people like different things ….

And it appears he disliked the 7 other months of the year NOT doing nearly 100 hours...

Funny you should say that - he did say he disliked it - bored watching the rain, but still on standbys which they still filled the roster up with. Depends on your circumstances, hobbies and ability to go on term time winter holidays I guess - ok for me.

I can only speak for myself, but as someone who spent 15yrs in the desert.
If he didn't like flying deep nights or 100hrs a month, then respectfully why did he go to EK?

Having gone the other way, summer was similar to the desert. But winter has been an absolute dream.

Ha, ha - dunno. My thoughts too! Ask him - They're somewhere way up this thread - I'm pretty sure he went to EK as FO. For the layovers after said deep night flight I guess. It's what I did until recently, and I wouldn't recommend it (or any back of the clock stuff) if you want a long healthy retirement.

slight topic drift - how long is the average wait time to hear from J2 (success or not) after completing all interviews and assessments?

Usually quite quickly (within a couple of days) to tell you you’ve passed selection and will be placed in a hold pool, which does not constitute a job offer. Depending on training plans/resource, a further call could be expected within a few days with an actual offer. The delay can sometimes be down to your choice of base, as they work hard to try and get you your requested base, if not your second or third choice at point of offer. All the best!

I heard on the rumour mill that jet2 are struggling to recruit Airbus pilots , does anyone know if they are going to do more pay increases or adjust terms and conditions? In big airlines, they have offered two weekends off per month which is pretty good , although I’m still looking to move

By 'big airlines' who are you referring to?

Big Airlines. Although the statement is slightly inaccurate. It's 2 guaranteed weekend days, not whole weekends and not necessarily together. And only if that obligation hasn't already been covered by leave, golden days, reserve fixed days off etc...

Yes sorry, I just couldn’t be bothered to type all the intricacies

Another NTR FO swimming in the hold pool here. Anyone know if they actually run many TR courses in summer? I have a 3 month notice period so at the moment wondering if I can expect to at least wait until September/October.

May have mis-read elsewhere but thought you were one of the few that had already made the big leap away from BA? And I thought the 2 weekend days was just for short haulers?

Jet2 are now year round recruitment to smooth out the training burden.
Winter is still where most training occurs though.

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I can’t see why they’d struggle , I’d imagine lots of Wizz uk would be more than happy to go

Wizzair are trying to retain existing uk pilots by paying more than competitors- some skippers there over £200k (but they’re doing 900hrs for it). They’re also doing fixed pattern rosters now, which is one fairly large reason why jet2 will struggle to get airbus pilots.

Those of us working backsides off in the summer appreciate a block of 4 days off, particularly with family. Jet2’s working all summer random roster puts most off. That’s just the general vibe I get around the network, not just me! 5/2 or 6/3 in the summer, regardless of odd rest days in an amongst that, just doesn’t sit well, particularly if you’ve got kids.

Depends on circumstances but give me a random roster any day (I've done both). A block of 5 on, renders me useless for the first 2 days off (ends up being recovery time). I think it's a psychological con trick.

I wonder if buying the Wizz UK AOC would be a possibility, and a good move for Jet2? Much sought after LGW (slots) & LTN bases to further challenge TUI, plus an instant ‘delivery’ of 18 Airbus aircraft.

Don’t see why they would . Do they want to move into Gatwick and Luton - Luton would dilute their business at both bhx and stn ?
And is their any rush to get the aircraft ?

Depends how motivated by money you are .
Isnt the wizzair block off a bit of a fantasy ? The first day you can work to 2 am or something ? Thats a rest day ( what’s left of it after you wake up ..) not a day off .