Flybe - What are they like to work for?
 

Hi everyone,

This is my second post of this nature... I asked any Loganair pilots (past or present) if they wouldn't mind lettting me know what it was like working for them. Same story again; flybe this time...

I'm at OAT just now, very close to CPL, with about another 3-4 months to go before I'm knocking at the airlines doors. I am quite liking the idea of flying the Dash 8 for Flybe and I know they are recruiting just now. Also, being Scottish, Edinburgh as a base would be ideal. I've searched pprune looking for any info relating to working as a pilot for them but no luck. So like I said... Any pilots (past or present), particularly on the dash 8 fleet, if you wouldn't mind replying to this post, it would be appreciated :). Also, if anyone knows... What are the chances of Edinburgh as a base?

Thanks in advance,

Zammo88

Whilst I am not a Pilot, I do have several friends piloting for Flybe and they seem to be very comfortable with their employer. Their roster appears to suit them and they fly from their local airport which is only about 25 minutes down the road for them!

The pay side of it is ok but for a first outfit, Flybe are very good and if you want to fly the Dash 8 they probably are best. The only other carrier would be WOW with a -300 but as they only have a few a/c I cannot see them having such a large recruitment drive.

I know that there were a lot of new crew at HQ the other day (some really nice looking ones to ;))

I am sure other crew will give you a better idea but I hope that this helps anyway.

Any airline that can offer you employment in the area you want to live is worth considering. I've worked for several and ultimately they are largely the same ! Ok some may have a nicer vibe and slightly better Ts & Cs than others but in the end they will all want you to fly hard for as little cash as they can get away with. The rest of it is smoke and mirrors and everyone will have a different take on their life style. No two people will see the same job in the same way.

If Fly Be give you a shot grab it (Have worked for). If Loganair give you a shot grab it (Haven't worked for but know folk). Despite what others might say your life will be much the same working for either as a low hour DE Cadet. In a couple of years you'll be in a position to be more choosy. Remember it's still better than working for a living. Good Luck.

If you get the chance of a job there I would take it. They are not a bad lot. It will get you some experience and keep you going for a while.

Could anyone list which bases planned for Embraer , which for Q400 , looking to future?...please..

I worked at Flybe for many years (pre merger) It's a good an airline to work for as any other if you want to do short haul. The pay is ok, and so many people leave, that you can get a command quite quickly. Even boyband got one when they were really desperate!:ok:

I have a friend based in EXT and he loves it down there, great crew, good pay and stable roaster

Your having a laaaaaarf mate. On my 4th roster change today already, for today!!! I reckon i`ll get to double figures before the end of play tonight.


Some in soles in HQ Air Cadets really don`t konw if they are sat on the loo or having their haircut half the time. :ok:

where are you based mad bob?

Thanks for all the replys guys. I'm really hoping I get the chance to work for them when I've finished my training.

Thanks again,

Zammo88 :)

Flybe
 

Zammo,

I'm a fairly recent (ex OATS) recent entrant to Flybe and I must say I really like it. The Dash is a great aeroplane to cut your teeth on, the flightdeck culture is very supportive, professional and relaxed, the company pays for your type rating, puts you up in decent hotels etc and my roster at least is fairly stable. The pay is OK for a turboprop and the short time to command is enticing. Also the company seems to be doing quite well and expanding (which means security, lots of interesting routes and chance of a jet).

The biggest downside for me is that they always finish you on a late and start you on an early thus shortening your weekend and of course basing is a lottery. If you are Scottish then I'd say you're in luck because traditionally they struggle to keep people at the EDI, GLA and BFS bases cos most of us want to get back down South!

Hope that is helpful and good luck.

Desk-pilot.

That would be BHD (not BFS).

Working at the opposite end, I can honestly say that the very large majority of Flybe pilots are a pleasure to work with.
Although the crews are often made up of very experienced captains and low hour F.O's, they operate to high professional standards and we have a very close working relationship, which includes both professional and social liason.

The only downside from our point of view is their Operations Department, probably because the merger has been poorly managed, the Operations is an utter shambles.
When things are going swimmingly, all is sweetness and light, when the **** hits the fan, all is chaos theory x 100, they haven't got a clue and we end up doing a lot of their work for them purely to prevent inconvenience to us.

Hopefully that side of things will improve, the message has been passed via the senior pilots to the company, if it doesn't, we will stop doing their job for them.

Anyway, Flybe are generally a good bunch and I'm sure you'll gain valuable experience if yu do get a job with them.

Good luck.

Desk-Pilot,

Thanks for your reply. That's good news about the basing thing :). Also, didn't know they pay for the type rating, that's really good. Where is it they send you for type rating?

Cheers,

Zammo88

Are flybe still working 6/3?

Do FlyBe have any crew based in Manchester. Not said so on website but I am sure I have heard so recently

ExyDriver - you're having a laugh aren't you?
Currymonster - yes, 400s and 145s

No Bluff, I'm not, a genuine question!

Didn't realise you were still there, shame on you not remembering your old bank manager and for a very limited period, your landlord;)

Here's my 2p's worth....

5 on 2 off (normally!), if you do a 6 in a row you have to have a 3 off in that month. Never had a problem getting leave I wanted, never had a problem getting RDO's, had my fair share of 5 nights away covering due to shortage of FO's at various bases but new recruitment has now corrected that, good bunch of people to fly with and thankfully they have recruited a few captains who whilst they have lots of experience they're not on their last legs and all bitter and twisted about life! The buy out of BAcon was grossly mishandled from an HR point of view (ie they pis"£d off everyone who they should have kept happy) but the company seems to be in a good position and things seem to be improving all the time. The Q400 is more jet than turbo prop but the starting pay for new FO's is appalling and sadly our CC failed to prevent the company from dropping the salary:ugh: (yes that's right it dropped!) It's not even enough to repay an Oxford loan as far as the HSBC are concerned!
But for a first job as a cadet (and lets face it beggers can't be choosers) you could do far,far worse (like contribute to the downfall of our industry and prostitute yourself and pay for a TR) The tr is payed for and you are bonded for 3 years, by that time you'll be a captain if you joined with any experience. You will be a jet fo within 3 years (if that's what floats your boat) and be able to move to a larger jet operator at the end of the 3 years if you wish.......

To answer your q...........it's cack!

But, as a noob. Who cares- its A JOB!

However, compared to almost all the others. cack.:eek: