Leaving BA for Jet2
 

Hello everyone,

Long time lurker

I've been flying with BA (10 years) on the A350 for a while. While it's been okay, I've started feeling a bit disconnected due to the corporate atmosphere and just fed up with LH

I'm intrigued by Jet2. The thought of flying from Manchester or Brum sounds very appealing (I assume that’s where I would be based for the bus) with potentially being home much more.

The vibe at BA and the frequent A350 flights aren't sitting well with me anymore. I know of quite a few guys making the move but I’m putting feelers out …

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Moved to Jet2? How did it turn out? Any regrets or was it a positive change?

With my hours I assume a command would come round relatively quick so would be a very good pay rise so another thing to think about!

Your insights would mean a lot to me.

Cheers
Steve

Dont worry you certainly are not the only one doing this. I made the move a few months ago now but was on the 777. In BA slightly less time than you by the sounds of it.

In short I’m very happy with the move , the atmosphere couldn’t be more different. It’s weird being somewhere which is so positive….. but refreshing.
Pay is very good also they gave out a good bonus this year which I missed as I joined recently but fingers crossed for next year.
Regarding command I reckon I might get it within 2 years . Only negative really is it’s very ex RAF , everything seems to go through the base captains (Squadron Leaders) but if you keep
your head down and nose clean then you will have no issues.

If you have woken up to the real BA then you will not regret the move.

Any other questions feel free to DM

If it gets you closer to home and at home more often it’s probably worth it, but if sick of the 350 and LH, why not bid for SH. If you’re quite senior you could have a much more relaxing roster that’s quite commutable.


J2 definitely an option however depending on your seniority could be a bit of a pay and pension cut etc, you’ll probably work a lot harder in the summer but have a rest during the winter.

If I got captain in a few years at Jet2 it would be a v good pay rise for the next couple
of years . I believe basic is 135k with around 15k on top . So £150k
Senior FO is 95k basically after flying which is pretty good also
I just can’t stand the way BA operates especially after the last few years. I know it’s been tough for most airlines but it opened my eyes.
Most people I hear that have made the move are happy with it .

I think someone tried to send me a message but it won’t work yet as I’m new to pprune

Grass isn’t always greener, but it sounds like getting out before the toxicity for you gets worse is a smart idea.

It’s the problem BA has now with PP34. If you’re a bit older and won’t have full advantage of spending years at the top… J2 fast captain upgrade is a good place to be financially that’s for sure.

Having been in one of the worst companies to be in during covid I can safely say that BA and the rest of them were angels compared to what could have happened 🤣 but you are correct, we are just numbers to the company, so go to wherever you’ll be happier and be home more!

There are at least 249 who would disagree with you, vehemently.

Is J2 really better than BA?

What about J2 v TUI?

Nothing is “better” it’s just what works for a certain person . I believe many have a rose tinted view of BA and think it’s the best thing . But reality is that’s it’s far from it ……

Jet 2 is good but it’s not perfect but sounds like it suits me

My penny’s worth. I spent the last few years flying in J2. I was also a trainer and after retirement a sim instructor / examiner. I could not be more positive about J2, a great airline with great people and crews. There are ex military pilots but not overwhelmingly so and more importantly they were all very good guys and gals that I encountered. The company is down to earth and pragmatic in line with its oop North roots. The terms and conditions have increasingly improved to be at the higher end of the industry. I can’t compare J2 with BA although I have many friends in the latter. It is of course a personal decision but unlikely to go badly wrong in my very humble opinion.

New joiners in tui get a pretty poor deal. It’s a part time contract with reduced pay. Jet 2 offers a much better package with significantly better long term career prospects.

People all seem to think TUI won’t be here long term?

I’ve recently made the move and some things that have stood out to me.

You are not (or not made to feel) as just an employee number on all interactions with the company, be it with crewing / HR / Base Managers etc.

It sounds ridiculously trivial to mention but even to the level when calling sick recently I was advised to rest up with a lemon & honey tea and given wishes to get well soon… it’s an indication of the type of people the company employs through all levels of the business.

Pilot base managers on your side and will genuinely work hard to help you out when life gets tricky. Recent non-direct family bereavement and was offered as much time as I needed to support rest of family.

Downroute with a tech issue and the company employed dispatcher will bend over backwards to help you out, and as a consequence the crew offer the same back to them. The idea that in my previous company the cabin crew would offer the dispatcher a coffee would’ve been laughable…

I’ve never seen a crewroom full of so many smiling faces, even at 5am. Time will tell but on early impressions it is absolutely a happy place to come to work.

Mirrors my experience perfectly.

Would also add that I'd heard the training/checking could be on the tough side.....
Granted I'm new, but my type rating and line training was first class.

I didn't come from BA, but rather the sandpit. The difference in how I'm treated in J2 is unsurprisingly night and day.

Obviously I'm still in the honeymoon period, but I'm very happy to have made the move back home after over a decade in the sandpit, even after the tax deductions 🫣

I also made the move from sand pit long haul to J2. Early days but very very happy with the decision so far!! I would agree with the positive comments above.

There was 20% of my previous company let go plus everyone else was forced onto 17 days unpaid a month (on top of a 20% pay cut) [this generally resulted in pay checks that were lower than UK unemployment benefits]

Don’t get me wrong what happened to them, and what’s still happening should not have happened, was terrible form by the company. But even then it could have been far worse.

If you're talking about Covid, the actual number was 104.

249 were made compulsory redundant from BA

With no redundancy payment.

My mistake - thought you were talking about J2. Please ignore.

Is the BA 350 roster pretty bad at the moment?