Thomas Cook Belgium (A320s) - What's the Deal?
 

I understand that Thomas Cook Belgium is up and running and employing a number of former Sabena pilots. That is great news! My questions are as follows:. .. .1. How many aircraft (presumably A320s) operating?. .. .2. How many pilots now (any non-Belgians)?. .. .3. Percentage of ex-Sabena or ex-Citybird, etc.?. .. .4. Plans for the future - fleet growth planned?. .. .Also, any former Sabena pilots who are now flying for Thomas Cook want to comment on conditions, pay and schedules? How does it compare to flying for Sabena (schedules and routes - not pay comparison)?. .. .Good luck to all involved!. .. .Cheers

Five IAE powered A320s. Ex JMC fleet.

Any Thomas Cook (JMC) pilots out there who want to share their opinions about the new operation? . .. .For ex-Sabena pilots, how do you like charter flying vs. scheduled operations now? . .. .Did you need to have A320 experience to get hired - were Sabena 737 pilots also hired by Thomas Cook or were A320 ratings required?. .. .Cheers

Terms and conditions offered to the JMC pilots to defect were almost unbelievably pish.Can't remember the exact figures but it was around 37k for a Capt based on 18 or 19 rostered duties per month.Belgian based and no relocation assist.Don't know what the ex Sabena guys are getting but the deal offered to the Brits was so crap nobody even applied and they are almost totally Belgian .Can't help thinking the whole thing was a big con by TC Ag.Nice colour scheme though and the look of things to come for JMC and Condor.. .Here's a good idea-we have the best known name in international tourism(Tommy Cook)-lets name the company after his unknown son who nobody's ever heard of!!

TC has 6 former SN staff pilots, 22 cpt's and 26 fo's. Except for 2 german former "Fly FTI" pilots all are ex SN. A320 rating was a requirement. Pay for Cpt is 4000 EUR; 2800 EUR for FO's. Per diem is to be confirmed (9 EUR per working day). This is all gross. I believe there were over 700 applications for those +/- 50 positions. I guess that's why the salary is low. No expansion plans i know of, but this summer a Condor 757 and a 767 are wet leased, maybe those will be replaced by owned ac ?. . . . <small>[ 20 March 2002, 21:23: Message edited by: Belgian Sadness ]</small>