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