Example Rosters (Jet2,Tui, WhizzAir, etc)

[Chesty Morgan]

I've done it, so have a few others I know. I don't even remember how I found out you could, might have been through the PBM.

Doesn't stop them selecting you for another one though...

[Capt Scribble]

"True but after 3 years you are able to take yourself off any particular Cat C airfield you like.". I thought that a Cat C airfield required designated training of the Cp for the airfield, JSI or INN spring to mind.

[MELable]

Does anyone have any insight into how TUI is doing financially nowadays? I heard they came pretty close to the brink in 2022 but they seem to be doing alright now?

Also, do they do much in the way of night stops on the 737 or is it all there and backs?

Cheers!

[Chesty Morgan]

Yes, correct.

[apin]

Thank you for all the replies, they've certainly given me a lot to think about...

I think I'm as susceptible as anyone to 'grass is always greener' syndrome. The RAF can be a pain in the arse, and we don't get paid anything like the airlines, but I'm in a niche at the moment (which won't last forever, especially with what's going on in the world) where I don't spend much time away, its mostly a 10-4 work day, and pretty much work a 4 day week most of the time. Think I need to do a bit more research and decide what I really value.

The key factor pushing me out is the unknown- it's good at the moment but could quickly devolve into months away at a time, or I could be put in a desk job abroad for at moments notice, or some other equally **** job where I'm not flying or developing my career. Equally it's the fact my time isn't valuable to the RAF - e.g. they'll think nothing of putting an aircraft captain as a door guard for a 16 hour shift, as you're an available body, and I'm getting a bit old for that s###...

I'd still appreciate any more responses with rosters (type, airline, and best/worst months) if anyone has the time- I've only been in 7 years so I don't really have that network of mates at the airlines yet to ask, although it is slowly growing. 4 of my mates all have offers at tui/jet2 so I'll touch base with them in a year or so.

[Whitemonk Returns]

Originally Posted by steview082

If it’s so great then why are you desperately applying to every ME airline that exists?

And what’s so great about standby? 360 hours but endless days of pointless standby where you can’t plan anything, have to arrange childcare, sit in a hotel room if you commute. I’d rather be flying.

Nothing desperate about it friend, just ready for something new, its incredible how offended people get over other people who want to do things differently to them...

For the poster who mentioned about the J2 CC on the bus. The worst part about the whole company is how they treat the cabin crew, their management is absolutely shocking and not reflective at all of how pilots are treated, that has always annoyed me actually as there is no reason why they need to treat them any differently apart from the individual CC managers are all just truly nasty people. See, no fetish, just the truth.

Would I join J2 now on the 737 at this point in my career? No
Would I join J2 if I was the original poster? Unquestionably yes, you will be on 160k in the LHS in 2 years at a regional base, you can figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life from there.

[AtoZ]

I think we are all susceptible to thinking the other side of the fence is greener grass but having worked for Wizzair UK for a short period over Covid, I would definitely prioritise the other airlines mentioned as my experience was total instability at Wizz. Wizzair is a revolving door as regards pilots at present and most who joined with me have left in under a year to Jet2 or BA.

One point of consideration is that you only start building airline experience and thus airline career development once you have joined an airline. Several ex-RAF people have said in the past they would have been ahead if they had left the services earlier.

[steview082]

Originally Posted by Whitemonk Returns

Nothing desperate about it friend, just ready for something new, its incredible how offended people get over other people who want to do things differently to them...

Nobody is offended “friend”, just curious. You come on here saying how wonderful Jet2 is because you only do 360 hours a year and spend so much time at home, whilst applying to get out, to airlines where you’ll do 900 hours a year - not including bunk time - and will spend your entire life away.

These threads get started by people looking for advice on career moves and you’re just filling it with guff. No Jet2 pilot is going to be doing 360 hours a year once those expensive Airbuses make up the majority of the fleet.

[JliderPilot]

Roster stability

Cannot comment on other airlines but roster stability at Wizz U.K. for me has been ok for the last 18 months. This was not the case over covid lockdown and just after. However I think disruption was widespread throughout the industry. Newer management are trying to improve things.

Salary is mostly fine … when you are flying, improvements could be made for sure. Company pension is very poor and the part time offer is not a good deal. However top line take home (when you are flying) is comparable and towards the higher end of what is available. They want you to fly and on average expect 750hrs. There are busy months.

Low cost type of flying is not for everyone so do your research.

I have many friends throughout the industry ex-mil and no one is 100% happy. Quote from 17yr BA mate, ‘it’s a bit of a doss, and gets slightly less **** every day’. Some at J2 like it, others not so if your face doesn’t fit. They also have very busy months. Ezy chap I know joined from RAF did three years SFO and went back the military as he had no life at home.

When picking an airline job, maybe think seriously about the commute. If you live more than 45mins from the report location, it probably won’t work. wife / partner not happy, then you won’t be happy.

when the flight deck door is closed and we are flying it’s all pretty much the same.

[Flying Wild]

Originally Posted by apin

Thank you for all the replies, they've certainly given me a lot to think about...

I think I'm as susceptible as anyone to 'grass is always greener' syndrome. The RAF can be a pain in the arse, and we don't get paid anything like the airlines, but I'm in a niche at the moment (which won't last forever, especially with what's going on in the world) where I don't spend much time away, its mostly a 10-4 work day, and pretty much work a 4 day week most of the time. Think I need to do a bit more research and decide what I really value.

The key factor pushing me out is the unknown- it's good at the moment but could quickly devolve into months away at a time, or I could be put in a desk job abroad for at moments notice, or some other equally **** job where I'm not flying or developing my career. Equally it's the fact my time isn't valuable to the RAF - e.g. they'll think nothing of putting an aircraft captain as a door guard for a 16 hour shift, as you're an available body, and I'm getting a bit old for that s###...

I'd still appreciate any more responses with rosters (type, airline, and best/worst months) if anyone has the time- I've only been in 7 years so I don't really have that network of mates at the airlines yet to ask, although it is slowly growing. 4 of my mates all have offers at tui/jet2 so I'll touch base with them in a year or so.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as an average roster.

I'm at Jet2 and have cruised along at 50-60 hours this summer, others have been pushing 80-100 hours. There's no apprent rhyme nor reason. What I will say is that they are actively trying to improve the lifestyle 'attract' piece. The money is nice, but they are working on offering different working patterns (fixed % rosters or fixed pattern, AM/PM preference) as well as other bits and pieces.

[Prob30Tempo TSRA]

Ref Wizzair ,
The pay used to be an embarrassment , PPJN now quoting some crazy high salaries .

Whats the truth ? When I was looking at it it was 60k for a capt , plus about 12 quid a landing , and some flight pay based on distance divided by inclination of the moon or similar ?

[Basicsteve]

Originally Posted by Prob30Tempo TSRA

Ref Wizzair ,
The pay used to be an embarrassment , PPJN now quoting some crazy high salaries .

Whats the truth ? When I was looking at it it was 60k for a capt , plus about 12 quid a landing , and some flight pay based on distance divided by inclination of the moon or similar ?

I have a friend who is a skipper at Wizz and takes home around 9k in a very busy month. So not that bad if you can face it

[Chauderon]

To be brutally honest, if you've been in the RAF 7 years; you've taken the training and haven't given back yet. There is probably more you could get from it, as well. The RAF treated me better than one of the airlines you have asked about above, by the way.

[Twiglet1]

Originally Posted by apin

Thank you for all the replies, they've certainly given me a lot to think about...

I think I'm as susceptible as anyone to 'grass is always greener' syndrome. The RAF can be a pain in the arse, and we don't get paid anything like the airlines, but I'm in a niche at the moment (which won't last forever, especially with what's going on in the world) where I don't spend much time away, its mostly a 10-4 work day, and pretty much work a 4 day week most of the time. Think I need to do a bit more research and decide what I really value.

The key factor pushing me out is the unknown- it's good at the moment but could quickly devolve into months away at a time, or I could be put in a desk job abroad for at moments notice, or some other equally **** job where I'm not flying or developing my career. Equally it's the fact my time isn't valuable to the RAF - e.g. they'll think nothing of putting an aircraft captain as a door guard for a 16 hour shift, as you're an available body, and I'm getting a bit old for that s###...

I'd still appreciate any more responses with rosters (type, airline, and best/worst months) if anyone has the time- I've only been in 7 years so I don't really have that network of mates at the airlines yet to ask, although it is slowly growing. 4 of my mates all have offers at tui/jet2 so I'll touch base with them in a year or so.

The only sure thing you've learned is Pilots are rarely ever happy

[apin]

Originally Posted by Chauderon

To be brutally honest, if you've been in the RAF 7 years; you've taken the training and haven't given back yet. There is probably more you could get from it, as well. The RAF treated me better than one of the airlines you have asked about above, by the way.

You might see it that way, but I've completed my return of service, hence I've paid back my training with my time. That's a bit like saying you can't leave a company when your training bond is paid off because you haven't 'given back' yet.

I hear what you're saying, but my experience of the RAF has been rather different. It's a big organisation, with ephemeral leadership, and I've seen enough good people be messed about to think 'yeah, I don't want to be in that position'.

[VariablePitchP]

Originally Posted by Chauderon

To be brutally honest, if you've been in the RAF 7 years; you've taken the training and haven't given back yet. There is probably more you could get from it, as well. The RAF treated me better than one of the airlines you have asked about above, by the way.

They’ll have had seven years of constant holds and being totally mucked about to now perhaps be ready to do a real front line tour. In their 30s, the mess life has worn off, and despite the investment and sacrifices, are making less than a day 1 FO at any of the above discussed carriers.

Drag out military flying for another decade to get 1500 hours and maybe an ATPL on the side and still only half way to a commercial command. One that 20 somethings fly about with having done only five years of flying.

Different worlds, but once it’s set in stone the airline path is for you it just needs to be done, every year remaining in the military is a year spent not as a top scale training captain down the line.

[Whitemonk Returns]

Originally Posted by steview082

Nobody is offended “friend”, just curious. You come on here saying how wonderful Jet2 is because you only do 360 hours a year and spend so much time at home, whilst applying to get out, to airlines where you’ll do 900 hours a year - not including bunk time - and will spend your entire life away.

These threads get started by people looking for advice on career moves and you’re just filling it with guff. No Jet2 pilot is going to be doing 360 hours a year once those expensive Airbuses make up the majority of the fleet.

What Guff? You have no idea how many hours a J2 Airbus pilot has flown this year or will fly in the years ahead, they were sitting around for months flying less than me at the start of the year. You also have nò idea about the level of recruitment required to fill all of these expensive new aircraft over the next decade and the Airbus will not make up the majority of the fleet probably for at least that decade, one thing I can confidently say is that an Airbus DEC non line trainer will have a cushy number over the next 5 years and will not fly more than 700 hrs a year, the rostering is too inefficient for that to happen.

Also why do you care if I have plans for something new? You know nothing about my life or where I am in it. My opinion is still more valid than you who has offered nothing but wierd anti J2 attacks

[CaptainProp]

Originally Posted by JliderPilot

Low cost type of flying is not for everyone so do your research.

Is there any other type of flying today? Unless you do cargo or long haul flying, which brings a whole load of other issues for many, then wherever you go today you’ll have to expect to fly 700-850 hours and do a mix of 2-4 sector days.

[steview082]

Originally Posted by Whitemonk Returns

What Guff? You have no idea how many hours a J2 Airbus pilot has flown this year or will fly in the years ahead, they were sitting around for months flying less than me at the start of the year. You also have nò idea about the level of recruitment required to fill all of these expensive new aircraft over the next decade and the Airbus will not make up the majority of the fleet probably for at least that decade, one thing I can confidently say is that an Airbus DEC non line trainer will have a cushy number over the next 5 years and will not fly more than 700 hrs a year, the rostering is too inefficient for that to happen.

Also why do you care if I have plans for something new? You know nothing about my life or where I am in it. My opinion is still more valid than you who has offered nothing but wierd anti J2 attacks

Oh dear, Princess, looks like you’re the one getting offended.

Put it this way, if an Airbus pilot is doing 360 hours a year in 5 years time, there will be no airline left. Doing 360 hours a year on a knackered old paid off 757 fleet that costs nothing to keep on the ground is one thing. Doing it on an expensive brand new Airbus fleet is another altogether. Those planes will have to fly all year round.

Nothing anti-J2 here. Just being realistic. Good luck in the Desert, looks like you’ll need it.

[Chauderon]

Originally Posted by apin

You might see it that way, but I've completed my return of service, hence I've paid back my training with my time. That's a bit like saying you can't leave a company when your training bond is paid off because you haven't 'given back' yet.

I hear what you're saying, but my experience of the RAF has been rather different. It's a big organisation, with ephemeral leadership, and I've seen enough good people be bothered about to think 'yeah, I don't want to be in that position'.

Unless it’s changed in the last few years, initial pilot Return of Service was 6 years from end of OCU, so I’m doubtful you’ve completed it having served 7 years in total. Most of your time has been in training, so you haven’t really given back. Not being sanctimonious; that’s just how it is. Either way, I wish you all the best.