BB,

6.5 yrs time to command at Monarch does not really give the full picture.
Some of last years temp captains, currently awaiting upgrade, are in their ninth year. 6 - 8 yrs is a more realistic figure.

The new scale c pilots (after lengthly negotiation involving BALPA, the company and an independent arbitration service) now have the opportunity to transfer onto the old payscale after 5yrs service. They will not be able to progress beyond pay point 10 under the current new agreement.

Thanks anyway ott. but false alarm. The info on ppjn is from November last year, so missed that chance.

First Choice issues upbeat trading statement


Bookings are showing strong year on year volume growth for First Choice.

In a trading statement issued today, the company said: "Our strategy of product differentiation across the sectors and the remixing of our destination focus in the mainstream holidays sector is resulting in earlier bookings and strong year on year volume growth.

"Our margins continue to be ahead of last year and we remain confident that trading will be in line with expectations."

Long haul sales are doing best, with sales for summer 2005 up 30%, while medium haul is up 26% and short haul up 9%, giving an overall rise of 21%. Sales in the groups' specialist businesses are up by 33%.

Online sales growth is up by 149% while Island Cruises - the joint venture with Royal Caribbean International - has seen a 29% rise.

ABN AMRO analyst Simon LArkin, quoted by Reuters, said: "Bookings are stronger than we expected, margins are stronger than expected, they are 5% better sold year-on-year. It's difficult to interpret this trading statement as anything other than extremely good."

Yes, but over 80% of pilots who voted in the recent pay ballot voted NO to the company's offer, which included, surprise, surprise, a much lower entry salary for new pilots (amongst many other things).

As mentioned previously the pay deal was meant to be sorted by January 1st I believe. Due to the gap between the expectations of the pilots and the company a third party, People in Business, were called in and interviewed a large number of pilots and have now reported back to the company. The Director of Flight Ops and Chief Pilot have been out to just about every base this week to talk to pilots. The Union is currently back in talks with the company, who hoped to have everything sorted by May 1st.

The company is doing well but the pilot's ain't happy!!!

First Choice
 

Can anyone give me any info regarding future recruitment ( F/O ) prospects , what they're like to work for and what the interview entails ..

Thanks in advance to those who do spare a mo.

Cheers .

You have looked at the other FC thread on this form, havent you?

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=162525

Thanks , I have now ....

If , however , anyone could pass me info regarding the interview format I'd be greatful .. The groans , gripes and whinges sound amazingly like every airline I , or friends , have worked for .

Thanks again ...

First Choice
 

Hi All

I wonder if anyone may be able to help please. There is a chance that I may have an interview on the cards with First Choice and I am looking to find out a bit about life in the company and the life of an FO with them on the 757.

If anyone would be able to offer a bit of information about life there, the flying, 757 destinations, 757 bases etc etc it would be much appreciated either on reply to this thread or feel free to personal message me.

Thanks
FS

If you listen to any FCA pilots on here you will get the old "overworked, underpayed" feedback.

FCA are a good company to work for, and are financially sound which speaks for itself these days.
Destinations are your typical bucket and spade holiday areas - Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Bulgaria plus all the main others. You mentioned 757/767 so of course you would eventually get longhaul aswell.


Good luck with it all!!!

thanks
 

Many Thanks WindSheer

First Choice Airways
 

Dear all,

I'm looking for infos about FCA. I'm interested to know as much as possible about the airline :
What is the basing policy?
On which fleet do you join?
How long before promotion (left seat/other aircraft)?
How much do you fly? (number of legs, hours, duty time, nights away)
How many days-off a month?
Is it possible to commute from Europe?
Is it seen in UK as a career airline or do poeple leave after some years?

And last but not least, what's the "take home" pay per month for a SFO?

Any other info is also interesting.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Regards

First Choice a320 SFO take home pay?
 

Hello
Anyone know the answer for a new starter?

Many thanks
zero:ok:

What is the current situation with FCA?

Still recruiting? Was a lower pay scale imtroduced for new joiners?

Still recruiting pilots - more 767's on the way - share price going through the roof yet for all that morale low - mmmmmmmmmm

Good luck to those trying to get into FCA. I know a few chaps who have been offered positions recently.

Having joined Monarch last winter I would say that it is much better than is being portrayed on this site. The pension issue is still being dealt with and the pay scale is now basically bridged to the old one. To be honest if one did an entire career here you would hardly know the difference.

The real change is the potential time to command. As it was high in the past this is now changing. With the Scheduled stuff growing very quickly it is possible and I stress possible that those taken on last winter (early in recruitment) may see a crack at the left seat in only a couple of years. The company has hired many CTC cadets in the past who may or may not have the required hours for command.

All and all both good companies going down different roads.

Good luck.

Last Choice Airways
 

Following the recent recruitment drive by this Airline I just wanted to share my experience of applying for a position. I have over 4000 hours flight time, of which 2500 are command hours on heavy turbo prop and EFIS equipped aircraft and a good academic background with all the ticks in the right boxes!

I'm 45 years of age and have always taken a positive view on future career progression, not allowing other people to disuade me from applying to Airlines that have an alledged policy of discriminating against the more "mature candidate"

Well here you have it positive proof of age bias - I applied at exactly the same time as one of the FO's in my airline ( a good friend) who has a similar educational background but one quarter of the experience I have and 10 years my junior - guess who got the interview and the job?

I received a PFO letter staing that the calibre of applicants was extreemly high and on this occassion, blah, blah etc etc.

Now dont be mistaken, I'am very pleased for my colleague but come on First Choice have the credibility to admit that you actively discriminate on age and stop everybody like myself wasting our time in applying to you in the First Place!

Pitty the legislation is not in place just yet that would allow me to have a pop at you as you certainly deserve it!

Comments on a postcard please!!!!!!!!!!!

They may have thought that you would be bored sat in the RHS for the next 15 years waiting for command.
Or perhaps its your lack of military experience?

I'm not sure that this constitues 'positve proof' etc etc.
Have you asked why you weren't called to interview? There may be reasons other than age to blame. Were your application forms the same as well?

They've taken on some 'older' pilots - what did they have that you didn't?

Once heard a story of a recruitment manager who had a pile of CV's. He split the pile in half and threw one of the halves away. His comment was, we don't want unlucky people working for us.

Chin up lad, something will turn up.

I know they are recruiting, as a few guys from my airline have got job offers.
They are from a different Base to my self though, so can't get the correct info.

PPJN link does not work and neither does the E-Mail Address for Kerry Fox. Infact even after E-Mailing FCA directly, they say that Kerry Fox is not known ?

So what is the deal here then?

Who do I E-Mail my CV to?

Thanks in advance.

As you are asking for comments, a mate of mine has just been taken on by First Choice , same age as yourself, but a little less experience and command time than you...perhaps you simply didn't pass the 'interview'. Good luck with your job hunting.

Try here.... '[email protected]'

I sent them my CV on the 15 September and a week later got an e-mail back saying that recruitment had ceased...or words to that effect. Quite dissapointed really:(

There web site states today that they are currently not recruiting pilots.

Apparently they have had some very high calabre candiates applying....hmmm.....:(

Best of luck:}
18024

i wouldn't beat yourself up about it. I had loads of mates in 2bob who have now all left after waiting upteen years for the elusive command. All seem pretty happy elsewhere.

Qu's about First Choice Airways
 

Hey ppl, just wondering if any of you can provide me with info in regards First Choice. I'd use the search but it seems like its kaput at the moment!

I'm A320/21 rated, approaching 1500hrsTT and 500hrs Jet. Currently with another UK Charter.

Rosters: How stable, and what are the kind of hours one works during summer/winter?

Is it a rolling roster or is it issued monthly?

Can one request days off in advance, say by 6 weeks or so?

What kind of routes does the FBW fleet fly?

Are there many opportunities for overnights at some destinations? Or home every night?

Bases: What are the bases for the A320/21 fleet?

Leave: How many weeks is one allowed during winter/summer

Pension: Just a rough idea would be great so i can compare.

Morale: How happy are you at First Choice? Is it a good company to work for? How would you compare to other UK Charter Companies (if your in a position to compare)?

Thanks very much and regards to those that reply :ok:

Re: Qu's about First Choice Airways
 

Rosters: Vary between some very stable months and some where you may as well throw the roster in the bin! However, there is a new Scheduling Agreement in place as of 1st Jan which should improve things, plus taking on quite a few new pilots. This should mean more stable rosters.

Hours, around 600-700 per year. As for how busy in winter, depends on base and fleet, some are still quite busy in winter, others are doing virtually nothing.
We send some pilots to Canada for the winter, so that can affect pilot numbers at specific bases.

Is it a rolling roster or is it issued monthly?
Monthly, new agreement says its issued around the 7th or 8th of the preceding month.

Can one request days off in advance, say by 6 weeks or so?
Yes. There is a maximum request of 3 days off per month and limits to weekend days per season.

What kind of routes does the FBW fleet fly?
In summer, the usual Spain/ Portugal, Canaries, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Sharm-el-Sheik etc., with a slight shift towards the longer flights.
In winter the ski flights - Turin, Innsbruck, etc., Canaries, Laplands, Cyprus and ad hocs.

Are there many opportunities for overnights at some destinations? Or home every night?
Usually home every night on short haul. Any nightstops usually are in the UK (unless you manage to break your aircraft really well!!!). Sometimes there are day stops abroad in winter, and the occasional ad hoc. You may also fly from another base when they are stuck, so if you like places like Bristol then you're in luck.

Bases: What are the bases for the A320/21 fleet?
LGW, MAN, STN, LTN, BRS, EMA I think - changes so often I can't keep track!

Leave: How many weeks is one allowed during winter/summer
37 days or 42 if taken all in winter. Summer is 1st May-30th Sept. Can take 16 days leave initially then another 4, so total 20, which equals 20 days leave. However, there are not enough leave lines so whether you get what you want is down to a complicated points system which has some seniority in it too.

Pension: Just a rough idea would be great so i can compare.

Money purchase, quite good.

Morale: How happy are you at First Choice? Is it a good company to work for? How would you compare to other UK Charter Companies (if your in a position to compare)?

I think most people consider the main company to be well run but aren't so sure about the airline. Morale is better than it was, we were not treated well after 9/11 and now there is a whole new pilot management structure, with non-pilots managing pilots. We are possibly the only airline to no longer have a post of Chief Pilot. I understand Britannia/ThomsonFly has better conditions and people have moved from FCA to them and to Monarch.

Re: Qu's about First Choice Airways
 

Airbus Girl,

THANKS VERY VERY MUCH for the detailed response!! :ok:

Please check your private messages.

Regards,
PL

First Choice
 

can anyone that has had an interview with first choice recently shed some light on what the interview is like, what they ask tech questions ect.

The 2 on 1 interview is quite releaxed. They ask you questions about times when you have dealt with customers and how this made you feel. They also ask you what you would put on a trolley for a family orientated flight and how you would go about researching what products they sell onboard. They aks you about your current job, what you will/won't miss about it. What I will say though, is make sure you do your revision on company history because I think this may be what caught a lot of people out!

Right. Now I'm confused.
Are you talking Pilot or Cabin Crew? Has Jenni answered the wrong question?
FL ex-air2000

interview
 

maybe i should have been more specific when asking the question. i wanted to find out information on pilot interviews.

thanks rymes

Phew..thats a relief!

Also very Keen to find out more about this topic. Can anyone enlighten us?

Thanks in advance!!
SD

For my interview I had been asked to write an essay on the history of the company, from it's roots as Owners Abroad. As with any interview, do some preparation beforehand and don't try to bull!!!!! as you'll have a good chance of being caught out. If you don't know the answer to something, say so, or better still, make an educated guess.

I was asked "which one of our aircraft would you rather fly, the Airbus or Boeing?"

I replied Airbus, as I considered it to be a more modern, advanced aircraft.

The three senior Boeing pilots leaned back in their seats and said:

"Considering we are all Boeing pilots, does that change your answer?"

I blustered for a bit but they weren't being serious.

It's a great company to work for - on the private company forum on this site the major grumbles are about the quality of the uniform shirts.

"It's a great company to work for - on the private company forum on this site the major grumbles are about the quality of the uniform shirts"

Hmmm... if you believe that's all that is ever talked about in the recent path you will be too naive to join join First Choice Airways.

It amused and bemused me when I started flying commercially that all pilots seem to do is whinge about terms and conditions. Ask the average student pilot as to whether they'd like an airline job and they'd bite your hand off.

There are some grievances in First Choice, like there are in every airline. I'm sure if they paid us all a million pounds a year with 5 days off a week people would moan that they would prefer 2 million and 6 days off... The Balpa membership in FCA is growing and we have an experienced and committed company council who do their best to represent the needs of the pilots in the face of mounting commercial pressure.

The new shirts are crap, mind... :)

Hi there!

I'm starting my airline pilot training at the end of March, and let me tell you fellas that i'd do absolutely anything to get into the RHS of a FCA 757!! In fact, my biggest ambition is to fly the FCA 757 from EGCC-LIRN. Although i'm sure i read that FCA don't recruit cadet pilots:(

Any tips of how to get into FCA would be grately appreciated:}

Regards

Bozzato:ok:

They used to... I'd know. I wouldn't be surprised if they started another cadet scheme since apparently there is a pilot shortage.

Flying to LIRN is great when it's CAVOK... I prefer LGKR myself

FCA are taking some cadets from CTC (7 i think) - their training should finish in the next few months. Possibly recruiting with a view to taking more if they are successful?

mo

Bozzato,
Word of advice....don't ever say ,'I'll do absolutely anything to...' because that is exactly when you will get shafted,
what you should be saying is ,'I expect reasonable terms and conditions from an employer and to be treated with the respect my qualifications allow'

:*

what you should be saying is ,'I expect reasonable terms and conditions from an employer and to be treated with the respect my qualifications allow'
:*[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the advice fade to grey, it's very much appreciated:ok:

Regards

Bozzato