Thomson recruitment.
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I was also there yesterday and also, unfortunately, didn't go through to the afternoon interviews. What N9231C said is pretty accurate -- save that the tech test seemed quite a bit broader in scope than conventional 'simple' ATPL technical theory.
For those of you still to go, it's a good chance to get to know what seems to be a good employer and a really friendly bunch to work with. There certainly appeared to be no tricks or surprises. I would wager there's little in the morning session that can realistically be 'prepared' for in advance (save the technical knowlege factor).
For those of you still to go, it's a good chance to get to know what seems to be a good employer and a really friendly bunch to work with. There certainly appeared to be no tricks or surprises. I would wager there's little in the morning session that can realistically be 'prepared' for in advance (save the technical knowlege factor).
Last edited by Sheep Worrier; 1st Oct 2015 at 16:48.
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Jay solo
Leave is booked through the crew leave system and not via carmen.Nevertheless , that scenario is virtually impossible . Can't remember ,but you can have a limited number of short blocks of leave per annum.
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I'll try and keep this brief as leave/Carmen etc are all quite complicated and new joiners will get to sit down and really study the systems and how best to make them work for themselves.
So to try and get a weekend off in Summer there are various options, the easiest is Gold days. A full time pilot on the 73/75/76 has ten of these and they are booked on pairs up to a year in advance down to about 2 months.
Then there is Silver days, there are again 10, booked on pairs available about 3 months out down to 2 months.
Another option is leave, now this is the most complicated bit that only the dedicated understand (I don't) we have a points based system essentially the earlier you book (around a year) and the closer to high season (August) then the higher the points. The higher your points the less likely you will get your requests in the following year. Only a small amount of small blocks can be booked per season. This is to protect the roster as the odd day here and there would really cock up the rostering system whereas the standard week won't.
The final option is Carmen, this is our rostering preference system but most find trying to get a specific day or weekend off iffy at best. I put in for every weekend off in Carmen and get two or so a month so I'm happy.
The happiest and most successful people know the systems well and put a little time in to organise their lives, I find those who only try for August off every year and never really bid through Carmen or use GDOs/SDOs are those that complain that the systems don't work.
Just to add an example, I put a bit of time (an afternoon a month) into organising my life and next year I have a week in March for skiing, GDOs April for a wedding, two weeks in May for golf and another foreign wedding, GDOs in June for my birthday and GDOs in August for the bank holiday. I'll get a week in September as well. The only moth I haven't covered is July so I'll book a weekend off now to make sure I have at least one.
Hope that helps, DC
So to try and get a weekend off in Summer there are various options, the easiest is Gold days. A full time pilot on the 73/75/76 has ten of these and they are booked on pairs up to a year in advance down to about 2 months.
Then there is Silver days, there are again 10, booked on pairs available about 3 months out down to 2 months.
Another option is leave, now this is the most complicated bit that only the dedicated understand (I don't) we have a points based system essentially the earlier you book (around a year) and the closer to high season (August) then the higher the points. The higher your points the less likely you will get your requests in the following year. Only a small amount of small blocks can be booked per season. This is to protect the roster as the odd day here and there would really cock up the rostering system whereas the standard week won't.
The final option is Carmen, this is our rostering preference system but most find trying to get a specific day or weekend off iffy at best. I put in for every weekend off in Carmen and get two or so a month so I'm happy.
The happiest and most successful people know the systems well and put a little time in to organise their lives, I find those who only try for August off every year and never really bid through Carmen or use GDOs/SDOs are those that complain that the systems don't work.
Just to add an example, I put a bit of time (an afternoon a month) into organising my life and next year I have a week in March for skiing, GDOs April for a wedding, two weeks in May for golf and another foreign wedding, GDOs in June for my birthday and GDOs in August for the bank holiday. I'll get a week in September as well. The only moth I haven't covered is July so I'll book a weekend off now to make sure I have at least one.
Hope that helps, DC
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Ok, thanks for that detailed explanation.
But I'd assume if you need to take an emergency day off for that week (house flooded, gas leak) or next week, it would be difficult?
And can you for example: bid for earlies on a specific day and lates on others or is it either all earlies and all lates?
But I'd assume if you need to take an emergency day off for that week (house flooded, gas leak) or next week, it would be difficult?
And can you for example: bid for earlies on a specific day and lates on others or is it either all earlies and all lates?
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Ok, thanks for that detailed explanation.
But I'd assume if you need to take an emergency day off for that week (house flooded, gas leak) or next week, it would be difficult?
And can you for example: bid for earlies on a specific day and lates on others or is it either all earlies and all lates?
But I'd assume if you need to take an emergency day off for that week (house flooded, gas leak) or next week, it would be difficult?
And can you for example: bid for earlies on a specific day and lates on others or is it either all earlies and all lates?
And yes, you can bid for earliest/lates/specific destination/days off/flight number/base to base or trips etc I can't remember them all.
doobler
have you ever needed an emergency day off? when my poor old dad was rushed into hospital (he died 3 days later) the b@stards in crew control told me I could only get out of my AGP later that day if I was myself sick! I explained the situation to them once again in words a monkey could understand, only to get the same unhelpful response. It took another 2hrs of pacing up and down, before I got some sense out of a senior manager who finally released me from the duty and only after explaining it all yet again. That was 10 yrs ago and I still haven't got over how totally useless and unhelpful crew control were when I really, really needed support.
To be fair, I did get out of the duty, but only after a huge amount of needless stress which would have rendered me unfit for duty in any case.
Just don't try to tell me how good they are....
To be fair, I did get out of the duty, but only after a huge amount of needless stress which would have rendered me unfit for duty in any case.
Just don't try to tell me how good they are....
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Hec7or
My grandfather died eight years ago while I was on contract with the scandies, I was also down in ace on a night stop. I spoke to crewing and they organised for me to get back to Oslo to pick up clothes and then to get back to the uk, it all happened by the next day, I was off for 10 days in total with no questions from anyone only a how's it all going and anything we can do attitude.
Had a few other days when misses was preggers and again crewing were nothing but helpful. Maybe they had been given an attitude readjustment?
Had a few other days when misses was preggers and again crewing were nothing but helpful. Maybe they had been given an attitude readjustment?
rjay
when I rang crewing to explain the circumstances, I was expecting them to be helpful as I had heard extremely good things from colleagues about how they handled compassionate issues and given the extremely stressful situation, they only managed to add more stress, I was utterly gobsmacked by their totally unsympathetic attitude
Guess I was unlucky, but I felt it needed a mention.
Guess I was unlucky, but I felt it needed a mention.
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when I rang crewing to explain the circumstances, I was expecting them to be helpful as I had heard extremely good things from colleagues about how they handled compassionate issues and given the extremely stressful situation, they only managed to add more stress, I was utterly gobsmacked by their totally unsympathetic attitude
For all we know the guy that hec7or could have been speaking to might have been in the same issue having had a no from the Company or a bad day in the Office (no excuse however). Pilots in general think Crewing Staff are there bosses - wrong.
I had a similar situ many years ago when Mrs Angry was sick. I rang BA Crew Control (she was having asthma attack) and got a ear full from Crew Control, no one else etc etc. I politely advised I was sorry but it wasn't her fault and it was now Crewing's issue. More negative banter so I slipped in I was more than happy to follow up the call the next day with XX who was the Boss of BA Crewing (and who i knew well)
The wife got pulled in when she went to work next.
O the opposite side when we witnessed the BMA Kegworth crash at EMA and the wife went to work the following day I rang BA and they could not have been better.
Did I hold a grudge against BA - No of course not
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Hi
I've been offered a job with Thomson and am mulling over whether to accept. On the one hand I think Thomson would be a great place to spend the rest of my career - the overall package is quite a bit better than my current company. Initially though I'm looking at a 50% pay cut along with part time for 5 years, sat at the bottom of a seniority list (never comfortable) and back in the right hand seat for potentially 15+ years – all added up makes me wonder if I'm mad to even be considering it, especially as I've a UK command at a base near my home in a relatively stable airline. I've read right through this thread and it seems there's differences of opinion in the current workforce as regards Thomson as an employer but I felt the vibe overall seems to be generally positive? Ultimately obviously only I can make the decision but wondered what others thought?
H44
I've been offered a job with Thomson and am mulling over whether to accept. On the one hand I think Thomson would be a great place to spend the rest of my career - the overall package is quite a bit better than my current company. Initially though I'm looking at a 50% pay cut along with part time for 5 years, sat at the bottom of a seniority list (never comfortable) and back in the right hand seat for potentially 15+ years – all added up makes me wonder if I'm mad to even be considering it, especially as I've a UK command at a base near my home in a relatively stable airline. I've read right through this thread and it seems there's differences of opinion in the current workforce as regards Thomson as an employer but I felt the vibe overall seems to be generally positive? Ultimately obviously only I can make the decision but wondered what others thought?
H44
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H44
I think the 15+ years to command may be coming to an end due to the fact that it was five years ago that the age discrimination law came into effect. Saying that don't expect command within ten years tho.
I like it here, it's varied, or was as I've now just joined the 787 fleet. I think if you plan to be part time for five years then you won't be disappointed if it happens, I don't think you would be but sadly don't have the crystal ball. It's a great bunch of people to work with hence why after ten years I'm still here.
Ultimately tho the choice is yours and the considerations you have to make are yours alone.
Whatever you chose good luck.
I like it here, it's varied, or was as I've now just joined the 787 fleet. I think if you plan to be part time for five years then you won't be disappointed if it happens, I don't think you would be but sadly don't have the crystal ball. It's a great bunch of people to work with hence why after ten years I'm still here.
Ultimately tho the choice is yours and the considerations you have to make are yours alone.
Whatever you chose good luck.
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H44
Hi, it is a difficult decision. I too took a pay cut and gave up a command to come here but virtually everything else was much better and I have never looked back. Perhaps my decision was a bit easier as there were no PPY contracts then. Like most companies there have been difficult times but there have been great opportunities too. I still think Thomson rates as one of the best employers in the country. Good luck whatever you decide.
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Thanks for the replies. Is there a type freeze period after an internal transfer? I'll be joining on the 737 but would be bidding to go on the 787 straight away. Say I put down the 75/76 as my second preference and got it after a couple of years, would I be then blocked from going on the 787 for another x number of years?
Yeoman
Was any progress made on the pension issue that you can divulge on here? Or was the 10% pension mentioned at the assessment centre with no change to the basic salary as good as the CC could get out of the company?
For sure, the pension for new joiners is on the company's list but there is more than one way to skin a cat. The negotiation team is closing in on a deal that by definition will need to be ready for day one of the selection days because that will be the first question.
Was any progress made on the pension issue that you can divulge on here? Or was the 10% pension mentioned at the assessment centre with no change to the basic salary as good as the CC could get out of the company?
