Honesty re Easy Jet
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Honesty re Easy Jet
Hello Everyone
I am a 10 yr SFO In A uk Charter Outfit
I m trying to weigh up my options re future in the UK
Are EZY still looking and if so what Bases are on offer?
Is life good in EZY ??i have heard they are offering commands inside of 18mths,
what is the reality given economic conditions stay as they are?
I am a 10 yr SFO In A uk Charter Outfit
I m trying to weigh up my options re future in the UK
Are EZY still looking and if so what Bases are on offer?
Is life good in EZY ??i have heard they are offering commands inside of 18mths,
what is the reality given economic conditions stay as they are?
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Easy
Actually I wouldn't mind the Honest opinion regarding Easy and Flexi crew,
I'm in the same position as Cayotcas, just over Ten years flogging back and forwards to Turkey with a charter Operator based in the UK, with the climate in the UK and charter specifically, I have been looking for a change in direction.
Command now looks further away than last year, who knows what's around the corner, I certainly don't, I got the mortgage wrong five years ago, who knew it was going to drop to .5 base rate. I fixed for five years and 4.99%.
If for argument sake I wanted to stay at LGW, what is the chance of that happening.
Is there any base in Amsterdam that has been hinted at?
Guys thanks for your time and Happy New Year.
PS before anyone asks I will look up the back catalogue of discussions regarding easy and Flexi crew.
I'm in the same position as Cayotcas, just over Ten years flogging back and forwards to Turkey with a charter Operator based in the UK, with the climate in the UK and charter specifically, I have been looking for a change in direction.
Command now looks further away than last year, who knows what's around the corner, I certainly don't, I got the mortgage wrong five years ago, who knew it was going to drop to .5 base rate. I fixed for five years and 4.99%.
If for argument sake I wanted to stay at LGW, what is the chance of that happening.
Is there any base in Amsterdam that has been hinted at?
Guys thanks for your time and Happy New Year.
PS before anyone asks I will look up the back catalogue of discussions regarding easy and Flexi crew.
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Sorry, I can't give you the info you would like but also have a couple of questions. Would easyJet look at B737 rated Captains through CTC Flexicrew? I guess not as it's a 99% Airbus airline?
Any info much appreciated.
Any info much appreciated.
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Easyjet were hiring contract FOs through PARC and inexperienced FOs through Oxford and CTC. As far as quick commands that is no longer happening, I haven't heard of anyone getting a command within 18 months for years. There is a long list of senior FOs waiting for commands. If you have a A320 rating then you might be in with a chance but I don't know of they're still hiring at the moment through PARC or not.
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I’m after similar information as the OP but without the experience. It looks like easyJet Flexicrew is where I’m destined but I’d like to know what life is really like being a contractor:
1. Is 750hrs/yr minimum as inferred in the contract a reality?
2. Are ALL contracts based? I’ve seen a provision that some may not be based- how does this work?
3. Do EZY charge to jump seat commute to base as they say they might? If so, what do they charge?
4. They say they will provide parking at the base but they may charge. Do they? If so how much per day? (I appreciate this may vary)
5. How much are they charging for uniforms?
6. What is easyJet’s crew food policy which we are entitled to? Is it any good (highly subjective I know!)?
7. Are people still being offered permanent positions? If so after how many months/years?
All answers, thoughts and opinions from guys and girls with ACTUAL Flexicrew experience much appreciated.
1. Is 750hrs/yr minimum as inferred in the contract a reality?
2. Are ALL contracts based? I’ve seen a provision that some may not be based- how does this work?
3. Do EZY charge to jump seat commute to base as they say they might? If so, what do they charge?
4. They say they will provide parking at the base but they may charge. Do they? If so how much per day? (I appreciate this may vary)
5. How much are they charging for uniforms?
6. What is easyJet’s crew food policy which we are entitled to? Is it any good (highly subjective I know!)?
7. Are people still being offered permanent positions? If so after how many months/years?
All answers, thoughts and opinions from guys and girls with ACTUAL Flexicrew experience much appreciated.
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These always end up in debates mainly from people on the outside looking in. From someone who actually works at ezy I’ll say it’s not perfect but I’m very happy. I’ve worked in other airlines including charter and I’ll say it’s up there. Money/lifestyle is good and always getting better, I’d say industry average and the management are always looking to improve things including relations with crew which is a positive, although current pay/lifestyle talks are going on too long!!
Good Points
Stable Airline
Pays okay…look on PPJN and don’t forget to add bonus on top
Roster 5/4/5/3
Variety of routes…business/bucket and spade
New well maintained aircraft
Lots of base choice
No stop overs if you enjoy your own bed/family/the feel of your own wife and not a hostie.
THE PEOPLE!!
Bad Points
Short/medium haul..so if you want long haul forget it
No stop overs if you like to get about (if you know what I mean ;-)..)
The whole name easyjet/low cost if you can’t get over that.
People on different contracts, flexi crew/season cabin crew. It was better when everyone was just on a permanent contract.
Now if I was an experienced F/O I wouldn’t leave to join flexi crew as you’re most likely to be put in Europe and will be on flexi crew for at least 12 months. Once you get offered a Perm contract it will 100% be for Paris/Madrid/Milan. You can then put your name on the transfer list back to the Uk which if you want LGW will prob come through before you even start out in Europe but if you want somewhere like EDI you might be waiting years. The good thing with Europe is the pay, Captains earn around E12,000 a month SFO E6500 a month. The contracts are better but if you have a family in the UK I doubt Europe would appeal. Easyjet are now realising they need a mixture of experience f/o’s and cadets so I would wait to be offered a normal contract Uk based. Flexi F/O’s can earn 4 grand a month but if easyjet don’t fly you one month much then you only get paid what you fly.
I wouldn’t stay at Easyjet if I was LGW based, that is the truly low cost side of the airline where you are worked to the max, I average around 65hrs a month, I’d say as a whole 85hrs a month is a good average for EZY. For me there are only 2 airlines to be at for good lifestyle/flying/moral/job stability and that’s BA or EZY.
Hope this helps
Good Points
Stable Airline
Pays okay…look on PPJN and don’t forget to add bonus on top
Roster 5/4/5/3
Variety of routes…business/bucket and spade
New well maintained aircraft
Lots of base choice
No stop overs if you enjoy your own bed/family/the feel of your own wife and not a hostie.
THE PEOPLE!!
Bad Points
Short/medium haul..so if you want long haul forget it
No stop overs if you like to get about (if you know what I mean ;-)..)
The whole name easyjet/low cost if you can’t get over that.
People on different contracts, flexi crew/season cabin crew. It was better when everyone was just on a permanent contract.
Now if I was an experienced F/O I wouldn’t leave to join flexi crew as you’re most likely to be put in Europe and will be on flexi crew for at least 12 months. Once you get offered a Perm contract it will 100% be for Paris/Madrid/Milan. You can then put your name on the transfer list back to the Uk which if you want LGW will prob come through before you even start out in Europe but if you want somewhere like EDI you might be waiting years. The good thing with Europe is the pay, Captains earn around E12,000 a month SFO E6500 a month. The contracts are better but if you have a family in the UK I doubt Europe would appeal. Easyjet are now realising they need a mixture of experience f/o’s and cadets so I would wait to be offered a normal contract Uk based. Flexi F/O’s can earn 4 grand a month but if easyjet don’t fly you one month much then you only get paid what you fly.
I wouldn’t stay at Easyjet if I was LGW based, that is the truly low cost side of the airline where you are worked to the max, I average around 65hrs a month, I’d say as a whole 85hrs a month is a good average for EZY. For me there are only 2 airlines to be at for good lifestyle/flying/moral/job stability and that’s BA or EZY.
Hope this helps
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eJ will only hire FOs through flexicrew regardless of previous experience. There was a very brief campaign for direct entry SFOs to go to the new LIS base but I don't know what came of that.
Honestly speaking on flex terms eJ is a decent enough hobby during the winter and a decent enough job in the summer but it's a long cry from a career especially if you want to stay in the UK as permanent contracts are few and far between - most of them having gone to the continental bases over the last year with nothing planned in the UK until after the summer.
Basing on flexicrew is completely haphazard, you will go where you're told to go (at your own cost) and stay there until you are moved again with a month's notice. There is a 6 month limit for continental bases but that doesn't mean you get sent back to the UK afterwards... I have been very lucky only getting based in places I want to be but I know others who have been uprooted fairly often.
Job security is also what you make of it. In practise if all goes well then all goes well but the legal papers say you can be dismissed for just about anything - failing a sim, going sick, being late, or the company just not needing you anymore. If the wrong people don't like you an excuse will be found. If you're joining experienced and rated it's not so bad but the cadets are walking on thin ice and I know a few who have been sent home with a £35k loan and 100h on type.
Command depends on your factored hours and the amount of other qualified people in the queue, with a permanent contract of course. I've heard it's something between 2 and 4 years now.
All the 737s are gone now, last 737 drivers are in line training on the bus. There may be a few DEC positions for LIS but only for people with time on type.
Just live everything else it's what you make of it. Some love it, some hate it and others just get on with it.
Honestly speaking on flex terms eJ is a decent enough hobby during the winter and a decent enough job in the summer but it's a long cry from a career especially if you want to stay in the UK as permanent contracts are few and far between - most of them having gone to the continental bases over the last year with nothing planned in the UK until after the summer.
Basing on flexicrew is completely haphazard, you will go where you're told to go (at your own cost) and stay there until you are moved again with a month's notice. There is a 6 month limit for continental bases but that doesn't mean you get sent back to the UK afterwards... I have been very lucky only getting based in places I want to be but I know others who have been uprooted fairly often.
Job security is also what you make of it. In practise if all goes well then all goes well but the legal papers say you can be dismissed for just about anything - failing a sim, going sick, being late, or the company just not needing you anymore. If the wrong people don't like you an excuse will be found. If you're joining experienced and rated it's not so bad but the cadets are walking on thin ice and I know a few who have been sent home with a £35k loan and 100h on type.
Command depends on your factored hours and the amount of other qualified people in the queue, with a permanent contract of course. I've heard it's something between 2 and 4 years now.
All the 737s are gone now, last 737 drivers are in line training on the bus. There may be a few DEC positions for LIS but only for people with time on type.
Just live everything else it's what you make of it. Some love it, some hate it and others just get on with it.
Captain Spam Can, you might want to re-check your European salary figures! It looks like you forgot to subtract tax...
Ballpark in Italy: captain 8000 euro, SFO 5000 euro fluctuating up and down depending on sectors flown.
18 months to command? Technically it is possible I guess, but I absolutely would not count on it. I just spoke to an SFO who is finishing his command selection process. He has no idea how long it will take for him to reach the left seat. Could be months, could be a year, and beyond that you need a crystal ball.
Ballpark in Italy: captain 8000 euro, SFO 5000 euro fluctuating up and down depending on sectors flown.
18 months to command? Technically it is possible I guess, but I absolutely would not count on it. I just spoke to an SFO who is finishing his command selection process. He has no idea how long it will take for him to reach the left seat. Could be months, could be a year, and beyond that you need a crystal ball.
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Thanks for info guys,
Capt Spam can especially so
I was under the impression that EZY needed experienced F/o numbers to try and help narrow the situation of gradient on the flight deck
I have 7500 hrs on the A320/321/330 and don't want /couldnt live with flexi crew uncertainty or indeed basing
Really grateful to you all .
Capt Spam can especially so
I was under the impression that EZY needed experienced F/o numbers to try and help narrow the situation of gradient on the flight deck
I have 7500 hrs on the A320/321/330 and don't want /couldnt live with flexi crew uncertainty or indeed basing
Really grateful to you all .
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Alot of guys in Europe (Belgiums esp) are not paying tax....its full of commuters with different situations/scams going so its hard to guage take home....i know E6-6.6K is standard Orly paris take home for SFO after Social security, French pay there taxes at the end of the year, so you need to put some away the tax bill is around 10k for the year but after the accountant in Paris i think had re-done it, its around 3K...not bad for a years tax bill.
The boat for UK jet charter experienced SFO's joining easyJet for a quick UK command sailed in 2007. You've missed it my quite some margin. Colleagues with more foresight didn't.
In 2008 the portcullis on experienced FO's clattered down just before Christmas. After that it was CTC only. Flexi deals that treated you like you were are a flying instructor/air work guy... Congratulations on spending £70k to jump 4 rungs of the ladder - now rung 4 pays the same as the old rung 1. You were warned.
There is a vast pool of highly experienced SFO's in EZY despite talk to the contrary. The current expansion stops in 2013. A handful of direct entry SFO's may sneak in but i doubt it.
The sandpit is a much better bet for a job offer. I'd rather spoon my eyes out. But hey.
WWW
In 2008 the portcullis on experienced FO's clattered down just before Christmas. After that it was CTC only. Flexi deals that treated you like you were are a flying instructor/air work guy... Congratulations on spending £70k to jump 4 rungs of the ladder - now rung 4 pays the same as the old rung 1. You were warned.
There is a vast pool of highly experienced SFO's in EZY despite talk to the contrary. The current expansion stops in 2013. A handful of direct entry SFO's may sneak in but i doubt it.
The sandpit is a much better bet for a job offer. I'd rather spoon my eyes out. But hey.
WWW
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WWW.
You are absolutely 100% correct. The Flexi-Guys were well warned in advance and have not listened. Many of us told them to do whatever they can to get on to a Perm Contract, at any base in the network.
A small %age have moved to Europe, who are now EasyJet employees. Only those that have done so are on a Transfer List to the base of their choice. After 18/24 months of this debacle there are some guys complaining about the lack of hours/pay in the winter months, who have not even applied for a position in Europe, cos they are happy with their current base!!!
My comments might seem harsh to some, but if you are a Contractor on day one and do nothing to improve your long-term prospects. I just wonder!!
Apply as soon as you can for a Perm Contract and then have a semblance of control over your future. Take the hit of a possible poor basing but at least you are an EasyJet employee and you have protections.(thanks to BALPA)
There are numerous Captains on this forum who could tell you about not being based where they wanted to be!!
Good Luck Guys
You are absolutely 100% correct. The Flexi-Guys were well warned in advance and have not listened. Many of us told them to do whatever they can to get on to a Perm Contract, at any base in the network.
A small %age have moved to Europe, who are now EasyJet employees. Only those that have done so are on a Transfer List to the base of their choice. After 18/24 months of this debacle there are some guys complaining about the lack of hours/pay in the winter months, who have not even applied for a position in Europe, cos they are happy with their current base!!!
My comments might seem harsh to some, but if you are a Contractor on day one and do nothing to improve your long-term prospects. I just wonder!!
Apply as soon as you can for a Perm Contract and then have a semblance of control over your future. Take the hit of a possible poor basing but at least you are an EasyJet employee and you have protections.(thanks to BALPA)
There are numerous Captains on this forum who could tell you about not being based where they wanted to be!!
Good Luck Guys
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WWW is probably correct, but has an unfortunate way of saying it. He always sounds rather pleased about the fact that others can't get in to eJ anymore on decent terms and conditions - the employment conditions he so fully describes on occasion.
But don't worry about that, WB will soon be after the old t & c's next.
It's the old divide and conquer trick. Seems to be doing nicely at eJ.
Personally, if you want to be a Captain, like WWW says, I'd go to the M.E., I wouldn't feel the need to spoon my eyes out necessarily though. If you're not bothered about Command, I'd apply to B.A. as soon as possible.
Happy New Year to everyone.
But don't worry about that, WB will soon be after the old t & c's next.
It's the old divide and conquer trick. Seems to be doing nicely at eJ.
Personally, if you want to be a Captain, like WWW says, I'd go to the M.E., I wouldn't feel the need to spoon my eyes out necessarily though. If you're not bothered about Command, I'd apply to B.A. as soon as possible.
Happy New Year to everyone.
Last edited by Narrow Runway; 30th Dec 2011 at 07:50.
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Most of what others have written is reasonably accurate. The only way into EZY is through CTC Flexicrew/OAA as a cadet or PARC as a 320 rated contract SFO. There is, however, recognition that easyJet will have to offer a type-rating akin to the old TRSS in order to continue to recruit sufficient numbers to fill the large experience gap which has been created by the use of so many flexi-cadets in the RHS. The middle of this year and 2013 was mentioned as possible timing for that.
In the 2012 training year we will train 200 new flexi-cadets, 90 type-rated contract SFOs (most of whom have been "identified" I have been told) and about 150 new captains. Those are the most up-to-date figures I have.
There are no "quick commands". Type-rated contract SFOs will have to first secure a permanent contract then start the command assessment process in order to be put on the command list. A realistic minimum time to achieve this from starting as a contract SFO is 2-3 years. Then you'd have to wait in turn for your course.
Recruitment and command course numbers for 2013 and beyond are anyone's guess. EZY cannot go on expanding forever and already the strategy is to expand the business by replacing 319s with 320s where it makes commercial sense. And we are all bracing ourselves for a possible Eurozone collapse. Read into that what you will. That said, if any airline survives the crises, EZY will. There are a lot of captains who will be shuffling off into the sunset in the coming years so command opportunities will be there and there is no way that many of the flexi-cadets will be either experienced enough or good enough to take their places.
In the 2012 training year we will train 200 new flexi-cadets, 90 type-rated contract SFOs (most of whom have been "identified" I have been told) and about 150 new captains. Those are the most up-to-date figures I have.
There are no "quick commands". Type-rated contract SFOs will have to first secure a permanent contract then start the command assessment process in order to be put on the command list. A realistic minimum time to achieve this from starting as a contract SFO is 2-3 years. Then you'd have to wait in turn for your course.
Recruitment and command course numbers for 2013 and beyond are anyone's guess. EZY cannot go on expanding forever and already the strategy is to expand the business by replacing 319s with 320s where it makes commercial sense. And we are all bracing ourselves for a possible Eurozone collapse. Read into that what you will. That said, if any airline survives the crises, EZY will. There are a lot of captains who will be shuffling off into the sunset in the coming years so command opportunities will be there and there is no way that many of the flexi-cadets will be either experienced enough or good enough to take their places.
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Captain Spam Can, you might want to re-check your European salary figures! It looks like you forgot to subtract tax...
Why would you state a net salary when people are asking for pay information for a job?!
In both Italy, France and Germany your tax burden can change with 15-20 % depending on if you own a house, are married, have children, own a house abroad etc etc.....
For ANY salary comparison between jobs you need to compare gross salary and then people make their own tax deductions to that salary. Also when it comes to pension details gross salary needs to be given as this is what most (all?) pensions are based on....
Narrow Runway, on the contrary, I could not be more displeased and no man has done more to facilitate the arresting of the inevitable decline.
I hope you're not bitter with me for being one of the very few I've had to eject from the easyJet private forum.
Happy New Year.
WWW
I hope you're not bitter with me for being one of the very few I've had to eject from the easyJet private forum.
Happy New Year.
WWW
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easyJet private forum?
WWW,
I think you've got the wrong man there? What easyJet private forum have you ever ejected me from? And when?
Seeing as I've never worked for eJ, I couldn't have been a member of your forum.
As for being bitter? Not me old fellow. Currently enjoying 7 weeks off (full duty and base pay) over Xmas. I also love my 2 week on/off roster. And I love the fact that I work outside the airlines for one of the FTSE 100 biggest companies with minimal exposure to Europe or the UK. The mix of long/short and medium haul is amazing and all the better that we only ever work Monday to Thursday on the whole. And seeing as I only fly 250 hours a year and earn at least as much as an easyJet Captain, I can't see why I would need to be bitter.
As I said, Happy New Year. I'm off skiing tomorrow. Ironically, on easyJet as they fly to near my Alpine retreat. Better than Ryanair though!
I think you've got the wrong man there? What easyJet private forum have you ever ejected me from? And when?
Seeing as I've never worked for eJ, I couldn't have been a member of your forum.
As for being bitter? Not me old fellow. Currently enjoying 7 weeks off (full duty and base pay) over Xmas. I also love my 2 week on/off roster. And I love the fact that I work outside the airlines for one of the FTSE 100 biggest companies with minimal exposure to Europe or the UK. The mix of long/short and medium haul is amazing and all the better that we only ever work Monday to Thursday on the whole. And seeing as I only fly 250 hours a year and earn at least as much as an easyJet Captain, I can't see why I would need to be bitter.
As I said, Happy New Year. I'm off skiing tomorrow. Ironically, on easyJet as they fly to near my Alpine retreat. Better than Ryanair though!