Where is the new application form I cant seem to find it on website. And also when is the next recruitment drive? or are they continually recruiting I am 737 rated and experienced.

Story I heard was interviews in Autumn/Winter for courses presumably commencing beginning of 2015.

At the moment nothing going on, except maybe "plastic fantastic", but they have a large backlog of candidates not yet fully line-checked.

Those that were previously in the system have been sent an email with a link to the new application.

Which is best?

Apply directly or through confair? Same packages?

It used to be apply through the agency, then it became apply through Norwegian & your course would be allocated one of the 3 agencies in the game.

To be honest, I have lost track of what is the "preferred" method now, but, whichever it is, it makes no difference, as you will be employed initially as a Contractor for 2 (sorry make that 3 ) years & then find yourself on a"local" contract at whichever base you are in . . . . allegedly.

But all & any of this could, & probably will, change, as it has done this last 2 years.

Upgrades
 

Hi I have heard, that most command assessments were failed. And that all upgrades for 2014 are on hold now. It seems that nas has the policy now to hire decs instead of upgrading their FOs. Is this to save money, as the FO would need to be replaced, or what is the story behind this?

Ronand I think what you heard isn't correct. Upgrades are ongoing.

Ronand not sure where you get that idea from???

We need Captains for sure, but we are actively encouraging F/O to apply, most that do so pass the assessment which is a very basic PC (from the RHS) followed by a command interview which includes a short 20 questions closed book exam to make sure you have looked at the manuals, pass that then your command training starts, it much more about maturity than flying skills.

We have taken a lot of command ready ex Ryanair people,in general a year should see you move seats if you meet the requirements and put the work in.

Mr.:mad: , he probably got that idea from the company itself. Core FO's are in a position where they will never get an upgrade, as disposable contract captains is what they want.

RTO
 

Well you must be a right treat to fly with Mr CRM.

Core F/O's have an upgrade path through LOA

Core employment cost outside of Norway are not sustainable for any airline, suggest you take your chance with SAS........

I have heard the more sensible amongst core (clearly not you) take the view that employing contractors actually helps maintain the Core package by lowering the overall cost of employing pilots across the group to a point where it is viable :rolleyes:

LNIDA,

Sorry to disagree with you my friend, but that is Horlicks.

It is commercial greed, pure & simple.

Core work is being "moved" to bases such as LGW/BCN etc & you & I know it.
If it was economically viable to source this work from OSL/ARN/CPH before, why isn't it now ? don't think Mick has opened so many Scandi bases recently, nor has SAS appreciably reduced their costs.

I don't think it is in any way unreasonable, at the rate we are expanding, for a "Core" FO to expect that growth should result in him (in a reasonable timeframe) being offered a "Core" Command. I am realistic/cynical enough however, to agree with you that, unfortunately for the individuals concerned, it ain't gonna happen. (at least no time soon)

I say this, totally honestly, and mindful of the fact that my personal needs/circumstances make me part of their problem.

I am a Contract Capt who accepted a "Core FO" position in the full knowledge that I would likely be given an immediate LOA (not as stipulated by NPU after 1 year as a "Core" employee) to continue as I was. I have done this for one reason & one alone, because I foresaw the cr@p that would be offered as a "permanent contract" at my Spanish base & wanted to have another card in my deck if that was the case. The initial "offer" in HEL validated my rational.

I may be part of the problem, I am also part of the solution.
For sure (like everyone lets be honest ) I am looking out for #1, but I hope that cooperation/communication between the Unions in various countries may see us unravel this mess to everyone advantage.

In the meantime my dear LGW colleague, let us not pretend that what is being done to artificially hinder the growth of "Scandinavian Production" is either fair, nor indeed really needed. Temporary Commands in Nordic lands in Summer, 6 mth "temporary K area" contracts for new FO's (line training assuredly doesn't take that long) etc etc , everything is being done to stymy the growth of core. . . . . although, one FO I flew with the other day assured me he had it on good authority that there would be a new batch of Core FO vacancies soon. . .we will see.

Ryanair FO's who joined in the Spring (thinking particularly those of Scandi persuasion for whom it was a big draw) were told they would have "Core" positions 2 years after joining (not permanent contracts through some dodgy intermediary but "Core" contracts.)
Given the number of Core positions created this last 2 years versus the number of Contractors joining, I could only echo their current scepticism, they do, justifiably, now begin to feel a little deceived by this pre-joining promise, possibly never to be fulfilled.
I don't believe we are working for an intrinsically bad company LNIDA, but lets leave the "sugar coating" for Rednose, but please not here, where some may believe it.

@RTO - Whilst I understand your frustration i don't think calling anyone a :mad: is going to achieve anything constructive.

@Captplaystation -agree with most of what you say.

@LNIDA- the notion you "agency Pilots" are somehow subsidising core contracts is grossly wrong in my opinion. I have never heard a core pilot apart from perhaps a manger say that hiring contractors is good. In fact in my time in the core area a massive majority of them indicated that the agency conditions and lack of a CLA was a disgrace they wanted urgently addressed.Your suggestion that we are subsidising them is wrong and without foundation in my opinion, NAS has been operating and paying for its Pilots for a long time long before any base opened in Spain or the UK.

You have to remember that Scandinavia is different to our EU bubble. Scandinavians fly a lot internally and externally, everything is more expensive in Norway including flying so yes the staff cost more in Oslo but that is reflected in the price a Scandinavian passenger is willing to pay. It is all relative. (By the way my info is SAS have no issue with their Pilots pay and in fact recently spoke with unions about improving the bottom of the scale, their big problem is the huge number of office staff, which if fixed would see them make a decent profit).

Like Captplaystation says NAS is a good company but they are a business and they themselves do not sugar coat it. Ryanair used to be a nice place to work with decent pay too - don't for one second be naive enough to think that NAS or any business will not decrease terms and conditions if they can. At the end of the day business is business.

What is happening with BALPA at LGW? Are people joining or are they just assuming things will only get better?:confused:

Good post widebdy!

Regarding LGW, sadly there are still a significant number of Pilots who are ranging from being apathetic to downright tightarses. :mad: There are the 'wait and see' lot, who don't want to pay BALPA subscriptions until the 'last minute' which may well be too late! And I think some are hoping to ride on the coat tails of the good work achieved by the Helsinki based Pilots, who achieved 98% union membership and unity.

If I were Bjorn Kjos, I would bypass the Spanish bases for the time being, and go to LGW and offer a really :mad: contract! because we would be able to do squat about it right now. Oh, that's apart from some of our very experienced, mature colleagues who would be (willing?) and able to go to China or Middle East, "if it were to be that bad!". Personally, I would rather stay, in what I think is generally, a really nice place to work, get organised, and negotiate a decent and fair contract. But, hey, why do things the easy way?! KISS

Hmmmmmm where to start......
 

In direct pilot costs before additional government social cost there is not that much difference in 'core' cost that can't be justified by the higher cost of living.

Yes the Helsinki offer was pathetic and full credit to those that said NO, i have recently had copied to me a 'english' copy of the contract which on first reading appears to be a reasonable offer which i understand the union is recommending and the withdrawn roster flexibility is back in place.

Of course the company will try and achieve the lowest costs and it is up to the pilots to join ranks to ensure a fair deal, but placing everyone on core contract employment terms just isn't going to happen, especially when we include cabin crew.

Long term the result will likely be 'A' scale & 'B' scale IMHO

I'm very surprised that any new joiner has been told that they will join core??

I have not once heard that, i have been told 2 -3 years for a permanent contract, what ever that means, but not core, we have so many Scandinavian non core pilots that the chance of anyone getting core is frankly nil anytime soon, equally these people are living a nomadic lifestyle that for many is not sustainable long term.

No easy answers, Norwegian probably needs to slow it growth to allow LF & in turn yield improve,

LNIDA,

surprised me too, but been told directly by 2 of the "OSL Summer exiles" that they were indeed promised a "Core" contract after 2 years.

Shome mishtake shurely, as it is obviously NOT going to happen.

And they were interviewed by BK's daughter, not BH.

Something "lost in translation" during the interview methinks.

@737 Jockey please don't give the company any bright ideas how to screw more pilots over. You will have the likes of LNIDA cheering at his own demise while forwarding even more preposterous propaganda.

@RTO... I don't think the Bear needs any help in that area... But I just wanted to focus my esteemed LGW colleagues minds! :ugh:

The problem is the esteemed colleagues you are talking about don't read any of the respective forums/Facebook postings It ll be one on one convincing but here in Spain it's slowly paying dividend and more and more doubters are joining. Just lay out the options which boils down too 2 choices 1 you want a say in your future or 2 trust that your employer will have your best interest at heart

All my humble opinion as always

Looks like your CEO intends to use the 737-800 MAX on thinner transatlantic flights from 2017 onwards. I don't have access to the Flightglobal article but this is the title for those who have a subscription:


Norwegian to deploy 737 Max transatlantically - Flightglobal


Will be interesting to see which routes are targeted on both sides of the Pond. Obviously Northeast US could mean anywhere from Boston to DC depending upon conditions - right? Anyone know the range possibilities projected for the 800 MAX?

Hello. I have been contacted to make the online assessment. I read before that you will have your result during the interview.Is it still actual? The test was the same as aer lingus. But really the same test for the verbal reasonning. I think it was oki but stressed a little bit for the verbal, I didn't answer all.... Does someone has any idea, what it will be for the next steps? Sim interview, ATP or 737 questions? I'm here for the contract FO