Medium is over 1000Nm. Depends on where you are based. EMA on the 300, probably not many. EDI/GLA probably quite a few.

The point about SSTR or not is a very valid one. Anyone know on the inside if it'd be a bond as was offered last time?

San Expiry, or anyone else who may know
 

How true is it that they may have ditched the Compass Testing? Do you have this on good authority?

Are they still looking for type rated (contract) Captains on the B737?

Any information very much appreciated.

EllanVannin,

Depends on how many pilots they have, of course... I'd say, during summer, about 16 medium sectors.

That was when I was there, I believe it is far busier for pilots now (hence the recruitment, I guess)...

Different companies have different selection procedures, but broadly speaking the objective is the same, so last Autumn when bmibaby poured 120+ 737 type rated and experienced lots of people had the opportunity to see first hand how it worked, the middle east crowd were very thorough especially on the medical front which surprised a few, BA were their (un)helpful self, Jet2 had the now infamous compass test, Monarch, who i expected to be very much into all manner of testing & sim rides basically had a 50 min chat, no technicals or mind games and Norwegian, again a chat, very informal off the back of an online personality test and followed by a basic sim check for Captains.

My point here is that the result is more or less the same, all of these companies either took or rejected some candidates that raised a few eyebrows for ex baby trainers and flight crew management.

To date I'm not aware of any ex baby pilot (other than sandpit 777, which was always going to be a big jump for some) needing additional training or not making it through the conversion course's

Jet2 could have done a lot worse than adopt the former baby "Durnford" method approach of sitting down in Costa coffee with Jet2 current/present fleet 737 manager and interviewee and have a chat, it wouldn't be perfect, but nothing is?

The best jobs ive had, First Choice Airways and my present employer, was a 1 hour chat, requiring you to have done the homework on the company and the good old "can I sit next to you for 12 hours" thingy...with a very obvious assumption by looking at your CV, you could do the job!

In both companies, everyone cares, the employee and employer...it was/is enough to get the job done...

Jet2 might learn eventually!

750 applicants in 5 days....that's a lot of coffee! :eek:

How realistically would they consider a rated high hour FO but no command time looking for a change of seat?

With no command time I very much doubt they'd take you on in the LHS. That said, once you're in and have 300 hrs with the company you can apply for the command process. It's a meritocracy; if you're good then you'll get it. If you're not, you won't. Simple enough system really.

Why are they after NTR DEC I know a few people who have gone there with 1000's of hours who must be more than ready. Or are they after some ex Flybe LHS who will be more than happy to take a jet LHS and accept whatever conditions are offered for the privilege.

Pin Head

Meet this criteria? Apply.

Ben178v

There are only so many internal promotions the training system can cope with. DEC's come via a different route ie. external training provider. The pre-course requisite experience for the latter route bar the internal applicants. Put simply, demand exceeds possible internal supply.

What an hilariously chippy and sneery comment! Get off your high horse.

Hours maketh not the man. 1000s and 1000s of hours in the RHS is generally indicative of one of two of things (in a meritocratic outfit) - a desire to stay in the RHS or a lack of ability to move out of it. :hmm:

StopStart - You do seem to get a bit 'tense' at any negative comment about Jet2. I don't think that comment was intended how you think, but it's about what opportunities you've had previously and what you've experienced.

It obviously works for you at your age/whatever opportunities were available/where you do/want to live - great!

But it is far from perfect...no crew food/dual basing tosh/pathetic pilot contracts/50% pay whilst training/pay-for-ratings...I think you'll find Jet2 is all for those abroad/need a job/a light at the end of the long turbo-prop tunnel, if you can afford it.

Not "tense" old chap, I just find them to be a decent enough employer and I struggle sometimes to reconcile the attitudes displayed by some of the pilot population that inhabits Pprune with the apparent state of the market. I fail to see why defending the company makes me "tense". Those slating it seem a lot more tense to me......

(Note - I am fully cognisant that Pprune represents a cross-section of absolutely nothing and that anonymous opinions expressed on here have little or no bearing on the real world, mine included)

There seems to be a high level expectation among many posters on here when it comes to employment. I fully support the idea that T&Cs of the airline pilot population have generally been pared to the bone in Europe/UK and that cutting them any further must be resisted where possible. That said, the days of 6 figure salaries for all, free flights everywhere, fancy hotels and trolley loads of free food are gone for pretty much everyone.

Employment opportunities in the UK market are flat for pretty much everyone and especially for those seeking to break into the "jet market" (a hilarious concept in itself). Folk have quoted other airlines recruiting but you only have to read the threads on the subjects to see what's actually going on.

EasyJet recruiting 200. Or are they? Is it a smokescreen sop to the CAA? Seems to be some pretty grotty contracts being discussed there, not to mention the high probability of applicants fronting up £30k+ for a rating. And what about the recruiting process there? "Congrats you're through!" "Actually we've changed our minds, you're not."

Monarch recruiting? Apparently. A great company with good Ts and Cs. Funded by the odd bail out now and then. Recruiting is apparently on but it's very a slow drip feed, certainly not enough to satisfy the demands of the pilot market.

BA? The Hopy Grail of airline employers. Yes, they offer proper old school T&Cs and a career for life. How's recruiting going there then? Pretty much 50-75% of the folk that got through BA's Terribly-Pleased-With-Itself recruiting into the hold pool have then been dropped as the company's circumstances/needs changed.

RyanAir recruiting. Apparently. Knock yourself out with that one. The absolute bottom of the barrel when it comes to airline employers.

So what about Jet2 then? A company that has grown rapidly over the last few years is now offering opportunities to a whole spectrum of the pilot community. Ex-military looking for their first civvy job, TP looking for first jet, returnees to UK, people wanting to move "home" up north, capable FOs looking for the chance of a shot at command, the list goes on. Yes the company isn't perfect and I don't seek to defend those aspects I find distasteful, however it is a fair employer offering choice and opportunity in a market that generally isn't.

The company generally works for me as an employer but to answer your specific criticisms:

No Crew Food - sorry, I find this oft levelled complaint to be hilarious. Buy a banana or take a sandwich. If you can't survive a Malaga and back without a three course meal you need a chat with yourself.

Dual Basing - I'm not but know many who are. None of them are bothered by it.

"Pathetic Pilot Contracts" - I wholeheartedly agree that the 70% contract is a pretty cynical HR tool to get something for nothing. A lesson was hopefully learnt earlier this year when it was turned down in droves leaving the company short of pilots. I don't agree with it however I know plenty of commanders who've taken it, rightly or wrongly, as "in" to the company. That said, I know people who joined simply because the 70% contract was available. The pay over the summer funds other activities over the winter. Some people do have lives outside of aviation....

50% pay during training - Yup, don't like that either. 50% during the TR fair enough but once on line training it should be 100%

Pay for your rating - I fail to see why this is a drama. Why should any company splurge a load of money to give you a fancy, marketable rating and then expect no return? Most people I know are on a non-repayment, reducing 3 year bond. If anyone can give me a realistic reason why this is unfair I'm all ears. I'm actually on a repayment bond - I'd rather not be paying it back but thems the breaks.

Jet2 isn't perfect - in my case I live away from home and am paying for my rating. On the other hand, I enjoy the working environment and people I work with. I get a decent enough salary that is paid on time. Is it the ideal company for me? Actually, no it isn't (location). Does that make them a bad employer? No, far from it. Would I take another job if there was one that better suited my needs? Yes. Does that stop me being able to recommend Jet2 as an employer. No, again, far from it as I am able to see the company for what it is.

It may not be a "career airline" for some but I know many for whom it is. Not everyone needs the moon on a stick and there are people out there for whom, surprisingly, £85k pa, a busy summer, a quiet winter and the chance to live at home on t'Dales is more than enough. For those that need the rock star wages go fill your boots in China or the desert. I hear the Terms there are idyllic....

Whether or not the intelligentsia of Pprune apply to the company is of little or no interest to me. I simply offer a counterpoint view to those on here who would seek to slate the company either through disgruntlement, outdated experience or just general "snobbery" and over-expectation. You're all grown ups (well, most of you), if you want a job that fits the criteria offered by the company then apply. Go to the interview and ask questions. If you don't like the answers you get then walk away. It's very very simple.

I'm not a company spokesman by the way, I'm just some bloke with an opinion.

PS. I was the wrong side of a bottle of wine when I wrote my response to Ben178v. That said, it still reads like it was written by an FO with a few thousand hours sulking that he gets jumped in the queue to command by a newcomer turboprop commander. I find the whole TP/Jet experience/hours argument to be a hilarious and baseless HR construct. (And before you ask, I haven't been a victim of it). As I said, Hours Maketh Not The Man. Who is probably the better pilot - the 4000hr BA 747 FO who logs 24 hours per trip and lands once a month, the 3000hr 737 FO who logs 5 hours per trip and lands 5 times a week?

Anyway, I can't see what the issue is with a FlyBe/Eastern LHS joining Jet2 on £75k + £9k pa as a commander and being bonded for three years? "Whatever conditions are offered"? What more do you want?

Great ..... a considered and well written response by StopStart..... I haven't applied and was merely meandering around the various threads but am pleased to see an honest reply for once.

I agree with what you said.....main summation being that nowhere is perfect and if Jet2 works for you then get in there quick before the seats are filled. Folks.....apply.....talk to them....if the answers don't do it for you....walk away. what have you got to lose?

Compass Mularky
 

So, can anyone help me out by answering this question (again).

Do Jet2 still use Compass Testing as part of their recruitment process for DECs?

As someone who has no knowledge of Compass Testing and has no understanding of its relevance, but someone who can fly a B737 - and has been doing for quite a few years.

Any information, much appreciated.

Any bond for NG type rated people?

I have been led to believe that COMPASS testing won't be used for experienced applicants.

I am pretty sure rated applicants aren't bonded. The bonds supposedly cover TR & Line training costs.

STOPSTART

Thank you for that information. Appreciate it. Better apply to Jet 2 then.

Agree with most of what stopstart says with the exception of dual basing. I am dual based and have yet to meet anyone who likes it! I understand under Easa FTL there can be no dual basing though, maybe the one positive from the otherwise ridiculous proposed new FTLs.

Stop Start

Not succinct but very much to the point and wise words for all the 'ranters' out there. Well said!

Good post, Stop Start.

News just in......

.... On the B757 Fleet ALONE, the latest requirement is at least 6 Direct Entry Captains & 29 First Officers in addition to the Pilot Apprentices being upgraded & several Summer only contract crews being offered permanent positions.

Bases are MAN, LBA & NCL. Contracts are 100% PERMANENT.
Capts basic salary is £77,288/year.

Other contracts for permanent-part time rostering are on offer.

FDP is £2.10/hr & Sector Pay is:
Captain.
£16.80 < 1000 nm
£21.60 - 1000 - 1300 nm
£24.00 > 1300 nm

Additional Sector Pay is:

3 or 4 sectors £4.80 per additional sector

5 or 6 sectors £9.60 per additional sector

Pension - Co. provide 8% of salary

Sector pay went up 5% this year so you can add that to Dad's figures.

Forgot about that, Spanny. Thank you very much!

Anyone know the numbers required on the 737?

How many already-rated 757 guys do you think that might appeal to?

Me for a start! And I'm sure there'll be plenty more. :E

Also interested to know the 737 CP numbers.

Secondly where are they going to get the skippers from? Apart from Dhl can't think of too many other places?

WX MAN

It MAY appeal to:

Experienced B757/767 Capts & FO's who are flying permanent nights, and possibly based in Central Europe, away from their families.

Experienced B757/767 Capts. who fancy taking any offers of early retirement or redundancy from their current employers whilst not having to do a new type rating.

Experienced B757/767 Capts & FO's who have had enough of the Gulf, Central Asia or China.

Experienced B757/767 FO's who fancy taking a chance for better Command progression than their current employers.

Experienced B757/767 Capts & FO's who fancy taking advantage of the flexible working patterns that Jet2.com offer as they have 'outside' interests & sources of income so they desire a less hectic lifestyle.

And if I can think of anything else, I'll post it.

There aren't many 75 rated people hanging about with nothing to do, its become a bit of a niche rating. Think it will appeal to a fair few DHL people, either those stuck in Leipzig or those stuck in EMA with there only chance of progression to take a Leipzig command.

I know of 757 FO but zero hours on type and won't get touched.

He wasn't pay to fly, he got type rated then the famous AEU went bankrupt.

Plenty of experienced turboprop pilots applying from Flybe, both seats, who will accept a bond and the chance to join a profitable company for a northern base.

Apologies if this has been asked before.

Whilst I realise the job advert states 'permanent' I was under the impression that Jet2's policy in the past was to hire on a 7 month contract initially via agency with a view to perm. Is this correct?

I'm reluctant to apply if this is the case as I'm currently working abroad on the 737 in a secure position and a 'view to perm' is a hell of a leap of faith for me to make in my position in the current worldwide job market.

There are a certain number of people who will have to be taken on to a summer only contract. Others will be taken on 70% for the first year, some perhaps 100%. It's all a bit of a mix really. No telling until they make you an offer.

I think the B757 vacancies are permanent.

You sure about that FW. Last year they were offering 100% only but with 70% available on request.

Not the same same this time round?

I believe that the vast majority of those recruited on 70% "Summer Contracts" have now been offered permanent positions in line with the companies plans for expansion.

Whether that means this year will all be 100% is yet to be seen. Base wise, the rumors are that ALC will be getting another aircraft (or 2) and ACE will also be getting one, so I wouldn't be surprised if the company was keen to offer these as bases (ALC wasn't that popular a base this year).

EMA should be seeing more aircraft next summer, although the internal transfer list is still quite long, with it being the most southern UK base.

I personally know of 5 Captains and 5 First Officers who are on 70%, albeit permanent contracts this summer. They certainly didn't request to be on 70%! I'm lead to believe they will be made up to 100% come the end of the summer or for next year.

When I interviewed for non TR DEC last year it was for full time only but they said you could have a summer contract if you wanted one. All of my intake was full time.

From what I've heard this year it'll be the same i.e. the choice is yours, effectively.