Carlton,

i reckon this is probably a bit above your pay-grade fella but...

do you have any idea if bmi were working on a figure for numbers of BMED dudes jumping ship post 28oct or are they planning to see what happens?

to put it another way - do you think there'll be some more recruitment once the dust from the aquisition has settled?

cheers :ok:

Well above my pay grade.
I know a number of BMed pilots have already resigned- it's not a huge number, miniscule in comparison to the numbers from BACon who opted not to work for FlyBe. However, I have heard on the grapevine that a larger number are waiting to see how their applications to Virgin are going...
As to how many resignations the company have planned for, I have no idea, but I am sure they have allowed for some...
Once the dust has settled I am convinced the recruitment will be ongoing for some time to come- not necessarily in huge numbers, but a fairly steady flow.

any new news folks?

I've heard that the pool has been frozen....not sure exactly what the implications are!

The A330's that they are after arent comming till 2009 so they are slowing the recruitment machine down to a standstill it seems!

:uhoh:

Glass half full...
 

still taking delivery of 5x A321s + should be some fallout from BMED merger + natural wastage = not a complete shut down of recruitment, just a "slow down".

fingers crossed...

You're all skating on thin ice?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Very apt name looks like i'm gonna have plenty of time to try and get myself out there for some adventuous training!!

Guys,
the facts as it stands,
1. no more new starts from the pool until further notice
2. 330's have been pushed back until 2009(but this might move again as if they where serious orders would have been placed or contracts signed but I wouldnt hold my breath and put options change at the end of 2008).
3. only a couple have resigned over the last month.
4. Yes BMED guys will run with it until they see how the rosters turn out( but it will take at least 6 months for a fair view on the type of rosters they are likely to get, and virgin have stopped all recruitment for consolidation purposes!
5. over crewed in the winter and a notice for unpaid leave sent out last week!
The guy in charge of pilot numbers rose highly to the challange after the expansion plans where released and started a well oiled recruitment machine. He had it up and running in a short space of time only to have the wind taken from his sail in typical BM style.:ugh::ugh:
Sorry to make it seem doom and gloom but rather than giving you the sunshine treatment cold hard facts are sometimes better!
They are still fine to work for ( not the best but far from the worst!)but having been here a long time ive learnt the hard way and to not believe it until its on your doorstep:rolleyes:
regards
Keepitlit:ok:

Holdpool lengths
 

I've read that there are already 16 people in the BMI holdpool at the moment. Just wondering how long they've been treading water and whether they've had any indication from management of how long they will have to wait.

Are people starting to look at other alternatives?:(

I wouldnt hold my breath or put all my eggs in one basket

regards

keepitlit

I'm one of the guys in the holdpool and just wondered at what rate the 5 x A321's will be delivered? I believe the first is due May 2008. How many pilots are normally required to one of these aircraft? Does anyone know if there are currently enough pilots at bmi to crew these extra aircraft? Thanks for any input.

yes one in may, dates for others have yet to be released, normally 6 crew per aircraft but we are now top heavy with crew.

regards

Keepitlit

Apparently due to the sudden change in the required numbers we now have too many pilots. The unpaid leave machine will now go into full swing instead of the recruitment one. I guess new commands are off as well. A sudden change of course I'm afraid...

Heard from Brian today that there will be a net loss of 1 hull over the year. All increases in pilot head count really focused on 2009. Though they are supposedly looking at placements?!
:hmm:

Well thats another 8 just plunged in the deep end and treading water!

Hurray! I'm one of those newly invited members to the country club. I hope there's not too much clorine in the water - treading water will surely help me lose a bit of weight too.

Greetings to all the other members. JD:D

Can't let us drop off the front page so well got 8 more guys wellcome.

Anyone got anymore news/info what did BB say to you guys entering the frame?

I'm afraid you guys at the 'front' of the holding pool have just been pushed even further back.........

Reason?....

The 8 guys who had left the pool to start in 2weeks and 6weeks received letters today that they are no longer required, contracts canceled and thrown back into the pool for an unknown period. :\

Sorry to bring even more depressing news to the BMI recruitment scenario!

Anyone else shed some light on this?

Pushes me back to number 26 and a looooooooong wait!

kempus

For those pilots that have had their new contracts 'cancelled', does anyone have any more details on this? As most pilots are on 3 months notice, I'm assuming some of these new recruits had already resigned from their current jobs and have been left with nothing.

It is the case that most people have been left with 'nothing' including some who have handed in their notice and are now left high and dry.:ouch:

I guess a pretty new contract is only worth the paper it is written on!

Not the first time bmi have left people high and dry shortly after offering them a job. There should be a law against it. At the very least there should be significant financial compensation which matches the severe problems caused.

Then they have the cheek to slap a bond on new recruits! All very one sided, isn't it! How about imposing a "bond" upon bmi as soon as they make a job offer which is accepted? That's called fair play (as if they'd know what that is!).

Harsh as it sounds guys, bmi are a business, and business is business I'm afraid, and business isn't nice. Same in any industry. Keep the faith!!

Nice to see you again flapsfullretard hope you're not using the LORDS name in vain. Keep in touch. JD:ok:

Well guys, never doubt how disappointed I am (as I'm sure you can tell from my previous posts) but.....

I still believe that 'when' you get in, BMI is still one of the best airlines to be part of. If I didn't then Id be taking the matter further as we have signed contracts, staff numbers, rosters, etc.

As it is, I for one (and I'm sure most of the others) shall return to the pool waiting for that chance to come along again! Until then my uniform shall remain in the wardrobe, except for special occasions! :ok:

SinBin,

Business is indeed business, but this wonderful industry we are in is the only one I have worked in where companies can screw up people lives and livelyhoods time and time and time again, and we as employees just keep coming back for more.

I'm not having a dig solely at bmi here, but in this day and age a contract of employment should be just that. If people have handed their notice in on the basis of a written and signed contract of employment that should be honoured, it certainly was in my pre-aviation (banking) career.

TB

Sorry to hear the bad news guys. As they say "keep the faith".

If it's any consolation, bmi have a pretty good track record of picking up people they've had to let go in the past, even if it's eventually. Just make sure you keep in touch and they know where to find you. As always when they want people, it'll be can you start yesterday.:ugh:

Guys,
Dont be under any illusions, load both barrels of the CV gun, yes they may come back and offer IF THEY need you, but I wouldnt hold my breath for any change for 18 months, prob by then the Bishop will have served his put option to the highest bidder.
My personal opinion is the deals already done and no more aircraft are requirement for the deal to go through, hence the backtrack on the expansion and all the extra crew.
I hope im wrong but looking at the bigger Airline chess board there is alot of movement from the "majors" ie KLM/AF merge BA sell GB and off load Loganair and cityexpress.



regards

Keepitlit

So whats happening with bmi? I am under the impression now that SMB is going to hand us over to someone else. There is a lot of rumour flying about in the crew rooms at the mo, any one care to add?

it will be like the GB guys, the first you will hear about it will be in the news!

regards

keepitlit

Don't know if this is any use to the people just left high and dry, but worth a look, perhaps. Some contradictory feedback, that's for sure. Anyway, can't hurt to mention it.

'Ryanair Pilot Shortage'

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=297808

Passing Time
 

To all those kicking their heels in the hold pool - what are you all doing to pass the time until getting picked up????? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. JD:ok:

Hey Junglie-driver,

I'm in the hold pool since 16 october..
Picked up my old parttime job again.

Also been in the pool since middle of Oct, offered another job elsewhere, spoke to BB about it and advised me to take it.
Still in the pool and will still join bmi when TR courses start again but that doesn't look like until late 2008 to early 2009! :uhoh:

Been in the pool since April!!

Declined 2 interviews since being given a start date and receiving a contract....:mad:

Now feeling a complete MUPPET as back in the pool. :ugh:

Also been told late 2008 at the earliest.

Anyone need their car washing..... £3 anyone???? :sad:

one day soon - Hope there will be some movement in the Holdpool before next April!

And I'll take you up on the car wash if you don't mind travelling down to Dorset - I'd even through in a couple of quid for travel expenses.

JD

Interesting email this morning! What guys thinking now?
Apply for flybe, get in, fly for a year then buy yourself out the bond when TR's at bmi start.

Gets you airline experience and cheaper than Ryanair. Only wish I thought of that before! Doh!

kempus

Is flybe that easy to get into? if they were surely everyone would be doing it ;)

A valid point! insert "attempt to" in the relevent place! :}