BMI or Jump Ship?
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire
Emirates;to try or not to try!?
Having followed the BMI stories,I know a few Ex Brit/European Airline First Officers who fled to the Emirates and now have Commands on Superb Aircraft with gorgeous Girls and Engineering that does not suffer from JAR 166 Car mechanics ,so you get proper line maintenance.If you want the life style that is fantastic,then go for it!!The old days of Gulf in Bahrain,or Cathay in HK(With millionaire status in 10 years)have gone though.However,you must find out about the Interview Board Q&A.Their Technical interrogation is tricky,and you need a good brain to fathom out how to "Rescue some captured colleagues from nasties,with some injured in your team-Who do you leave and who stays,what route do you take from those shown,and where are the local resources you require to achieve your aims?"They put a lot of emphasis on Command decision making.This was a few years back,but they must still require such thought processes.Does anyone else have more up to date information.?Good luck in your endeavours!!In the UK,Easy must be a better bet than BMI.In a past life,whilst transiting in the Crew Bus at Manchester,a bunch of Oz 737 Pilots with BMI took great glee at telling me just what our New Pay deal was and knew more about our Pension Scheme than our guys did;I did not think we had anything to do with BMI,but they knew everything on the grape vine.We had also agreed NOT to take on Any Oz Strikers,which these guys were.
Last edited by FAStoat; 14th January 2008 at 15:43.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 10
From: Samsonite Avenue
bmibus
I spoke to one of your colleagues recently and he said that bmi and Astraeus have agreed on some command slots on the 757 to go to bmi SFOs who are waiting for a command and have been waiting for some time by the sounds of things. Obviously at the end of the Astraeus deal then those bmi Capts on the 757 would come back to bmi mainline on the Airbus? If this is still going ahead then will this create a bit of movement - but I guess it won't be enough in the grand scheme of things?
Command is great experience and good fun but after a couple of years the novelty will wear off a bit!!! The things that stop us going back to the right seat with other airlines is not the job itself but the cash!
I spoke to one of your colleagues recently and he said that bmi and Astraeus have agreed on some command slots on the 757 to go to bmi SFOs who are waiting for a command and have been waiting for some time by the sounds of things. Obviously at the end of the Astraeus deal then those bmi Capts on the 757 would come back to bmi mainline on the Airbus? If this is still going ahead then will this create a bit of movement - but I guess it won't be enough in the grand scheme of things?
Command is great experience and good fun but after a couple of years the novelty will wear off a bit!!! The things that stop us going back to the right seat with other airlines is not the job itself but the cash!
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: uk
Mr G
Your information isnt quite correct, its 6 captains with experiance that are to go across on the 75's, the new commands are on the airbus, its for a MINIMUM of 2 years, the new commands are temp but they should become perm within the 2 year period due to leavers and retirements.
regards
Keepitlit
Your information isnt quite correct, its 6 captains with experiance that are to go across on the 75's, the new commands are on the airbus, its for a MINIMUM of 2 years, the new commands are temp but they should become perm within the 2 year period due to leavers and retirements.
regards
Keepitlit
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 10
From: Samsonite Avenue
Thanks for that. I was just given a rough synopsis of what was going on whilst having a bite to eat at a friends house and a bmi F/O was there too.
However at least there is movement in bmi. I suppose for bmibus it all depends where you are on the seniority list with regard to these new command opportunities? If your far off then perhaps a move might be a good idea given the hype of Lufty getting involved etc.
However at least there is movement in bmi. I suppose for bmibus it all depends where you are on the seniority list with regard to these new command opportunities? If your far off then perhaps a move might be a good idea given the hype of Lufty getting involved etc.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 248
Likes: 28
From: care home for redundant has beens
Don't bother joining EZY if you want a quck command. The whole process has ground to a halt with currently at least 150 on the waiting list, which is growing daily.
With maybe 30 command slots next year, you can do the sums for yourselves. Those who joined the company with the promise of a "fast track command" now realise how hollow those words are.
With maybe 30 command slots next year, you can do the sums for yourselves. Those who joined the company with the promise of a "fast track command" now realise how hollow those words are.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 346
Likes: 1
From: Around the block
Amen to that.
The company has stranded totally regarding commands, the next courses are planned for next summer. 10 on the 737 and 20-30 on the 319. This due the integration with GB Airways and that the company has hired lots of DEC on contract
So sit tight, and leave when the time is right.
The company has stranded totally regarding commands, the next courses are planned for next summer. 10 on the 737 and 20-30 on the 319. This due the integration with GB Airways and that the company has hired lots of DEC on contract
So sit tight, and leave when the time is right.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Where would you like me to live??
Poss thread creep here and im sorry for that.
Does anyone know with the prospect of some seat jumping if there is likely to be a need for some new f/o's.
I'm aware the company has somewhat ground to a halt but personally i'm in a position where by i need to choose if it's worth holding out for a job with yourselves (as of sept. unemployed) or getting myself into a lot more debt in the form of an other type rating/bond (would be my second since joining your hold pool july '07).
Does anyone know with the prospect of some seat jumping if there is likely to be a need for some new f/o's.
I'm aware the company has somewhat ground to a halt but personally i'm in a position where by i need to choose if it's worth holding out for a job with yourselves (as of sept. unemployed) or getting myself into a lot more debt in the form of an other type rating/bond (would be my second since joining your hold pool july '07).
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: UK
Jump hold pool!
Todders, its sounds as if you have a difficult decision. To shed some light on the current bmi situation, I recently asked for a friend who is ex- XL. He has 3500+ almost all jet, 2300 hrs heavy jet 767, the rest 737. He is obviously not type-rated, but to most operators would be considered a very low training risk. The response was that in the current economic climate, it is better for the company to work its existing pilots harder [even to the extent of buying days off from them], than to take on more pilots. At present both pilots and cabin crew are at fairly low levels. [Quite a few of both are now part-time]. I was told clearly that it will stay like that and be reviewed in the spring at the earliest. I would not hang around for a promise....but it is your decision dependent upon your situation.
IMHO, the company is trying its best to show other parties that it makes 'x' revenues/profits- losses with a view to major strategic change in the not too disant future. Having been in your position, I don't evny you especially in todays economy.
Take any job, any where, for a reasonable amount of money -fly anything!
The very best of luck to you.
ST
IMHO, the company is trying its best to show other parties that it makes 'x' revenues/profits- losses with a view to major strategic change in the not too disant future. Having been in your position, I don't evny you especially in todays economy.
Take any job, any where, for a reasonable amount of money -fly anything!
The very best of luck to you.
ST
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Where would you like me to live??
Hi guys thank you for your replies. Guess i'll just have to see what happens and in the mean time keep applying everywhere.
Anyone want to buy a 737 for me to fly when did everyone start buying airbus?????
Ps there smart guys those XXL guys
Anyone want to buy a 737 for me to fly when did everyone start buying airbus?????
Ps there smart guys those XXL guys
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: 'An Airfield Somewhere in England'
If I might echco the words of jackitin - the Orange Empire is a great place to work but like everyone else has some big challenges ahead. If you want short haul and you want to be home most nights then easyJet is as good as it gets. I have worked there 4 and a half years and have few complaints. If you get a command you will not be bored within 2 years - I still love the variety. We fly to more destinations from Gatwick than any other airline including BA - it is varied and interesting.
The one word of caution I would have is about quick commands. That is simply not true any more. Anyone joining today is probably looking at several years to command, and even then there is a big question about future expansion in the current climate. The day-to-day flying is busy but pleasant and if you want to be an airline pilot then easyJet is a great place to be. If you want long haul lifestyle then go to BA or Virgin. Just my thoughts.
The one word of caution I would have is about quick commands. That is simply not true any more. Anyone joining today is probably looking at several years to command, and even then there is a big question about future expansion in the current climate. The day-to-day flying is busy but pleasant and if you want to be an airline pilot then easyJet is a great place to be. If you want long haul lifestyle then go to BA or Virgin. Just my thoughts.
