be the case “ALL” crew trained on A320/21, will from April onwards remain on these aircraft and fly the same destinations as they did under the BA umbrella, but with new call signs, Orange paint and easyJet uniforms (very nice now) as that would make perfect sense as they are doing it now very well (it isn’t broke don’t try and fix it) ohh and keep the same roster.
Perfect…
one question though ……… Will it be the case “ALL” crew trained on A320/21, will from April onwards remain on these aircraft and fly the same destinations as they did under the BA umbrella, but with new call signs, Orange paint and easyJet uniforms (very nice now) as that would make perfect sense as they are doing it now very well (it isn’t broke don’t try and fix it) ohh and keep the same roster.
Perfect…
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Looks like Hapzim was right back in February then.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=263698
thanks for the reminder Flying Tom
All one of my other posts from a private forum in june 05, I think uncle Dickie at Virgin was looking in, apology for giving a slight thread creep.
Just to reconfirm ????????? point, it is take off to land that is recorded in the tech log and is factored into the operating cost of airframe and engines. Time spent at the hold points awaiting stands to become free does not. BA lose heaps with their landing slot policy by sitting in the BIG hold as no point in landing as our ramp slot is at X time. Keeps engineering in profit though. Plus fuel burn in the air is far greater and think of those CO2 emissions. The next big tax on aviation.
Soon be tugged to holding point and given engine start as one ahead lines up. That will affect the logbook hours. Get far more flights in our 90 hours per month (30 mins per flight block time, 20 days work = 10 hours more time in the air per month )
reading my post above I will have to become a bean counter and award myself a big pay rise/bonus and a pat on the back.
Hapzim
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=263698
thanks for the reminder Flying Tom
All one of my other posts from a private forum in june 05, I think uncle Dickie at Virgin was looking in, apology for giving a slight thread creep.
Just to reconfirm ????????? point, it is take off to land that is recorded in the tech log and is factored into the operating cost of airframe and engines. Time spent at the hold points awaiting stands to become free does not. BA lose heaps with their landing slot policy by sitting in the BIG hold as no point in landing as our ramp slot is at X time. Keeps engineering in profit though. Plus fuel burn in the air is far greater and think of those CO2 emissions. The next big tax on aviation.
Soon be tugged to holding point and given engine start as one ahead lines up. That will affect the logbook hours. Get far more flights in our 90 hours per month (30 mins per flight block time, 20 days work = 10 hours more time in the air per month )
reading my post above I will have to become a bean counter and award myself a big pay rise/bonus and a pat on the back.
Hapzim
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wow wow wow
It's a little premature to be welcoming us GB peep's yet surely.
The sale is not expected to be completed until 31st Jan 2008.....
A nice chap from Easy Jet explained to some GB employee's today that there will be a period, when those in the GB workforce that are retained will be working for Easyjet under TUPE, and it is hoped all terms and condition's would be agreed and harmonised after 'about' six months.
So lets get this right, I am on year 15 on almost £100,000.00, I fly a maximum of 775 hours a year, bollstered by overtime (another £2/4K), 14.5% pension fund (SMART not included), staff travel IDs90s worldwide, uniform, better LOL, SLD protection with no CAP371 variations, seniority list protection, better death in service.
'I am supposed to be thankful that GB did not sell to an investment group rather than another airline, to protect my career', how considerate; thank you.
The smalled silver haired one has not yet collected his pot of gold.
Come on, let's get in on chaps, this is going to be fun.
The sale is not expected to be completed until 31st Jan 2008.....
A nice chap from Easy Jet explained to some GB employee's today that there will be a period, when those in the GB workforce that are retained will be working for Easyjet under TUPE, and it is hoped all terms and condition's would be agreed and harmonised after 'about' six months.
So lets get this right, I am on year 15 on almost £100,000.00, I fly a maximum of 775 hours a year, bollstered by overtime (another £2/4K), 14.5% pension fund (SMART not included), staff travel IDs90s worldwide, uniform, better LOL, SLD protection with no CAP371 variations, seniority list protection, better death in service.
'I am supposed to be thankful that GB did not sell to an investment group rather than another airline, to protect my career', how considerate; thank you.
The smalled silver haired one has not yet collected his pot of gold.
Come on, let's get in on chaps, this is going to be fun.
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Thanks to all you Orange Boys and Girls for welcoming us into your parlour. After the initial shock this is a blessing in disguise. We've been saying for years to dump Nigel and all his pomp and arrogance.
Willie Walsh has announced today that BA are starting up on all our Med routes from April 1st........I say bring them on! EZY Management look switched on and hopefully only a matter of time before we put BA out of business.
Apparently JG shed a tear in front of the staff today.............shame
Look forward to working with you
Willie Walsh has announced today that BA are starting up on all our Med routes from April 1st........I say bring them on! EZY Management look switched on and hopefully only a matter of time before we put BA out of business.
Apparently JG shed a tear in front of the staff today.............shame
Look forward to working with you
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A warm welcome to you all!
To all the staff at GB airways who will, in the near future, be joining our ranks at easyJet, may I just add my own hello!
There's only three things certain in life, Death, Taxes and Change. You can't do much about the first two, but if you embrace this change, ignore the cynicism that we're all encumbered with and start life at easyJet with the enthusiasm that you brought to your first job....
See? The future's looking brighter already!
Welcome to you all, it's great to have you!
There's only three things certain in life, Death, Taxes and Change. You can't do much about the first two, but if you embrace this change, ignore the cynicism that we're all encumbered with and start life at easyJet with the enthusiasm that you brought to your first job....
See? The future's looking brighter already!
Welcome to you all, it's great to have you!
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WWW
Your comments posted 19:07 sum everything up, GO was special and I have never witnessed bonding between very disparate groups, eg Ops v Commercial, add in Barbara's leadership and you had the perfect Airline. The GB guys 'n Gals will now be worried about their future and will probably be experiencing the same emotions that the GO folk felt after that infamous day that the news of the EZY 'merger' was announced.
I must admit to being an early sceptic, but EZY has moved on and the conditions for ALL, not just Pilots, have improved and we now have an Airline that is successful, profitable and in the main treats people as human beings, rather than the brutal regime that is RYR. It's not perfect, but I for one would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
Your comments posted 19:07 sum everything up, GO was special and I have never witnessed bonding between very disparate groups, eg Ops v Commercial, add in Barbara's leadership and you had the perfect Airline. The GB guys 'n Gals will now be worried about their future and will probably be experiencing the same emotions that the GO folk felt after that infamous day that the news of the EZY 'merger' was announced.
I must admit to being an early sceptic, but EZY has moved on and the conditions for ALL, not just Pilots, have improved and we now have an Airline that is successful, profitable and in the main treats people as human beings, rather than the brutal regime that is RYR. It's not perfect, but I for one would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
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In 2001, at a meeting of Britannia LGW pilots, the new MD, Kevin Hatton, was asked how Britannia was going to respond to the competition of the emerging Easyjet. Unfortunately, I can't quote his exact words, but generally he stated that Britannia was a charter airline and would never be in the same market as Easyjet. He also commented that due to the lack of slots at LGW, Easyjet would not be able to expand there. Obviously, dramatic events then changed the aviation industry. KH then took Britannia into the Low Cost market to compete directly against Easyjet - about 4 years too late, and in a manner which has had limited success. His sudden departure from Thomsonfly indicated a lack of loyalty and his overall motivation. Seems that only at the 11th hour has KH really understood that Easyjet is a remarkable organisation that he has underestimated. Good luck to all at GB. I think that this will turn out to be a sound acquisitiion for Easy, and a good result for GB pilots.