Advice from JET 2 pilots please

[wiggy]

Originally Posted by GA F15

There is a very basic roster bidding system but it's limitations will come as a shock to you coming from BA.

For the benefit of the general audience and at the risk of mischief making I’d say, having just seen the fallout from the first dummy run of the system soon to be introduced at BA:

”There will soon be a very basic roster bidding system but it’s limitations will come as a shock to anyone coming to BA”

[Chairmanofthebored..]

Originally Posted by wiggy

Out of interest can I ask what you mean by that? Do you mean you’d have got a ‘OK bid’ out of the very recent annual bid but because of the way the training bid works you’ll be well into next year before you actually started a course?

Hi Wiggy, no I haven’t got a bid in. I just said it that way as it was easier than explaining the whole BA annual bid system when my question was long winded enough. Reason I didn’t bid this year is that if I stay at BA then LH is easier to commute to ( even though I don’t love LH) . If I was pretty confident of leaving I might bid for SH command if it helped me move. Given I haven’t made up my mind I didn’t bid. When I said I was senior enough it was based on previous years lgw lhr commands, which as you know is never a guarantee of next year.

Based on the responses here it’s unclear if it would be worth doing a SH command at Ba or not. I know a guy who left p2 long haul a few months ago to jet2 and he’s starting a command at the end of summer. Although that was to a different base. Some guys here reckon it could be a lot longer. I’m open to the fact I will never know 100% so there’s always risk

in regards to bidding at BA you’re right. Things are changing and I’m not just comparing BA now to other airlines but considering what BA is turning into.

thanks to everyone who has chipped in , it’s helpful to hear your opinions . Good and bad!

[hans brinker]

No advice here, just feel the need to chime in:
I’m seriously surprised there’s people contemplating leaving BA for J2 (never mind actually doing it!). I’m Dutch, and flew if Europe from 99-05, ended up flying LoCo in the USA. Nobody leaves DAL/UAL/AAL to come to Spirit. Back then everyone in Europe wanted to get on with the flag carrier of their country. Can’t believe things have changed so much that people would leave a multi year career at BA and start over. I know commuting is a hit on QOL, I do it myself. Have working conditions deteriorated that much at BA?

[Black Pudding]

Get command, do the time, make it work, the world is your oyster.

[Mikehotel152]

If you're contemplating Jet2, you might consider FR at BFS?

Cue barrage of uninformed venom...

[Ivan aromer]

Also bear in mind that the goal posts in Jet2 are fitted with the best castors in the industry! IMHO.

[olster]

Leaving the former national carrier is not as unusual as it once was. Unsurprisingly given the enthusiastic embracing of modern rostering practice and targeting the fabled 900 hours per year. I would say joining Jet2 would not be the worse move as long as pro’s and con’s were added up. They always tend to get you to the base of choice and historically that has not been long.

[whitemonk]

It is not even a close decision, do the SH command at BA and then come as a direct entry captain. Jet2 Captain in your local base is among the better jobs in the UK at the moment (albeit still significantly underpaid compared to competitors), the same cannot be said of life as an FO/SFO. Yes, you might get a command within 18 months, but you probably will not, it is not a reliable system and the 80% command pass rate quoted above is a company figure that does not hold up to any scrutiny. Reference: I work here.

[Flying Wild]

Originally Posted by whitemonk

It is not even a close decision, do the SH command at BA and then come as a direct entry captain. Jet2 Captain in your local base is among the better jobs in the UK at the moment (albeit still significantly underpaid compared to competitors), the same cannot be said of life as an FO/SFO. Yes, you might get a command within 18 months, but you probably will not, it is not a reliable system and the 80% command pass rate quoted above is a company figure that does not hold up to any scrutiny. Reference: I work here.

Yup, I’d definitely support the idea of getting a command elsewhere before coming in as a DEC. The command process is definitely a beast to get through with more obstacles than a tough mudder. Once you’ve finally made it through the command board, it’s fairly plain sailing from then on. It’s the getting there that’s tough. Also, rumours abound that the next command courses aren’t until Dec/Jan and DECs will be coming in before then. If that’s not a morale blow to a prospective command upgradee, I don’t know what is! Also, the FOs I know are getting flogged this summer with a rolling total over 28 days in the 85-95 hour range. Over the years I’ve been at Jet2, the yearly average is steadily increasing.

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

The 80% command pass rate quoted above is a company figure that does not hold up to any scrutiny. Reference: I work here.

- 80% pass rate is about correct whether you work "here" or not - reference: I work here too

All you’ll be doing is joining the bottom of somebody else’s list

There isn't a list, you knuckle down, do a good job and you get your chance.

Jet2 love DEC’s so you run the risk of becoming seriously miffed if they keep flooding in while you’re waiting.

Jet2 love their internal upgrades more, internal candidates are prioritised over external DEC's.

If you're contemplating Jet2, you might consider FR at BFS?

Doesn't even warrant a sensible answer

[Flying Wild]

Originally Posted by Johnny F@rt Pants

-

Jet2 love their internal upgrades more, internal candidates are prioritised over external DEC's.

If that is the case, please explain why the first command course this winter isn’t until December whereas last year they were running from September. Strong rumours floating around that there are DEC courses running prior to Dec.

[excrab]

The early DEC courses are probably non-type rated, as they will (probably) take longer to get all the way through to completion of line training than type rated f/o’s who are just changing seat. The plan will presumably be worked out to avoid having too many people finishing line training and sitting around not flying whilst most of the winter flying program is used to line train others.... sensible order (probably) would be non type rated DEC and F/O, then type rated upgrades and type rated DEC and F/O. Just a guess.

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

Flying Wild

If that is the case, please explain why the first command course this winter isn’t until December whereas last year they were running from September. Strong rumours floating around that there are DEC courses running prior to Dec.

I have no idea, but rather than talking about rumours in public, why don't you just speak to somebody who will know, your Pilot Base Manager would be a good start, or there are several people at LFFH who would be happy to tell you. They don't bite, just ask.

JHseventree

What percentage make it through the assessment?

- Last I heard the rate was, as I have already mentioned, just a tad over 80%. That is the %age of those starting the command upgrade course to getting their command. The ones that don't get it then have a development plan created to help them to achieve the standard required.

[Flying Wild]

Originally Posted by Johnny F@rt Pants

Flying Wild I have no idea, but rather than talking about rumours in public...

Professional Pilots Rumour Network

Originally Posted by Johnny F@rt Pants

...why don't you just speak to somebody who will know, your Pilot Base Manager would be a good start, or there are several people at LFFH who would be happy to tell you. They don't bite, just ask.

The question has been asked of several different people and PBM knows as much as I do. You know as well as I that HQ plays their cards close to their chest. Rumours don't help matters, so it would be nice for some truth to come out for once.

[macdo]

Has the OP thought about the effects of going to J2 on his/her pension? Even though its probably quite a few years away if the pension is significantly better at BA, then those extra years post age 55 slogging up and down to the Eastern Med might give cause for regret.
For what it's worth, IMHO, if you ever want to move between airlines it's better to do it as a Captain.

[ATC83]

Hi Jet2 Captains...what’s your average take home pay in winter compared to summer? How many days would you fly on average in winter?
what are the chances of East Midlands base or BHX? Thanks in advance

[CaptainProp]

No clue about Jet2 but been around long enough to say this - Don’t leave a “guaranteed” command with BA for right seat with command assessment to go through in new company. Never do that.

CP

[wycjol]

Originally Posted by ATC83

Hi Jet2 Captains...what’s your average take home pay in winter compared to summer? How many days would you fly on average in winter?
what are the chances of East Midlands base or BHX? Thanks in advance

Take home pay in summer is averaging £6000 with 10-12 days of flying @80-ish hours (and an additional 10 standby/reserve).
Winter is about £5400 with 4 or 5 days of flying @ 30-ish hours (and about 15 standby/reserve).

[Chesty Morgan]

Be wary though that the above figures don’t have a huge pension contribution taken out of them. Probably the minimum or thereabouts.

[Quasar2548]

Wow, thought the take home would be much more than that!