Summer work in UK/Europe
 

Has anyone experience of living overseas and working in the UK or Europe for the summer months?
I'm a pom working in New Zealand (Nelson) for an Air New Zealand regional on a Dash-8 Q300. Wonderful country, Nelson is great but working hard and career is going nowhere (no command prospects unless prepared to relocate, and too old for NZ mainline at 47). JAR ATPL (as well as NZ), 4000 tt, 3000 Turbine, no multi command time.
I have read that some of the UK charter companies quite like people who can work for them over the UK summer, then disappear over winter when loadings are lighter. I've had a quick chat with someone at Thomsonfly who said recruitment would start again in August, and I was going to try First Choice, Thomas Cook and My Travel (I know mergers are going ahead but I thought I'd try now). Any suggestions as to other companies to try? Does it work in terms of work/play balance? What sort of money would I get?
It would be a wrench leaving the family for 6 months but if I came back to NZ for the UK winter, and could earn decent money and get some good experience overseas I think it might be worth doing.
All suggestions, comments etc welcome.

Capt C,

Something I've been looking at doing for a couple of years myself, in the opposite sense (NZer in the UK flying for a charter/lowcost airline)
all I can suggest is contact the likes of the people you mentioned...it may also be worth having a look at aviationjobsearch (its a website) as there seems to be plenty of summer contracts offered.
The downside for you is that they are mostly on jets...the plus side is....6 months on a UK salary (contract) would mean 6 months off in the NZ summer:ok: with cash too spare.

FCA used to offer "Permanent Part Time" positions post 9/11 but had retention, morale and union problems.

Not trying to lecture you but many people oppose the principle as it sets a precedent for all of us in the predominantly seasonal airlines to be employed part time, or not at all, because a guy from/in NZ who already has one job comes over and gets another. I'm sure you would feel the same should the roles be reversed?

DC, the question wasn't about the rights or wrongs..or the implications to us as employees of various summer focused airlines.
Just as you say it could set a precedent, but so what? not everyone is in a position to accept a contract along those lines (nor could they afford to) but there are some for whom this a viable option.
Surely being able to offer your employer flexibility is every bit as valuable as being able to commit to a full time position?
Playing devils advocate for a moment....working part-time could also set a precedent that could be construed as detrimental to your job security.

As far as the roles being reversed, well, that is a very real possibility, however, the flight crew labour market has become increasingly fluid these day and I am sure it will continue to do so. Despite what you or I think regarding our differing perspectives, employers will ultimately decide on whether or not they require contractors.

And you did lecture...just a bit:ok:

There are numerous examples of BALPA, under a clear mandate from its members, preventing the further degradation of our working practices by opposing schemes such as this. A recent example of a similar situation is TCX pilots successfully preventing Ryan Intl' (US Airline) summer only Captains coming to fly G reg TCX aircraft and thus denying commands to time served guys who have dedicated their careers to TCX. Whilst not the same as the situation you propose the underlying principles are.

The Pilots of the airlines you mention and aspire to are likely to strongly oppose your plan (a la TCX above) and therefore, no, it isn't the employers who ultimately decide and yes, I believe my comments are relevant to the question asked.

Completely agree with your point, yet another example of the good things BALPA membership brings.

Again I'm in agreement DC, we probably aren't however talking about the highly unionized traditional charter carriers in all of this ala TCX, MON, FCA, MYT (or whatever they are going to call their almagamated selves).
On the flip side there are half a dozen other carriers in the UK that would view an arrangement like this with a degree of interest...mayby not what BALPA would want to hear....but then thats what choice is all about.

DC, on your final point, again, I am in agreement simply because the bigger charter boys simply aren't a viable option.

Capt C
I would think that with your hours flybe would take you as a direct entry Capt. Only a guess but could be worth a look.
I had considered trying it the other way as I have family down in NZ and am 73 rated.

DC - are you saying that there shouldn't be seasonal work? Is this only in aviation, or do you include other occupations such as ski instructing and fruit picking?
Do you believe that people being paid a full time salary for a part time job will actually enhance a companies ability to improve the working conditions of their staff?
Not quite sure what you mean about role reversal? Would I be peed off if someone came over to NZ and got a job here? If they had a kiwi licence then why should I be, any more than if they moved from another kiwi airline?