No Thomson recruitment for some time
Join Date: Sep 2005
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There will be 8 757s left in 4 years. 22 new 738s coming over next 2 years - no additional aircraft just replacing Bus and 757. Bus gone by end of summer 2012.
ALL recruitment will be on 738, as 200 pilots will be directed onto this fleet from the 756 and Bus over next 2 years.
Highly unlikley to be permanent contracts - summer only and probably cadet/pay as you fly - basically whatever Management can get away with - which seems quite alot at the moment.
There will be new pay structure with (i think) 2 increments only (year 5 and 10), TBC shortly. Pension - money purchase.
Time to command - somwhere between 15 years and never, depending on whether the Airline reduces down to a 40 aircraft all year operation with buy in from thrid parties for the summer lift. Who knows? Only thing that could change this is the rate of attrition - which if the response to BA's October recruitment was anything to go by could be quite high. Main problem is too many Captains (fall out from the Low Cost project which closed after merger) and relatively young profile in the LHS.
Bases - DSA, CWL, NCL. Forget MAN and LGW.
Roster - you'll be doing max hours over summer - 540 in 6 months. IF you can suss out Carmen you can have some influence over when and where you fly. Winter won't be an issue as you won't be employed then.
Career Airline - no way hose! But its a jet, and interesting flying.
ALL recruitment will be on 738, as 200 pilots will be directed onto this fleet from the 756 and Bus over next 2 years.
Highly unlikley to be permanent contracts - summer only and probably cadet/pay as you fly - basically whatever Management can get away with - which seems quite alot at the moment.
There will be new pay structure with (i think) 2 increments only (year 5 and 10), TBC shortly. Pension - money purchase.
Time to command - somwhere between 15 years and never, depending on whether the Airline reduces down to a 40 aircraft all year operation with buy in from thrid parties for the summer lift. Who knows? Only thing that could change this is the rate of attrition - which if the response to BA's October recruitment was anything to go by could be quite high. Main problem is too many Captains (fall out from the Low Cost project which closed after merger) and relatively young profile in the LHS.
Bases - DSA, CWL, NCL. Forget MAN and LGW.
Roster - you'll be doing max hours over summer - 540 in 6 months. IF you can suss out Carmen you can have some influence over when and where you fly. Winter won't be an issue as you won't be employed then.
Career Airline - no way hose! But its a jet, and interesting flying.
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Having been made redundant from TOM last year, I personally have no desire to return. Speaking to mates there I had heard things were on the slide but freezing pay scales and pay to fly will kill the Airline morale dead in the water!! I heard there were 60 pilots with offers from BA, is that true
Join Date: Nov 2006
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I think recruitment is coming and a lot sooner than we think. Pay offer out today. Decent uplift to current scales at the expense of new scales for new joiners. New FO salaries, 52k start rising to 62k after 5 years, as long as considered command standard. (details to follow)
If no recruitment, why the rush to sort out new scales?
watch this space.
If no recruitment, why the rush to sort out new scales?
watch this space.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: North West, UK
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I'm alright Jack attitude seems to be backfiring now
Pilots from Canada will be working in the UK bases this summer
Like I said 18 months ago on the BALAP website, AIR2000 pilots hated their management
Thomson, what a good company
by greed
Pilots from Canada will be working in the UK bases this summer
Like I said 18 months ago on the BALAP website, AIR2000 pilots hated their management
Thomson, what a good company
by greed
Join Date: May 2001
Location: United Kingdom
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I have to say I think the management thoroughly deserve their bonuses this year. We voted to get rid of the defined benefit pensions that over half the workforce enjoyed and got absolutely nothing in return - truly amazing. I guess people voted for this because they thought the manangement would offer a generous pay deal. How naive can you be?
It was vaguely amusing when the the pay offer came out - pay freeze with a integrated trojan horse in the form of a second pay scale. Nothing like guaranteeing a civil war within the pilot workforce in 10 years or so. If you want to be the worst paid B787 Captain in the world then the new scale is for you.
The management are just doing their job, it's up to us to defend ours.
It was vaguely amusing when the the pay offer came out - pay freeze with a integrated trojan horse in the form of a second pay scale. Nothing like guaranteeing a civil war within the pilot workforce in 10 years or so. If you want to be the worst paid B787 Captain in the world then the new scale is for you.
The management are just doing their job, it's up to us to defend ours.
Join Date: May 2002
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Pay offer = pay freeze? Um no, it was lower than RPI (currently at 5.5%) and also we had to give up free shares and vote on a new lower payscale, which undoubtedly will be forced upon existing pilots, probably when the Germans buy the rest of the company shares. Plus we still have a huge imbalance of Captains - something like 60 or 70 more Captains than FOs, and although the management tell us we have just the right number of pilots for the summer, you can guarantee that we'll be short. Well it has happened like that every year I've been working for the company!!!
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I like others where shafted last year by both the company, balpa and our colleagues. Nobody in that company is interested in anything except themselves. After the merger the tone of the company changed from one of being a career airline to one of whats in it for me.
As far as I can see, everything that is going on is self inflicted.
As far as I can see, everything that is going on is self inflicted.
Join Date: May 2007
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In all fairness to the aviation world, it's looking like terms and conditions for the middle class are going down full stop. God knows where this diabolical spiral will lead us eventually ................ 
Any ideas on career airlines that give you a decent home life? I'm with FR at the moment and cannot wait to leave.
If you want a decent home life best become a shepherd on a hill but you certainly won't find it as a pilot in the airline business now!
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Join Date: Jun 2001
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Pilot numbers are slightly below requirements for summer 12. That said no recruitment is likely in 2012. Possiby small number in late 13.
The company want to introduce new pay scales for new hire pilots. Something the current pilot workforce is resisting. Unfortuantley this is holding back recruitment but should benefit pilots when they do join.
Catch 22 basically!
The company want to introduce new pay scales for new hire pilots. Something the current pilot workforce is resisting. Unfortuantley this is holding back recruitment but should benefit pilots when they do join.
Catch 22 basically!