Any idea on time to command / CCQ to 330? Always wanted to fly the 330, and now they have a few more routes i'd figure there'd be some movement onto the big toy!

Time to command, as much publicised and historically speaking very high. With the turbulence we've undergone, some folks have been waiting 15+ years and those on the low end of captain seniority have been demoted/promoted. It's reasonably safe to assume the days of 10 years to command are slowly coming back. That is of course, if the current stability/momentum continues.

CCQ, if the A330 is what you want, you'll have to choose MAN as your base, 3-4 years (regardless of past experience) most likely. Currently time to A330 at LGW is high. Once (if) we get rid of Air Tanker I would imagine things would change very quickly with LH looking like it has been very successful out of both GLA and STN.

Major internal leadership shuffle and a "significant" recruitment campaign starting this winter have just been announced. So glad that this time next year I'll be 50 places up! :ok:

And just like that...

https://thomascook.taleo.net/careers...tal=4370450322

Are there any TCXers who can give an idea of time to command and possible training positions on the 75?

Time to command around 10 years. Seniority based. I'm really happy here - no complaints at all

Damn, so close. I hope they looked at non rated. I'm on a wide body Boeing but the wrong rating.

What about the 76, is that senior guys only?

Many training opportunities or anything else you can get into?

Time to command is based on seniority, not fleet. I would plan on 10 years as things stand at present. If you want the 76 (or indeed the 75) then MAN is your only choice. The 75's are on the way out, with GLA moving to the A321 this winter. I'm not sure what is happening to the two 753's or how long the 767's will stay. The 767's fly for Condor during the winter and TCX pilots cover the flying.

There is talk of some training opportunities for F/O's. Quite a lot of the tech/CRM stuff is delivered over the winter and during ground transition courses by very capable and knowledgable F/O's. I'm not sure if there are any plans for F/O's to take up TRI roles, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it happening soon.

Correct me if Im wrong, but I'm assuming contracts such as 7 months on/5 months off means you have no duties to fly during the off peak winter months. If that is correct, what do pilots do during that time? get assigned desk jobs?

Do as you wish as you are not being paid.

EZY vs TC
 

Joined easyjet a couple years ago as flexi with a few thousand hours, now second officer and looking at two years of part time with low pay before the contract gets any decent. Working my a** off all summer, lots of four sector days, call out from standby the rule rather than the exception. How does TC compare to EZY salary wise, roster, stability etc? Any feedback from MAN-based guys would be very appreciated

Also, what contract can initially be expexted for an FO with around 3500 hrs on airbus? Do you still have to start at the bottom as SO?

More like 14 years to command. Pal of mine joined Nov. 2000. Just been told he's been penciled in for a command course at some point between Oct. and next Apr.

A lot lower now. Big retirement bulge coming. Sub 10 years.

any TC guys can give as an insight on roster, pay and general working conditions?

Thomas Cook
 

I think at the moment beatings are to continue until morale improves

A lot lower now. Big retirement bulge coming. Sub 10 years.

Do you know when I first heard about this "Big retirement Bulge" ??

1988 !!! Still hasn't arrived----can only assume it isn't going to!

TRY2FLY, do you work for Thomas Cook, if so is it that bad?

I'd call it a retirement bulge. Goes from 5ish retirements a year now to 20-25 a year quite quickly. Almost 200 retirements in the next 10 years plus plenty of senior guys wanting part time due to taxation issues etc. Sub 10 years is about right IMO.

There's not really a retirement 'bulge'. I have a copy of the age demographics which I have no intention of publishing here. However I does show 130 captains reaching 65 in the next ten years. Remember there already 230+ F/Os so you can make your own judgement.