FlyBe - Status and Mood?
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FlyBe - Status and Mood?
Couple of quick questions related to Flybe. I know that Flybe is planning to prune the fleet to two fleet types the Q400 and the 146. Also, Flybe has bolstered its hubs in BHM and Southampton with increased leisure flying to the Continent. Discussions related to possible Boeing and Airbus aircraft have also been heard. So, a few questions for Flybe pilots:
1. What's the general mood among Flybe pilots - optimistic? Do you think there will be increased flying or positions in the near future?
2. With the CRJ and Q200 aircraft fleets to be phased out, where will those pilots likely go - will there be any redundancies do you think in the near term? When will those aircraft be phased out?
3. Would Flybe be a good place to apply - do you like it there?
4. Have any Flybe pilots left recently - if so, where do they go - Easy, Ryan, Virgin?
Cheers
1. What's the general mood among Flybe pilots - optimistic? Do you think there will be increased flying or positions in the near future?
2. With the CRJ and Q200 aircraft fleets to be phased out, where will those pilots likely go - will there be any redundancies do you think in the near term? When will those aircraft be phased out?
3. Would Flybe be a good place to apply - do you like it there?
4. Have any Flybe pilots left recently - if so, where do they go - Easy, Ryan, Virgin?
Cheers
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flybe - not Flybe
Bit out of touch Lav, CRJ's went weeks ago, most of the crew left the company to Duo, Easy etc, who was left went onto the Q400. Morale very low with most trying to get out. Your information is way out of date fella!
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Morale very low with most trying to get out
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Thanks Turbo Rick,
Sorry but I have been traveling for weeks - I am a bit out of touch... I have heard that morale has been a little low - I am surprised that conversations about possible expansion (Boeings or Airbuses) have not improved things... Transitioning from the CRJ to the Q400 wouldn't be so bad - those things are bigger and pretty fast...
Sorry but I have been traveling for weeks - I am a bit out of touch... I have heard that morale has been a little low - I am surprised that conversations about possible expansion (Boeings or Airbuses) have not improved things... Transitioning from the CRJ to the Q400 wouldn't be so bad - those things are bigger and pretty fast...
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LAV,
The Q400 is not all that it's cracked up to be, still lots of "Tech"problems.
Morale very low at the momement and has been for some time now, with 80 odd pilots having left in the last 12 months and not all to the land of Orange, but probably most of them.
Getting 319s or 737s will not solve the problem on the morale front as you will just be travelling faster and further afield thus creating larger problems when it all goes T.U.
Crewing is the main issue at the moment and untill that is addressed then the morale will continue to be below rock bottom for some time to come yet.
Here are just 2 examples :-
Two crew members told that they must postion from BHX-IOM.......
............in a hire car !!
One of the above 146 Captains was asked just recently to "Help out" on the LGW-BHD-LGW, but in the RHS, due F/O shortage.
When said Captain informed Crewing that he was not qualified in the RHS of the 146, their response was:-
" that it doesn't matter as it will only be for 2 sectors........ in the Q400 " !!!
It would be hilarious if it weren't so true.
EW.
You're right mate.
The Q400 is not all that it's cracked up to be, still lots of "Tech"problems.
Morale very low at the momement and has been for some time now, with 80 odd pilots having left in the last 12 months and not all to the land of Orange, but probably most of them.
Getting 319s or 737s will not solve the problem on the morale front as you will just be travelling faster and further afield thus creating larger problems when it all goes T.U.
Crewing is the main issue at the moment and untill that is addressed then the morale will continue to be below rock bottom for some time to come yet.
Here are just 2 examples :-
Two crew members told that they must postion from BHX-IOM.......
............in a hire car !!
One of the above 146 Captains was asked just recently to "Help out" on the LGW-BHD-LGW, but in the RHS, due F/O shortage.
When said Captain informed Crewing that he was not qualified in the RHS of the 146, their response was:-
" that it doesn't matter as it will only be for 2 sectors........ in the Q400 " !!!
It would be hilarious if it weren't so true.
EW.
You're right mate.
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Smokie,
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear things are negative like that. I have spoken with guys at Easy (former GO pilots) who are also dismayed at scheduling and the resulting low morale... I also have some mates at Ryanair who are actually more upbeat despite a heck of a lot of flying - although they love the 737-800.
Seems like most/all pilots in the UK have some serious gripes about their jobs. Virgin pilots are overworked and definitely underpaid. Easy pilots view schedulers as the devil and morale has sunk. I have seen postings about super-long upgrade times at Monarch. Mytravel could be going under.
I hope Flybe gets its act together with scheduling. Are there any POSITIVES of working at Flybe besides gaining some hours?
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear things are negative like that. I have spoken with guys at Easy (former GO pilots) who are also dismayed at scheduling and the resulting low morale... I also have some mates at Ryanair who are actually more upbeat despite a heck of a lot of flying - although they love the 737-800.
Seems like most/all pilots in the UK have some serious gripes about their jobs. Virgin pilots are overworked and definitely underpaid. Easy pilots view schedulers as the devil and morale has sunk. I have seen postings about super-long upgrade times at Monarch. Mytravel could be going under.
I hope Flybe gets its act together with scheduling. Are there any POSITIVES of working at Flybe besides gaining some hours?
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Lav-
If you open up a topic like this all the negatives will come out.But that's the same everywhere. Everyone's got gripes and loads to moan about, yes, but we're all in jobs and the company has come through a rough period.
It's horses for courses... yes, we're flying old equipment, yes, we're flying new equipment with teething problems, but we'll come through.
Where we have it right though is the people we work with. A more professional group of people you would struggle to find... and all in the face of such adversity.
Yes, call me an optimist and maybe an unrealist but in this industry you need a bit of both.
If you open up a topic like this all the negatives will come out.But that's the same everywhere. Everyone's got gripes and loads to moan about, yes, but we're all in jobs and the company has come through a rough period.
It's horses for courses... yes, we're flying old equipment, yes, we're flying new equipment with teething problems, but we'll come through.
Where we have it right though is the people we work with. A more professional group of people you would struggle to find... and all in the face of such adversity.
Yes, call me an optimist and maybe an unrealist but in this industry you need a bit of both.
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Thanks Fullback,
Do most newhires begin on the Dash Q200 or Q400 or 146 (do people with jet time start on the 146)? With the crew scheduling mess (related to shortage of crews), is hiring expected to pick up anytime soon?
Beyond quality of co-workers, what other aspects of working for Flybe are noteworthy? Are you home most nights - do you have any layovers?
Lastly, are the technical problems associated with the Q400 fixed - is it a nice airplane to fly now? I noticed that Flybe uses it on flights to Bergamo in Italy now.
Cheers
Do most newhires begin on the Dash Q200 or Q400 or 146 (do people with jet time start on the 146)? With the crew scheduling mess (related to shortage of crews), is hiring expected to pick up anytime soon?
Beyond quality of co-workers, what other aspects of working for Flybe are noteworthy? Are you home most nights - do you have any layovers?
Lastly, are the technical problems associated with the Q400 fixed - is it a nice airplane to fly now? I noticed that Flybe uses it on flights to Bergamo in Italy now.
Cheers
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Well, as with all new aircraft, pilots and engineers need time to get to know the equipment. I assume things are improving over time.
Part of this job is nightstops... it comes in the job description. So, yes, maybe a couple of nights a fortnight you'll be away. But if you're based in France or the Channel Islands you can expect very few.
As regards recruitment, we've got 14 more Dashes arriving over the next few years... someone's got to fly them!!
All new hires will be on the Dash, unless you've got the 146 on your license and you get in the Parc way.
Good luck- keep knocking at that door and someone will answer.
Part of this job is nightstops... it comes in the job description. So, yes, maybe a couple of nights a fortnight you'll be away. But if you're based in France or the Channel Islands you can expect very few.
As regards recruitment, we've got 14 more Dashes arriving over the next few years... someone's got to fly them!!
All new hires will be on the Dash, unless you've got the 146 on your license and you get in the Parc way.
Good luck- keep knocking at that door and someone will answer.
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Lav - all new hires will now go onto the q400 as we have just run the last classic dash course and as fullback say's it is very unlikely that new hires will go onto the 146 unless they allready have it on there license.
Regards
W.G
Regards
W.G
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HackneyeyedHarry - yes there are crew's based in Exeter - a couple of the last of the new f/o's have just been based there. Most new f/o's on joining the company can expect to be based in BHX or BHD allthough this is not allways the case - it is subject to what requirement's we have, and we do have experienced crews changing bases on a regular basis depending on where they would like to bid for.
Regards
W.G.
Regards
W.G.
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Just to clarify - the Dash Q200s will be replaced by the Q400s. Are the Q400s qualified to land at London City? Do Q400s currently serve LCY?
Also, are the 146s used on IT charters during the weekend - if so, how far afield do they fly? I know that a number of scheduled flights out of Southampton serve Southern Spain and France. In other words, does the 146 offer some good variety?
The Q400 looks like a very capable aircraft - what is it like to fly it vs. previous aircraft you have flown?
Cheers
Also, are the 146s used on IT charters during the weekend - if so, how far afield do they fly? I know that a number of scheduled flights out of Southampton serve Southern Spain and France. In other words, does the 146 offer some good variety?
The Q400 looks like a very capable aircraft - what is it like to fly it vs. previous aircraft you have flown?
Cheers
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Both the Q200's and the Q300's are being replaced by the Q400 - the first Q200's are due to depart next spring.
At the moment we have 2 Q400's that LCY modified and we should start training the crew's for LCY operation over the winter - all future Q400's that we will receive will be sent to us with the mod's completed for LCY operation.
Yes the 146 does do I.T work over the weekend to the likes of DBV/BIA as well as our scheduled services to the continent.
regards
W.G.
At the moment we have 2 Q400's that LCY modified and we should start training the crew's for LCY operation over the winter - all future Q400's that we will receive will be sent to us with the mod's completed for LCY operation.
Yes the 146 does do I.T work over the weekend to the likes of DBV/BIA as well as our scheduled services to the continent.
regards
W.G.
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I would like to add that not everyone is so pi**ed off at flybe.
I am impressed at how we have turned around a failing business into something that holds promise for the future.
This last month or two has been very hectic with lots of disruption. One's immediate thought is to slate the firm to bits. Yes they have cocked up the crewing numbers, and yes its a shambles, but when I look at our winter roster last year, I did bu**er all. So its swings and roundabouts.
MOst of the people left since the major exodus are quietly getting on with the job. There are of course exceptions. Some of us are in a great position, seniority improving rapidly as the defectors go. Prospect of a proper jet soon, and a small, friendly bunch of people to work with. Which is what you need when the s**t hits the fan. Oh and a pay rise at last!
I'm happy
I am impressed at how we have turned around a failing business into something that holds promise for the future.
This last month or two has been very hectic with lots of disruption. One's immediate thought is to slate the firm to bits. Yes they have cocked up the crewing numbers, and yes its a shambles, but when I look at our winter roster last year, I did bu**er all. So its swings and roundabouts.
MOst of the people left since the major exodus are quietly getting on with the job. There are of course exceptions. Some of us are in a great position, seniority improving rapidly as the defectors go. Prospect of a proper jet soon, and a small, friendly bunch of people to work with. Which is what you need when the s**t hits the fan. Oh and a pay rise at last!
I'm happy
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How large was the recent "exodus" of pilots at Flybe - how many pilots? Was this related to the phase out of the CRJ (and soon to be) Dash 8 Q200 fleets? Do ex-Flybe pilots tend to go to the low-cost carriers or to BA/VS?
When it comes down to it, is Flybe a good place to have a flying career? I understand that talk of Boeing/Airbus additions is exciting, but would you recommend Flybe as a place to be IF you have other low-cost options? Why would someone elect to fly for Flybe (if given the chance) vs. Easyjet or Ryan beyond just living in Birmingham? What other reasons should be considered? People often cite quality of co-workers, etc. Any other reasons? I am a fan of Flybe, but I'd like to hear more reasons to fly there...
Cheers
When it comes down to it, is Flybe a good place to have a flying career? I understand that talk of Boeing/Airbus additions is exciting, but would you recommend Flybe as a place to be IF you have other low-cost options? Why would someone elect to fly for Flybe (if given the chance) vs. Easyjet or Ryan beyond just living in Birmingham? What other reasons should be considered? People often cite quality of co-workers, etc. Any other reasons? I am a fan of Flybe, but I'd like to hear more reasons to fly there...
Cheers
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Is it possible to get a direct entry command based in Exeter? Any comments would be much appreciated. I'm looking to relocate from LTN and wouldn't mind the pay drop if I was in the right base.
Regards Harry
Regards Harry
