Ryanair. Getting the base you want?
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Ryanair. Getting the base you want?
Just wondering how hard is it to get the base you want at ryr?
like for example if you wanted to be based at charleroi, do you just apply for it and your name goes on a waiting list? and how long does it generally take?
thanks
a797
like for example if you wanted to be based at charleroi, do you just apply for it and your name goes on a waiting list? and how long does it generally take?
thanks
a797
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Within reason yes. It does depend however what base you want. Some are easier to get than others. Obviously it depends how popular it is and how many others of your rank are requesting the same base.
Also if you are not a native english speaker, you may find you are posted to an english speaking base for a year or so in order to sharpen up your command of the language.
Also if you are not a native english speaker, you may find you are posted to an english speaking base for a year or so in order to sharpen up your command of the language.
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Some people say that there is a list, others disagree. There is certainly some evidence to support the later. I have a friend who has been waiting for a transfer to his base of choice for 6 months or so. There has been numerous cadets who have got in before him after their line training and more often than not it has not been their first choice of base either. I would tend to agree that if english is not your native tongue then it is often in FR's best interest to send you to somewhere where English is the spoken language. In other situations the airline will send you somewhere that you are needed most. No ifs, buts or maybes. You are told that this is what can happen before you sign the papers, so there is no point in getting upset about it.
I know a few fairly senior guys who have been waiting a relatively long period of time to get where they want. Usually these are the popular bases that have not expanded in the last few years ie. NYO for example. The guy in charge of Flight Ops is a likeable fella, but he has a very tough job and doesn't have a magic wand. We are told that you will eventually get where you want, however patience is the key. There is no point in getting frustrated and venting you anger, especially if you notice a few cadets have jumped into your first choice base before you. We are such a large airline and there is no seniority list, so you have to accept that this can happen. However we are not too large to the point that those heard complaining will end of peeving someone off and in turn never achieve the base of their desire.
I know a few fairly senior guys who have been waiting a relatively long period of time to get where they want. Usually these are the popular bases that have not expanded in the last few years ie. NYO for example. The guy in charge of Flight Ops is a likeable fella, but he has a very tough job and doesn't have a magic wand. We are told that you will eventually get where you want, however patience is the key. There is no point in getting frustrated and venting you anger, especially if you notice a few cadets have jumped into your first choice base before you. We are such a large airline and there is no seniority list, so you have to accept that this can happen. However we are not too large to the point that those heard complaining will end of peeving someone off and in turn never achieve the base of their desire.
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I've been waiting for my preferential base in RYR for 3 years !
Recently promoted to CPT, and sent away again.
No promises made.
Promises made don't hold up either, I've noticed.
It helps being based in STN and walking in to this Manager's office every once in a while, so he knows your face.
New guys get sent where nobody wants to go.
However, I've been told there's positions for CPT's available in EVERY base.
But they're keeping spots for direct entry guys who will ONLY sign for this or that base.
There is a list, but I get the impression it gets thrown around a lot.
NO seniority exists.
But You will be told that "more senior people" are ahead of you on the list...
They also make an effort not to put too many "locals" in any one base.
And this not to affect the international character of the airline.
e.g. : Not too many Italians in Rome base, not too many Germans in HHN-base, not too many Belgians in CRL base, etc...
I'm starting my 4th year in RYR still waiting for my base.
Good luck to yourself !!
Recently promoted to CPT, and sent away again.
No promises made.
Promises made don't hold up either, I've noticed.
It helps being based in STN and walking in to this Manager's office every once in a while, so he knows your face.
New guys get sent where nobody wants to go.
However, I've been told there's positions for CPT's available in EVERY base.
But they're keeping spots for direct entry guys who will ONLY sign for this or that base.
There is a list, but I get the impression it gets thrown around a lot.
NO seniority exists.
But You will be told that "more senior people" are ahead of you on the list...
They also make an effort not to put too many "locals" in any one base.
And this not to affect the international character of the airline.
e.g. : Not too many Italians in Rome base, not too many Germans in HHN-base, not too many Belgians in CRL base, etc...
I'm starting my 4th year in RYR still waiting for my base.
Good luck to yourself !!
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Depends what you regard as being undesirable, so that's a very subjective question. I would regard somewhere in Italy or Spain to be undesirable as it is further from home (UK) with longer commuting times and less connecting flights to my home airport. Others would donate their right lung to be in these countries. It really can be regarded as a lottery and is dependant on the needs of Ryanair at that particular moment. Bases are as follows, make your decisions from there, all are a possiblity.
Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Kerry, Belfast City, Prestwick, Edinburgh, Liverpool, East Midlands, Birmingham, Stansted, Luton, Bournmouth, Bristol, Charleroi, Hahn, Niederrhein, Bremen, Skavska, Marseille, Girona, Alicante, Reus, Madrid, Pisa, Bergamo, Champino. I believe both Algerho and Calgarhi in Italy will be added next year.
Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Kerry, Belfast City, Prestwick, Edinburgh, Liverpool, East Midlands, Birmingham, Stansted, Luton, Bournmouth, Bristol, Charleroi, Hahn, Niederrhein, Bremen, Skavska, Marseille, Girona, Alicante, Reus, Madrid, Pisa, Bergamo, Champino. I believe both Algerho and Calgarhi in Italy will be added next year.
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Some good feedback here for you. Most people will eventually end up in their base of choice or at least country of choice. There are no lists etc but you can help yourself by being a 'can do' pilot, willing to help out around the place with the base captain etc. At least offer as you are unlikely to be asked to do anything anyway. Mischievous pilots get nothing, as do groupies, (a la AB in Bremen!) You simply get sent away never to return again. It is quite a smokey affair overall but keep a positive attitude etc and all will be well eventually. You've got to look at the facts too, no growth in that base means no chance of you getting into it if everyone is happy there! Also, ask yourself, how many pilots are there in Europe flying decent equip, paid well, secure, living in their home country and if very lucky their home city? Very very few I can tell you. Good luck, and only listen to 25% of what you read here.
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If you do your research and ask for realistic bases, and make sure the right people know where you want to go, then you have a good chance of getting it.
However if you are only applying to bases "in the sun", then the chances of getting it are slim to nil!
The above is only 50% of the time, the rest of the time it is just pot luck.
However if you are only applying to bases "in the sun", then the chances of getting it are slim to nil!
The above is only 50% of the time, the rest of the time it is just pot luck.
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so on the basis of what "in my last airline",says.as long as you are an arse licker and take what you are given,then you'll be fine.real good promotion for a prospective employer.
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So grim repa, a definition of a positive employee who is willing to help others, turns up to duty with a smile on his or her face who adopts a 'can do' attitude is an 'arse licker who accepts what they are given.' I know a few pilots like you. Its pains me to see their name on the sign in sheet when I turn up to the crewroom. It is almost as if they get a cheap thrill out of bringing someones otherwise content mood down to their level.
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Given that there is no seniority to establish base allocation there are only two systems available. Merit (or arse-licking as grim would have it ) or pot luck as previously suggested. Having been sucessful twice and with a tongue as pink as nature intended I would suggest that it really is more important that you speak to the right guy on the right day rather than what you say to him. He is human like the rest of us. If he remembers you badly you are stuffed, if he remembers you well. . . Bingo. Safest option is that nobody even knows of your existence, but then you are totally dependant on random selection.
