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Thomson recruitment.

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Thomson recruitment.

Old 11th Oct 2019, 12:03
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Air UK Leisure did this years ago (1991) when Air Europe went bust - took on a load of ex Air Europe B737 DEC and put them at the bottom of the seniority list.

Suitably qualified, and senior enough, individuals couldn’t upgrade or transfer.

Every suitable FO above first DEC at bottom of list should get passover pay - but that won’t happen.

i learned my lesson about the limitations of seniority lists at an early stage of my career.

Company can do what it wants - at least you know where you stand now.
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Old 11th Oct 2019, 12:35
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I don’t recall any vote about DEC within TCX. In fact a significant number were taken on the DC10 fleet in MyTravel. More pertinently, a large and increasing proportion of TCX passengers were being flown by de-facto DEC and DE FOs belonging to ACMI contractors SmartLynx and Avion -to the extent that three bases (EMA/STN/BFS) had already closed for pilots. If abandoning this scheme meant scores of TUI internal promotions I’d agree with the critics. But it wouldn’t; the alternative is a career-smothering influx of ACMI, unlikely to be reversed.

Last edited by ShotOne; 11th Oct 2019 at 13:05.
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Old 12th Oct 2019, 07:29
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TUI need to be quick about this. A large number of TCX pilots are already on their way to new positions. A significant number will be getting start dates in the next couple of weeks.
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Old 12th Oct 2019, 10:26
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DEC is not fair. TUI seniority is like clown seniority these days. First they lock everyone on the 756 fleet and open the gates to less senior 737 pilots to move to 787 now they take DEC. All in the same breath as pension being cut, not a great pay deal and top dog CC member gets a management position. House of cards.
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Old 12th Oct 2019, 17:01
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Originally Posted by Too Few Stripes
Have the ex-TCX pilots who overwhelmingly voted to stop any DECs at TCX now changed their minds on DEC? Amazing how quickly an opinion changes when the mortgage needs paying. Would TCX Pilots have been happy if the roles were reversed? Tough times for all but perhaps it’s time to have a rethink on strict seniority in certain airlines and also the use of DEC where appropriate.
Not sure where you got that from but it’s utter tosh. There has never been a vote on DECs at TCX!

To answer your question re role reversal, would TC guys have been happy if it happened during normal times, of course not. But these are unprecedented times, and I can categorically say that if the boot was on the other foot, and TCX guys had a choice of DECs and expanding the business, or digging the heels in and the business stagnating while cut throat competitors jumped in with 2 feet, I know which would have been the preferred option for the vast majority!
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Old 12th Oct 2019, 17:35
  #906 (permalink)  
 
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No axe to grind myself having bailed out three years ago and landed safely !

On the plus side, a chance for Tui to expand and absorb a good proportion of TCX business. On the down side the old spectre of DEC pissing off existing TUI right hand seaters. However it should be remembered that there has been significant progress down the seniority list for new commands over the last 2-3 years and as such there should not be many long serving FO's, ready for command, who are affected in the short term.

Never much liked the seniority system myself and as far I know, Tui still operate the 'one list' version rather than two lists, one for each seat.

Overall, I think the 'glass half full' approach will serve most pilots well. Hopefully, many TCX pilots are already finding jobs elsewhere in the industry.

Last edited by beamer; 12th Oct 2019 at 18:42.
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Old 12th Oct 2019, 17:41
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It will be interesting to see what TUI are offering. They were charging £7000 a year (3 years, pre tax) for type ratings/OCC not so long ago. Combine that with the part year option on offer and I don't think a huge number of ex TCX pilots will be breaking the door down to get in.

There are lots of other things available.
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Old 15th Oct 2019, 09:16
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TUI DEC NTR only ex TCX can apply!
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Old 17th Oct 2019, 13:16
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Has all external recruitment other than ex-TCX stopped at Tui now? Is anyone other than ex-TCX starting anytime soon?
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Old 17th Oct 2019, 16:29
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Originally Posted by macdo
I think if you read the communication released by TUI and by their CC it is clear that they are taking the 50 TCX skippers on because they don't have the training capacity to promote enough FO's into the left seats created by the sudden rapid and unexpected expansion of their s20 operation.
Herein is what the majority of the workforce are struggling with.

How long is it from an interview, to a job offer, to a full 737 TR, to line training over the winter where training is already at maximum capacity and there is fewer sectors available compared to an already 737 TR’ed command ready FO?

Expansion is good news, don’t get me wrong but I’m not sure the company are going down the right path with regard to the timeframe available for Summer 20.




Last edited by EdnaClouds; 17th Oct 2019 at 16:40.
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Old 17th Oct 2019, 16:58
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Indeed, if limited training capacity is the justification, why is it restricted to TCX who are almost all needing a full type rating ... while there are many very experienced type rated captains, some of whom are under threat of redundancy or significant upheaval, who would leap at the opportunity, and burden the training capacity far less, or TUI copilots who could upgrade, and be replaced by external type rated FOs.
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Old 17th Oct 2019, 19:08
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Is it even legal to discriminate in such an overt way? Tesco are recruiting for shelf stackers but only ex-Asda employees can apply - it’s the same thing in my eyes. In fact, thinking about it, it’s even worse because TUi are limiting their DEC recruitment to pilots from only one employer who are not even rated on the TUi types. I think if I was in the market for a DEC position and not ex-Tcx I’d have a very strong legal case, I’m even more amazed that BALPA seem happy with this arrangement.
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Old 17th Oct 2019, 21:19
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Originally Posted by Too Few Stripes
Is it even legal to discriminate in such an overt way? Tesco are recruiting for shelf stackers but only ex-Asda employees can apply - it’s the same thing in my eyes. In fact, thinking about it, it’s even worse because TUi are limiting their DEC recruitment to pilots from only one employer who are not even rated on the TUi types. I think if I was in the market for a DEC position and not ex-Tcx I’d have a very strong legal case, I’m even more amazed that BALPA seem happy with this arrangement.
They get around it one way or the other. Must be available immediately. Must have previous IT charter experience. Must have CAT C airfield experience. Must have flown an Boeing 321 NG within the last month.

It's a dirty game. Been in it for 30 years.

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Old 18th Oct 2019, 02:59
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Indeed, if limited training capacity is the justification, why is it restricted to TCX who are almost all needing a full type rating ... while there are many very experienced type rated captains, some of whom are under threat of redundancy or significant upheaval, who would leap at the opportunity, and burden the training capacity far less, or TUI copilots who could upgrade, and be replaced by external type rated FOs.
This is gonna get really messy. Not doubting anyone's professionalism or skill but older people with a new TR especially if they've never flown a Boeing before is generally speaking, a bad recipe and one that breeds resentment amongst high time on type FOs. CRM issues will creep in if not handled carefully. Not a problem at some carriers but in a seniority driven, age-old UK company this will be complex. Also, in case of a downturn and job losses (unlikely I agree) I would imagine a former TCX Captain would have to be made redundant (instead of being demoted) before a high ranking TUI FO?
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Old 18th Oct 2019, 03:23
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never flown a Boeing
Don't think you have the right argument here. As I understand it they are recruiting TCX flight crew along with their Airbus aircraft as there are no spare B738 easily available to capture the unsatisfied demand next year. TUI training couldn't cope with 50 conversion courses this winter anyway....
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Old 18th Oct 2019, 06:08
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I’ve just checked the advert for ex-TCX DEC, it very specifically states “All positions will be on the B737”. You’ll be struggling to find any 737 experience with ex-Tcx pilots so there is most definitely a training burden associated with this.
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Old 18th Oct 2019, 07:01
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Originally Posted by Too Few Stripes
I’ve just checked the advert for ex-TCX DEC, it very specifically states “All positions will be on the B737”. You’ll be struggling to find any 737 experience with ex-Tcx pilots so there is most definitely a training burden associated with this.
Of course there will be a training burden. And no most TCX guys won’t have 737 time, but what they will have is 1000s of Boeing hours, massive experience flying the same routes from the same places. For an airline that NEEDS to expand that is manner from heaven.

You’ve made it quite obvious that it’s a huge problem to you, so for that reason I genuinely hope it is managed well and your aren’t as disadvantaged as you obviously fear. If it is well managed then it’s an opportunity for all.

That said, the deal is so unappealing in many respects you may well get your wish anyway!
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Old 18th Oct 2019, 09:12
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Hi guys

I have an assessment day next month. If anybody is reading this who went to this type of selection during the last round of recruitment with Thomson then I'd really appreciate some feedbacks on what to expect to aid my preparation. Has anybody been to their current assessments already or do you have one soon? Available via PM if needed

I'm particularly interested in what the technical test entails. ATPL theory or aptitude/maths verbal reasoning or a combination of both? Maybe type specific questions on type?

Thank you in advance for your help,

Good flights to all !
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Old 3rd Nov 2019, 16:19
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Good evening! Does anyone know what is the sitaution with the talent pool at the moment? How many swimmers are out there or what is the time to being offered a position, for type rated FO's?

Many thanks!
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Old 3rd Nov 2019, 19:03
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Originally Posted by Daily Dalaman Dave


Of course there will be a training burden. And no most TCX guys won’t have 737 time, but what they will have is 1000s of Boeing hours, massive experience flying the same routes from the same places. For an airline that NEEDS to expand that is manner from heaven.

You’ve made it quite obvious that it’s a huge problem to you, so for that reason I genuinely hope it is managed well and your aren’t as disadvantaged as you obviously fear. If it is well managed then it’s an opportunity for all.

That said, the deal is so unappealing in many respects you may well get your wish anyway!
I know some are turning TUI down for other options because the deal is so bad.
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