How's the temperature in the pool?
Any movement for you guys?

Good for some FOs Boeing fleets
not for others - the rest

Any chance of them recruiting again? Would love to get back home before they move to flying Airbus.

Long shot, but you never know.

I'm counting the days when they need Airbus DEC.

The whole of Lauda Air is :E

Is there likely to be any external FO B737 recruitment this year ?

Same question here. I see Jet2 are actively recruiting CC for Bristol so wondering if there’s any expansion going on there?

Howdy Folks - I hope everyone reading this is doing well :)

I have been hearing rumours of people being plucked from this mysterious, and elusive hold / talent pool. Still swimming since the summer of 2019 as a NTR FO just over 1000 hours. If there are any Jet 2 flight deck close to the recruitment process that would be happy to share any insight publically or privately it would be much appreciated ...

I would expect recruitment mid summer for late 2022/early 2023 start dates. People are still coming back who haven't flown in 2 years, Omicron probably stuffed recruitment for this summer season as we still have people with no line training scheduled up to May and the planning was for all training to be complete pre summer season and they are running behind by at least 3 months.

The good news is it is busy, flights are nearly full and the summer is expected to be massive for the company. They are pushing to get all eligible internal upgrades complete ASAP prior to externals coming in, I believe nearly 60 internal commands have been completed in the last few months which is always good to see.

Thats great news. Any non type rated DEC recruitment likely?

In a word, yes. Obviously 737 or A320 rated will have an advantage but the company will have no problem running TRs once the COVID backlog is sorted through by the end of the year.

Also for those interested, 4% payrise announced yesterday with an additional 1% subject to a good summer. Those in the company 12 months will be eligible again for the profit share bonus in July 2023 and a sharesave scheme to be developed.

DEFO as well?

Anyone know what the situation is with Jet2´s ALC base? not sure how brexit will affect.

Could someone answer a couple of questions please:: what are the details of the current company pension scheme? Are the A321 NEOs a complete fleet replacement or part of that and part expansion? Where will the 321s be based initially and is there a plan to roll them out to the majority of bases going forward? Many thanks in advance T

10% for CPT, 8% for FOs

A321s are not a like for like fleet replacement but they obviously replace the capacity of the 757 when that does eventually retire in the coming years. But there are 70+ on order and currently only 8 x 757s so its not a significant factor. One would imagine A330s will be inevitable at some point but that is a never ending rumor with no current substance, in the next three years I'd say no, in the next 5 - 10 I would say almost certainly.

Initially the new aircraft will go to MAN and BHX but with so many on order they will end up everywhere. Hope that helps

I see Jet2 is advertising for SFI on the A321; do you have any idea of the payscale for that position?
thanks

Any indication of a typical time to command in the past?

It will depend on your starting point, 200 hours as a cadet, 1000 hours, 5000 hours, etc etc

It can be anything from less than a year to never dependent on your ability/aptitude, there’s no seniority.

To be slightly more helpful…. Average SFO hours per year, pandemic, base and type dependant, etc, but, plan on 500hrs-ish a year, it’s 3000hrs+ Before you can apply to the lengthy and opaque command process, which depending on your relationship with management, may be a few months or years. So, after passing 3000hrs you may find yourself on a command assessment, but as there’s no seniority system as stated, so, it’s down to variables, some unknown and unclear when you might be given the nod from management to start the upgrade process, the process is improving, so they keep saying!

Updates on pool in anticipation of opening recruitment
 

Hi team…..new here! Please be gentle.

I have been in the non TR (ex mil) pool since feb 20. Was offered a spot on the last TR course but couldn’t make it in time.

As recruitment is about to open up again for summer 23 does anybody know how this will affect those still in the pool? Start again? Continue to wait patiently? Re-interview only? Sim assessment? Surely all this costs the company money so hopefully they will just call us forward for the next TR courses with a bit of notice.

Any sensible feedback appreciated.

Thanks

Only sensible feedback is that if you got as far as being offered a place and turning it down you must have at least one contact in HR, so email them or call them and ask the question.

Two years in a hold pool and then you turn down a TR course... Baffling to be honest.

Anyway, starting next month 100 ish pilots to be recruited for 23 a cross all three fleets to varying degrees, TR courses every month going forward. The big stickler is you must have a UK licence to be offered a contract so if you are interested you need to get the ball rolling now.

Thanks.…..I couldn’t be released from current company due to contract agreement! Trust me…..I tried! I did say be gentle! Lol

Out of interest. Did J2 give a pay rise this year?

Thank you excrab. Will do.

Sounds promising! Non rated recruitment also likely then?

4% plus 1% TBC after summer season goes well, Cabin crew beat us with some of the lower ranks getting 7% but assuming we turn a profit this year the profit share reinstated for next July would likely be 5 figures for a Captain

And yes there will be both TR and non rated recruitment, best of luck to all 👍

Well, if you can call 4% a payrise with inflation running in double figures - a real-world pay cut in reality.

True but UK is going to be tough the next 5 years. Not just aviation related. No one I know has received a 10% or more pay rise from any industry.

We really need to call it a (partial) COLA/rate adjustment or inflation correction. Calling it a pay raise suggests I can buy more. Asking for a raise sounds greedy right now. Wanting to be able to pay your bills doesn't.

After the last two years, I suspect most professional aviators would be grateful for a 4% rise with a possibility of more. The sense of entitlement in Jet2 from many of a cadre who joined from another defunct UK airline is unreal.

It's not going to be easy for Jet2 in the coming year or so. I am at the top of my profession and earning a salary which many would say is exceptional in todays world. Yet whilst in the last have used Jet2 for holiday flights on so so many times looking at their pricing now gets me rethinking about holidays. Now if that's me, what are the people who are not earning anywhere close to me thinking. With the UK inflation eating into what cash many have available it's not a good sign for holiday type aviation companies. I know people will always level that holidays will continue but at what level. Pilots aren't paid in general enough for the job they do, with sone very small exceptions, however to increase salaries at this time for some airlines will lead to problems no doubts.

Looks like the likes of Ryan will just expand as they seem to be operating in a very prudent manner. Zero hour contracts etc.

Can see Mr. O'Leary rubbing his hands together .

If you want to come on a professional pilots message board and suggest that Ryan air are better than Jet2 because their staff are on zero hour contracts I’m afraid I have no interest in your opinion, however enormous your salary might be. Whatever your job is it’s a pity you’re not also on a zero hour contract. They shouldn’t exist, in Aviation or any other business.

I think the fact that another U.K. airline has announced plans for imminent recruitment of pilots, both TR and non-TR is a good news story - especially after the last 18 months, and now that Brexit has locked out most U.K. pilots from any jobs in the EU.

TUI UK were also recruiting recently, albeit for temporary summer contracts; Ryanair actively recruiting. Appreciate some of these companies may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I for one am relieved to see some recruitment activity taking place. Even BA are steadily calling back people in their priority return pool.

I am seeing lots of people posting on LinkedIn they have gotten jobs with Jet2, some only having left flight school in the past year. How is this so when there has been no recruitment since early 2020? Have I missed something?

which UK Airline?

Aviation is certainly picking up fast. LinkedIn as someone else said has seen a flurry of people posting they are flying again. Almost daily I see old colleagues getting jobs.

Retirements are still happening plus from my former outfit which went under I estimate 20% at least will never fly again. Other carriers I have seen on LinkedIn people have moved to other careers as well. Not many but some I never would have suspected.

Jet2 will be fine. I know a fair few who have holidays booked with them or have been and will be going again. People still want holidays, 2020 obviously a right off. 2021 was mixed with only higher earners travelling or people willing to go through the hassle of tests before travelling. 2022 from friends I know everyone is itching to get away or already been.

Let’s face it the UK is a crap holiday destination if you want sun, sea, cheap beer and food. Spain is not far for all of that. Family holiday to Wales last year for a week and it cost us around £2.5k all in, fuel, food, accommodation doing things. Could have gone 4/5 star hotel all inclusive to Turkey for that!!!

I don't get when these people were recruited though, I have seen no advertisement since before Covid and the ones I'm seeing posting about getting hired only finished flight training in 2021. Internal contacts??

Were these people on the pilot apprentice scheme at Jet2?

Or yes internal.

Flight training has been very messy for a lot though. I have heard a couple of real horror stories from a couple of guys.

Could have been people on pilot apprentice scheme having not finished everything until 2021.

Well I could not agree more, I have had quite a few people in the SIM for refresher or help with an upcoming assessment. All are back in work so things certainly are looking up.

Not Jet2's or any UK airlines fault, but we have yet to see the true fall out over Brexit when EASA validation period ends in December. Could be interesting for the UK industry as a whole.

I am sure people are desperate to get away, the security guard at the building where I have my office, Glen would dearly love to get away with his wife and 2 children, but to Greece this year 2 weeks is £5k plus for anywhere nice, they are used to paying a 'few grand' but now its just too much. There are plenty like him