You'll get a command in EK as quick as you'll get one in easy. Lot of promotions in the coming year but people already have their names on those and beyond that it'll slow down again. I reckon the 120 published will increase slightly though.

Interesting comment and of course one that should be included so how many we talking over the next year? 10, 20, surely no more than that?

@Cmon-PullUP
That's interesting numbers, so I guess that means that there are only around 200 (S)FO's with more than 2000 eJ hours out of around 1100ish. Seems a little low but if it is so then no wonder eJ are trying to recruit some experienced guys.

Finally I don't think the fact that time to command could be shorter than elsewhere but that some throw around numbers without backing them up. Anyone joining now would be at the back of anyone that is signed up to the command program already. It has been mentioned that this is possible after 2000 eJ factored hours. I'm of the opinion that just about every pilot that meets that requirement will in fact sign up and so this is how I get to my numbers, I'm an outsider and open to other points of view and corrections.

Just something to bear in mind for those eyeing a fast track command.

I joined as experienced crew a few years back, initially on contract then permanent following redundancy. Be aware that there is a requirement to have completed 6 months PERMANENT employment before you are eligible to even start the command process. There are 120 command upgrades this winter but were only 50 last winter so impossible to give an accurate time to command as it varies considerably each year. However, from my experience plan on 2-4 years from being made permanent.

As for working for EZY, I like it. Agreed it's getting in that's the issue, and big, carefully considered decisions are necessary. Just my opinion. Hope it helps and good luck to all in making the right call for them.

I joined easyJet with 7500 hours as an FO, at a time they were desperate for commanders and there were no waiting lists - and it still took 18 months to run through the process to command.

easyJet have no seniority - true, but it is a one type airline (no need for seniority for fleet bids). Once a person has completed command assessment they are on the list, in position, for promotion - and that list is currently 2-3 years long.

Having said that - it is a good airline to work for, with good people.

So, let me get this right....The current list is 2-3 years long, which means that unless you join as an SFO (because you need to be in order to be considered for command), and on a permanent contract (also required to be considered for command), the earliest you'd expect to command as a new joiner is 2-3 years minimum?

Therefore, if you join as anything other than SFO, e.g., SO, or Parc contract, you could spend 2-3 years waiting before you're even eligible for command, meaning the total time to command would be between 4-6 years, ie. the same as what we were told a new joiner cadet would expect to do.

So the question I have is, why were they asking for experienced FO's? And what are easy up to with these applicants?! :ugh:

SuBo, you've been given some duff information.

New joiners can only spend a maximum of 12 month on contract so 12 plus 6 months is 18 months then conservatively let's say 36 months on the command list gives a maximum of 4.5 years.

However since there are so many commanders in their early 30's who aren't planning on going anywhere at some point the game of musical chairs will stop or at least go to a crawl at which point 10 years will be the norm......

PS stop seeing a conspiracy......there is none.

Mr P,

If I may weigh-in on that, being a BA pre-Oct 06 retiree. The question of how many over the next year is irrelevant because you wouldn't be on a command course within a year of starting. The point Meikleour was making is that there is a significant number of us. I know of four who have retired in the last month alone. I will be gone in 2.5 years and so will quite a few others whom I know. There is also a contingent of ex-Cathay, ex-Virgin and ex-sandpit people who are all within sight of their personal sunsets.

I happen to be a TRE and closely involved with command selection and training at EZY so I'd like to add this: One gets the feeling from a number of posters here that all you have to do is turn up with the hours and the LHS spot will be yours. It won't be like that. As well as a Base Captain interview you will have to do the command development eLearning package which comprises a number of CBT presentations. Then there is a series of command development flights and a rigorous command assessment simulator detail and interview with a TRE. Once through that your record will be reviewed and if successful, you will join the queue. The aim of the development and assessment is to eliminate, if possible, failures on the course. There is a high expectation that everyone on a course will pass. Despite all that we still have a few failures each year.

The course itself is three days ground school, 6 simulator details and 26 sectors. It is high pressure; not a stroll in the park. People who gain their four rings at EZY these days have earned them.

Having said all that I do hope that a significant number of experienced people from all backgrounds accept what's on offer. You are needed. I cannot comment on the contracts offered; those are the remit of the commercial and HR people.

Wingswinger

My concern (addressed to you as someone who is involved in the command process) is the attitude that some of the hopefuls on here have. Their understandable desire for the LHS and obvious feeling that they justify a quick command may make them poor supporting FO's for some of our new, young commanders. An experience and age gap between the LHS and RHS is a known issue, however so is the fact that older more experienced FO's flying with younger less experinenced captains can also cause problems. By the time these new recruits get onto the command list there will be a significant number of FO's above them who have only ever experienced CTC and easyJet.

We just have to trust that the recruiters in easyJet are taking as much careful consideration when choosing future pilots to their attitiude as they are to their experience and qualifications. Experience and qualifications are easy to assess; attitude is more difficult. As some have suggested; what they portray here is vastly difference to how they present at interview.

Their attitude is derived from the industry. Europe has made it relatively easy to sit in any jet for any major airline with as little as 200hrs. Therefore these individuals have had it easy compaired to previous generations and other countries such as in the FAA system where you work your way up as in any other profession. Its no surprise at all that these characters have a bad attitude as everything has been given to them on a plate.

A possible insight into a/one Senior EZY pilots view on the matter?

In this thread, one pilots "sunset" is another pilots "nuclear wasteland".

Frankly though, if the aforementioned is the case, everybody contemplating joining ought to hold out for something better. Why colleagues on the inside of the airline, aren't saying that? One can only speculate....

The Southwest Airlines motto is "Doing the Right Thing". The book, The Southwest Airlines Way, identifies various reasons why the organisation is so successful and respected.

EZY is doing this the wrong way. There is no justifiable reason for many of the aspects of this NEC. For instance, the numbers of experienced NR'ed people failing TR's on joining a new Company must be vanishingly small.

Various contributors may feel the end justifies the means, but SuBo is right, in the sense that, if EZY kicks off its relationship with these new experienced pilots on such a shaky footing, why should they believe the leopard will ever change its spots? Similarly, how can they fail to be surprised when there is no loyalty shown henceforth?
:eek:

I do hope these inferences of "bad attitude" are not directed at me...but if they are, and that is some individuals interpretation, then fair enough, but your concerns are misplaced.

My argument here is not one of "deserving" a quick command, but more that the recruitment drive was aimed at people who were presumably required at a higher level of experience, which in my mind suggested a quicker command than would be expected as a new joiner with limited experience. With this in mind, and with command many many years away in my current airline, I applied. I was open and honest at selection, and asked the question of the recruiters as to the length of time expected to command (provided you fill all the required criteria that wingswinger detailed). I stated that their presentation said that 6 years was the average, and asked the question, to be told that it would be "much quicker for you". Subsequent communication has left me completely in the dark over this issue.

Current FO's would be justifiably peed off if a new joiner jumped the list ahead of them, which I understand, but a seniority system is not strictly in place, and that is attractive to an applicant that comes from one where seniority is in place, and "dead mans shoes" is practically the only way forward to command.

As for causing issues with junior commanders flying with more experienced FO's (in general terms) I do that a lot, so I assure you, that would not be an issue for my part. My role has, and always will be, to support the guy or girl in the other seat, no matter what seat I'm sat in, to ensure a safe and enjoyable day out.

My best guess at what is going on here, is an attempt by management to "divide and conquer"-a common practice these days, and all in a race to the bottom line. I personally don't see what is wrong wit stating ones experience, and pushing for career progression, but clearly if you've never been in the position of waiting 18 years for command, then you won't understand these frustrations.

Anyway, good luck all, I really am off this time, but I'll leave you with one parting comment...

If we don't start sticking up for each other in this industry, we are all :mad:

I think there is some confusion here regarding the term NEC. What's being offered are Cadet Entry Contracts to experienced crews. These are the contracts that BALPA negotiated for ab-initio pilots not direct entry. The company have decided to try their luck and see how many experienced crew will sign up. Underhand, disgraceful, whatever - we all know there will be plenty that do. Easyjet thrives on pushing its luck. You don't get a pay rise unless you threaten strike, you don't get a decent contract unless you threaten strike, your roster will degenerate into a mess unless ..etc. That's just the way it is. It's a simple model and how they treat their suppliers too. That's what you are effectively doing - supplying the ability to fly their planes. It's not all bad on the inside but it is a million years from the old school idea of airline terms and conditions and always will be. 10 years ago the motivation for joining was usually a quick command. Today the motivation for joining is more likely to be job security because quick commands are long gone.
They haven't made it easy for any of you to join because be under no illusion - flexicrew is rubbish. I guess they are testing your resolve to see how much your really want to join. If you want a proper contract with medical cover, hours caps, decent pension etc - forget it. If you want a command in less than 5 years - think very carefully as it may or may not happen. If you crave a command anywhere other than LGW - think carefully as regional waiting lists are long and getting longer (the world revolves around LGW)
If you fancy a LGW base - welcome aboard. If you have ambitions to train and are happy to move to LGW to do it - welcome aboard. If you crave job security (not by base but by company - they regularly shift planes around under relocation 'consultation') - welcome aboard.
It is what it is. If you have serious reservations now then stay away.

SR71,

Not just my view. Many others share it. It was pressure from the trainers that contributed towards the re-opening of recruiting to experienced TR and non-TR pilots.

Some of us will be fairly upset if the contracts offered deter the right people from accepting an offer. Next year we will be working with those recruited however experienced and under whatever contract; all we can do is report upwards about what we find.

Non type rated easyjet recruitment?
 

I say again: senior F/O permanent contracts have been offered to the right candidates!

Good. That is what was supposed to be happening according to my understanding.

Are you able to expand on this statement? Are permanent positions being offered at all bases? So far I've heard that they are only available in France and Germany.

So in summary:
If you join with over 3000 ej factored hours on a flexi contract you do one year (wearing 2 stripes) then if you meet certain criteria you go on to a permanent SO contract at £38k or do you go onto SFO contract? Confused:ugh:

Still not a single person on here who has been offered a permanent contract? We must have all been awful!

Second stage...?
 

Any info/input is appreciated!

I haven't received anything since the good news in May. The mail stated it would take a few weeks to receive more info about the second stage. But nothing since then. Any if you in the same sutuation?
I am not type-rated.

What was the good news in May?