Happy wanderer

You also need to factor in the 8K base training bond, on top of the type rating cost. On that basis, you might as well pay for a type rating on a more popular type and jet, like the airbus instead. Eastern will pay a crap salary, no benefits and base you in Wick for starting out.

Do they recognise a pilots union? If not, is there much of a move afoot to get BALPA or the IPA recognised?

I'm sorry but if people are unhappy about their T&Cs, and they are not members of a union, then they don't have my sympathy.

Also, I know that T&Cs can be poor at Eastern, but having spoken to folk who work (and have worked) for Eastern, I can say that they are not the worst in the industry. For the worst, you have to go to crappy GA operators who have a very sharp pencil and a liberal eraser when it comes to recording duty times. Eastern wouldn't get away with half of the stuff that goes on everyday in GA, and gives GA a bad name.

The ethos of the company has changed a great deal since the early days when it was a great little airline. Now it's not such a little airline but, apparently, not very great. Still, it's a stepping stone company, which is something management knows perfectly well. If you've got nothing in the way of time or experience then you've got little to lose and if there's £8k in the training bond and you did get a better job offer, in other words a jet regional offer, you'd be able to pay back the bond pretty quickly anyway.
The sort of question I'd be asking is how well Eastern trained pilots are regarded in the industry for ongoing recruitment and how easy it is to leave Eastern before the expiration of any bond, always provided you're prepared to pay back the balance.
So, what's your contract of employment and how much notice do you have to provide.
I'd also want to have a look at the record of the Chief Pilot and/or Ops Manager. Rostering and Crewing will be there to make your lives miserable but these two guys can make it hell, depending on them, themselves. I know a couple of good guys who've left in the last few years because of problems along the above hinted lines but personnel may have changed.
You'd also benefit from knowing how tight the Chief Pilot at Eastern was with, say, his equivalent at Easy or anywhere else that might be a future stepping stone. One telephone call can wreck your onward chances good and proper.
There you go, a little complex and gratuitous advice.
Good luck.
O yes, if you've got that Cathay Pacific interview book committed to memory and Volume 1 of the Jeppesen Manual, you should be well enough prepared provided you bone up on the technicals of the aircraft you're currently flying, even if it's a Baron and also on the type and fleet you're looking to join.

Perhaps the pilots, as well as the technicians, at Bristows have union representation which Eastern pilots could now use to their advantage?
It might require a brave soul to start off the enquiries though.

by one ....!

Can anyone share what the current state of recruitment is at Eastern? Are they losing crew to the jet operators? Also what does the assessment day involve, particularly the exam papers? Any up to date info gratefully received.

I believe there is a mass exodus going on at the moment to all pastures greener.

There's always a mass exodus apparently, same with another northern airline. In reality though...

I was at a leaving do recently for an outgoing Loganair pilot. I've been gone a year. Half the crew were new faces. Management looks radically different too. Leavers are joining FlyDubai, BA, Thomson, Jet2 mostly. One went to FlyBe, one to Ryanair. If not a mass exodus, the training department must be busy at least!

mass exodus is not right
 

i don't think mass exodus explains accurately what is happening at Eastern.

Try this instead;

Imagine a zombie film where someone is running from a great many of those rabid, relentless but extremely professional zombies with a can do attitude, who want to catch and devour said person so that they can be cured from the horrific zombie affliction.

The person is called 'pilot jobs', the zombies are 'eastern airways flight crew' and the affliction is 'terms and conditions'.

Hope this makes things a bit clearer.

Is anyone aware of the recruitment situation at Eastern, at the moment? PPJN seems to indicate they will be actively recruiting soon, if not already.
I have 400TT with 200 Heavy Turboprop, I've sent my CV but no reply (not even acknowledgement of receipt, but I guess this may be because I don't meet the 1000TT requirement, although I thought I might stand a chance with the market the way it is at the moment)

Thanks in advance :)

Anyone know what the time to command is like in T3? Are there long waiting lists for MME/NCL?

I've got about 3000 medium jet FO experience and I'm looking at getting closer to home. I see on the recruitment website that captains need 2500 of which 1500 must be multi time however it doesn't specify what command hours are required.

So I have this already. Obviously I couldn't join as a direct entry captain but realistically how long would I be looking at?

I know the money is less but it's on my doorstep so well worth it. Would I be nuts to give up a jet job (with zero command prospects close to home unless I want to spend six plus years in London) for the chance of a TP command relatively quicker?

Pm request
 

Please could a current Eastern 145 pilot pm me. I'm presently flying a Legacy 650 and have a few questions about joining the company on the Emb145 fleet.

Ryan2811 - Promotion to the 145 is internal only, rated or not.

If you have a PPL and a pulse you'll probably get in. I hear they are a bit short.

Anybody starting in November? PM me

Hi Guys,

Would somebody be kind enough to post (or PM) current Captains pay, on both Jetstream and Saab fleets please, as well as Flight pay?

I've seen PPJN, but those figures are a few years old now. Just curious how long you would stay on the base pay/what are the increments like?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Not that short it seems as a friend of mine, who adequately meets all their requirements, has had no response at all ... ?!

PilotJobsNetwork.com 'Hiring anyone with over 1000tt of which around 500 multi engine' - not true (see above).

Close friend of mine got hired by them over summer - she applied straight out of training. UK native though.

I know of three people recently taken on, at least two of them with minimal hours overall.

Were those that were taken on with below the published minimum hours either already working for Eastern in another capacity, well connected to senior people within Eastern or recommended by senior people within Eastern?

I don't have the 1000 hour minimum but slapped in my CV several weeks ago and have heard nothing.

I don't know; but not working for them already. I'd be surprised if at least one of them had connections.

Maybe it's an age thing ... ? my mate is getting on ... !!!

Are all the new hires for ABZ? Any other bases available?

Hello,

I would be very grateful if anyone could shed some light on the recruitment process in 2019, interview questions etc?

Thank you