Thomas Cook-Beware
 

The self appointed "employer of choice" is kicking all of its pilots at BFS, EMA and STN out of their respective bases from next Summer. They are to be replaced by ACMI crews operating Eastern European ACMI aircraft in Thomas Cook livery.

In case you should be considering Thomas Cook, buyer beware. Their basing policy has changed and you could easily find yourself shunted to the other end of the country because they can replace you with cheap labour at your existing base.

Don't believe any corporate :mad: you get fed at an interview. They've done this to guys with 25 years service. At the stroke of a bean counters pen.

Is this SmartLynx crews by any chance taking these places?

Yes.
And Avion Express

Shocking....expect that sort of behaviour out here.

You guys unionised?

I need a back up plan to this place, will cross them off my list.

Is it dry or wet lease? If the latter, I suspect the standard of service won't be up to scratch.

Hard luck for the pilots, TCX was probably the best contract out of all the operators at BFS.

As long as the executive board gets their pay rise and bonuses, everything is ok!

I don't know about avion express (presume the same though) but smartlynx provide a damp lease, so the passengers will have the same cabin crew. Though having said that, smartlynx have good reviews regarding their cabin crew anyway ... easyjet and monarch passengers haven't had complaints anyway.

It all good until the first crash! Boom - then it's no good, no more.

Ahem.

Is this the same 'Thomas Cook' who tried to crucify a Captain recently for refusing to work when fatigued - 'or something reported along those lines'?

Wow.

Great man-management.

Surprised they get away with this, given the current pilot shortage ...........

Even worse for BFS Flight Deck no where easy to transfer. What about the winter?

The problem is all those people who sit behind you: they want to pay peanuts for their fares. That is why a solutions costing peanuts end up being sought.

Ive had a good laugh reading your post CW247. I'm assuming that you have recently joined and fancy yourself as a managerette.

I've a long history with Thomas Cook and have a good memory. The number of sound business decisions made by our various managers over the years can be counted on one hand. I'm more than happy to have an open discussion here about any of them.

If the company was full of people like you who are ready to "take one for the team", there would be ACMI aircraft everywhere. I think there are 10 or 11 already.

You say that you have voted "no" to this. When was the vote? It's only just been announced so BALPA haven't even started negotiations with the company.

Good luck with your forced base move. With your attitude, you can expect many more.

Well, it is for this kind of practises why the Brits voted for Brexit. In my country it is the same issue. A lot of Polish, Romanian etc people doing the jobs (i dont blame those people) but i do blame the western companies using these methods. Europe opened the gate but the locals and local authorities have to solve the problem arising with it.

I'm pretty sure with or without Brexit there is the possibility to ACMI flights. Smartlynx for example do their business globally, well outside European borders.

Feel sorry for the TCX crews involved. Have you been told yet where you will be based?

Again, a sad but obvious consequence of what has happened to our profession in terms of loyalty. Many have said that it matters no more what is painted on the side of an aeroplane. Be loyal to your licence and regulatory authority, Start to develop "old school" values of "belonging" and you will get hurt. Welcome to commercial aviation in the 21st century. Would unaware CP's stop asking at selection interviews the daft and currently inappropriate question ; " How long do you expect to remain with us ?" For the UK, no point in bemoaning the glory days I know, but , At school. working on school certs that my National Airline recommended for it's Cadet scheme, I achieved that, looked forward to fully sponsored pilot training costing me nothing I then looked forward to repaying, with gratitude , a long career with that airline. Cripes, welcome to the real world. Awful.

Very unpleasant comment CW. And when did you vote NO ?
You may be right about the need to change but companies that hold against the race to the bottom should be applauded. Shame it appears this is changing at TC.

CW247

By your tone you seem quite naive and immature, yes companies must adapt, but I noticed you said you have worked for the loco competition, most likely poor terms and conditions that you were attracted to the terms and conditions Thomas Cook were offering and hence left? If that is the case then surely you want to to fight to retain some benefits that attracted you to Thomas Cook, with your attitude which appears to be "take whatever is thrown at us" I guess you must be filling applications for your next airline with attractive terms and conditions and when you go there you will most likely encourage cuts and undermine the hard work your senior colleagues have done to retain decent terms and conditions.

Quite frankly you seem to appear like a management wannabe! and seeing as the vote hasn't been issued and you have lied about voting, it wouldn't suprise me if you did vote "yes" shame on you.

almost correct FlipFlap, but no company is going to hold out against the race to the bottom, the pilots might though.

Your employer decides to outsource your job and replace you with cheap labour and you applaud that decision? Am I understanding you correctly?

And seemingly, been happy to stick around to have ‘a long history’.

What does one take from that.