MP20

I guess that they have been inundated with applications and have more than enough candidates for this recruitment period. Some of the low houred guys had an assessment day last Friday.

There were approx 16 there and they were given a company presentation followed by being split up into groups of 5-6 for group test. They then had a tech test with 40+ questions (multi-choice with 3 answers) and then an interview that lasted about 1 hour.

The interview was apparently a bit chaotic with one guy being interviewed by the chief pilot and another by a 20 something HR person and another by 2 people.

They also briefed that they have not yet decided on contract terms or pay rates either.

Regards

There seems to be a lot of negativity regarding the Jet2 recruitment, so I'd be grateful if someone could explain their viewpoint to me.

I have recently left a flying school, and so have no commercial experience. ("Ah," you say "there's the problem!") In the past, people in my situation looking for the Holy Grail of the first job have often found a helping hand in the form of flyBe.

For those knocking the Jet2 salary, it appears that every month a Jet2 F/O on 70% will still take home around £200+ more than a flyBe F/O.

For those being disparaging of the base locations, they're certainly no worse than some of those being offered by flyBe (Inverness, Aberdeen, IoM spring to mind). No offence to anyone there, just inconvenient to visit family and friends.

For those against the age of the fleet, a Classic Type Rating is only differences training away from an NG, not a completely new rating. And a similar comment could apply to flyBe; the Dash-8 may be a technologically incredible aircraft, but there aren't too many European/UK operators around if you leave flyBe.

The comments saying "hang on, the upturns just around the corner" might well be valid. Might not be. While the boats here, I'd like to get on board before it sails! If you've plenty of hours and experience, you probably feel more confident that the bigger "better" airlines will look at your applications. For a low-houred pilot like me, I don't have that experienced-based assurance.

Paying for your own rating is a big down-side, but the rating is less expensive than either Ryanair's or easyJet's, and unlike these two there's the guarantee that your base will be in the UK, and you'll know it before paying for the rating. It sounds as though 99% of the staff at Jet2 are good people too, which doesn't pay bills as someone said, but can make a huge difference to the prospect of going into work.

And for some (myself included), the time off in the winter doesn't sound dreadful as long as you've a hobby/past-time to entertain yourself or even a qualification to study for.

Of the options facing people in my situation, it doesn't seem like a bad one, and I'm aware that flying schools are still cranking the handle adding fresh ab-initios into the job pool every month, so I'm keen to get into employment before I appear stale.

I agree it's not the best job, but for my position I can't help but think it's the best job out there.

I'd be thankful if the half-empty readers would try and explain the negative sides, bearing in mind the alternatives available to me. It'd be really helpful too if you'd add a little about your situation/experience so I can appreciate your perspective.

And sorry if this sounded a bit anti-flyBe at the beginning. It's 100% not meant to be, just a comparison with another low-houred employer and trying to show Jet2 in the light that I see it.

Thanks!

@John Alcock

Thank you for voicing the feelings of, I'm sure, many low hours pilots.

Unfortunately I did not progress past the initial selection stage for Jet2 after applying through the available channels... but these things happen ...

Also being low hours I quite agree with much of what you have said and I admit to also suffering from the fear of turning stale; those newly acquired skills, which is what I believe they are no matter how well tests have gone and how glowing a flying reference might be, certainly feel as if they are fast fading despite my best efforts.

As I see things however there is a flaw in the potential offer with Jet2 (and I expressed this opinion in a previous post, prior to receiving the bad news) and that is that 5 months off over winter after only one season of flying is most lilely not the best way to consolidate the learning process. I am sure that many will agree that a busy summer flying season while very intensive does not suddenly convert us from low-hours, inexperienced pilots to experienced FOs with the knack to pick up where we left off, and back comes the issue of skills fade...

If someone with experience of training low-hours pilots in an airline environment wishes to correct me and tell me that I am selling myself short then please feel free but I try to be aware of my own limitations and I reckon I would be pretty rusty after 5 months off (even if I were "flying" a single about, which I still love to do...)

Unfair comparison. Try the other large established UK tour operators such as Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomsonfly operating B737/B757 or similar, not a turboprop regional payscale. All of these airlines have employed low houred pilots in the past and will again.

A standard Jet2 contract is already low pay and this 70% salary for 80% deal probably puts you on 50% pay (or a turboprop salary) when compared to other UK Boeing/Airbus operators. Don't forget you won't get flight pay, diem, etc. in the 5 winter months. Just like P2F, these temporary part time contracts will also spread like a cancer in the industry.

I'm not saying its a bad deal if you can make it work for you and suits your lifestyle or present situation. I am worried it will drag the rest of the industry down to its level.

The airline knows this and will manage its payscales accordingly.

You're probably right.

I applied on the 29th of august, got a call yesterday to set up a phone call interview for today....it was very quick..they change their mind overnight...."From today we are are not going to get low hours pilots anymore". That's why the removed the app from the website.

Sorry to bring this bad news to all like me..waiting for something.....:ugh:

Little confused about what Jet2 is doing to me!

I applied for the post last year, had an interview in Nov 09 and was told I'd be contacted within 2 weeks with a result. To date I still have no reply and when I call up the HR department say they will get back to me............

I have again applied this year, while other colleagues have been given a no thanks or please come to interview, I still have had no correspondence from them.

TR'd on 757 with 1000hrs and looking for a job next Summer........I guess I better keep looking!

Sorry to hear that for the low-time guys, they do change there mind very quickly and might do again, you never know.

As for the comments comparing Jet2 with FlyBe, well all I can say is that most of us here at Jet2 are striving towards the improvement of T&C's not the degradation of them.

Comparing us with albeit a very successful regional turboprop/jet operator, shows nothing more than a lack of experience within this industry. Don't mean it to sound harsh but there it is.

The whole point of benchmarking T&C's is to strive to improve things not to always work to the lowest common denominator, which lets be honest, airlines have been doing for the past several years.

We should be looking at the best parts of all the comparable UK airlines T&C's and strive for that, even if it is unlikely to happen, we should at least aim high.

I do feel for the new starters, I was one not so long ago and it is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, but paying for type ratings, bonded and only a 70% contract is just a bad deal, and this reflects and effects all of us here at Jet2.

Just a note and not sure how true this is but apparently the CAA have told Jet2 that they can not employ too many cadets as there is an issue with the dilution of experience. Think this is aimed mostly at the B757 fleet. As I say this is unsubstantiated gossip, so take it with a Everest size pinch of salt, but there could be some truth in it.

Finally, think most of the guys at FlyBe would argue, as they are doing at the moment, that they should be paid a hell of a lot more than they currently do, it's bloody scandalous what they're being paid. It needs to be brought in line with the rest of the Jet operators in the UK! They have my total support....

Still haven't heard, but as a low houred, non-TR candidate it looks like my app will have been filed in the circular filing cabinet as well.

recruiting.
 

What you all have to realise is that the goal posts in Jet2 are fitted with frictionless castors. "Being able to respond quickly to market conditions" is the corporate thinking behind this strategy. However when they are setting the market conditions that is, I suggest, a bit disingenuous.
However, the majority of the crews, cabin and tech, are very nice to work with; there is the odd exception but then nothing is perfect in my experience. The engineering back up is brilliant. SO, nil desporandum chaps and chapesses, if you can get through the fog of HR and the recruitment process enjoy!

You can bet your life when they do recruit, it'll be on similar 'summer only' contracts.....like Thomas Cook did this season. :yuk:

It is always difficult going through a recruitment process particularly when the flow of information is largely one way ie. from applicant to employer. I suspect, as has been said before, that Jet2's pilot needs are still quite sketchy and will without doubt change. I'm sure everyone has realized that some pilots will be needed for Glasgow but beyond that it is very hard to tell. It's no good speculating as to what kind of contracts are on offer because they may well change at the 11th hour aswell (and by 11th hour I mean possibly after completing a type rating at great personal expense - take it or leave it). I think if you're a low hour pilot (self improver/flight intructor/air taxi pilot or whatever) you should count yourself very lucky if you get an airline job on a 737/757, and I don't think anyone would blame you for taking part time, but it won't be easy being expected to do an LPC/OPC after 5 months no flying.
I would be interested to know if applicants are being asked their views on unions. As you may or may not know there is an ongoing campaign for BALPA recognition at Jet2 - to which the management are opposed and are doing their utmost to delay proceedings. Whatever your views on unions, this recruitment while necessary I'm sure could also be a management tactic to dilute the BALPA membership in Jet2 and thereby scupper statutory recognition. Food for thought.

I haven't heard anything either way. No PFO email or a phone call. Low hours non TR also. Even a recommendation letter from one of their current pilots has not held any sway in the matter. :( Bases and company suited me just fine too. Back to the drawing board I guess.

I got a rejection email today

2500TT 600 Jet 1200 Turbine, 4 different types but Non typed on either 737 or 757, and live 40 mins from one of the bases an hour from another base.

Am in a job so not too concerned.

Seems the 737 TR's will be payable up front for all non-rated FOs regardless of experience... I'll just keep flying my current (better) aircraft thanks. :ouch:

Low-hours FOs are going for assessment & interview next week.

S.

babotika and binsleepen,

Can you say where you each got this info from regarding Type Rating funding?

babotika, you say it's "payable up front", but binsleepen said at a recent assessment the candidates were "briefed that they have not yet decided on contract terms or pay rates either."

All of those rejected, you made a lucky escape. Jet2 are the bottom-feeding airline of the decade. They treat their staff like dogs; they treat flight deck even worse.

If you want any more details, please PM me.

They are not to be trusted.

Deristrictor,

I'm sure there are many who are keen to hear what you have to say (myself included). Why not post it on here, it's an anonymous rumour forum after all!

If you don't feel comfortable, I'd be grateful of a private message.

Thanks,

JA

Derestrictor please do not hide behind comments like that lets hear them in the open !! Personally i find the Job at Jet2 as follows .. its been a busy summer ... i dont think it will be that busy next Summer.. most days have been 2 sectors not 4 ... on the 73' no deep night flying generally last landing at 10/11pm earliest start 6am. Plenty of route variety. After 4 years i am personally still enjoying coming and flying for this company. Life is never perfect.. but just remember the grass isn't always greener either, its all what you make of it and and your attitude !!!

Captainkingkong,

Have to agree. Very friendly company, not the best paid job in the world. Earliest start 6am, latest finish midnight (depending on fleet). No or very few overnights.

Hmm not sure i agree about next summer, we were so busy due to the level of crewing, we're going to be doing more routes with more aircraft and will need even more crew. Training courses need to start by October to get the guys on line for next summer and that aint going to happen....

By all accounts, the company are only looking at Oxford cadets for the 73 positions of which there are not many and experienced guys 1500hrs plus, including not type rated, for the 75.

For what it's worth I've been with Jet2 for 4 years. The SFO pay isn't too bad when you consider I only flew 400 hours, got most of the days off or leave I requested, didn't have to work too many days in a row and there aren't too many night flights or very earlies........

On the whole, the staff are a great bunch and a good laugh.

If your after job perks, stable rosters and large incentives then forget it but I don't think I've flown with too many people who are truly miserable at Jet2. Should BALPA achieve recognition, then fingers crossed, terms and conditions will improve and Jet2 may become a career airline..........

i left jet2 about 4 years ago. The crews were fantastic, but the money was diabolical, and it appears to have got worse. There are better deals out there.

I have been here two and a half years and really enjoy it. Yes the money is crap but i do see this improving in time.....its going to have too! Great crews, rostering and crewing are genuinely very helpful when they can be, like 757 speedbrakes i have just about all the days off i requested this year and on the 757 they are long days but only work on average 12 to13 days a month even in the summer due to high block hours.

Market forces will drive up terms here, but you have to be in it to win it!

I got a telephone call, nice chap had to be honest kept a 'flexible' attitude for TR but preference was not to pay for a 737 rating. And also this 70% story. I do have a flyng job so not too dissapointed by the 'no' email. Who knows maybe If I lived at home and didnt have a mortgage etc, perhaps i would have considered it a more of a serious - er hum - proposition. Im not low time but would have started from the bottom seniority wise thats fine. Perhaps in the future when the terms are more favourable then you'll may see me say yes to a few more of the questions asked - nice to meet you Jet 2 and thanks for a call I'll drop by maybe in a couple of years when you have your shop front re-done regards DD.

Hey! Purple Pitot!

Still flying your toy? Did you hear about poor old Sam Hardy?

I agree with some previous posters, Jet2 is a great little place to work & I've returned to smiling while on my way in to work but that 'warm, fuzzy feeling' driving in to work doesn't pay the bills &/or loans for training costs. Comments like that are usually spouted by the incrementally privileged, management or fortunates bankrolled by parental deep pockets or re-settlement grants.

Back on thread.... you're spot on,PP, there are some cracking jobs out there at the mo' for B737 & B757 crews alike. But I do like the option of sitting on a beach or cruise ship for the 5 months off during the winter on a 70% deal. But it should be 100% pay for 7 months (summer) & 80% pay for the remaining 5 months of the year, as that is what was offered to the 100%'ers for winter working once the 70%'ers were in & on-line. This small stab in the back didn't go unnoticed.

Ideally, the range of contract offers should be along the lines of:

100% all year round for those who want to fly and sit at home on Standby all winter.

100% April-Oct, 80% Nov-March for those who want the winter off .

100% May-Oct (6 months on/off) so one can look for 3/6 months contracting work to suit them with a retainer paid by Jet2 to ensure these guys return for the next season.

I know a few of the current crop of 70%'ers & the 100% fixed term'ers & if they follow through with their intentions, Jet2's severest problems will manifest themselves in March/April next year when these guys are due to return to Jet2 for Summer 2011. There is a common theme running through their gripes & it is that loyalty works both ways. Imagine the dilemma of the 70%'er F/O's come March, continue contracting on £3500/month or return to working for Jet2 on £1800/month. Surely the best solution all round is that people have the option to do either or both as suits them.

There are over 20 Capts & F/O's (who should be SF/O's due to their experience alone!) who are on the 70% or fixed term Contracts & to a man (& lady) they are generally not happy with the way Jet2 are handling the relationship for Summer 2011. Most of these Crews have alternative activities organized for the 'Rest' period & it will be interesting to see, come March, how many are willing to rejoin Jet2.com on the deal or even on a 100% of the current offerings. Would Jet2.com's various departments such as HR, Recruitment, Flight Ops Admin' & Training be able to cope with say for example half of the 70%'ers not returning & resigning in late March?

Looking at things from the company's perspective, cloaks of secrecy surrounding Commercially sensitive plans are vital but count for a lot of employees perceptions & calls of "The Company's telling us nothing about the future".However vital expansion provided by additional aircraft manned by recruited & retained crews has to be a closely guarded secret in organisations as vulnerable as airlines of Jet2's size. Already we have seen RYR increasing LBA based aircraft to a possible 4 or 6 B737NG's & at NCL, TCX are adding 2 or 3 more B757's. Jet2 have some increasingly serious competition & revealing next seasons routes & strategy as well as keeping operating costs (including salaries) to a minimum are essential tools for survival. And many jobs depend on that survival.

If I could give a message to Jet2 management, it would be this:

A happy workforce is a productive one,
Loyalty works both ways,
Flexibility is the key to Air Power.

Simplification of contracts, raising of Terms & Conditions to industry average & appropriations for the retainment of vitally experienced Managers & Crews is in the hands of a few (namely 1).

Over to you, Jet2. PM me if anyone wishes to discuss what little knowledge I have of Jet2 privately.

Apparently guys on the current 70% contracts have all been offered 100% from next April! will be interesting to see how many take it up!!

Oh and what seniority.....:sad:

Rejected
 

Got a rejection email today.

Non TR
Currently 3500TT Turbo Prop FO with ATPL and house in Edinburgh 5 mins from the airport.

Reckon it's all a marketing exercise and a bit of hoovering up the 200 hour guys who'll bend over.

Not all true,

Got a phone call yesterday to attend the assessment day next Wed. 3200TT non TR 2500 heavy jet, ex military. Apparently several guys were phoned and couldn't make next Wed.

Regards

So Jet 2 will be getting their hands on your gratuity then?

I think the future is looking quite bright in Jet2, with a fair bit of expansion planned. I understand that the guys who were on summer only contracts this year have all been offered 100% contracts for next year, and the company is looking to increase its core pilot number by 100.

So for those of you who get though the assessment process who are offered what on the face of it appears to be quite an unattractive deal by Jet2, its a foot in the door, and the prospect of an improved contract hopefully within a fairly short time frame.

And if Balpa is approved, t's and c's might even improve eventually too!

San Expiry,

Not at all see my earlier post about trains. I said at the phone interview that I would consider whatever they offer, and I will, but this does not mean I will accept it. There is a growing number of carriers who are starting to recruit. I hope that they will see me and decide that this is the guy they want, and give me a 100% contract at my base of choice and bond me for a TR.:) I can hope. However I will give it my best shot and see what they have to offer. I see no point in getting all negative until I actually get offered a job and see the T&Cs. In the meantime I will stay positive and use the experience to increase my skills at interview and assessments.

Regards

Good to hear not everyone has been ruled out yet as I'm still awaiting news either way!

Assessment
 

I quite agree with your approach any idea what the assessent process entails?

Nothing heard here either, I haven't seen or heard anyone who is TR with experience get a look in yet!!! Sadly they will simply earn more and be in a position to bond Non-TR / Non-Experienced people for longer too..

Still it is good to see that Jet2 are offering their existing workforce on 70% full-time jobs for next year, not doing so would be a real kick in the teeth for them so at least it shows they have some morals.....:D

Dan98,

No airline has morals. They will only ever do what the market forces them to do. Or if the workforce is unionised, then collective bargaining will also work to the employees advantage.

As jet2 isn't yet unionised, that would suggest it's the market that is forcing jet2 to improve the offers being made to it's crews for next year. And that is good news for everyone, whether employed by jet2 or not, as it suggests that pilots are slowly becoming in demand once again.

Rumours from Jet2 are that the experienced guys will be getting a luck in next week for interviews and telephoned soon!

Looks like this is true, just had a missed call and voicemail to advise that they would like to further my application.

What a time to be in the bloody GYM!! :D

MAB

MAB

What's your experience if you don't mind me asking? At least they didn't say you've missed your chance :ok:

NM,

Totally agree...:D

BA 737 recruitment 10/2010
 

Wonder how BA recruitment will affect Jet2 and others still offering quite low Ts&Cs?