Required viewing for anyone contemplating a "career" in a well known LoCo airline
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Required viewing for anyone contemplating a "career" in a well known LoCo airline
A day in the life of a LoCo pilot. . . . . . . .
Life on the Line “Stress is a silent killer" I believe most of us endure a certain level of stress, for various reasons which aren't necessarily the same ones. Here's a sample of just one day in my life
I don't think there is any exaggeration used here, and it certainly seems a fairly accurate narrative of how I remember my "floating contractor" (everyone nowadays more or less) colleagues, having to conduct their life.
I hope the pprune powers that be, do not feel the need to remove it, as it is, a fair & salutory lesson to those about to embark on this route.
Edited to fix link (below) & remove any "sensitive" names from thread title.
Life on the Line
Life on the Line “Stress is a silent killer" I believe most of us endure a certain level of stress, for various reasons which aren't necessarily the same ones. Here's a sample of just one day in my life
I don't think there is any exaggeration used here, and it certainly seems a fairly accurate narrative of how I remember my "floating contractor" (everyone nowadays more or less) colleagues, having to conduct their life.
I hope the pprune powers that be, do not feel the need to remove it, as it is, a fair & salutory lesson to those about to embark on this route.
Edited to fix link (below) & remove any "sensitive" names from thread title.
Life on the Line
Last edited by captplaystation; 12th Dec 2012 at 20:16.
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Agree with you Captplaystation.
It reminds me of the many occasions where I have had to fly at another base, but it also reminds me of many occasions when I have reported for duty at the crew room, called out 'Good Morning' and a deathly silence ensues. Not one cabin crew member replies as they stare blank-faced at their mobile phones or just continue with their previous conversations. I find it so dispiriting that people just don't have the most basic respect and/or manners for a fellow colleague and can't find the time or be bothered to say hello and ask how you are. It's very sad indeed.
His recollections of security and some (not all) of their staff's approach to a 'search' are unfortunately spot on. It's degrading, unjustified and unnecessary.
Oh yes it's a wonderful quality of life if you are a pilot these days.
It reminds me of the many occasions where I have had to fly at another base, but it also reminds me of many occasions when I have reported for duty at the crew room, called out 'Good Morning' and a deathly silence ensues. Not one cabin crew member replies as they stare blank-faced at their mobile phones or just continue with their previous conversations. I find it so dispiriting that people just don't have the most basic respect and/or manners for a fellow colleague and can't find the time or be bothered to say hello and ask how you are. It's very sad indeed.
His recollections of security and some (not all) of their staff's approach to a 'search' are unfortunately spot on. It's degrading, unjustified and unnecessary.
Oh yes it's a wonderful quality of life if you are a pilot these days.
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perhaps expand our perspective?
i agree it can be unpleasant at times, but it still beats being unemployed. at least in my estimation.
as for individuals and their unpleasantness, that is simply their own personalities; though admittedly strongly influenced by the flow of waste water from the top down.
and it is obvious as to which airline is in the background; or am i wearing tinted glasses?
we all know the thread connections which state that the airline with a slight tint of blue on their aircraft are deemed as the devils that are driving down all other airlines' terms and conditions; but there again, that is short sighted.
just in my short time, i can see a thread going back to the peanut farmer president.
but i do think the real difficulty was written about by a scottish bloke, Adam Smith. he clearly saw and described the flaws in capitalism.
placing any valid blame gets rather difficult in the fog.
stopping the big process is just as difficult (to a factored multiple) as it is to stop on the individual level as shown in this specific example.
the snow ball is hard to stop or get out of the way of.
we, as flight crew are the last barriers to stop the snowball from hitting the aircraft and the passengers, but are also the first and final blame takers if any of the game goes askew.
i still love the airplane and what it can do. sometimes that is the only thing i like.
as for individuals and their unpleasantness, that is simply their own personalities; though admittedly strongly influenced by the flow of waste water from the top down.
and it is obvious as to which airline is in the background; or am i wearing tinted glasses?
we all know the thread connections which state that the airline with a slight tint of blue on their aircraft are deemed as the devils that are driving down all other airlines' terms and conditions; but there again, that is short sighted.
just in my short time, i can see a thread going back to the peanut farmer president.
but i do think the real difficulty was written about by a scottish bloke, Adam Smith. he clearly saw and described the flaws in capitalism.
placing any valid blame gets rather difficult in the fog.
stopping the big process is just as difficult (to a factored multiple) as it is to stop on the individual level as shown in this specific example.
the snow ball is hard to stop or get out of the way of.
we, as flight crew are the last barriers to stop the snowball from hitting the aircraft and the passengers, but are also the first and final blame takers if any of the game goes askew.
i still love the airplane and what it can do. sometimes that is the only thing i like.
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It doesn't have to be made so difficult!
In the past I was required to go and relieve a pilot downroute who had fallen ill. I was phoned at home (on standby) and told I would be positioning out the following day. I was given all flight numbers, times and booking numbers.
Turned up for work in Civvies. Checked in with a First Class onload priority, told, very apologetically by the check in staff, that commercial were holding the First cabin due cancellations on other flights but the gate team had been informed.
Straight through security, oops, forgot my belt, back through the scanner. Staff, polite and ameniable. Into the First lounge at the departure station and relax. Get to the gate and the boarding pass doesn't scan as 'checked in', the nice lady takes the boadring card, checks the computer and informs me I ave been moved to first. Thank you! Lovely flight, get into the destination there is a nice man holding a placard with my name on it and takes me to a Limo which takes me to a pre-booked hotel in the city. The following day is off, the morning after I meet the crew, board a bus back to the airport where the airport station manager is waiting for us with the paperwork. We brief, get a heads up on the state of play of the airfield from the station manager, get introduced to our ground engineer and dispatcher then take the crew lane through security to the aircraft.
Once onboard, first get a cup of coffee, there are some sandwiches waiting for us in the flight deck and a couple of bottles of water each. We run the setup, load the passengers and depart for a pleasant flight home.
The reason for the story above is that the conditions in the OP post don't exist everywhere. I am lucky with the company I work for, they do look after the operation and their crews well and the support staff are almost always there when you need them.
The biggest problem is that until those who want to 'fly the dream' are aware of how it works on the grinding production line of LoCo they will continue to beat down the doors of the training colleges. For those in the LoCo's there are better jobs out there, it's just that they are stagnant at the moment but a little rumour has it that that may change soon.
Good luck!
In the past I was required to go and relieve a pilot downroute who had fallen ill. I was phoned at home (on standby) and told I would be positioning out the following day. I was given all flight numbers, times and booking numbers.
Turned up for work in Civvies. Checked in with a First Class onload priority, told, very apologetically by the check in staff, that commercial were holding the First cabin due cancellations on other flights but the gate team had been informed.
Straight through security, oops, forgot my belt, back through the scanner. Staff, polite and ameniable. Into the First lounge at the departure station and relax. Get to the gate and the boarding pass doesn't scan as 'checked in', the nice lady takes the boadring card, checks the computer and informs me I ave been moved to first. Thank you! Lovely flight, get into the destination there is a nice man holding a placard with my name on it and takes me to a Limo which takes me to a pre-booked hotel in the city. The following day is off, the morning after I meet the crew, board a bus back to the airport where the airport station manager is waiting for us with the paperwork. We brief, get a heads up on the state of play of the airfield from the station manager, get introduced to our ground engineer and dispatcher then take the crew lane through security to the aircraft.
Once onboard, first get a cup of coffee, there are some sandwiches waiting for us in the flight deck and a couple of bottles of water each. We run the setup, load the passengers and depart for a pleasant flight home.
The reason for the story above is that the conditions in the OP post don't exist everywhere. I am lucky with the company I work for, they do look after the operation and their crews well and the support staff are almost always there when you need them.
The biggest problem is that until those who want to 'fly the dream' are aware of how it works on the grinding production line of LoCo they will continue to beat down the doors of the training colleges. For those in the LoCo's there are better jobs out there, it's just that they are stagnant at the moment but a little rumour has it that that may change soon.
Good luck!
Last edited by Wirbelsturm; 13th Dec 2012 at 08:56.
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Thanks for a great post captplaystation.
I recognise some of these experiences. Often the biggest problems are the easiest to fix. Colleagues not saying "good morning" to a new face in the crewroom was always frustrating.
We as professional people are divided in many ways. You need only to look to those TRE's that have set up companies to profit from the immoral treatment of their newer colleagues.
I recognise some of these experiences. Often the biggest problems are the easiest to fix. Colleagues not saying "good morning" to a new face in the crewroom was always frustrating.
We as professional people are divided in many ways. You need only to look to those TRE's that have set up companies to profit from the immoral treatment of their newer colleagues.
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Broken printers, tardy colleagues and jobsworth security are unfortunately a fact of life, doesn't matter what colour your aeroplane is painted.
Apart from having to book your own room, this scenario is common to a lot of pilots these days
Apart from having to book your own room, this scenario is common to a lot of pilots these days
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That's how it works these days. It's odd and awful but as long as people don't care about safety over the ticket prices and "good and polite behavior" of the workers, it will work this way forever.
We can do whatever we want, but we are unable because pilots are not fighters; pilots are crying babies looking for ti*s...
We can do whatever we want, but we are unable because pilots are not fighters; pilots are crying babies looking for ti*s...
Last edited by Breakthesilence; 13th Dec 2012 at 11:54.
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captplaystation,
Spot on. I could have written the same story several tmes over. I too have experienced incredibly rude, disrespectful and unfriendly CC at STN(mainly) whilst jumpseating, despite wearing the captain's uniform of the company they work for. I find it quite soul-destroying. I try to treat everyone, no matter who they are or which position they hold, with politeness and respect. This does not apply to everyone (there are a few very notable exceptions), but I fear the further east (europe) one may originate the ruder one may be.
Spot on. I could have written the same story several tmes over. I too have experienced incredibly rude, disrespectful and unfriendly CC at STN(mainly) whilst jumpseating, despite wearing the captain's uniform of the company they work for. I find it quite soul-destroying. I try to treat everyone, no matter who they are or which position they hold, with politeness and respect. This does not apply to everyone (there are a few very notable exceptions), but I fear the further east (europe) one may originate the ruder one may be.
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WE let it happen, WE (including me) only have ourselves to blame because WE sold our asses to the airlines for whatever we could get.
Doesn't make it right, but its all too late to complain now.
Happy Christmas, whatever Premier Inn your'e in!
Doesn't make it right, but its all too late to complain now.
Happy Christmas, whatever Premier Inn your'e in!
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Oh, we've all had days like that . Not being loco though, I never had several in a row.
As captain, you are put upon to be the frigging all swing eye on occasion. Alot of these problems stem from lack if support/ manpower. I used to get stressed about printers that wouldn't print etc, then I had an epiphany -actually, if we go late we go late and my blood pressure is not going to rise one notch due to the companies over reliance on IT.
As for surely staff, I expect that. CC are underpaid and overworked so why would they be happy. The atmosphere on a certain ex heathrow based airlines crewbus was like being on a hearse at times .
If necessary just out rude the rude ones !
As captain, you are put upon to be the frigging all swing eye on occasion. Alot of these problems stem from lack if support/ manpower. I used to get stressed about printers that wouldn't print etc, then I had an epiphany -actually, if we go late we go late and my blood pressure is not going to rise one notch due to the companies over reliance on IT.
As for surely staff, I expect that. CC are underpaid and overworked so why would they be happy. The atmosphere on a certain ex heathrow based airlines crewbus was like being on a hearse at times .
If necessary just out rude the rude ones !
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....Beats being unemployed.
It's come to something when that's the best you can say about it.
Ah, but of course you aren't "employed" are you?
In fact you are paying handsomely for the privilege of employing yourself, via Joe Bloggs Ltd, a company of which you are Director, but not Manager.
Ah, but of course you aren't "employed" are you?
In fact you are paying handsomely for the privilege of employing yourself, via Joe Bloggs Ltd, a company of which you are Director, but not Manager.
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Not to downplay the situation in that certain airline, wouldn't most problems from the captain in question be solved or at least a lot less had he come a little earlier instead of STD-45?
Unfriendly people are everywhere unfortunately...
Unfriendly people are everywhere unfortunately...
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Now I understand why so many Ryanair pilots are fleeing to Emirates recently. Life on the 777 at EK is likely a bit easier.
I realise that FR close or reduce flights at bases on a whim. Depends largely on local airport tax changes and fees, etc. How often do these base re-assignments happen at FR? Does it depend on your seniority in base? I can see how junior FOs could be whipped around.
Obviously beneficial if you are unmarried, without kids and without a home with mortgage if you have the potential to be moved to another base on short notice. If I experienced the same situation as the author, I'd be looking for an exit... Can't imagine doing that for 20-30 years...
Great article!!! It should be posted in every flight school....
I realise that FR close or reduce flights at bases on a whim. Depends largely on local airport tax changes and fees, etc. How often do these base re-assignments happen at FR? Does it depend on your seniority in base? I can see how junior FOs could be whipped around.
Obviously beneficial if you are unmarried, without kids and without a home with mortgage if you have the potential to be moved to another base on short notice. If I experienced the same situation as the author, I'd be looking for an exit... Can't imagine doing that for 20-30 years...
Great article!!! It should be posted in every flight school....
Last edited by Iver; 14th Dec 2012 at 16:16.
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I recognise all the above however the first several pages would be irrelevant if you are on permanent contract because if they send you out of base they pay for, wait for it - everything.
14 years in Ryanair and days out of base I could count on two hands!
In recent years they have only asked me once to go out of base for a week. I responded ok but first;
1) which flights have you organised for me to get to this base
2) have you organised my taxi
3) have you booked and paid for my hotel
4) oh remind me again how much is a european per diem per night?
Their response - "we will call you back"
5 minutes later - "we have found someone else" ie a contractor
This Captain (ie me) flew his 5 days from his own base had a full 4 days off at home and all in my own bed. Lovely.
However what the contractors dont tell you is that for the inconvenience as per the tale on the thread he is probably on paying 20% tax through his 'company' unlike my 40% and because they are paid in Euro and the exchange rate has been quite tasty over the last 5 years they have been coining it in.
And when asked if they would like to be permanent most say no. Which means 2 days travelling on your days off and constantly out of base.
I am not saying the Captain in question would turn down the opportunity of being permanent but most do because its just too much money they are throwing away by going permanent.
Like everything theres two sides to every story. Most involving money........
14 years in Ryanair and days out of base I could count on two hands!
In recent years they have only asked me once to go out of base for a week. I responded ok but first;
1) which flights have you organised for me to get to this base
2) have you organised my taxi
3) have you booked and paid for my hotel
4) oh remind me again how much is a european per diem per night?
Their response - "we will call you back"
5 minutes later - "we have found someone else" ie a contractor
This Captain (ie me) flew his 5 days from his own base had a full 4 days off at home and all in my own bed. Lovely.
However what the contractors dont tell you is that for the inconvenience as per the tale on the thread he is probably on paying 20% tax through his 'company' unlike my 40% and because they are paid in Euro and the exchange rate has been quite tasty over the last 5 years they have been coining it in.
And when asked if they would like to be permanent most say no. Which means 2 days travelling on your days off and constantly out of base.
I am not saying the Captain in question would turn down the opportunity of being permanent but most do because its just too much money they are throwing away by going permanent.
Like everything theres two sides to every story. Most involving money........