SmartLynx contracts
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
As the old adage goes Apron Artist, pay peanuts, get ________
Jet2, Easy and even TUI have learned the hard way. Eastern European ACMIs only make a profit because of horrible employment practices and scant maintenance on their aircraft. During the season of S22, SLX had 2 aircraft which STORM engineers said were rejected by BA due to corrosion and APU oil leaks. Easy and TUI knew that but licked their lips at the low ball offer.
Jet2, Easy and even TUI have learned the hard way. Eastern European ACMIs only make a profit because of horrible employment practices and scant maintenance on their aircraft. During the season of S22, SLX had 2 aircraft which STORM engineers said were rejected by BA due to corrosion and APU oil leaks. Easy and TUI knew that but licked their lips at the low ball offer.
I felt very sorry for the Storm Aviation lads I spoke within the smoking areas, none would - or could - guarantee that any particular frame was likely leave the tarmac the next day. So the usual palaver would play out - send bags to an aircraft, send a ramp team, load it, often wait for a crew to turn up, often be advised it's declared "gone tech", remove passengers, remove bags, tow it to the 230 stands waiting for repair.
The hours, and staff, lost by this charade caused a landslide of other delayed/cancelled easyJet flights from LGW in 2022.
'Twas a pretty horrible time. I would, however, point out that when I was advised that we would have SLX, I said to the easyJet bloke "Oh my" although I used far coarser language.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 14
From: Europe
Yup, lost count of the amount of times we had to take the bags we had loaded off, as Storm tried - and failed - to coax the knackers back to life. Dreadful, ex-Wizz, more chewing gum than actual carpet on the floor. They had the cheek to ask us to "deep clean them" before they were returned. They were cleaner with us after a week than they probably were for the preceding 5 years.
I felt very sorry for the Storm Aviation lads I spoke within the smoking areas, none would - or could - guarantee that any particular frame was likely leave the tarmac the next day. So the usual palaver would play out - send bags to an aircraft, send a ramp team, load it, often wait for a crew to turn up, often be advised it's declared "gone tech", remove passengers, remove bags, tow it to the 230 stands waiting for repair.
The hours, and staff, lost by this charade caused a landslide of other delayed/cancelled easyJet flights from LGW in 2022.
'Twas a pretty horrible time. I would, however, point out that when I was advised that we would have SLX, I said to the easyJet bloke "Oh my" although I used far coarser language.
I felt very sorry for the Storm Aviation lads I spoke within the smoking areas, none would - or could - guarantee that any particular frame was likely leave the tarmac the next day. So the usual palaver would play out - send bags to an aircraft, send a ramp team, load it, often wait for a crew to turn up, often be advised it's declared "gone tech", remove passengers, remove bags, tow it to the 230 stands waiting for repair.
The hours, and staff, lost by this charade caused a landslide of other delayed/cancelled easyJet flights from LGW in 2022.
'Twas a pretty horrible time. I would, however, point out that when I was advised that we would have SLX, I said to the easyJet bloke "Oh my" although I used far coarser language.
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: EU
I checked their site and ask 500 hours on A320.
Does anyone know if they offer ( them or someone who cooperates with them) any package with these hours?
I currently fly the ATR and I want to move to jets
Thanks in advance
Does anyone know if they offer ( them or someone who cooperates with them) any package with these hours?
I currently fly the ATR and I want to move to jets
Thanks in advance
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: EU
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Europe
After TR
I’ve recently been in touch with a guy who has done his TR with Smartlynx one year ago (December 2022). He still hasn’t flown anything since the base training. The airline doesn’t have capacity to start students on the line training. So it’s a huge number of students waiting in line to get started with the line training.
I am about to start my TR in October. But after talking to the guy waiting, I’m not sure if it’s smart to invest so much money in a company where you are guaranteed job, but it might take years to get that job. 36000€ is a lot to gamble.
And the paid is pretty bad during the line training I’ve heard, which I had accepted it. But waiting one year to start flying? That’s just unacceptable.
Is anyone in that situation? Could someone explain a bit more on it?
I am about to start my TR in October. But after talking to the guy waiting, I’m not sure if it’s smart to invest so much money in a company where you are guaranteed job, but it might take years to get that job. 36000€ is a lot to gamble.
And the paid is pretty bad during the line training I’ve heard, which I had accepted it. But waiting one year to start flying? That’s just unacceptable.
Is anyone in that situation? Could someone explain a bit more on it?
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 494
Likes: 4
From: Europe
Do you think you can elaborate a little bit more. Why did you have a bad experience there.
Please tell me an airline that is good. All airlines now after the COVID have found an excuse to reduce their terms and conditions and I am afraid that the current geopolitical situation will make it even worse for us. When I was an F.O 10 years ago, I was making more money then I do now as a captain and on top of that prices have tripled (inflation).
Please tell me an airline that is good. All airlines now after the COVID have found an excuse to reduce their terms and conditions and I am afraid that the current geopolitical situation will make it even worse for us. When I was an F.O 10 years ago, I was making more money then I do now as a captain and on top of that prices have tripled (inflation).
Last edited by Jimmy The Big Greek; 8th October 2024 at 16:05.
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Timboektoe
Do you think you can elaborate a little bit more. Why did you have a bad experience there.
Please tell me an airline that is good. All airlines now after the COVID have found an excuse to reduce their terms and conditions and I am afraid that the current geopolitical situation will make it even worse for us. When I was an F.O 10 years ago, I was making more money then I do now as a captain and on top of that prices have tripled (inflation).
Please tell me an airline that is good. All airlines now after the COVID have found an excuse to reduce their terms and conditions and I am afraid that the current geopolitical situation will make it even worse for us. When I was an F.O 10 years ago, I was making more money then I do now as a captain and on top of that prices have tripled (inflation).
Too many pilots, job is too easy nowadays. Every one can become a pilot.
How is it to work for Smartlynx at the moment?
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,731
Likes: 53
From: World
Until the tax man comes knocking, or people realize you have to pay taxes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 141
Likes: 4
From: Europe
As far as I was told, summer 310€ daily fee and winter 260€ daily fee. Stand to be corrected, of course, as this is not first hand info.
Pilots still have to take up to 60 days unpaid leave in the winter?
Pilots still have to take up to 60 days unpaid leave in the winter?
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Europe
Many financial institutions across Europe are aware of how the contracts of Avia Solution Group airlines (such as Smartlynx, Avion Express, Klasjet) operate via Dubai-based AerViva or other companies. Some institutions are specifically monitoring the tax (non)payment of their pilots and cabin crews. Sooner or later, this will have consequences. Avoiding mandatory tax payments is short-sighted; unfortunately, those working for these types of airlines are often not the sharpest knives in the drawer.