Which job? EZ vs NOR vs ME3
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I have never heard of anyone in recent years being offered direct entry SFO in the U.K, I applied with 5000 hours and was offered a contract job with Parc or a second officer both of which I had to decline on the grounds of being an adult with a mortgage.
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There is more to Europe than the UK.
Flexi contracts are offered only in the UK, while normal and more than decent direct contracts are offered in the rest of Europe. Also SFO.
Flexi contracts are offered only in the UK, while normal and more than decent direct contracts are offered in the rest of Europe. Also SFO.
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Join Date: Sep 1999
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I think EZ are now offering permanent contracts to new joiners...?
Aircraft type is important for only two reasons: firstly, if I get made redundant, being able to find another job relatively easily; and secondly short haul a/c = short haul lifestyle.
The most important thing to me is spending time at home: where that home is (or is going to be) I'm not that fussed about.
Interested that NOR might be putting a 737 Max into EDI for the transatlantic stuff. Money's not as good as EZ, but spending a working day sitting in the cruise for 7 hours before having 12 hours off and then doing the same in reverse before having a few days off sounds quite appealing. Especially considering the cost of living in Scotland.
Aircraft type is important for only two reasons: firstly, if I get made redundant, being able to find another job relatively easily; and secondly short haul a/c = short haul lifestyle.
The most important thing to me is spending time at home: where that home is (or is going to be) I'm not that fussed about.
Interested that NOR might be putting a 737 Max into EDI for the transatlantic stuff. Money's not as good as EZ, but spending a working day sitting in the cruise for 7 hours before having 12 hours off and then doing the same in reverse before having a few days off sounds quite appealing. Especially considering the cost of living in Scotland.
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The original question was relating to EZ with a LGW base, so what's on offer else where in Europe does not matter. I could be wrong but In the UK all FOs will enter the company as SOs if they are lucky. If there is someone who has been given direct entry SFO with a UK base please come forward and say. Trouble is in the UK EZ have a good thing going with CTC and Oxford, hundreds of cash rich wannabes happy to throw money at making their dream happen, the role of FO is almost obsolete, it's a cash cow that has the added benifit of making flights legal!
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Having experienced two out of the options listed, I can only compare between them, so cannot advise. But EZ LGW and EK A380 are really comparing apples and oranges. This decision has to be based on where you need to be based and where you see yourself in five years time.
I enjoyed my steak and 6hrs sleep on the way back from Australia... and it was a lot less work than four sectors through LGW any day of the week. But if you prefer to end the day in a traditional pub garden (prior to collapsing in bed for 7hrs ready for the next 11hr epic in-and-out of the South East) rather than pool and sand then that's a personal choice.
Also, your lifestyle requirements will change in the next years. What offers more flexibility for your particular needs? It's a never-ending discussion. Do your due diligence, look at rosters, visit the places, check out the house prices, make a choice and get on with it.
I enjoyed my steak and 6hrs sleep on the way back from Australia... and it was a lot less work than four sectors through LGW any day of the week. But if you prefer to end the day in a traditional pub garden (prior to collapsing in bed for 7hrs ready for the next 11hr epic in-and-out of the South East) rather than pool and sand then that's a personal choice.
Also, your lifestyle requirements will change in the next years. What offers more flexibility for your particular needs? It's a never-ending discussion. Do your due diligence, look at rosters, visit the places, check out the house prices, make a choice and get on with it.
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Emirates are desperate for pilots at the moment? Many are leaving to try and return to the UK or where ever they are based .
1000 working hours a year and bunk time does not count ?
Good money but that's not everything
1000 working hours a year and bunk time does not count ?
Good money but that's not everything
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Join Date: Sep 1999
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Cheers for the replies guys. Been trying to get sample rosters for months, but with no luck. I do understand that the 380 vs the 777 with EK is very different, and both of those are very different from EZ @ LGW.
Personally, the thought of 4 sector days for the rest of my working life with a constantly alternating pattern between earlies and lates fills me with dread. Although the money with EZ sounds vaguely sensible (at least for a UK based job).
Personally, the thought of 4 sector days for the rest of my working life with a constantly alternating pattern between earlies and lates fills me with dread. Although the money with EZ sounds vaguely sensible (at least for a UK based job).
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1. Easy
2. Norwegian
3. EK
Easy: Good type, reasonably good employer, profit making, expanding, direct employment, many bases in Europe and UK.
Norwegian*: Last type rating you'll ever need
, 15 days off per month, expanding. No direct employment, no representation, bank guarantee of 40K EUR.
EK: Useless type, Good money but you have to live in the desert. Been there done that. I'll prefer western or southern Europe over the UAE always!
* Noticed that NOR is 737, not 787, so in my opinion the decision is even eazy-er
2. Norwegian
3. EK
Easy: Good type, reasonably good employer, profit making, expanding, direct employment, many bases in Europe and UK.
Norwegian*: Last type rating you'll ever need
, 15 days off per month, expanding. No direct employment, no representation, bank guarantee of 40K EUR.EK: Useless type, Good money but you have to live in the desert. Been there done that. I'll prefer western or southern Europe over the UAE always!
* Noticed that NOR is 737, not 787, so in my opinion the decision is even eazy-er
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Bunk time that does not count? Well, half correct. You'll get 75% hour credit for a ULR ops although 100% is paid.
Useless type? Assuming you mean the A380. Well, it's not stopping many leaving their useless type and joining Korean on the B777. And if you mean the B777, that's the same 'useless type' that has a joint B787 on the licence, you know, the last type rating you'll ever need!
Careful with the advice boys.
Useless type? Assuming you mean the A380. Well, it's not stopping many leaving their useless type and joining Korean on the B777. And if you mean the B777, that's the same 'useless type' that has a joint B787 on the licence, you know, the last type rating you'll ever need!
Careful with the advice boys.
Just to follow up on Harry's words......
A380, most at EK seem to think it's the be all and end all, the reality is the company is doing back flips behind the scenes to not take anymore..
B777 a good versatile type but, just like the 380 it's not something that will hold sway with many employer who don't operate the type.
Be smart, be sensible, EZY, and then its a tie...Norwegian/Emirates...each are the same given MK redefined recruitment for EK and now runs it for Norwegian.
A380, most at EK seem to think it's the be all and end all, the reality is the company is doing back flips behind the scenes to not take anymore..
B777 a good versatile type but, just like the 380 it's not something that will hold sway with many employer who don't operate the type.
Be smart, be sensible, EZY, and then its a tie...Norwegian/Emirates...each are the same given MK redefined recruitment for EK and now runs it for Norwegian.
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Become a pilot, they said. See the world, they said. Stick with easyJet, they said, it's safer, they said. Pilot training is a gamble they said... no guaranteed job they said.
I mean why even bother taking the risk?
Seriously tho, it is down to your specific circumstances.
I mean why even bother taking the risk?
Seriously tho, it is down to your specific circumstances.
Join Date: Mar 1999
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The stupidest decision I ever made in my life was to leave Easyjet and go to the desert.
If you must must must get the big jet longhaul thing out of your system, stay with EZ and get your command first, get 1000 hours 320 left seat and then go do an A330 contract somewhere in the world as a captain. But that command time, is the best insurance policy in the world if you decide you don't like your decision after a year or two.
If you must must must get the big jet longhaul thing out of your system, stay with EZ and get your command first, get 1000 hours 320 left seat and then go do an A330 contract somewhere in the world as a captain. But that command time, is the best insurance policy in the world if you decide you don't like your decision after a year or two.
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I agree, horses for courses. I have flown long haul for 12 years now and prior to this did my time at Easy. I would never willingly give up the long haul lifestyle. Even after all this time when I'm sitting on the beach in Phuket or The Seychelles or Curaçao with a cold beer I can't believe this is my job. When the joy of just flying wears off ( and it will ) you may as well drive a train or a bus as work for a loco. Did you become an airline pilot to fly back and forth or to travel the world enjoying layovers?. I personally would rather stack shelves in Tesco than fly for Easy, Jet2 etc
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Interesting comments, MM- although not sure that I follow what you mean when you say the above. Could you expand please?
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Three lessons learnt in aviation in just under 25 years in this business;
1. Never leave an airline for less money
2. Never leave an airline to go back in the right hand seat
3. Never leave an airline just to fly a type
Not sure how many apply to you but be warned.
1. Never leave an airline for less money
2. Never leave an airline to go back in the right hand seat
3. Never leave an airline just to fly a type
Not sure how many apply to you but be warned.
Gender Faculty Specialist
Ever crossed the Atlantic? Have you ever been to Doha, let alone lived there? Have you any experience of flying a wide body aircraft from Dubai to a destination 11 time zones away, from 32 degrees sunshine to -12 in +SN? How many layovers have you done in your career so far? How many cities in almost all the continents have you visited and experienced from the comfort of 4-5 star hotels?
Crossing the Atlantic - boring. When you're not bored you're trying to sleep. Oh, position reports, they're fun.
Flying a wide body - not really any different to flying a narrow body. It's bigger and fatter.
Crossing 11 time zones - just screws up your body clock but you do get 24 hours to sort that out.
32 degrees - too hot. -12 - too cold. I have gone from -16 in ++snow to +35 in ++sun. So what? Do I win?
Layovers - if you've got a good reason to avoid being at home then I suppose a free 24 hour holiday might be acceptable.
Cities - most are overcrowded, stinking, noisy, expensive, cesspits of humanity.
Hotels - meh.
But chesty most like to get off those little training aeroplanes and state being real pilots after a while. For some it will take longer, but they will no doubt gain enough confidence and experience eventually. Cramped in a tiny cockpit for four sectors....yuck. Good place to learn the trade I guess. A roomy and quite flight deck with comfy seats, that's where the true aviators are.
Position reports are so 1990. It's been data link for an age.
Position reports are so 1990. It's been data link for an age.
Gender Faculty Specialist
So you don't even get to break up the monotony with a bit of HF faffing? Even worse. Oh look over there...more sea/cloud/ice cap.
How much real piloting do you do from your bunk?
Last time I did a four sector day EK probably was the employer of choice
How much real piloting do you do from your bunk?
Last time I did a four sector day EK probably was the employer of choice
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Shall we all compare our P@!£s size now ?
It's all personal preference
I love my 10 minute commute from my house in the country to my 200m walk to the crew room , I know everyone there .
Do a 2 sector day and then spend the night in my own bed .
No way in the world do I want to fly a big jet ??
If you could actually fly it maybe it would be ok ! , when can you take an A380 or 777 out of autopilot and ATHR and throw it around at NICE or GIB ? Or do you just do your 10mile ILS and follow the cross ?
When I see a big jet takeoff I think to myself unlucky them ! Sat there for hours and hours across time zones to have min rest in some hotel somewhere absolutely exhausted, most of the crew are from the Far East or want to save money ( lonely life) , maybe it would be fun for a year or 2 but then after that ......
I would need ALOT of money to go to that lifestyle
It's all personal preference
I love my 10 minute commute from my house in the country to my 200m walk to the crew room , I know everyone there .
Do a 2 sector day and then spend the night in my own bed .
No way in the world do I want to fly a big jet ??
If you could actually fly it maybe it would be ok ! , when can you take an A380 or 777 out of autopilot and ATHR and throw it around at NICE or GIB ? Or do you just do your 10mile ILS and follow the cross ?
When I see a big jet takeoff I think to myself unlucky them ! Sat there for hours and hours across time zones to have min rest in some hotel somewhere absolutely exhausted, most of the crew are from the Far East or want to save money ( lonely life) , maybe it would be fun for a year or 2 but then after that ......
I would need ALOT of money to go to that lifestyle
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I have no first hand experience of any of these companies, but know people in all of them. Some like what they have, others can't wait to get out. The problem is money vs lifestyle vs home. Also, where do you call home, or where do you want to call home? To me a home is a garage full of toys and clutter, friends across the road and a place where my kids bring their friends round. An employer is someone who will train me, develop me, look after me when things go wrong and pay me the going rate. The happiest people are in Easy, the least happiest are in the sandpit. The ones at Norwegian don't know yet.