Baron Blue
 

Of course if you give them the chance to grab three months pay that is what they will do !

It would seem to me that you are in a mind set that is going to make you a victim of his intimidation.

I see the situation very differently, the UK courts take a dim view of Restraint of Trade and bonding people for vastly more than the training is worth falls firmly into that catorgry. EXS know this but play the intimidation game by holding the "financial gun" to your heads, it is only when it is taken to court do both sides find out if the gun is loaded.

The question you have to ask is what are the consequences to EXS if there is no ammunition in their gun? the answer is that the whole bond thing will turn into a free for all and they will loose big time, it is far better for them to negotiate a private settlement with those who have the balls to front them up and keep the rest of the workforce in fear of what may well be an unloaded gun.

I have no problem with training bonds as long as the bond reflects the true cost of the training, after all a company has the right to expect to see a return on its investment, however inflated bonds are simply a restraint of trade.

A and C - I think you'll find that training bonds are not subject to any laws in regard to the amount, that applies to European law also, but where the law does step in is to apply whatever has been agreed and signed for in an employment contract.

I have no issue with bonding agreements when applied sensibly.

RAFAT
 

Back in the 90's when there was no pay to fly and bonds were the way training finance was conducted there was a lot of speculation about the restraint of trade issue.

With the number of pilots who left companies before the end of the bond period I was always surprised that no pilot ever ended up in court with the company trying to recover the bond.

The only conclusion that I could come to is that the companies did not want to test the bond contract in open court, what usually happened is the both parties agreed on a settlement and a privacy clause so the true value of the bond did not become public knowledge.

The truth of the matter is that this issue will only be resolved if some one takes it to court.

It down to what you sign up for in the first place, don't sign and then moan, there were quite a few baby guys who didn't like what was on offer and went else where, equally a good few turned down other operators offers so they could stay in the UK with a promise of the Midlands when able.

Most companies bond for training which is fair, some have started to push it a bit further to lock you in. Very few companies now care whether you've walked away from a bond if you can show your previous employer was a ball & chain company.

Its very simple, if you don't want people to leave treat them fairly and with respect, yes a few will always take the piss, but better to show the rest of your employee's that it is their ex mates that are taking the piss rather than the company taking the piss!!

The baby pilots who joined Norwegian were not bonded for the NG conversion, were paid full basic salary after completion of 2 week ground school course (daily rate during ground school including HTL) and full salary including allowances from start of production i.e. line training all are on a 1 months notice contract and two have left after a very short time and i understand the company was very grown up about it, basically if for what ever reason your not happy they'd rather let you go and they were paid every last penny owed, both parties move on and no incrimination or negative comment on forums such as this, all rather grown up.

Current issues aside, does anyone know if they will be re-starting non-typed recruitment this Autumn?

Yes they will be.

Apparently.

Jet2 Operations
 

Has anyone applied for the Flight Planning job with Jet2 (vacancy posted in April 2013)? Applied in late April, haven't heard anything yet. Anyone any idea how long it takes for them to let you know if your application was successful?

Out of this Non-Rated recruitment, What are the chances of fresh from school wannabes?
Just I am looking to stay at my school and instruct for two years and want to weigh up my options.

Thanks

Seymoreskye,

Personally, I would do a couple of years instructing, with is invaluable flying, honing your skills and passing them on.
A lot of the guys I fly with have been instructors and they have gone on to be great line trainers, due to the fact they instructed before joining an airline.
You have plenty of time to get into that big shiny jet.

Just a thought.

Thanks Mackey & Scratch,

Two different opinions but both very fair.

I feel fortunate to have options and I feel the instructing will also offer me some security to fall back on to as the future is never certain.

I understand that the Shiny gives me quicker career advancement maybe and certainly higher pay to clear my loans so if that came along I would find it impossible to say no.

My short term goal is to get some FI time in, 1000 hours minimum and build up my experience. Next step on the ladder I suppose!

Thanks

Hi Seymoreskye,

Instructing is fun and rewarding so I'd highly recommend it, the FI course isn't easy though!

Anyone else know if instructing experience would be an advantage if Jet2 were to start NTR recruitment later this year?

Thanks,

Thanks Robby, You done your FI? Age & Location are the same

Parc are re-advertising for Jet2 contract pilots...

Out of interest, are pilots based at EDI or GLA required to report to either/both bases?

Will they ever just bite the bullet, admit to us all there ain't enough crew and just recruit already! Or is that just me?

Shaman,

New EDI/GLA crew will have either EDI or GLA as your primary base where a majority of flights will be operated from but as you are dual based, you can be rostered operate flights from either.

Nuke Hunt,

Would you say you are happy about that? I suppose the distance is not bad,

The future seems good for Jet2 with expansion especially in the scottish bases.

And the fact Dartgroups shares are now £2 and rising.

Nukehunt,

Thank you for answering my query. I was interested in a contract position but I am carless at the moment so a Scottish base sounds like it would be out for me unless I can rent a cheap car somewhere...

Shaman, you get extra time if you're required to report to your secondary base. Out of interest how would you travel to your primary base sans car?

M'Lud,

It was my hope that I could find accom near enough for me to walk or get a bus. Perhaps there is an hotel which offers good rates to Jet2 aircrew?