Worthless A330 rating!!!:confused:

I don't think so, with the Airbus CCQ, this probably makes it the best set of ratings to have EVER.:ok:

BR.

I suspect they cannot all be wrong. Details on Aer Lingus Union deal and the suggested strike on next Thursday are from Irish newspapers here:-
http://www.sbpost.ie/breakingnews/br...x&n=3987917&x=
http://www.unison.ie/business/storie...=80&si=1645536
Aer Lingus flies off course with unrealistic pay claims
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...252084,00.html

thebrother - you have changed your message - I merely referred to the multitude of incorrect "facts" to which you made reference. You have now changed the subject to union-bashing. You even had this to say about your own pension: .... eh... if you are an existing pensioner how does the new deal apply to you and where does the extra pension come from? Also, did you not previously claim to be a civil servant ... so, where exactly are you coming from (apart from the anti-union and "no pensions for existing employees" stance)?

Now just remind me .... what is it that is printed at the bottom of each pprune page ...

Don't really want to get into the whole argument about the union/pension stuff. However am very interested in hearing why the A330 rating is or would ever be useless? With the shortage of pilots at the moment the 330 rating alone will get you a job on just about any Airbus type, so how is it useless? Obviously a statement from someone who spent their career behind a desk and never did more than look out the office window at a 330 on the ramp!

thebrother said something above that is rather intriguing Apart from the issue as to whether or not thebrother's facts are correct, it is interesting to see such a comment about Aer Lingus. He not only claims to know precise pilot figures, but he can tell us in advance that the normally compliant Aer Lingus is going to "do a Ryanair" and out-manoeuvre the IAA in some way. All rather interesting from a "former Aer Lingus employee" ... who would presumably be aware that Aer Lingus was, until only a few weeks ago, claiming a substantial pilot surplus! Curious or not?

It's a proven fact of life, that people looking in from the outside, generally haven't a clue as to what is actually happening inside. thebrother just happens to be another one of these people. He may have have been a former employee of Aer Lingus, but he certainly hasn't a clue about the Flight Ops side of the company.

Even before the whole issue of Privatisation raised it's head again this year, the company was heading for problems due to its insistence of a supposed pilot surplus. There is a major shortage of pilots, hence the belated attempt to entice the cadets back. A few have been working for Ryanair, Cityjet and Aer Arran, but most have been working for others. Some have even resigned from BA to return home. Not surprising, when you look at the conditions elsewhere. We might be working upto the flight time limitations nowadays, but at least we have a decent salary, the best pension in the business and one base. Command at Ryanair might sound great, but as those in the industry know - this comes at a price!

I'd love to know how thebrother thinks were going to be 'binning' our seniority agreement! This is the cornerstone of our working life. It affects our pay, working conditions etc.. Flight Ops priority is to crew up the A330, taking into account the new aircraft arrivals. These will be crewed in seniority. Any new recruits cadets or otherwise will end up on the A320/1. Period!

As regards wandering around Dublin with a funny hat and a worthless A330 rating - don't make me laugh. Apart from the fact the the A330 is one of the best ratings anyway, being able to be CCQ in a short time makes it even more attractive. There are loads of jobs out there for A330 type rated guys now. Not that many EI guys would be bothered going elsewhere though - non of us could afford the drop in pay or working conditions. And don't even mention the pension side of things. Thank god we have IALPA and not BALPA looking after our pension.

Finally, I'd love to know how they are going to 'bend or ignore the IAA on this issue'. Whilst the IAA might have a less than perfect reputation. They aren't complete idiots! Unlike some people making anonymous contributions on this forum!

There will be flying pigs and blue moons before anyone walks into the Shamrocks directly onto the A330.............;)

Please can anybody give me some information about the T+Cs at EI? Salary, Roster, days off, staff travel etc.

Would really love to find out a little bit more.

Many thanks
dlav

EI currentl require about50 additional pilots to operate 2007 schedule. approx 36 ex cadets returning so that leaves a hole of about 14 pilots all of whom will join as 320 copilots on the bottom of the seniority list (thebrother is full of s*!:e). As to whether these will be contract(allowed by agreements) or direct entrys is anybodys guess.

Rosters are published 4 weeks in advance and copilots on the 320 are working close to 850 hours per year. Leave equates to almost 7 weeks for a new joiner. 8/9 days off every 28. Performance pay/overtime paid per hour over 520 per year - just in time for Christmas too! Not sure of starting salary - approx 50K euro I think plus company pension contributions.

With the rapid expansion planned, the first new joiners can expect the 330 (or its replacement) in about 3 years.

Thank you St Patrick, I have a few more questions aswell if somebody could take the time to answer.

What is the set up with the A330? ie - will you be on that fleet permenantly or is it a case of one long haul trip/month say, and the rest of the month on the 320? (a similar set up to most uk charter outfits and soon BMI)

Whats the atmosphere like at EI? Good place to be? Happy flying?

Management approachable?

Once again, thank you

dlav

dlav,
Unlike most UK charter airlines, there is no mixed flying within Aer Lingus. I doubt this will change for the foreseable future. This also tends to suit most people - some prefer Europe and other prefer drinking state-side (& now the desert!).
The A330 is crewed purely on seniority. There is a big difference between the lifestyle on Europe and the A330. Europe is considerably busier, and hence most crews are maxing out on the hours. The A330 now is operating to Malaga and Nice in addition to the US and Dubai. It seems like A330 crews are approx 750 hrs per year give or take!
The atmosphere at EI is like most companies at the moment, in a state of transition. If the privatisation finally goes ahead this autumn, then big changes will occur over the next few years. According to the CEO, long haul will be expanded dramitically, which should make for some interesting night stops. Europe will also see some dramatic expansion.
Being a relatively small operator, you have the advantage of knowing virtually all of the crews. Unlike the likes of BA etc, your a name and not a number.
Flight Ops managment are very approachable, and training side of things is excellent. Nobody is trying to catch you out here. If your upto par with the standards and get on with your job, then life is easy. As regards the management from the HOB, then thats a different story and a thread on its own.
Its not paradise here, but as other who have left EI - it certainly isn't easier or better on the other side of the fence.

Thanks mate, just what I was after :ok:

The jobs you saw for A320 based in Dublin are probably with Eirjet. If and it is a big if, EI use contract pilots they will probably use Parc as they used to own them and have used their services in the past, by the way EI would only be looking for contract co-pilots, they never have employed contract Captains or taken direct entry Captains. As regards being a non-national, that is not a problem as long as you have "the right to live and work in the EU". We have French, Dutch, American, Canadian, Kiwi, Finnish, Scots as well as loads from the UK ( sorrry if I left anyone out!) flying with us.

I`d suggest that you fire in an up to date CV to the personnel department, Address should be on the website. Best of luck!!

Just one more, honest! What is the average time for a command? :ooh: :ok:

thebrother,

I am going to stick my neck out here and say you are disengenuinous (forgive my spelling). Your friends son seems to be far wiser than his parent.
Thats why I think you talk bollo*.

If your friends son is an EI cadet (flying with Ryanair) he is probably in Dublin, he would be due his command, true. What would also be true is that he is being held back for the past 2 yrs. and not given his command as Dublin is frozen. He would also not have recieved a pay rise for a few years. He would have his sector pay severely cut. He would have his medical payment taken away, loss of liscence, he would have had to pay for his 737-800 type rating. He would be randomly been subjected to abusive threats from management.

All in all he would have been out of pocket by about €45k for the past 2 years. True. Add it all up, don't forget the type rating.

It seems to me like the kid has far more sense than daddy.

Getting back to my first point.
You see, I don't think this friend 'Daddy' exists at all.

You seem to me like a RYR management type spinning the usual bullsh1t.

Dlav, How long is a piece of string?! hard to say. I am guessing that if the planned expansion goes ahead(and yesterdays dail vote were certainly a step in that direction), You are probably looking at 5 years if you are one of the first to join.

As regards time to command? How long is a piece of string?
This has varied dramatically over the years, ranging from approx 5-6yrs right upto approx 17yrs. Whilst there was a period of heavy recruitment several years ago, including a mix of cadets and DEP's - there has been none since 2001. The company needs pilots yesterday, and the recalled cadets are just the start. The planned expansion of long-haul and the continued growth of routes on europe will obviously require more pilots.
All the A330's will have proper rest area's (existing ones to be retro-fiited). This in itself implies heavy crews to new long haul destinations. Heavy means more pilots. Therefore time to command will reduce.
But at the end of the day, who actually cares about time to command? As an FO, I actually earn more than captains elsewhere, including those with a harp on the tail! I have better working conditions and a pension. Unlike, the likes a Ryan, Easy etc - Aer Lingus is a career airline (if there is such a thing nowadays?) I have plenty of friends elsewhere, some who even opted to join these airlines, and have since moved on.
To some, command is the be all! Once the novelty of flying a shiny jet 900hrs per year wears off, the most important thing in life becomes lifestyle, followed by perhaps money of course. You'd be surprised at how many senior FO's on the A330 have turned down command on the A320. The increase in pay from a senior FO to a junior Captain isn't that great, whilst the difference in lifestyle is huge.
Bottom line is if your after the left-seat and four stripes within a couple of years, head elsewhere. That said though time to command within Aer Lingus will reduce significently over the next few years.

st patrick,

Well, you beat me there!!

Milehighdriver - I thought I heard an echo !!!!!!!!!!

Emirates???
 

Are Emirates thinking about buying shares in Aer Lingus? Has anyone got more information? What do the pilots think about this?

aer lingus rostering?
 

is the rumour true that AL pilots are working harder than dogs and have split days off all the time with no sequence just lates rammed into earlies? ehh safety issues? Buddy of mine is keen to join if they recruit but from what I see it looks terrible. Surely this cant be true as if it was surely the the AL guys would be moaning on certain websites???? enlighten us..

Much appreciated chaps. Great minds think alike :)

Mile High Driver - Couldn't agree more, but its nice to have a rough idea :ok:

Cheers

dlav

Suas, the lads and lass` are indeed working their little figers to the bone - well a lot of them anyway. i`d say they are too busy to moan on websites but it doesn`t stop them in ops!! The main problem is that the rosters are still manually written and there is a high turnover of personnel in crew scheduling which seems to result in requests being ignored in the rush to get the schedule crewed. If you put in a request you can be given split days of in order to grant that request, even if you have done 6 days before, or have 6 days after. "Its not that we are short of pilots - we just have too many flights"! (alleged to have been said by a managment type):O

Eh, i don't think so, if you have too many flights to fill, that means that you ARE short of pilots, hence the impending recruitment drive!

Aer Lingus is one of the best airlines in the world to work for. Pay, working conditions and opportunities are first class.
The salary and allowances are excellent. The roster is stable, days off are guaranteed, and leave is relatively generous(though somewhat problematic). Travel concessions are also a major plus, with an excellent worldwide network and ease of access to them.
Those returning cadets will appreciate that. As Milehighdriver said, the seniority agreement is the cornerstone of a pilots life in Aer Lingus. It will never be allowed to be diluted. Anyone thinking they could swan in as a captain on the A330 had better look elsewhere.
Time to command quoted by all is rather generous. I think more realistic would be 8-10 years, but as was said earlier, its not a great concern for co-pilots in ei.

thebrother should be largely ignored. He knows not of which he speaks. :rolleyes:

According to ppjn, the cadets that have been brought back have fulfilled AL's requirements. So looking bad for us low houred guys:(

The cadets are just the start. Thirty odd cadets aren't going to help solve the shortage of pilots. With new aircraft arriving soon and the planned privatisation loomimg there's certainly going to be a queue forming soon. As regards low hours, who knows? You'd think they'd prefer airbus guys/gals, but in today's market, there probably aint a whole bunch out there that would fit the Aer Lingus profile. After that, I'd imagine if your face fits then your in with a chance.

D'ont be too worried about the face fitting. AL genuinely has every type of face, with guys/gals from every background. Airbus rating is probably an advantage but definitely wont be a must I'd imagine. There is also a proven track record of taking pilots with very low hours. Yeah, the competition might be strong when they do advertise, but any guy/gal who is really keen and most importantly down to earth stands as good a chance as any, regardless of hrs/rating.

i just have to pick you up here.....the current rostering is appalling...lates rammed into earlies....split days and no life style. We are running out of hours and it is creaking at the seams re continuity.

I'm well aware. You'll see I chose my words carefully! ;)

Hence the need for more pilots. I for one would love to fly for Aer Lingus. It was THE job to get for my generation in Ireland. I too want to wear the shamrock wings, buy a house in Malahide and join the yacht club. Sigh:cool:

The trouble is my name isn't Feargal, Connor, Grainne or some other Irish middle class name and I never could get my tongue round the mid atlantic Hiberno English that all EI pilots seem to use. :{

Ok I exaggerate and I know it's not all rosy in the walled garden. But I think that reputation in itself will attract applicants not least from Irish ex-pats working abroad right now. It certainly will attract my application but I feel I have more chance of winning the lotto.

Aer Lingus I think still has remnants of the old glamour that was attached to airlines like Pan Am. (Probably not a good example, I know). Aer Lingus was a great company to work for once.

ive got a canoe if that will help me......:} :ok:

corsair, this is a forum for adults not children.:=

Oh, :{ I couldn't be a child if I can remember when working for Aer Lingus was glamourous to the uninitiated. In fact I couldn't be a child if I can remember when working for any airline was glamourous. :hmm:

Now as it's way past my bedtime I'm off to beddie byes. If you are cruel to me again I will tell Danny was suasdaguna really means:p You wait:=

nice one corsair!

expect recruiting from Jan on i reckon. currently ex jerez cadets going thru training....when they are done it will be open season re recruiting.:ok:

Aer Lingus - Direct Entry Pilots
 

Aer Lingus are advertising for direct entry pilots for the 320 based out of DUB.. details here

Requirements start at:

• IAA or JAR- FCL ATPL (or Frozen ATPL).
• Current Class 1 Medical Certificate.
• Permanently eligible to live and work in Ireland with an unrestricted worldwide passport.
• Priority will be given to those applicants who hold a current A320 type rating and have at least 500 hours on type and 1000 hours in total.

(If the above link fails go to www.aerlingus.com > About Us > Careers & Vacanices)

Aer lingus
 

Hi what is the recruitment process ?Tried a search but no up to date info?Thanks

Anyone clarify what the third point means?

No idea what the 3rd point means.
I wonder if there would be alot of interest in this, Dublin is an expensive place to live and times are uncertain in Aer Lingus, and considering the pay on joining ( as per PPJN ) most guys who would have the minimum requirements would be most likely flying outside of Ireland and for better money. I am guessing this will attract more locals then anything!
Am I wrong?? All recruitment is good however for any job hunters.

cloud chaser,
was wondering that myself,
to take a guess, it may mean that you have a driving licence so as you can drive crew vans/cars to and from apron,
just a (not so educated) guess.