TUI UK 787
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
TUI UK 787
Hi guys, anyone know what life is like on the 787 for Tui in the UK? E.g. is the roster commutable, how long are trips from time of departure to time of arrival back home, what happens when on the fleet in the winter? All help appreciated
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Hi, I’m currently on the 787 but leaving soon here’s my 2 cents:
TUI is a company full of nice people and nice crews, it’s not very efficient but that can result in the opportunities to make lots of money if you’re flexible.
During the winter the trips are longer, a few week long trips, a few are shorter down route but leave/return from the Nordic countries so the overall trip length can have 1 or 2 days added due to positioning. Some like these Nordic trips, some hate them, I quite liked them, and it’s pretty easy during winter to commute.
During the summer on the 787 the flights are mainly bullets (24hrs downroute) and shorthaul. Which is harder for commuting.
There is one big issue, especially if you want to commute, and this is the reason I’m leaving: Dual Fleeting.
At TUI the 737 is extremely busy and hard worked in the summer (think 6/7 on 2 off with deep nights and transitions) but dead in the winter, and the 787 has a surplus of pilots in the summer and a shortage in the winter (lots of 3 crew ops in winter). Therefore new joiners are getting dual fleeted on the 787 in winter and 737 in summer, with the company’s final aim of being able to change between the two types all through the year (this hasn’t been approved yet and may never be, although the European wings of tui do it already). Ignoring the various issues around this, or the fact it may suit some people, This means in summer you’ll have a heavy short haul roster on the 737, which in my eyes isn’t commutable. One thing to note though, is that if they offer you a 787 position, your contract will be dual fleet, and even if they tell you it probably won’t happen, it’s likely that it will. Nearly every new joiner including myself was reassured that we wouldn’t be going on the 737, only to be booked on a 737 course a few months after joining. Cynical people might say it’s being used a ploy to get people in the door, and they may be right,I honestly just think it’s a miscommunication/misunderstanding between the recruitment team and what’s happening on the line.
If you’re happy with the dual fleeting, it’s a nice place to work, with a nice atmosphere among the crews. The contracts are good, and the seniority system is much more balanced than at other seniority based airlines.I think in Winter it’s probably one of the best long haul jobs out there, but depending on your situation a 737 summer is either a worthy sacrifice for these winters or not, it’s all subjective. Things change a lot as well at TUI and plans like Dual Fleeting come and go, so there’s a chance it might fall through, although they do look pretty set on keeping it.
EDIT: There appears to be some positive changes coming regarding reducing dual fleet and the requirements for new joiners to go on it, although I dont know if that means new joiners will most likely be 737 single fleet. I'm sure someone will be able to provide more info on this over the coming days
TUI is a company full of nice people and nice crews, it’s not very efficient but that can result in the opportunities to make lots of money if you’re flexible.
During the winter the trips are longer, a few week long trips, a few are shorter down route but leave/return from the Nordic countries so the overall trip length can have 1 or 2 days added due to positioning. Some like these Nordic trips, some hate them, I quite liked them, and it’s pretty easy during winter to commute.
During the summer on the 787 the flights are mainly bullets (24hrs downroute) and shorthaul. Which is harder for commuting.
There is one big issue, especially if you want to commute, and this is the reason I’m leaving: Dual Fleeting.
At TUI the 737 is extremely busy and hard worked in the summer (think 6/7 on 2 off with deep nights and transitions) but dead in the winter, and the 787 has a surplus of pilots in the summer and a shortage in the winter (lots of 3 crew ops in winter). Therefore new joiners are getting dual fleeted on the 787 in winter and 737 in summer, with the company’s final aim of being able to change between the two types all through the year (this hasn’t been approved yet and may never be, although the European wings of tui do it already). Ignoring the various issues around this, or the fact it may suit some people, This means in summer you’ll have a heavy short haul roster on the 737, which in my eyes isn’t commutable. One thing to note though, is that if they offer you a 787 position, your contract will be dual fleet, and even if they tell you it probably won’t happen, it’s likely that it will. Nearly every new joiner including myself was reassured that we wouldn’t be going on the 737, only to be booked on a 737 course a few months after joining. Cynical people might say it’s being used a ploy to get people in the door, and they may be right,I honestly just think it’s a miscommunication/misunderstanding between the recruitment team and what’s happening on the line.
If you’re happy with the dual fleeting, it’s a nice place to work, with a nice atmosphere among the crews. The contracts are good, and the seniority system is much more balanced than at other seniority based airlines.I think in Winter it’s probably one of the best long haul jobs out there, but depending on your situation a 737 summer is either a worthy sacrifice for these winters or not, it’s all subjective. Things change a lot as well at TUI and plans like Dual Fleeting come and go, so there’s a chance it might fall through, although they do look pretty set on keeping it.
EDIT: There appears to be some positive changes coming regarding reducing dual fleet and the requirements for new joiners to go on it, although I dont know if that means new joiners will most likely be 737 single fleet. I'm sure someone will be able to provide more info on this over the coming days
Last edited by HardLanding1; 8th May 2019 at 10:06.
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Dublin
I was offered a position with tui almost a year ago but didn’t like the idea of dual fleet or being Nordic based (for up to 6 months according to the contract).
Couldn’t get any clarification on what the Nordic work actually entailed, and the ‘pilot manager’ was adamant that any joiners will be on dual fleets when I asked if I could just be on one or the other.
That was enough for me to say thanks but no thanks.
Couldn’t get any clarification on what the Nordic work actually entailed, and the ‘pilot manager’ was adamant that any joiners will be on dual fleets when I asked if I could just be on one or the other.
That was enough for me to say thanks but no thanks.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Right here!
Apparently no longer doing the dual fleet B787 winter Nordic basing due to a new agreement with BALPA. UK regional bases will be 737 only and MAN, BHX and LGW will be dual fleet in those bases respectively.
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: My house
That’s not quite correct, new joiners will no longer be dual fleeted or dual based, including at LGW/MAN/BHX. This means you will be able to join on the type/base you want, or bid for them once in if you’re offered a different type/base on joining. In terms of 787 it’s a pretty nice lifestyle, minimum 3 days off between long haul trips, a mix of SH/LH in the summer and a mix of U.K./scandi LH trips over the winter. Its not really commutable though due to the SH in the summer.
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 241
Likes: 47
From: Runcorn,Cheshire,England
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 17
From: Derby
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Button Moon
Just out of curiosity, what's the possibility of a BOH base on the 737 for a new joiner and if unlikely, any idea on the current time to get it?
I haven't applied at the mo and would need to dig deep to resign from current employer but as a lifestyle option it would be very very tempting.
Cheers
I haven't applied at the mo and would need to dig deep to resign from current employer but as a lifestyle option it would be very very tempting.
Cheers
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Morning,
Ive been with TUI for over 23 years. 787 for 5. TUI also offer part time contracts which may make ‘commuting’ easier.
Im happy with my past choices. As far as the future goes I don’t have a crystal ball and things are evolving daily at all airlines. Hind sight is 20/20 but it seems I’ve been lucky. See this link https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List...United_Kingdom since 1996 my date of join lots has happened. People’s memories are short.
Never say never but TUI are a big company. Others may not fare so well over the next year, but what do I know? I take a humble position these days and look for simple pleasures. Patience may help with future choices, things don’t seem to stay the same for long regarding basings etc.
Safe and happy flying.
Ive been with TUI for over 23 years. 787 for 5. TUI also offer part time contracts which may make ‘commuting’ easier.
Im happy with my past choices. As far as the future goes I don’t have a crystal ball and things are evolving daily at all airlines. Hind sight is 20/20 but it seems I’ve been lucky. See this link https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List...United_Kingdom since 1996 my date of join lots has happened. People’s memories are short.
Never say never but TUI are a big company. Others may not fare so well over the next year, but what do I know? I take a humble position these days and look for simple pleasures. Patience may help with future choices, things don’t seem to stay the same for long regarding basings etc.
Safe and happy flying.
