Easyjet Hold Pool

[The African Dude]

I see no benefit of streaming money out of the company to those arrogant CTC Tw*s when it could be kept inhouse, employing motivated, talented people on permanent contracts.

Amazing. Genuinely sorry to hear that you think that about us. Would love to know what we might have done to give you that impression? For the benefit of everybody we fly with for the rest of our careers, that is?

Motivated we are (in spite of what's happened since we signed up), talented.. well, that's up to or future colleagues to decide. Are we really so different, Flyit Pointit Sortit?

Nevertheless, as NSF has said in the past, everybody is entitled to their opinion, and to be free to express it in a way which does not cause harm or threat of harm to others. That includes you, Flyit Pointit Sortit, so by all means, call us Arrogant Tw**s. I hope it makes you feel better.

My impression is that NSF has considerably more experience of working in easyJet than most of us here. Even as an ex-engineer, I find his comments to be unbiased and rich in factual material - something a bit lacking on these threads of late.

Edited for clarification

[Lord Amberden]

I think NSF was referring to CTC the organization, not any of their protégées who I've found to all be highly motivated and excellent people to work with.

[WindSheer]

Yes....African dude, read it again.

[fiftypercentn1]

it doesn' t matter who he was referring to. You don' t talk like that, period.

[The African Dude]

I was talking to Flyit Pointit Sortit. NSF I support entirely.

[Ashling]

Hi Company Message

My ire wasn't directed at those who do not take up the offer for genuine reasons of which there are many as it will suit some (me) but not others. It was directed at those who seem to think causing even greater disruption by deliberate non co-operation will somehow make things better. It will not.

I currently loath our management for the reasons you highlight and more but it is vital we keep a sense of perspective in all this and I think that was what NSF was driving at and I agree with him.

Over the next 2 years I will be something like 30k plus better off tax free due to various share schemes and options that the company have introduced. I got a quick command and 2 type ratings. The you at work scheme saves me 1000+ off child care and I get to see my family every day. So yes you are right it is not all great but it is not all bad either.

We need to get behind BALPA and ensure we fight through them as a united group not as fractured individuals and we need to ensure that we do not take our frustrations out on our passengers.

[Flyit Pointit Sortit]

Woah there.

I am taking this as a lesson in how what you meant is not what you said.

I am sorry if I offended anyone who is employed by or who has come through the CTC route, that was not my intention. My anger is vented at CTC the organisation.

The organisation that exloits the dreams of many to line their own pockets.

The organisation that is still trying to get people to hand over cash on the basis of a pilot shortage when there are still unemployed experienced pilots from XL, Globespan, BMI etc.

The organisation where one of the senior directors goes into a pub in Lyndhurst with a load of car brochures to brag about whether to get a maserrati or ferrari to several cadets who are worried about not getting placements and the looming potential of bankruptcy etc . He is one of the nastiest and arrogant individuals I have ever met.

Any scheme that gives a penny to the CTC organisation just grates me and the anger that this instills led to the use of that language.

I am also concernced that if easyJet only start offering permanent positions to those who have done a contract, then anyone who joins in the future will have to go through this route, ensuring a plentiful flow of cash from easyjet to CTC.

Again I was not trying to offend anyone who is employed by CTC as we all have to ensure that we are paying our mortgages. I am sorry if this has been the case. That said, anyone I have flown with from CTC has been of the highest standard both as individuals and pilots - just to be clear.

[The African Dude]

Hi Flyit Pointit Sortit,

My fault entirely for misunderstanding to what / whom you had directed your comments, and am somewhat relieved to hear that it's not the cadets! My apologies If what you say about the management behaviour is true then it makes me feel somewhat sick.

Anyway, sorry about the thread creep.

[Doug the Head]

NSF, was that last post written for an audience on PPRuNe or an audience somewhere else..?

Spot on Claudio.

Isn't NSF an 'unofficial member' of the recruitment team, peddling the various P2F/P4T schemes and working hard to divide the pilot corps with his company minded propaganda? Whenever push comes to shove, he backs down. No backbone, no forward looking vision, only short term thinking (making a quick buck over the summer season) looking out for his own training job.

His only followers are a bunch of unemployed wannabe's, clinging to his words in the hope of one joining his orange dream. Most experienced pilots take his words with a very laaaaaaarge grain of salt.

[Norman Stanley Fletcher]

Ah, Doug - ever the man of balance. Whether 'experienced' pilots (I take it that means you) take my words with a large pinch of salt is entirely up to them (you?). I am always up for informed discussion and try to have a balanced view of things - but there again, why let the facts get in the way of a good rant? The first thing that puzzles me Doug is why on earth are you still working for easyJet? You hate the company with a passion and will go to extraordinary lengths to play your part in its downfall.

The current situation that is causing you such delight is us having insufficient pilots (particularly captains) for the summer. No doubt this has come about because of management ineptitude, and you are the leader of the pack in calling for 'punishment' of our management by making easyJet unable to crew its flights at our most profitable time of year. That attitude seems to me similar to finding yourself as a crew member on a cross channel ferry that has just collided with another ship because the captain was asleep in his cabin and is now taking on water. Do you then decide to let the ship sink to show the captain how bad he really is or do you help to man the pumps to save the ship? Common sense to me says that it would be in your interest to save the ship and wait till later to sort out the captain. Apparently not! Let's all sit back and watch a catastrophe unfold so that Cor and his mates get fired. I am a simple soul when it comes to this sort of thing. I actually want to see easyJet customers getting on the flights they booked and not have them go elsewhere.

One of the other accusations you make is that I have no backbone and that when push come to shove I back down. How exactly would that manifest itself? Do you want me to sabotage an aircraft or maybe find a hydraulic leak on the walkround to delay a flight? Perhaps even go sick at the last moment to stop the flight going? That would show them we mean business. Get real Doug - you are an increasingly sad figure whose obsessive rants against easyJet are just irrational. I have made it clear again and again that I would back industrial action at the right time for the right issue. Specifically, I would have gone on strike against the current FO contracts had the opportunity been offered. I have argued publicly with Cor both at Gatwick and at the SEP day - I can tell you that in both cases there were precious few others willing to do so. I will back any credible plan to improve pilots' terms and conditions. What I will not do is act irresponsibly to bring the company down in times of need. Right now, it is in every single pilot's interest that we crew every flight we can over the summer - only a fool can think otherwise. There will be plenty of time for recriminations - that should not prevent us from acting in our own best interests and ensuring the company can operate safely and successfully.

You need to leave easyJet soonest mate - let me recommend a particularly fine option. In today's Flight there is an advert from A320 Captains working for Safi Airways. They would be delighted to give you a job I am sure. And after you have worked for them for 6 months, come back and tell us all how great it is. You know they will pay you so much more, give you such a great roster and so much time off. You owe it to yourself - get a real job rather than a naff one like easyJet. And do you know the amazing thing Doug? There are literally hundreds of people queuing up to take your job if you leave. Maybe they are all berks just like me.

[stansdead]

NSF/Doug

You both have your points.

Doug, I am sure you have your reasons for hating easy, but NSF is correct in saying there are hundreds of people queuing up for your job.

I'm one of them, having recently applied.

There are far, far worse A320 jobs than the ones you have. Sure, it could be better, and if I joined I hope over time improvements can be made through whatever negotiating means you have.

However, I work for an airline who doesn't seem to have the ongoing stability, or even the daily stability of easyjet. You need to transport your passengers and fight the fight in the correct manner.

Now, how many DEC's are you taking.....?

[fiftypercentn1]

hopefully ZERO my friend

[Shaman]

So, by what date must eJ's pilots have replied to the company's offer?

[kick the tires]

From the horses mouth:

Fleet Plan

In the half year, we added six A320s and 9 A319s to our fleet, increasing our network capacity. As of 31st March 2010 we have a total fleet of 189 aircraft, with a further 57 planned to arrive over the next three years, replacing older aircraft and adding to our total fleet. By 30 September 2012 we expect to have a total of 208 aircraft in our fleet.

from a small horse:

We have doubled the number of promotions to Captain for the summer 2010 (from 37 originally planned to over 80 currently planned)

- We have added a further 110 First Officers to the pilot establishment numbers for Summer compared to an initial requirement of 88. We are now at maximum training capacity for the summer

- We have offered a letter of intent to employ just under 50 First Officers that have a minimum of 750+ factored easyJet hours and will fly for us over the coming Summer months. These pilots will be employed from 01 November 2010

[stansdead]

FiftypercentN1

Exactly my point. Even though you obviously missed it.

[Caudillo]

No backbone, no forward looking vision, only short term thinking (making a quick buck over the summer season) looking out for his own training job.

Doug I'm generally with you in what I read from you on here, and I disagree with the sentiment that you wish to see Easyjet go down - however your above statement is totally wide of the mark. This I know for a fact, and I can promise you that despite my surprise at what seemed like his paean to Easyjet, you would be better off were more pilots in the same mould at NSF. I find ambivalence and apathy are the greatest threats in pilots selling themselves down the river but you won't find those qualities in him.

In response to the quote above I think you could argue that there is forward vision and long term thinking in making a quick buck over the summer. This leopard won't change its spots. "Making Easyjet a grrrreat place to work" is one of those vague, idle aspirations that gets trotted out every so often to show the rabble and then shoved back in the pile with paperless cockpits and nuclear disarmament. Given that, why take a hit and suffer for the greater good when ultimately it'll get you nowhere?

This is from parents' day today, latest report from teacher:

Excellent progress on cost reduction targets with initiatives in place to cover 70% of the £190 million per annum F'12 target

This is where the effort is going and this sow's ear ain't going to turn into a silk purse. It'll remain something you just can't polish. The company is dead against you, most of your colleagues really don't care - you're on a hiding to nothing. If he or someone else wants to take the money, why not? It will probably be the most realistic shot at improving your lot that you can make at that place.

[PENKO]

That attitude seems to me similar to finding yourself as a crew member on a cross channel ferry that has just collided with another ship because the captain was asleep in his cabin and is now taking on water. Do you then decide to let the ship sink to show the captain how bad he really is or do you help to man the pumps to save the ship? Common sense to me says that it would be in your interest to save the ship and wait till later to sort out the captain. Apparently not! Let's all sit back and watch a catastrophe unfold so that Cor and his mates get fired. I am a simple soul when it comes to this sort of thing. I actually want to see easyJet customers getting on the flights they booked and not have them go elsewhere.

Norman, I always appreciate your well thought out posts. But I think this does not do justice to what's happening in our company. We are not on a sinking ship. We have many many options.

I'll use part of you nautical analogy if I may. We are on one of those Roman warships, you know, the kind with peddles at the side for rowing when there's no wind. The officers in their infinite quest for eliminating cost have sacrificed a pig before setting sail to fight a war, believing the windgods will favour them with tailwinds all the way to battle. Hence they leave with 'optimised' levels of rowing crew..

However, the promised tailwinds do no materialise and now the ship is so slow and underpowered that they risk missing the war completely, and no war means no plundering. So the officers are now handing out bags of silver coins to volunteers who want to row non-stop for a week. The crew also realise that they might miss all the good plundering if the don't get on with it, but wonder if it is worth the extra silver coins if they work themselves to death. They call the officers and tell them that they are all willing to be flexible to a certain extent for a certain price. This might cost a bit more, but surely this is better than bribing a few greedy crew to overwork themselves? And who will need to take over when the greedy ones burn out? Exactly.

[ReallyAnnoyed]

Penko is much nearer the truth than NSF, in my opinion. NSF, you say that we should do our utmost to save the company this summer, but fact of the matter is that we will most likely make a profit - just not as big as management would like and that, is a good thing. Why? Because no manager anywhere cares for words in any way at all, although they do spout sugar-coated ones at the employees as they've been taught that it's good practise to do so when they did their MBA (Pikey O'Leary probably skipped a few classes though ). Cor and his cronies will be judged on their results. Not what we think of them. Therefore, I shall go no distance further in any way for the managers, but I will not sabotage the company either and I will then smile and shake my head when it all goes pearshaped this summer. And then I shall think no more of the company when I go home after a day's work before the next time I report. I do plan to have a nice summer

[FliegerTiger]

PENKO - nice one!

[Fire and brimstone]

I agree with Doug the Head and PENKO.

Never, have I heard so much common sense spoken.

Well done lads!