NSF, you forget to mention that said part time one day a month non-exec director cashed in about £800,000 pounds of share options for about a million and a half. I think I need a bucket someone 'cos I feel a bit nauseous.

I think our real Board of Directors are in for a bit of a surprise when our 'Fat Mike' has to fill them in about his misinterpretation of the stand that the pilot community are taking.
I don't think he has been relaying quite the same message to them as he has been hearing from BALPA during the negotiating rounds.
Interesting times!
WE NEED ALL THE SUPPORT WE CAN GET! JOIN BALPA!

Easyjet has become the very animal that Stelios set out to tumble in the first place. Too many chiefs and very few indians so to speak. Most of them are too busy thinking of ways to penny pinch rather than do the job in hand. Many of them are ex BA...funny old thing eh? I have never seen a head office so out of touch with reality in many years in this game and in the middle of it all they publish a full page tribute to Ray Webster in the Times! A cunning plan to perpetuate the myth that Easyjet really is that wonderful people orientated place to be? or just another halfwit trying to piss off what's left of the workforce?
The fundamental problem here is that Easyjet pretend to be something they are most definately not. The orange bulls**t went way out of control ages ago. At least at Ryanair the talking is straight. We all know that O'leary hates pilots and he wears that on his sleeve but pays them well for their services. Constant referrals to modelling on Southwest Airlines..Southwest trains more like. The only people who buy into this cack live in the Orange Hut of Doom.
This really is it folks. People not in BALPA think VERY seriously about your future plans. If you want to stay for any length of time in Easyjet (:\ ) I urge you to get behind the union and get this mess sorted out. Even if you're planning on going to BA or Virgin (like just about every FO is) you may as well join now as you'll be joining anyway when you leave. If you are a future Captain, at some point you will need the support of a good union. If you are already a captain but without representation then I admire you bravery!
I have in the past been highly critical of our Company Council and disagree with the outcome of several negotiations but they are right on the money with this one and deserve our support. The alternative is to start thinking about leaving Easyjet because if we lose this battle, within a few years our T&C's will make the Ryan's look like a holiday camp. Join us guys. You know it makes sense in the long run.
:ok:

Completely and absolutely agree.

Even if you are thinking of going elsewhere, you do not want an airline as large as easyJet is going to be dragging down the T and C's of the industry.

JOIN BALPA and demand that easy management do the right thing for us, our futures and this industry.

7.5% of our pilots are now working their notice and 2.5% are in holding pool for other airlines. In the next 4 months we will need 120 pilots to keep up with those leaving and we are down 30 pilots on 737. By the end of May the s**t hits the fan all the captains at 900hrs. eJ will need 30 f/o,s per month to replace those leaving or 1 pilot a day to come on line to stay at a stand still.If you thing things are bad, wait till June.eJ will be looking for somewere to store planes. Its time to start looking for a new job how do I apply to t/fly?

Orangtree, don't forget the influx of 'Midland Mafia' as well!!!!

So, when you all find out that apparently the full page advert in the Times costs approx £36,000, you won't be too upset, then?
After all, they paid the guy for ten years, gave him a model Airbus worth £6000 (shame on whoever stole the left wing!!) and a book, plus renamed EZJZ after him.
For an airline that bleats about cost savings over everything else, this is phenomenal!!!


By the way, 6 more resignations this week, so far!!!

2 more resignations today.Soon have no pilots

Kriskross,

The Midland Mafia. Are they all so bad? I've heard mixed reports.

That is another story (thread). EZY is full of stories!
Pay negotiation stories are the hottest!

Although the result is not yet known, a meeting took place yesterday (Wed 7th Dec) between BALPA and the company to discuss the affordability of the pay claim. The management wheeled in a tame city economist who was there to show how poor the company is and can barely afford their electricity bill, whereas BALPA brought along their economic expert to show that there was loads of dosh in the kitty.

I have one question about the whole thing - and on this for me the whole issue turns. If we cannot afford a decent pay rise, how can we afford vast pay rises for our directors and senior managers? The truth is that no credible answer to this question exists as any reply merely exposes the cynical greed and self-interest of our senior managers. Fortunately, the pilot workforce has now woken up to the unsavoury truth and sees that the only real defence against this is to be part of BALPA. This is an issue of market forces as that is what our managers repsond to. They need to know that we are a powerful market force which has to be considered before embarking on any ill-conceived plan to defraud the workforce. We simply have no choice but to fight here or our futures will be bleak indeed. If you have not yet joined, there is no time like the present!

And it's not that the BALPA pay negotiations team is asking for anything much!
As identified by members in the previous ballot, Lifestyle etc ranks far higher than pay amongst ourselves. And this is something the Team has in mind when they are negotiating.
I would guess that they are aiming for 3 to 3.5% salary increase with a 3% pension contribution increase.
The big battle to be won and hopefully our skillful 'managers' will come to the conclusion that 5254 is unsustainable as it stands. That push needs to be won!

The problem our pay team has is without a proper form of settlement on pay and pensions, whats the point in trying to achieve all the "ADD ONS"

We want proper pay, improved pension, better sector pay, better roster pattern, more stability etc etc etc.

With this management if we can't get past pay and pensions, what chance have we got of resolving the rest.

The ONLY chance we have is if we stand together STRONG as BALPA members. Any freeloaders, and I know a few should be hung drawn and quartered !! If we have to strike so be it, but I truely believe that if we position ourselves behind a strong CC and BALPA, they will back down. At some point - lets face it - somebody is going to have to tell the CEO the truth and tell him they have been lying through their teeth for months. Good Luck Fat Mike and Co. Any Manager that leaves BA, and they are happy to see him gone is definately worth worrying about. As far as I'm concerned BA used to have a monopoly on crap managers. Now it appears, they are resolving some of those issues, but the gits are coming to us.

JOIN BALPA TODAY

I must admit if we got just 3.5% plus 3% on the pension, I would be a bit disappointed:hmm:

Redline, I think we shouldn't just let the negotiating team do their work in their endeavours to get a fair settlement.

"As far as I'm concerned BA used to have a monopoly on crap managers. Now it appears, they are resolving some of those issues, but the gits are coming to us."

Don't worry GB get the cr@ppiest of the cr@p ex BA managers. As well as the most perfidious Midland Mafia, in fact we got the Don! Allegedly the most worthless amoral piece of near humanity you could wish to meet. Allegedly not a very good F/O either, all allegedly of course!.

And in preparation for the mass exodous they are changing the min req for new joyners ...from the website....
Breaking news

Our Minimum Requirements have changed!

Recently we’ve been looking for pilots with a minimum of 1,500 hours, but as a result of the feedback we have received, we will be relaxing this requirement, in favour of placing more emphasis on “quality” of hours achieved.

Our requirement for at least 500 hrs in a multi-crew commercial environment will stand but we will, from now on, exercise discretion on Total Time. Please be aware though that, whilst 500 hrs becomes the minimum requirement, it is very much a minimum requirement and will not automatically qualify any pilot for invitation to assessment

And soon they are going to have to bin the 3500 hours for Command, or else there isn't going to be enough Captains!!
I hope Virgin and BA appreciate all our excellent SFO's more than we have!!

It is such a shame this company have become totally hell bent on the short term implication of cost saving.

It whiffs of buying JML Spanner set at half the price for a one time offer.. and wondering why it breaks 2 days later when a Stanley set is a little more but would last you a lifetime.

Putting things in perspective, I know that when I get a stinking roster change, shafted down route or hear some unimaginable rumour I think there is one person looking over our shoulders trying to shaft us. What I try to remember that this place has been so cost concious that everyone is fighting the same battle. In my opinion crewing dont have enough a pegs to put in the holes and this has a knock on effect to everyone elese...i.e. we work our balls off.

There are countless stories of waste, mismanagement and darnright incompetence but that is in any airline, dont think easyJet is any different. They just tend to do it more often...with 22 year old managers 'who should know better...'

What I find utterly unnacceptable is that we are now insulted with this offer and these people think they can get away with it.

I personally feel the leak to the press was our friend Toby Nichol at his best as the pilot 'interviewed' appeared to be answering like an educated Vicky Pollard.

I can see this is going to get messy, I hope that those reading this in two minds can join BALPA and be done with it. I am an FO, and I dont plan on being here any longer than a year now as I can just see it not getting any better. When I joined easyJet I was happy to help, now I think why bother...I want to show my support to my colleagues and wherever I go, I will be taking my membership with me to an airline with good membership..

membership is still poor according to my info. while many have joined since the 'offer' we need soooo many more. remember that not all will vote to strike.

those of you thinking of joining later or when you get round to it do it NOW if you're not in then it should be made abundantly clear that you are part of the problem.

i want to stay here, my family wants me to be near home but if we don't sort this out I will have to move to a commuting job as I (like many others) are no longer willing to put up with the conditions.

also it should be known that the outcome will be the measure of BALPA.

edited for pur engerlish.:ok:

I know for a fact that since Nov 25th (2 week period) there have been at least 83 new joiners out of a total of about 1200 pilots. I would fully expect that to grow substantially over the next few weeks. What level we are actually at in terms of final numbers remains to be seen. If we obtain 70%+ membership then my own view is that we will win an acceptable deal without too much fight. The danger is that we are pushed into a battle without the necessary support from our colleagues.

This is in essence a battle for the hearts and minds of the pilots. Ultimately if there are sufficient pilots working for easyJet who are either indifferent to their future prospects, feel BALPA is a 'British' thing or just hold onto longstanding grievances against previous BALPA failings then we will lose. The bizarre thing is that the maximum density of BALPA membership appears to be at the London bases. These are the folks who stand to gain most from any redistribution of wealth arising from the introduction of 'London weightings' and reduced mainland European salaries. Yet they are the very people getting most behind the efforts of the CC - and that is not to take away from the membership at other bases, without whom no battle would be possible. I do not know the level of membership in Germany and France, but I sincerely hope that the pilots there join up virtually en-masse. They are the guys with most to lose from easyJet's proposals and right now it is vital that BALPA enjoy the support of all pilots at easyJet. In the final analysis, the easyJet pilots who do not join BALPA at this critical stage in our history will find themselves totally to blame for the final result of this dispute.

To any doubters out there, just remember that the managers at easyJet will use one factor alone to decide whether or not to fight it out with the pilots - BALPA membership levels and absolutely nothing else. That is the acid test of the genuine willingness of the pilots to fight - I for one am willing to step up to the plate to ensure that easyJet's success benefits all employees and not just a few. I hope many others will follow.

NSF,


Just talked to one of your frenchies and seems that +90% of the ORY guys are member now...(50% joined in the last month) They got the message and the french are used to strike...
Furthermore I think that a lower european salary is a danger for UK based crews as new planes, and even old ones, could very well be based in europe and fly eg: ORY-NCE-LGW-NCE-ORY, or DTM-LTN-EDI-LTN-DTM,... this would reduce the need for UK based crews. The european airports, except Paris, are empty and not at all slot restricted. The UK based SFO would initially have a higher salary BUT end up with a commuting command on the mainland at mainland salary...
I think you are all in the same boat!
Good luck to all of you.

@sarah737, 100% agree!

New commanders will definitely be based in mainland Europe while their families, their houses and mortgages will still be in the UK....not the best future....:{

What I don´t understand yet: What does Balpa actually ask for? What is their target ? It´s easy to turn down a company offer and ask members for possible strike action, on the other hand how could they make a decision on that if the target is unknown?

I always thought there are 2 point of views and all parties try to meet somewhere in the middle.

What is Balpa trying to achieve for the troops and why isn´t it communicated ??:confused:

Too Low Terrain:

I think you will find that the BALPA negotiators are not asking for anything over the top. They are negotiating something that is in line with the current financial climate and our end of year results.
As outlined by members during the last ballot lifestyle and sustainability seem to be issues higher up the ladder than actual hard pay.
There is so much that needs sorting out but I guess it's all about establishing clear communication lines between our Flying Faction and 'Management' Faction. I just hope that the new 'Top' Management sees our current dispute in the light it should be presented in and will manage it accordingly.

What about the following typical EZY scenario: get based in Europe with mainland salary, then look at your roster and find out that you will be sent back to the UK for 5 days in a row in order to plug the holes in EZY´s poor (i.e. lack of) planning! :hmm:

Time for ACTION!!! :}

@ TooLowTerrain

First and main target should be: refuse the offer of EZY mangement and think about the only "proper Action"!
This is fairly easy as a BALPA member, because you just got the mail from BALPA! (if you are a member, what should be the case especially as a "mainland pilot")

Second target: be patient! Tactical battles will take some time and should be planned thoroughly. Public Information only as required to keep the ball rolling.

Third target: the strategic battle. At this stage you probaly will know what you are asking/striking for.:ok:

Toolowterrain and others who are hesitating in joining Balpa:
By now, We know for sure what Easy Management are trying to achieve;
refusing their so called offer should encourage pilots to join Balpa;
Doesn't matter what balpa is proposing; Pilots have no choice!!
Join balpa or, if you think it is fare, just accept the pay deal offered by Ezy and... just cry the following day.
Ezy pay offer is NOT acceptable and the ONLY way to refuse it, is to join BALPA. full stop

JOIN IF IT MEANS YOU CAN BUILD YOUR HOURS UP TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE !

Mrs Glum

Not good advice, helpful or relevant to those who strive to build a career airline at easyjet.

Buck up dear chap!

Binder

Mrs Glum is only saying what everyone is thinking. Get in get hours up and get out ! Most people don’t think easyJet will ever be a career airline but I am still dreaming ( don’t wake me up )

Just heard a number of JET 2 Captains in Belfast are joining Easy as DEC's.

The difficulty of the decision to regard easyJet as an 'hours building' period in your career is that before you know it there are no career airlines as they are all as bad as each other. easyJet is now a massive airline with plans to become even bigger. They are not 2-bit companies like WizzAir or whoever who will be here today and gone tomorrow. Love them or hate them, companies like easyJet and Ryanair are here to stay. By virtue of their size and market dominance, they will define the 'rules of engagement' for the the next generation of airline pilots.

It is therefore in everyone's interests that easyJet remains profitable and combines high safety, efficiency and an entrepreneurial spirit with the best possible industrial relations. Most of us would recognise that companies such as Southwest Airlines are already a long way down that road and that we should be heading in the same direction. The fact that we are a long way off should not discourage us or dim our determination to see the situation change.

I am fully committed to staying with easyJet for the foreseeable future and to play my part in making it the jewel in the crown of the low cost carriers. That means a bit of pain now to ensure that an airline emerges where the current corporate greed and ineptitude is replaced by a team of managers and pilots working together to ensure that all employees benefit from easyJet's success and not just a few top directors. Are we currently a long way off that idea? Most definitely! Nonetheless, it can still be achieved. Had Ray Webster stayed on, I personally would have been looking for his removal as his position had become untenable with the pilots due to his shameful greed and exploitation of his own position. Fortunately a new CEO has appeared at the right time and an opportunity exists for common sense to prevail. I trust that he will take the steps necessary to ensure that the current unwise confrontation with the pilots is brought to a timely conclusion.

Pilots are like the gas turbines which run a luxury liner - as long as they are all working you can forget about them and get on with enjoying the pleasures of the voyage. When they stop working in the middle of a stormy sea, that seemingly expensive maintainance programme you decided to skip starts to appear really quite cheap! Time will tell if a foolish and unnecessary conflict is avoided, but whatever happens I am certainly one of those in for the long haul to make easyJet the career airline it should be.

I'm in for the long term too NSF. It CAN be the jewel in the crown, as you put it, but the present management need to wake up and see what's going on on the line. We CANNOT afford to keep losing excellent guys (and gals) the way we are at the moment. If they can't see that then I'm very concerned for the future expansion of the airline.

The airline seems like two different companies at the moment - those in LaLa Land and us in the real world on the front line.

For those that are wavering on joining BALPA - don't delay any longer. As SOON as you're registered YOU CAN VOTE ON YOUR FUTURE. Can that be any clearer..........? DO IT NOW!

A4

Bumby, that's absolute bul****t. Back to the topic on hand - great posts NSF, keep up the good work!

@cartmanfly

A friend of mine called me yesterday to confirm he got an "OK" for DEC starting march 06 on the airbus....
....somewhere in the network, they couldn´t tell him yet.

So, no bull!!!! obviously..... :rolleyes:

P.S.: He is neither TRE nor TRI or else. Normal "front pig".

The story continues: a friend called me, that he got an ok as DEC at the A-319, starting in march.
He, also, is not super high qualified.

yes there are DEC's next year but not on the Boeing and not in BFS. I misread Brumby's post and assumed it referred to DEC's in BFS which isn't going to happen as there are plenty of guys in BFS who are waiting for course dates and a couple of internal transfers from the bus. As none of these DEC's will know where they are based until 1 month before they start, they would be best advised to buy an italian phrasebook :\ . In reality they'll probably all end up in LGW courtesy of another shady deal with PT.

They will not end up in LGW due to a shady deal with PT they will end up in LGW because promotable f/o's are resighning faster than he realises!

Quite a few Captains are also about to do the deed so to speak!