Thomas cook secondment
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
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From: las vegas
Thomas cook secondment
A number of pilots have been offered a secondment to Thomas Cook for the summer at varies bases. I have a couple of question for Thomas cook Airbus pilots,
1. Are we bmi pilots welcome?
2. Do we disadvantage any Thomas Cook pilots?
3. What are the routes for the Airbus 330 at Gatwick?
4. Is the 330 used for longhaul only.
5. Will the guy in the LHS talk to us, or make each flight a living hell, with not one coffee from the crew and spending all time down route locked in my room!!!
Many thanks guys
1. Are we bmi pilots welcome?
2. Do we disadvantage any Thomas Cook pilots?
3. What are the routes for the Airbus 330 at Gatwick?
4. Is the 330 used for longhaul only.
5. Will the guy in the LHS talk to us, or make each flight a living hell, with not one coffee from the crew and spending all time down route locked in my room!!!
Many thanks guys
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Ashford
Yes the 330 is just used for long-haul. From Gatwick we go to Cuba, Dom Rep, Jamaica, Sanford, Vancouver, Calgary, Cancun. Winter destinations include India, Barbados & Aruba.
Can't say much for the LHS, but the crew will make sure you get a coffee
Can't say much for the LHS, but the crew will make sure you get a coffee
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 116
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From: UK
1. Are we bmi pilots welcome?
No reason why not, I understand BALPA are discussing the secondment with the company but seems to me like a simple enough movement of pilots from an overcrewed airline to one with a relatively short-term extra pair of aircraft for the summer and therefore in need of some crews at short notice.
2. Do we disadvantage any Thomas Cook pilots?
Don't think so - if so BALPA are unlikely to agree to the secondment. bmi pilots will operate from the right seat regardless of their rank.
3. What are the routes for the Airbus 330 at Gatwick?
4. Is the 330 used for longhaul only.
The A330 also does a couple of Dalaman trips this summer (1 from LGW, 1 from GLA). Otherwise destinations as stated in previous post, don't forget Las Vegas though! 4 x A330's at LGW, 3 at MAN, 1 at GLA. BFS also gets some 330 trips.
5. Will the guy in the LHS talk to us, or make each flight a living hell, with not one coffee from the crew and spending all time down route locked in my room!!!
Can only speak from personal experience but we're a friendly bunch at TCX and I can't think of many if any Captains who would behave so. Remember we/they fly with Canadian pilots from Skyservice in the summer and many pilots have (or have had) the benefit of flying over in Canada, the USA and Scandinavia on secondment over the years, so they are used to the pros and cons of secondments from both perspectives. There will always be the odd guy who disagrees with it but on the whole I don't think you would find any such issues.
No reason why not, I understand BALPA are discussing the secondment with the company but seems to me like a simple enough movement of pilots from an overcrewed airline to one with a relatively short-term extra pair of aircraft for the summer and therefore in need of some crews at short notice.
2. Do we disadvantage any Thomas Cook pilots?
Don't think so - if so BALPA are unlikely to agree to the secondment. bmi pilots will operate from the right seat regardless of their rank.
3. What are the routes for the Airbus 330 at Gatwick?
4. Is the 330 used for longhaul only.
The A330 also does a couple of Dalaman trips this summer (1 from LGW, 1 from GLA). Otherwise destinations as stated in previous post, don't forget Las Vegas though! 4 x A330's at LGW, 3 at MAN, 1 at GLA. BFS also gets some 330 trips.
5. Will the guy in the LHS talk to us, or make each flight a living hell, with not one coffee from the crew and spending all time down route locked in my room!!!
Can only speak from personal experience but we're a friendly bunch at TCX and I can't think of many if any Captains who would behave so. Remember we/they fly with Canadian pilots from Skyservice in the summer and many pilots have (or have had) the benefit of flying over in Canada, the USA and Scandinavia on secondment over the years, so they are used to the pros and cons of secondments from both perspectives. There will always be the odd guy who disagrees with it but on the whole I don't think you would find any such issues.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 447
Likes: 2
From: uk
Just wanted to add that this sort of thing seems like a good idea.
Reduces the need for redundancies and keeps guys flying. BALPA have a good reputation for sorting out the details, i am sure we will see more of this in the future.
My only small concern is that of captains being seconded to the detriment of F/O's not being promoted but i'm sure BALPA won't let that happen.
BB
Reduces the need for redundancies and keeps guys flying. BALPA have a good reputation for sorting out the details, i am sure we will see more of this in the future.
My only small concern is that of captains being seconded to the detriment of F/O's not being promoted but i'm sure BALPA won't let that happen.
BB
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 103
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From: Bandit Country
Tough Call
What about the large no of guys/gals wanting to move up the ladder into TCX as a long-term career, but being looked over because of this move? The fact that bmi are over-crewed is irrelevant! Typical of this industry, EVERYTHING boils down to WONGA!!
T
T
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 122
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From: Duxbai
Errrr, lets not forget the fact that TCX are actually promoting upto 33 FO's as we speak! It's not such a bad place to be at the moment. It has it's problems but then so does every organisation.
All I can say to any potential BMI pilot is that you will be made welcome by pretty much everyone and treated as one of the TCX crowd.
Toastal - show me an industry that doesn't base its decisions on money. Oh, of course they are the ones that are no longer operating!!! All airlines are businesses and as such the commercial aspect is central to everything we do. Otherwise we die!!
All I can say to any potential BMI pilot is that you will be made welcome by pretty much everyone and treated as one of the TCX crowd.
Toastal - show me an industry that doesn't base its decisions on money. Oh, of course they are the ones that are no longer operating!!! All airlines are businesses and as such the commercial aspect is central to everything we do. Otherwise we die!!
Last edited by flyinthesky; 10th February 2009 at 09:52. Reason: Last minute thought!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 10
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From: West Of LHR
Hi Guys!
Sorry to approach all you TCX pilots like this, but I was trying to find out some information on working for you guys on a summer secondment MFF/A330.
I am one of the bmi pilots who has been offered the place on temporary secondment over the summer down at LGW.
Is there any chance you could detail a few sample rosters for MFF or A330 only, preferably both? I know it is a big ask, but I'm finding the decision really tough at the moment......My girlfriend who works in the industry as crew seems to think I will be away for more days than i currently am MFF with bmi..... hence my request for any sample rosters.
Do you tend to do say a 4 day trip, followed by a few days off, repeated 4 or 5 times a month for example?
I know this is a big ask, but any information you could provide would be hugely appreciated. I'd really like to take the place, but need to allay her fears before I accept the offer.
Many thanks in advance
Sorry to approach all you TCX pilots like this, but I was trying to find out some information on working for you guys on a summer secondment MFF/A330.
I am one of the bmi pilots who has been offered the place on temporary secondment over the summer down at LGW.
Is there any chance you could detail a few sample rosters for MFF or A330 only, preferably both? I know it is a big ask, but I'm finding the decision really tough at the moment......My girlfriend who works in the industry as crew seems to think I will be away for more days than i currently am MFF with bmi..... hence my request for any sample rosters.
Do you tend to do say a 4 day trip, followed by a few days off, repeated 4 or 5 times a month for example?
I know this is a big ask, but any information you could provide would be hugely appreciated. I'd really like to take the place, but need to allay her fears before I accept the offer.
Many thanks in advance
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Up't North
KEDUNKER - yes all two sector days
LEX - Manchester roster but LGW will be almost the same, you will get 10 days off per month.
1 – Position GLA
2 – GLA – BFS – SFB
3/4 – SFB – MAN
5 – OFF
6 – OFF
7 – Standby
8 - Position GLA
9 - GLA – BFS – SFB
10/11 - SFB – MAN
12 – OFF
13 – OFF
14 – MAN – YVR
15/16 YVR – LGW
hotel then position MAN
17 – OFF
18 – OFF
19 – OFF
20 – MAN – SKG – MAN
21 – MAN – MAH – MAN
22 – MAN - CUN
23/24 – CUN - LGW
25 - OFF
26 - OFF
27 - OFF
28 – Standby
29 – Position LGW
30 – LGW – VRA
31 – Down route VRA
1 – Down route VRA
2/3 - VRA - MAN
4 - OFF
5 - OFF
6 - OFF
LEX - Manchester roster but LGW will be almost the same, you will get 10 days off per month.
1 – Position GLA
2 – GLA – BFS – SFB
3/4 – SFB – MAN
5 – OFF
6 – OFF
7 – Standby
8 - Position GLA
9 - GLA – BFS – SFB
10/11 - SFB – MAN
12 – OFF
13 – OFF
14 – MAN – YVR
15/16 YVR – LGW
hotel then position MAN
17 – OFF
18 – OFF
19 – OFF
20 – MAN – SKG – MAN
21 – MAN – MAH – MAN
22 – MAN - CUN
23/24 – CUN - LGW
25 - OFF
26 - OFF
27 - OFF
28 – Standby
29 – Position LGW
30 – LGW – VRA
31 – Down route VRA
1 – Down route VRA
2/3 - VRA - MAN
4 - OFF
5 - OFF
6 - OFF
