Jet2 Hold Pool
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 182
Likes: 29
From: where I lay my hat
an issue with pilot retention, they have to bond people to themselves.
Last edited by midnight cruiser; 17th December 2025 at 18:29.
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 108
Likes: 15
From: Not in UK
It's one thing to bond in exchange for providing a type rating (which seems entirely reasonable to me, and is very common), and quite another to bond pilots who come through the door already holding the rating, (and to then demand a 4 month notice period). In Europe, that's extremely unusual to the extent, it betrays an intent to restrict the pilots freedom, and thank you Morgan, that s plenty enough of a red flag to stay away.
Joined: Sep 2022
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 43
Likes: 287
From: UK
For clarity, it's actually 3 full calendar months notice period. At least that's what my contract says. So if you hand in your notice on the 1st of the month then you will need to work the rest of that month and then 3 more calendar months. However, if you're slightly intelligent, then hand in your notice on the last day of the month.
If you are on "3 full calendar months notice period" and you wanted your last day of work to be 10th April, you would hand in your notice on (or by) 10th January. That is how it worked every time I did so.
Oxford Dictionary of English: calendar month a period of time between the same dates on successive calendar months.
Gender Faculty Specialist
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 432
From: In your head.
Do you actually believe that?
If you are on "3 full calendar months notice period" and you wanted your last day of work to be 10th April, you would hand in your notice on (or by) 10th January. That is how it worked every time I did so.
Oxford Dictionary of English: calendar month a period of time between the same dates on successive calendar months.
If you are on "3 full calendar months notice period" and you wanted your last day of work to be 10th April, you would hand in your notice on (or by) 10th January. That is how it worked every time I did so.
Oxford Dictionary of English: calendar month a period of time between the same dates on successive calendar months.
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
From: u.k
What are the current bond arrangements for non rated DEC?
Joined: Apr 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 400
Likes: 17
From: Utopia
I’d imagine the same as above. That was joining less than 3 years ago. Attrition continues mainly from the RHS, but some LHS, and so with their expansion plans, I’d imagine they will continue to make it as painful as possible to leave within 3 years of joining.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 591
Likes: 36
From: The middle
clvf88 : absolutely true. Unfortunately as far as J2 are concerned they will never offer anything near the best Ts and Cs until the majority of their pilots stop saying “I won’t pay BALPA 1% of my salary until they do something for me” instead of understanding that “enough of us have to join before BALPA can do what we want”.
they still hate BALPA with the fervour of 19th century Yorkshire mill owners being told they can’t send five year olds up the chimney any more. Don’t expect any quick changes, unless people are prepared to make some sacrifice for it.
they still hate BALPA with the fervour of 19th century Yorkshire mill owners being told they can’t send five year olds up the chimney any more. Don’t expect any quick changes, unless people are prepared to make some sacrifice for it.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 468
Likes: 6
From: UK
they still hate BALPA
As far as J2 terms/conditions - have to say - for me - they're pretty damn good on comparison. No company is ever going to be perfect (it's a business after all!), yes one or two 'niggles' - but eh, SFO and c. £100k a year plus benefits - that alone compares very favourably in the U.K. market currently does it not?
Last edited by First.officer; 28th April 2026 at 07:27. Reason: Adding more 'meat to the bones'!
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Your Worst Nightmare
Well, in my experience and when I needed them back in 2011 for a simple Compromise Agreement witnessing (as a legal entity and as required in law, U.K.) - BALPA's best advice was "that I needed a Solicitor". Genius. IPA - equally useless. Just my personal opinion, your experience may differ.
As far as J2 terms/conditions - have to say - for me - they're pretty damn good on comparison. No company is ever going to be perfect (it's a business after all!), yes one or two 'niggles' - but eh, SFO and c. £100k a year plus benefits - that alone compares very favourably in the U.K. market currently does it not?
As far as J2 terms/conditions - have to say - for me - they're pretty damn good on comparison. No company is ever going to be perfect (it's a business after all!), yes one or two 'niggles' - but eh, SFO and c. £100k a year plus benefits - that alone compares very favourably in the U.K. market currently does it not?
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 17
From: Derby
Hi, I was employed in an airline with a strong BALPA presence and I can certainly say I was paid considerably more thanks to their efforts than the subs ever cost me. I also enjoyed better working conditions. Remember also that two thirds of the subs can be offset against tax.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 591
Likes: 36
From: The middle
Chesty Morgan, why do you think that they haven’t achieved anything in pay negotiations ? I would guess that it’s because the membership is low and Jet2 are aware of that. If you’re happy to have a scheduling agreement that the company can ignore whenever it wants, to be given below RPI pay rises then that’s fine. Without a strong membership BALPA can’t achieve anything. Industrial action is any union’s “nuclear deterrent” no one want’s to use it but everyone knows it’s there in the background. But it only exists if there is a high enough percentage of members to make it effective. It’s all very well to say BALPA don’t achieve anything at Jet2 so I’m not going to join, but any union can only ever be as strong as its membership.
Gender Faculty Specialist
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 432
From: In your head.
Chesty Morgan, why do you think that they haven’t achieved anything in pay negotiations ? I would guess that it’s because the membership is low and Jet2 are aware of that. If you’re happy to have a scheduling agreement that the company can ignore whenever it wants, to be given below RPI pay rises then that’s fine. Without a strong membership BALPA can’t achieve anything. Industrial action is any union’s “nuclear deterrent” no one want’s to use it but everyone knows it’s there in the background. But it only exists if there is a high enough percentage of members to make it effective. It’s all very well to say BALPA don’t achieve anything at Jet2 so I’m not going to join, but any union can only ever be as strong as its membership.
I wasn't talking about Balpa at Jet2. The airline is irrelevant. However, it was an airline with large Balpa membership and the cost of that membership far outweighed the 3 years of pay "rise" they managed to "negotiate". Just pointing it out to balance the fawning sycophancy of Balpa around here.
The best pay rise Balpa achieved in my 15 years of membership was when they failed to renew my membership through total incompetence.
It may also surprise you to find out that the Balpa negotiated scheduling agreement at a previous airline included the option for the company to suspended said scheduling agreement if and when they needed to. I imagine there is a similar clause in all scheduling agreements.
Joined: Oct 2023
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 79
Likes: 72
From: UK
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 468
Likes: 6
From: UK
Just checking, have you worked for anybody else or perhaps experienced the stabilising impact of a Scheduling Agreement?
It’s all very well to say BALPA don’t achieve anything at Jet2 so I’m not going to join, but any union can only ever be as strong as its membership.
Joined: Feb 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 300
Likes: 160
From: Wythenshawe
Yes, worked for four different employers plus a stint of private/freelance over the years - I'm sure in some airlines BALPA etc. has proven effective, just they've been absent in my examples hence from personal experience, I don't rate them (unions) worthy of subscription.
I'd say that's likely quite true. Let BALPA show themselves to be as good as they purport. Here is an idea - if they're serious, how about say BALPA offering up membership for say a 6-12month period gratis, FOC ..... you become a member, you can't access any member benefits for that period but it allows the magic 70%(?) membership 'threshold' to be reached that allows them to become a serious and credible 'voice' in negotiating for their members, the desired (or as near as dammit) results. After positive outcomes from this, you could then say a back-dated set of subs is due by members taking advantage of the proposed 6-12 month gratis/FOC period given, to BALPA. Proves whether they are worth it, or not. Sound fair?.
I'd say that's likely quite true. Let BALPA show themselves to be as good as they purport. Here is an idea - if they're serious, how about say BALPA offering up membership for say a 6-12month period gratis, FOC ..... you become a member, you can't access any member benefits for that period but it allows the magic 70%(?) membership 'threshold' to be reached that allows them to become a serious and credible 'voice' in negotiating for their members, the desired (or as near as dammit) results. After positive outcomes from this, you could then say a back-dated set of subs is due by members taking advantage of the proposed 6-12 month gratis/FOC period given, to BALPA. Proves whether they are worth it, or not. Sound fair?.