EasyJet time to Command and bases
 

easyJet has a pretty thorough and clearly documented command process. Minimum entry to the command process is 2000 factored hours, a good training record and a base captain recommendation. The command course itself has a pretty low failure rate as there is a robust selection procedure. Of course there are failures at the various stages; be it the command sim assessment, at the initial base captain interview or with the psychologist interview. The 'seniority' for a command place at eJ is based on when you first apply - so joining with the requisite hours just puts you at the very start of the process. Base choice is also important in how quickly you will progress; copilots in the command process nominate a base and then wait on the Captains base transfer list. So, for bases with long lists like MXP, BRS or MAN you would expect quite a wait for a command position there. LGW, LTN or Portugal, however, are less popular so you will probably get a command position much sooner if you are willing to accept such a base. Failure at any stage, or poor sim reports will also stall progress. It's a very fair process with oversight from quite a few different people, however, you are pretty much left alone to study and complete all the development required- there is no spoon feeding or hand-holding!

Factored hours are what the company deem equivalent hours. Short haul co-pilot is 0.8, so you need a minimum of 2500 'other' hours to get 2000 factored eJ hours. Obviously hours flown for eJ are factored at 1.

You can't apply until you've been in the company 6 months and passed your probationary period. You also need 1 recurrent sim I believe. 2 years is possible if you are happy to go to a base with no waiting list and you have no issues at any point in the process. Timing is also key. Every March an NTC is released with the number of expected internal upgrades, base possibilities and hours requirements. However, it is not uncommon for people to have the odd issue here or there which can delay, or keep delaying the whole process.

If you have the hours, the much easier route is to get a command elsewhere and then apply as a DEC. That is a lot easier to do than the internal upgrade process which can take quite a few years and is ultimately in key moments completely dependent on the likes, dislikes and sometimes flawed understanding of company procedures. Especially the base captain, who does not need to be a trainer, has a very important role to play, without any real oversight at all, basically, he determines the fate of every first officer and is the ultimate power in his base.

Sounds pretty exactly like it is in RYR. So I second your suggestion to get external command and join as DEC. Seems they really push it during the upgrade(as RYR does), just to read that even a psychologist needs to see you sounds quiet "over the top". They know you already for a couple of years, why would you need that. Anyway.

Agree absolutely as well about the role a BC can play(and I have seen some of them already destroying FO's careers here in RYR). All in all a lot of "if's".

I am happy that I did my upgrade over 20 years ago. Easier, more "normal" times back then for a pilot. There was still an appreciation for common sense and good airmanship over guys that are just good in knowing SOP's. Well - water down the river.

May I add a short question? Myself being a tiny bit(not really a lot as after RYR I really do not need another overegulated operator from one of the 2 islands) interested in Easyjet - BUT only on italian bases. I think there is Milan(which would be my #2 choice) and Venice(#1) - don't really know if they opened another in Italy. Seems impossible to get a direct DEC job in one of the 2 mentioned bases? Is that correct?

If so there is no need to attend any assessment because I do not fancy Berlin or Portugal(which seem to be the only places a newjoiner may go).

Thanks for any reply.

The base captain is over seen by the HQ in Luton. All command interviews are follow a 'Standard' format now - if you study and put the expected effort in then you will encounter no problems or surprises. The whole process is well documented and if you seek feedback from your base you will know exactly what each phase entails. Yes, some will give you a bit more of a grilling, but I have yet to hear about someone who worked hard, was a god pilot and had a good attitude who was stopped in the process.

If you are not yet a Captain then a few years in eJ as a co-pilot gives you time to absorb the company procedures, see how eJ Captains perform in the sim and prepare yourself. The DEC recruitment and selection rate is pretty low; by numbers alone far more Co-pilots are recruited than DEC. I wouldn't suggest that it is easier to go to a 'quick upgrade' outfit and then expect to stroll in as a DEC at all - the good times are almost over and expansion looks like it's slowing down already. Remember, eJ only tend to take DEC if they cannot promote from within, bar a few base specific exceptions.

As regards Italy, MXP and VCE have longs lists as the contract and tax arrangements in Italy are very favourable. Don't expect DEC in Italy any time soon, or ever I would suggest.

They had the birdstrike and lost both engines after initiating the go around with the engines at go around thrust - hence why they sucked them all in. Think you should try to get some facts before talking nonsense.