B737NG Captains - TUI Group
 

Hi all,
Not much luck with the search function so does anybody have an info regarding this job with Contract Air?

Salary
Roster
Base

If I remember correctly it is around €7500-7750 , or was last couple of years, as it is re-occuring contract.
Roster is not really commutable, & you spend a bit of time in taxis between airports in. . . . . .

Q3 Belgium, as it is for Jet Air Fly in BRU, but you also fly from LGG/CRL/OST.

Think more than 2/3 days off consecutively is a No No, accomodation (in Zaventam) provided.
If you go, tech interview is a bit nasty, & sim "typical" Belgian, I.E multiple failures/overload. . . they like it that way :rolleyes:

Ha ha typical Belgian i.e. multiple failures/overload.....they like it that way.

That checks!:E

Yep, we love it:rolleyes: always fun to go sweat...

Also expect lots of raw data flying up to cruising level and visual approaches whenever possible. Stick and rudder is still VERY important with Belgian Airlines and pilots:ok:

Easy on the rudder though. I might have to fly with you....:)

Earnings are now closer to 8k (that includes about €400-450 allowances) plus a return from a kind of Fund for Interim Workers of about €450 per month, returned in two installments during the coming and next January, for example if you work this season you get half of it in January 2013 and the other in January 2014. With that it comes to about €8300 per month.

Rostering is indeed not commutable officially, but you always have 3 or 4 days OFF in a row, a total of 10-11 days a month. You can definitely commute within Europe if you want. I did it three times a month and I come from a distant part of the Continent, so it is doable :ok:

Overall, I did enjoy my time there. Aircraft, some of them actually brand new, they are very well looked after, not many flights in the really dark hours, nice & friendly crews :ok::E:ok:

If I wasn't on a permanent job now, I would surely go back a few times.

So I seem to recall. I experienced the one armed coat hanger approach to PM duties with a self confessed highly decorated Belgian aviator. Later met him at our training centre where he was receiving a supplementary simulator session focusing on the arts of being stabilised by 1000 feet. :rolleyes:


I'm not adverse to a bit of stick time myself, however the words time and place continually alluded this guy. The constant repetition of the line, 'this is how we did it in Sabena' was nauseating!

Bike,

I understand that a bond is involved at Jet Air Fly in BRU. Was this deducted from salary or did you have to deposit money up front or...

Neither. You are committed to complete the six-month contract otherwise premature termination from your part would mean commitment to pay the 10k bond or part of it (or nothing, I suppose could be negotiated, it is not clear if it is pro-rated or not). I didn't face that eventuality because I completed my contract till the very last day.

On the "bond" agreement it is mentioned that it is applicable only for the first time you would work for JAF. Repetition of the contract in the future would not incur any bond (but again, that I couldn't know as I've only been with them once).

If it helps, everything that was their commitment (pay, days OFF, accommodation etc) was honored to the detail. They (JAF and Contractair) were very ok on everything, not only towards me but to other colleagues who were there at the same time.

Bike,

Thank you very much indeed. Sorry to go on about it but did you have to arrange the bond yourself with a bank; if so did you have to pay a fee for the bond and did the bank want any collateral?

Shaman,

There is nothing to arrange with a bank or pay anything in advance. The "bond" is actually just a letter of agreement/commitment on your behalf that should you terminate the contract earlier, you undertake to pay Contractair the agreed amount. It is just a signed agreement, nothing else is involved. Now, if it's legally binding, that I don't know. What I know for sure, a few guys changed their mind and decided not to join, after they signed the contracts, just a few days before contract commencement. They were notified by the agency that they were liable for bond payment, as per the agreement. Eventually lawyers were involved and all parties reached a compromise, on the basis that the course had not started yet thus no costs were sustained by the company. But they did pay something as compensation for breach of contract. I know that for fact. I hope it is clear now.

Bike,

Thank you very much indeed for a full explanation - all I need now is an invitation to an interview! Although I have the hours and experience I am well out of recency so if the supply of current captains becomes exhausted perhaps I might have a chance....

Thanks again.

Shaman, be aware that the quoted amounts are GROSS. According a new tax agreement between Belgium and the UK you will pay full UK tax.

Thanks Sarah. I am no longer a UK resident so perhaps this might not apply to me.

sarah737,

Just out of curiosity, when was this new tax agreement implemented? As far as I know until the time I had this contract, there was a kind of UK tax exception approval (always according to Contractair). I am neither UK resident or domiciled so I guess it would't affect me, but it is nice to know in case...

AFAIK just BRU, although I think you are shunted around in taxis to other Belgian airports.