Just one last question before resuming topic - what exactly does Kestrel mean?

It's a type of bird, a falcon if I'm not mistaken?

"The name kestrel, (from French crécerelle, derivative from crécelle i.e. Ratchet) is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around 10–20 metres (33–66 ft) over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects. Other falcons are more adapted to active hunting on the wing. In addition, kestrels are notable for usually having much brown in their plumage."

File:Kestrel1.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(It's an American Kestrel if that helps)

Hello Kilo. Learn the history,it might give you an edge in the interview?

Give it a rest dash6. This was a perfectly informative thread relating to Thomson's recent FO intake (or lack of) for their 737s. It has been hijacked by spotters arguing over the origin and ownership of a callsign. Hardly relative and quite honestly of little interest to anyone reading this thread for it's intended purpose.

Thomson are to hold 3 recruitment days in November. One for cadet entry pilots, one for experienced crew. Not sure about the third.

What is a recruitment day?

What's their definition of a cadet? 200 hours or zero timed?

Wondering if Thomson are going to entertain the possibility of taking on experienced by non TR'd guys.

Matey, how does this all tie in with the fixed term contracts that where on offer?

Would be nice if they reconsidered the hold poolers.

Flew with one of the recruiters and they said there will be three days,
More to do with the cadet training than anything else, but still said, good news for people.

3 recruitment types, Sounds similar to Monarch selection with the 33% selection of Low houred cadets, Non Tr and TR maybe?

Looks promising regardless

With regard to fixed term contract pilots, the previous CTC fixed term pilots are now on PPY ( permanent part year) contracts. Current fixed term pilots will, I believe, have a training file review and interview before being offered the same. I am not privy to information regarding pool pilots I'm afraid. The recruitment days are just that, days where candidates go through the selection process and the successful ones offered a position. The proportion of cadet/ type rated/ non type rated pilots recruited I don't know. Cadet entry will be for those who hold a licence. I don't believe the current thinking includes offering ab-initio to those without a licence.

is there any current guidance on what to expect if fortunate enough to be invited to a selection day in November?
Interview style? Technical interview? Psychometric testing? Verbal reasoning/maths test? Sim check?

There was the psychometric stuff and then the group task and interview and individual interview. I assume it will be the sme this time around.

Can the skipper sit next to you for eight hours on a deep night Tenerife? That's the biggest question?

Where is this position advertised?

When it does come it will be on

Welcome to TUI Travel PLC - a leading international leisure travel group

And look under airline.

Thomson pilot management have just announced their recruitment plans for summer 2014. This consists of a mixture of "a small number" of cadet entry pilots initially drawn from suitably qualified internal (TUI UK & Ireland) candidates on a fixed term contract, and Type Rated pilots who will join on permanent part year contracts (PPY50). This involves working full time in the summer from 1st May to 31st October, and part time (one week off two weeks on) for the winter period. This attracts a salary of 81.3% of full time pay which is paid in equal instalments over the 12 months.

Permanent PPY 50 recruitment will open in late August / early September which will be for 737-800 Type Rated Pilots only. The cadet entry was advertised internally yesterday, and will be opened to outside recruits should there be insufficient numbers within the Company.

As to numbers here is the Company view..."We estimate that we will need around 20 to 25 recruits in total for next summer, although this does depend on any future programme changes and the number of pilots that leave us between now and next summer." I have no idea of the cadet/type rated split in that figure.

Since originally posting here I have received numerous PMs and completely understand the desire for further information and advice. However, in order not to compromise the recruitment process with which I may be involved please understand if I ask you to refrain from sending PMs to which I will be unable to reply.

As to where the posts will be advertised then one place to start would be as suggested above at Welcome to TUI Travel PLC - a leading international leisure travel group. Where else they plan to advertise I don't know.

Join date would be to be available to the line for May 2014 after a short period of training. The cadet entry will start type rating training in January. They will join on a fixed term contract until 31st October 2014. Previous fixed term pilots have all, bar a tiny number, moved on to permanent (PPY50) contracts at the end of the fixed term following a training file review and interview. No guarantees that will continue to be the case though of course.

PPY 50 contracts give two weeks on followed by two off from 1st Nov until 30 th April. Everything else correct. Probably a typo from Matey.

How many internal candidates are available for the cadet allocation?

All TOM bases apart from Bristol and Glasgow have a 737 operation. That makes the following: Exeter, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Doncaster, Manchester, Newcastle. I don't know where the vacancies would be. During the summer a minimum of 10 Base Days Off are rostered per month the rest being a mixture of early, afternoon and night duties as the fleet operates up to 3 rotations per day. Also expect some Standby duties. Routes vary from around 2 hours to 6 (Sharm). Mostly 2 sector days with 1 hour turnarounds, although some Sharm flights from the Northern bases are night stops. DC pension scheme, Company provided Loss of Licence, Private Health and PHI. There are many F/Os with training roles as Ground Training Pilots and some TRIs. Positions are advertised for all ranks for various duties in the Fleet Office and Technical Training areas. For example, an F/O is currently one of those primarily responsible for the work leading up to introduction of an EFB onto the 737. These office based duties tend to be unpaid with roster release provided and any accommodation etc provided by the Company. Good for the CV though.