Thomson recruitment.
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: 38,000ft
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: 38,000ft
Hi all,
Is anyone able to help with some questions for a potential new joiner?
- How does the rostering system work in basic terms?
- Is anyone able to share some 787 rosters for new FO's? And is this location specific i.e. does Manchester differ to Gatwick?
- expected time to LHS? I appreciate this can vary significantly.
Thank you in advance for any replies. FH
Is anyone able to help with some questions for a potential new joiner?
- How does the rostering system work in basic terms?
- Is anyone able to share some 787 rosters for new FO's? And is this location specific i.e. does Manchester differ to Gatwick?
- expected time to LHS? I appreciate this can vary significantly.
Thank you in advance for any replies. FH
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Hi all,
Is anyone able to help with some questions for a potential new joiner?
- How does the rostering system work in basic terms?
- Is anyone able to share some 787 rosters for new FO's? And is this location specific i.e. does Manchester differ to Gatwick?
- expected time to LHS? I appreciate this can vary significantly.
Thank you in advance for any replies. FH
Is anyone able to help with some questions for a potential new joiner?
- How does the rostering system work in basic terms?
- Is anyone able to share some 787 rosters for new FO's? And is this location specific i.e. does Manchester differ to Gatwick?
- expected time to LHS? I appreciate this can vary significantly.
Thank you in advance for any replies. FH
2 - In winter imagine a mix of trips from bullets (1 night) to week long trips, with a lot of positioning to Scandi land. Some trips are great e.g. 1 week downroute in LIR or CMB, others are grim (I have no idea how 21hrs down-route in Thailand is even legal). There's lots of positioning around the Caribbean too in a Jetstream or CRJ, which can be fun on short hops, tedious on longer ones. In summer it's more bullets on the 787, but if you're a new starter you won't see summer on a 787 for a few years as they're dual-fleeting people onto 737 for summers (They want to eventually make this dual-fleeting standard). 737 summers are brutal, expect 6 on 2 off with deep nights and transitions, the 737s saving grace is exceptionally quiet winters, however you'll be going back onto the 787 for winter to ensure you're busy!
3- Massively varies, I hear of people getting it at around 6 years on 737, 12+ on 787. Keep in mind that if you take LHS 737 after 6 years, you'll have to wait until your turn to get LHS 787 (It's not a fast track), although they may offer dual fleet again, so you get long haul in the winters if you're willing to sacrifice your life for some LH. Captain's payscales are calculated by time in rank, not time in company, so an earlier command is probably more profitable than holding out for 787 LHS. All fleets are on the same payscale.
Any other questions fire them my way, if you don't want to ask something publicly feel free to PM.
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: 38,000ft
1- The rostering system is massively outdated compared to other airlines, but once your roster is published it's set and they can't do any significant changes without your permission. There is a bidding system, but I'm not sure it's ever given anyone what they want. It certainly hasn't for me, and I've not met anyone singing it's praises.
2 - In winter imagine a mix of trips from bullets (1 night) to week long trips, with a lot of positioning to Scandi land. Some trips are great e.g. 1 week downroute in LIR or CMB, others are grim (I have no idea how 21hrs down-route in Thailand is even legal). There's lots of positioning around the Caribbean too in a Jetstream or CRJ, which can be fun on short hops, tedious on longer ones. In summer it's more bullets on the 787, but if you're a new starter you won't see summer on a 787 for a few years as they're dual-fleeting people onto 737 for summers (They want to eventually make this dual-fleeting standard). 737 summers are brutal, expect 6 on 2 off with deep nights and transitions, the 737s saving grace is exceptionally quiet winters, however you'll be going back onto the 787 for winter to ensure you're busy!
3- Massively varies, I hear of people getting it at around 6 years on 737, 12+ on 787. Keep in mind that if you take LHS 737 after 6 years, you'll have to wait until your turn to get LHS 787 (It's not a fast track), although they may offer dual fleet again, so you get long haul in the winters if you're willing to sacrifice your life for some LH. Captain's payscales are calculated by time in rank, not time in company, so an earlier command is probably more profitable than holding out for 787 LHS. All fleets are on the same payscale.
Any other questions fire them my way, if you don't want to ask something publicly feel free to PM.
2 - In winter imagine a mix of trips from bullets (1 night) to week long trips, with a lot of positioning to Scandi land. Some trips are great e.g. 1 week downroute in LIR or CMB, others are grim (I have no idea how 21hrs down-route in Thailand is even legal). There's lots of positioning around the Caribbean too in a Jetstream or CRJ, which can be fun on short hops, tedious on longer ones. In summer it's more bullets on the 787, but if you're a new starter you won't see summer on a 787 for a few years as they're dual-fleeting people onto 737 for summers (They want to eventually make this dual-fleeting standard). 737 summers are brutal, expect 6 on 2 off with deep nights and transitions, the 737s saving grace is exceptionally quiet winters, however you'll be going back onto the 787 for winter to ensure you're busy!
3- Massively varies, I hear of people getting it at around 6 years on 737, 12+ on 787. Keep in mind that if you take LHS 737 after 6 years, you'll have to wait until your turn to get LHS 787 (It's not a fast track), although they may offer dual fleet again, so you get long haul in the winters if you're willing to sacrifice your life for some LH. Captain's payscales are calculated by time in rank, not time in company, so an earlier command is probably more profitable than holding out for 787 LHS. All fleets are on the same payscale.
Any other questions fire them my way, if you don't want to ask something publicly feel free to PM.
It sounds like the rostering is changing to get the most out of everybody, can I assume that means 900 hours a year is to be expected?
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Europe
I can’t say for sure as I don’t know if many people have done a full 12months dual fleeting without taking 1 or 2 months off the line for a type rating (or 2!). However I think 900hrs is a target they will aim for and hit!
I won’t say too much for reasons of anonymity but I worked a lot less at my previous LoCo. However the crews are great, and the company has a very personal feel about it which is a nice change compared to some of the larger airlines.
I won’t say too much for reasons of anonymity but I worked a lot less at my previous LoCo. However the crews are great, and the company has a very personal feel about it which is a nice change compared to some of the larger airlines.
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: UP NORTH
Guys and Girls, Does anybody knows if a 3 year payment of 7k is required if you apply for a type rated position on the 737/787 and are already
rated on the 73 but get given the 787 to start with essentially putting you in a NTR position or is it just bond if you leave of 7k for 3 years
rated on the 73 but get given the 787 to start with essentially putting you in a NTR position or is it just bond if you leave of 7k for 3 years
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Dublin
I don’t think it’s a 7k upfront payment but rather a 7k deduction in your first year. Bizarrely that was the case even if joining onto the same fleet you were currently rated on, which is probably the most expensive OCC around!?
I stand to be corrected but I believe all the contracts now have a detail written that you could be based in the Nordics for up to 6 months per year as well?
I stand to be corrected but I believe all the contracts now have a detail written that you could be based in the Nordics for up to 6 months per year as well?
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: 38,000ft
I can’t say for sure as I don’t know if many people have done a full 12months dual fleeting without taking 1 or 2 months off the line for a type rating (or 2!). However I think 900hrs is a target they will aim for and hit!
I won’t say too much for reasons of anonymity but I worked a lot less at my previous LoCo. However the crews are great, and the company has a very personal feel about it which is a nice change compared to some of the larger airlines.
I won’t say too much for reasons of anonymity but I worked a lot less at my previous LoCo. However the crews are great, and the company has a very personal feel about it which is a nice change compared to some of the larger airlines.
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: UK
I've been offered the 787 in LGW for June. Do any of the current employees know if pilots mainly commute to LGW (obviously one that don't live in the south east)? I live in the southwest so I would be looking to get on the 737 short haul somewhere in this area in the future!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 0
From: UK
1- The rostering system is massively outdated compared to other airlines, but once your roster is published it's set and they can't do any significant changes without your permission. There is a bidding system, but I'm not sure it's ever given anyone what they want. It certainly hasn't for me, and I've not met anyone singing it's praises.
It might be me but there is a lot on whinging from Pilots on the BA thread , and now TUI which i'd have thought tbh anywhere else is going to be worse apart from say VS/Easy.
Just a sign of the times I guess....
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: UK
After the first year with a £7000 reduction roughly £4500-£5000/m net for an average working FO. Usually slightly more on the 78 than 73 because of the trips and how duty rig is weighted. If you throw in flexi (overtime) however much you want! Many guys go into the six figures if you work the system...
