Thomas Cook
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: UK
Plenty of talk on the line but nothing from the 'Management'. That's not unusual: the shags at the pointy end are always the last to be told. Someone on the outside trying to get in is more likely to hear of expansion and recruitment before the inmates. That all said, there's a feeling of cautious optimism in TCX just now and the 'sausage machine' is creaking into life with more new commands rumored over the next year and therefore a need for additional pilots overall.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 24
From: England
Joined the company recently along with over 40 others who have been hired since around Christmas 2014. Largest recruitment into TCX in a very long time. Lots of internal rumours doing the rounds that between 30 and 50 FOs are lined up for BA (50 seems a bit high to me though). The retirement bulge is returning but an increasing number of old boys are wanting part time well before that. It would be difficult and wrong for anyone to give a precise number and indication of recruitment for 2016 but most of the guys I fly with reckon easily 50 more. Most people seem to get an interview based on internal recommendation, however I didn't know anyone.
...and before the PMs start, I take Bitcoin and Paypal
...and before the PMs start, I take Bitcoin and Paypal
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Superpilot,
Congrats on the job! Some questions:
1. Which bases are open to newhires?
2. What are the schedules like these days? How many days off per month likely?
3. Where are newhires typically coming from?
Cheers
Congrats on the job! Some questions:
1. Which bases are open to newhires?
2. What are the schedules like these days? How many days off per month likely?
3. Where are newhires typically coming from?
Cheers
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 24
From: England
1.) For the last round of recruitment, all bases were open. The vast majority got what they wanted.
2.) I fly from an airport in the south and am engaged only 3 times a week. 85 hours per month over the summer doing charters can come very quickly. A couple of Canaries, several Turkeys and a few Greek Island trips has you up to 85 hours in no time.
3.) Everywhere. Most I believe are ex EZY Flexi or Aer Lingus. Only about 15 cadets.
2.) I fly from an airport in the south and am engaged only 3 times a week. 85 hours per month over the summer doing charters can come very quickly. A couple of Canaries, several Turkeys and a few Greek Island trips has you up to 85 hours in no time.
3.) Everywhere. Most I believe are ex EZY Flexi or Aer Lingus. Only about 15 cadets.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: uk
Career breakers being asked if they are interested returning early..... Due to a 'significant' number being recruited for next summer.
Ba need 350 next year
Thomson need around 60.......
At last the pilot may just have a little leverage!
Ba need 350 next year
Thomson need around 60.......
At last the pilot may just have a little leverage!
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Centre of Universe
Thomas Cook
Frozen
What sort of leverage are you talking?
Maybe choices but leverage?
If a crew member leaves the airline I work for I'm either extremely happy if he causes me grief (I've never had a she that caused me grief) or I'm extremely happy if he/she is leaving for pastures new / better and I've been part of that journey. e.g. A cadet moving to BA
Airline life is full if cycles, the last cycle was movement to the Middle East - not sure that worked out that well judging by the moans and groans on Middle East.
What sort of leverage are you talking?
Maybe choices but leverage?
If a crew member leaves the airline I work for I'm either extremely happy if he causes me grief (I've never had a she that caused me grief) or I'm extremely happy if he/she is leaving for pastures new / better and I've been part of that journey. e.g. A cadet moving to BA
Airline life is full if cycles, the last cycle was movement to the Middle East - not sure that worked out that well judging by the moans and groans on Middle East.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: uk
@ Twiglet
Indeed Airline life is cycles.... It's supply and demand! I suffered its effect at 3 of the UK's biggest charter operators. The point being, right now unlike anytime in the past 8-10 years the industry is buoyant. We have had years of Airline management driving down T's and C's whilst scooping up healthy bonuses for themselves. Ba now on the hunt for a huge number of pilots and this starting to filter down to other operators with sizeable recruitment programs being planned. We are now in demand and as a group have the opportunity pressure for better terms and conditions for our industry.... However, I do remain sceptical!
Indeed Airline life is cycles.... It's supply and demand! I suffered its effect at 3 of the UK's biggest charter operators. The point being, right now unlike anytime in the past 8-10 years the industry is buoyant. We have had years of Airline management driving down T's and C's whilst scooping up healthy bonuses for themselves. Ba now on the hunt for a huge number of pilots and this starting to filter down to other operators with sizeable recruitment programs being planned. We are now in demand and as a group have the opportunity pressure for better terms and conditions for our industry.... However, I do remain sceptical!
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,938
Likes: 2
From: Manchester, UK
They have done, Harry. The intake has been a mix of experience levels; some 200 hr (ish) guys (nothing to do with ctc as far as I know)up,to few thousand hrs inc, as Super pilot says a few non-TR who were billed £12k (paid off over four yrs) for the privilege. The non rated guys started on a 7/5 contract (7on 5 months off) with the salary payments divided by 12
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
CTC and Oxford cadet pilots made up some of the last intake, which, as shotone said, was made up of a mixture of backgrounds and experience levels. They took over the winter with type ratings etc up until late spring/early summer.
Good to see that Thomas Cook don't share the same view as Harry Palmer and will give EVERYONE a chance.
Good to see that Thomas Cook don't share the same view as Harry Palmer and will give EVERYONE a chance.
Last edited by planedrive; 8th August 2015 at 22:03. Reason: spelling
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 919
Likes: 6
From: uk
The last recruitment went on far longer than it seems that it was planned for and a wide variety of candidates were taken on, as stated above. There is currently lots of informed comments about this years intake being around 40 to,in part, compensate for commands courses forthcoming this Autumn.
I'd say that this would be a good time to join as the airline is enjoying a bit of a growth spurt. And when all is said and done, its a pretty good place to work compared to many of the other jobs available to new FO's.
I'd say that this would be a good time to join as the airline is enjoying a bit of a growth spurt. And when all is said and done, its a pretty good place to work compared to many of the other jobs available to new FO's.