Thomas Cook recruiting
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
Join Date: May 2000
Location: England
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just thumbed through my manual (like!) and can see that the 'Shut' (as we liked to call it!) has a few glass screens. Found a PFO from Arse Hanging Out Me Jeans Airlines wedged down there too whilst I was at it. Ennit.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Another airport hotel
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PFO 3,000h+ on B757, but, London based.
Not sure I would be interested in a temp summer only contract in GLA/BFS if thats the only boeing option on the table anyway.
Not sure I would be interested in a temp summer only contract in GLA/BFS if thats the only boeing option on the table anyway.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: A place where something is or could be located; a site.
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thought the Space Shuttle was EFIS?
PFO for me too.
Did they actually call anyone for interview at all?
EK
....Keeping the faith!!!!!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cloud Cookoo Land
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any ideas to what the final numbers were?
Was it a case of rated 757 crews for part time contracts in the northern bases? Has anyone in TCX know of future recruitment or will it be a case of flexicrew cadets and part time contracts forevermore?
Was it a case of rated 757 crews for part time contracts in the northern bases? Has anyone in TCX know of future recruitment or will it be a case of flexicrew cadets and part time contracts forevermore?
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Callsign,
apparently there were 4 summer only contracts taken on, mostly @ MAN.
TCX are in quite an uncertain position at the moment. Firstly, there are 3
A330's going back off lease at the end of the summer (these were previously used for the Canadian Affair contract which we recently pulled out of). This would in theory create a surplus of Pilots going into this winter.
Coupled with this, a large exposure to Egypt has bitten with the political issues over there and will hit the Airline. This has lead to a large portion of the flying program to Egypt being pulled and re-deployed. This means those Aircraft are now operating shorter routes and can therefore fly more sectors each day, and hence require more drivers. TCX is quite unique in that the tour operator drives the Airline and its establishment. At the moment due to other pressures and a slow economy people aren't booking and this could lead to a reduction in capacity for next summer. Of course us Brits will end up booking our holidays in the end and the company will probably be playing catch up as usual!!
To mitigate this voluntary severance has been extended until the end of the summer to give people more chance to organise their lives (unlike the previous 3 weeks to decide). Also the company have it on authority from BA that some 20 people are sat in the hold pool awaiting start dates. The future is very very grey, there could potentially be a surplus at the end of the year or possibly further recruitment going into next year. It really depends on people booking holidays and the company's perception of the holiday markets for the next twelve months.
Expect anything......................
apparently there were 4 summer only contracts taken on, mostly @ MAN.
TCX are in quite an uncertain position at the moment. Firstly, there are 3
A330's going back off lease at the end of the summer (these were previously used for the Canadian Affair contract which we recently pulled out of). This would in theory create a surplus of Pilots going into this winter.
Coupled with this, a large exposure to Egypt has bitten with the political issues over there and will hit the Airline. This has lead to a large portion of the flying program to Egypt being pulled and re-deployed. This means those Aircraft are now operating shorter routes and can therefore fly more sectors each day, and hence require more drivers. TCX is quite unique in that the tour operator drives the Airline and its establishment. At the moment due to other pressures and a slow economy people aren't booking and this could lead to a reduction in capacity for next summer. Of course us Brits will end up booking our holidays in the end and the company will probably be playing catch up as usual!!
To mitigate this voluntary severance has been extended until the end of the summer to give people more chance to organise their lives (unlike the previous 3 weeks to decide). Also the company have it on authority from BA that some 20 people are sat in the hold pool awaiting start dates. The future is very very grey, there could potentially be a surplus at the end of the year or possibly further recruitment going into next year. It really depends on people booking holidays and the company's perception of the holiday markets for the next twelve months.
Expect anything......................
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cloud Cookoo Land
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I see...
Thank you frozenpilot for a factual insight. Much appreciated indeed. We shall see how things develop throughout the course of the year - hopefully positively for the holiday operator and therefore for the airline. 20 odd moving towards BA hopefully pushes recruitment, however this seems to be an unlikely outcome presently. Shall keep my fingers crossed. A GLA/NCL base with TCX would be a handy one.
Thank you frozenpilot for a factual insight. Much appreciated indeed. We shall see how things develop throughout the course of the year - hopefully positively for the holiday operator and therefore for the airline. 20 odd moving towards BA hopefully pushes recruitment, however this seems to be an unlikely outcome presently. Shall keep my fingers crossed. A GLA/NCL base with TCX would be a handy one.
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: uk
Posts: 913
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Only partly true, cost and hassle is balanced by the benefits of being in control of the airline, so controlling the "product". Last year the airline was the star of the group, this year we are the whipping boy.
Frozenpilots comments are spot on, this winter might be interesting!
Frozenpilots comments are spot on, this winter might be interesting!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: uk
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
theearl.....what?
Yes tour ops rule the roost...do you think an airline should be in control of a holiday company?
Same old same old....well...yes. Was it ever different? Don't see what your point is?
Heard a rumour that up to 12 aircraft may be leaving at the end of the year, with those who were made permanent...being made redundant which is quite bitter news if it becomes true. But like other comments, the leaders have said it depends on bookings. It all seems a bit knee jerk with recently promoted captains changing types, temporary summer basings being withdrawn, other options being added, leased aircraft etc. The management have asked people to volunteer for up to 4 days overtime per month, which to be fair is lucrative and there's obviously no obligation but it's another sign I think, that they're not certain themselves of the numbers they need for tomorrow, let alone the end of the year. We'll have to see what the cleaners say in 6 months
Yes tour ops rule the roost...do you think an airline should be in control of a holiday company?
Same old same old....well...yes. Was it ever different? Don't see what your point is?
Heard a rumour that up to 12 aircraft may be leaving at the end of the year, with those who were made permanent...being made redundant which is quite bitter news if it becomes true. But like other comments, the leaders have said it depends on bookings. It all seems a bit knee jerk with recently promoted captains changing types, temporary summer basings being withdrawn, other options being added, leased aircraft etc. The management have asked people to volunteer for up to 4 days overtime per month, which to be fair is lucrative and there's obviously no obligation but it's another sign I think, that they're not certain themselves of the numbers they need for tomorrow, let alone the end of the year. We'll have to see what the cleaners say in 6 months
off (i.e. we're terribly sorry but you haven't got the job).
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: MAN
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OBKI
Sounds like you enjoy the fact that tour ops can play with your future, leaving you each summer wondering what the next will bring. You cant force passengers to book, granted, but if tour ops could get the flights flown cheaper they wouldn't necessarily use to tcx planes. Expansion was always limited as all our flying was carried out by MYT, Excel etc etc cheaper especially LH.
"we'll have to wait and see what the cleaners say in 6 months" quite possibly and I hope for all that Charter doesnt deteriorate any further into a P2F / Contractor pit.
There is no loyalty between tour ops and the airline. (Sad but true). Have you ever been to one of the tour ops conferences as a airline rep?
Sounds like you enjoy the fact that tour ops can play with your future, leaving you each summer wondering what the next will bring. You cant force passengers to book, granted, but if tour ops could get the flights flown cheaper they wouldn't necessarily use to tcx planes. Expansion was always limited as all our flying was carried out by MYT, Excel etc etc cheaper especially LH.
"we'll have to wait and see what the cleaners say in 6 months" quite possibly and I hope for all that Charter doesnt deteriorate any further into a P2F / Contractor pit.
There is no loyalty between tour ops and the airline. (Sad but true). Have you ever been to one of the tour ops conferences as a airline rep?
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FP quoted on a recent webchat '' there certainly not be 12 aircraft leaving the fleet'' Apparently this is a rumour doing the rounds through engineers and has something to do with a 12 Airbus order for the group.......................???
Any contraction beyond the 3 A330's would be very small, they just need to justify the Pilot workforce for the winter. Also mentioned during the recent webchat was the success of sub-charters throughout the winter so that will support carrying pilots during these months.
There is certainly an issue being at the mercy of tour-ops perception of the industry. However, so far they have got things close to spot on for the Airline. It would just be nice to see them take a bit of a risk: ie expansion or new routes instead of constant consolidation and cost cutting.
As I said, I would not be suprised to see them whinging about a surplus come November. Equally I could see them recruiting in December.
Any contraction beyond the 3 A330's would be very small, they just need to justify the Pilot workforce for the winter. Also mentioned during the recent webchat was the success of sub-charters throughout the winter so that will support carrying pilots during these months.
There is certainly an issue being at the mercy of tour-ops perception of the industry. However, so far they have got things close to spot on for the Airline. It would just be nice to see them take a bit of a risk: ie expansion or new routes instead of constant consolidation and cost cutting.
As I said, I would not be suprised to see them whinging about a surplus come November. Equally I could see them recruiting in December.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes bookings are down, no surprise there. Would you book a holiday months in advance if there were rumours of redundancies in the air??
I expect bookings to pick up over the next few months, as people book holidays at the last minute having not been made redundant.
As frozenpilot said "It would just be nice to see them take a bit of a risk: ie expansion or new routes instead of constant consolidation and cost cutting."
Completely agree....a decision to cut back now could back fire next summer.
I expect bookings to pick up over the next few months, as people book holidays at the last minute having not been made redundant.
As frozenpilot said "It would just be nice to see them take a bit of a risk: ie expansion or new routes instead of constant consolidation and cost cutting."
Completely agree....a decision to cut back now could back fire next summer.