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Part-Time Flying?

Old 24th Sep 2020, 21:29
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Part-Time Flying?

I'll start by saying I'm a modular student so my knowledge of the industry is not as comprehensive as someone who is employed as pilot. Anyway, I was wondering... and I don't know if any employers are already doing this, but would employers consider keeping more pilots part-time rather than a small number full-time? For those not working right now, it would surely be better to be earning a portion of their salary than none of it. From an employer's point of view they'll have more pilots that are current and can ramp up operations quicker when the situation improves.

Just a thought really...
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Old 24th Sep 2020, 21:30
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Long story short, depends on the employer. Some do just that, others choose job loses, others - unpaid leave. Part-time makes sense, but not everyone seems to agree.
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Old 24th Sep 2020, 22:40
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Part time is not always attractive to employers. Some have a requirement to cover peak holiday seasons and may engage pilots for a fixed period, during which (in non COVID times) they fly close to maximum hours.
The main problem with having more part time pilots rather than fewer full time is the regular requirement to complete various training and checks, and also maintain 90 day flying recency.
Then in some jurisdictions there may be union or labour rules that limit the number of part timers.
In the current situation it would certainly be helpful to many who have been stood down if job sharing or part time flying was preferred employment policy, but sadly, some people are selfish. You only have to visit other threads on Pprune to see heated debate which indicates some would never entertain job sharing.

Last edited by Mach E Avelli; 24th Sep 2020 at 23:03.
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Old 25th Sep 2020, 08:42
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So easyJet have just ended the consultation for UK pilots with no compulsory redundancies, in the face of an enormous reduction of crew requirements.

All dealt with by BALPA and the pilot community looking after one another through the use of Voluntary Redundancy and a massive uptake of several part time options by the vast majority of pilots.

As you say, that will ensure an ability to rapidly respond to any future improvements in air travel quickly without a shortage of crew.
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Old 25th Sep 2020, 10:26
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What they were able to achieve in the UK in easyJet is immense. The equivalent of 800 pilots redundancies (including three bases closure) and 1000+ cabin crew all mitigated with part time and voluntary redundancies. Something to be incredibly proud of. Well done BALPA.
This crisis is far from over, but today it is time to celebrate.
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Old 25th Sep 2020, 18:13
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That's great to hear. About time we had some positive news.
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Old 25th Sep 2020, 21:16
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All of this is of course highly dependent on the type of contract the part-time flying is based on. There are advantages to 10-20% reduction below normal working time as it will become easier to roster crews because cumulative duty time and rest times are less of a concern. Below 70-80% advantages start to be outweighed by the non-diminishing fixed costs (proficiency check, recurrent training, uniform, etc.). For long-range flying or rostering based on long trips part-time may make it difficult to roster according to the part-time factor (I.e. if you are supposed to fly 50 hours and long-range trips have around 20 each, you can either fly too little or get overtime.

We have had part-time flying including forced part-time to weather a previous crisis for over 20 years and crewmembers appreciate having it as an option.
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Old 26th Sep 2020, 21:18
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Most airlines do it - even before the current crisis.

Mine asked everyone to do it during the quieter winter but there’s always some who won’t as they live up to the full time salary .
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