A fair number of FOs are off to BA. Cpts are off to EZY, I seriously doubt these guys will return. Yes they will retain seniority, but Cpts will return as FOs until a vacancy arises.

Quite possibly the few that are off to EK, will make a bucket load of cash and return.

Surely almost any airline is better than Monarch right now given the uncertainties over its' future. Who in their right mind would choose to work at Monarch over BA, EZY, Thompson, Jet 2 and I would even go as far as to say Thomas Cook and Ryanair! EZY's Gatwick operation is well over twice the size of the future Monarch. How exactly are they going to compete in the same market?

The day a turnaround fund took over was the day that Monarch would either be sold in the next few years (or go bust).

So there will be further changes at Monarch, but if you're LHS LGW based, you're choice is only really EZY DEC.

One thing we often forget is if you've worked somewhere 10 years+, moving companies is rarely what you want.

If only life was that simple. Yes BA is better but guess what I did not get through. EZY are not recruiting and if they do will be for a flexi crew position followed by a 38k a year second officer job (which as and adult I can't afford to do), Ryan air have not recruited non rated FOs for ever and if they did would expect you to pay for a rating and would pay you by the hour, Jet2 well my wife works in London my kids are happy down south and again I have the wrong rating, Thompson yes great I will take it only problem is they have not recruited for non rated for years.

Seems like I am out of options. Too many people on here that have obviously not spent much time job hunting.

Enzo999 - easyJet are recruiting and they are not offering flexicrew positions. If you are willing to work in OPO or LIS for a few years, then the job could be yours. Buy this week's Flight International.

I think you will find that Enzo999 has already spent years away from the UK and has already said his wife's income is London based and has young children so OPO and LIS are not options at the moment. His point was, in the UK there are is little better than Monarch (except BA) for a married man wife children and financial commitments. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar are good paying options but he has been there, done that and had the stew (not pork).

Thanks, booking my flight to Lisbon now; I mean who cares about being a husband and father anyway!

Sorry for my down beat attitude, I am simply trying to point out that the state of the industry has left many people such as myself with very little option but to stay and hope with all we have that it works. So it's not entirely useful for people that obviously have a nice secure UK job to come on this forum slagging Monarch off, we all know they are fighting a loosing battle but as I have explained many of us are trapped.

Enzo999
 

With few acceptable options your decision is made for you and at least you have a job, keep current and get to fight another day.

There is a vast number of people in this industry who are now thinking that perhaps with the benefit of hindsight or a bit more foresight that its not really for them. I fly with a good number of late 20, early 30 guys who are simply burnt out with the lack of life style or any life of their own, debts, failed relationships and the rest.

Its particularly difficult for the Monarch Guys, because they'd bought into the myth of we are different at Monarch with Billionaire owners happy to bankroll the losses because its all smoke and mirrors and its not really a loss anyway and the management fed this :mad: to the troops so one can only assume they'd bought into it too??

Everyone with half a brain knows that despite the adjusted cost base, walk away from the pensions, low cost focus the chance of surviving is a best limited, they simply will not achieve the scale required to compete in their chosen market place against the big 4 pan European Lo cost airlines, low fuel prices will buy some time with most airlines, but not Ryanair hedged at prices close to double the current spot price, but these positions will have unwound by the end of the 1st quarter anyway.

From what i hear the rostering protocols at ZB are still generous, personally i think they will need to revisit the productivity before 2015 is out.

So sit tight and keep your eyes wide open, next winter will be very tough

Truth is there are not many alternate options in the UK.
I heard about a guy from GsS , who when it folded, said screw it and became a taxi driver....

I always try not to live anywhere near the salary in case I should have to do the same and I've been made redundant twice already

The fact that some Monarch pilots are wanting to go to jet2 tells you something.

Is it likely Monarch may have to dip into their non type rated hold pool this year? What's the feeling?

As regards Monarch pilots leaving to Jet2, this in my opinion is a very sensible and logical move, as they are a good company to work for.

I wouldn`t knock Jet2 as they are a very sharp airline with first rate crew, a keen eye on cost and wastage, an excellent commercial department and a training centre/department many larger Airlines would wish for.

Just don't ask any questions about disciplinaries or Union bashing!
The guys leaving Monarch for Jet2 are ex Bmi Baby skippers who were FOs at Mon and will get DEC at Jet2.
Unless they decide to go to RYR instead, of course...

Spot on Squeaker
 

Most have opted for FR and got the Midlands bases they wanted, they start before month end and J2 think they are still in the pool..........no bond, direct employ, salaried in full from day one, no half pay during line training, what would you do??

J2 are good but slow and have no idea of the looming shortage of experienced LHS 737 drivers...........FR need 700 pilots this year, only a handful of 737 rated LHS peeps at Monarch.

When I mentioned ZB people going to LS, I wasn't trying to be negative about jet2's commercial success or the professionalism of the organisation, but wanted to make the point that pay at ZB has fallen so far that jet2 is now a serious option for us. And it's not just F/O's seeking a DEC either. In fact our pay cut has opened up a whole world of choice for us ;)

Squeeker
 

Not quite right there I'm afraid, the first one in was a MON skipper off the Airbus who had been at MON for 17 years.

Scratchingthesky?!
 

I'll take a guess you're one of Mr Lakes Ex's! In other words, have yet to experience a quality employer! Well run airline?!

Leaving MON I do get, but to the Asylum in the North!?! Desperate! I'd put money on that move been regretted before you get a full salary...

MON has a business plan issue, but Jet2 is no different, aging fleet that are owned and worthless, a VERY seasonal programme and no money! Lots on here that have been sold and bought the PR machine of within Low Quality House: "controlled expansion/constant profit" - backed into a corner and take a closer look at the numbers! It isn't rosy, and fleet renewal will require new investment...

Is it Tuesday yet, can't wait for Tailwind!!!!!

Why do you hate jet2 so much Honiley?

2020 vision
 

In 5 years time Ryanair will have around 600 aircraft, easyJet 400, Norwegian 250 and Vueling 150+

These are of course pan European airlines rather than UK market only based, Jet2 maybe a 100? and Monarch maybe 35? personally i think Greybull will be out of ZB by then, with no future pension black hole and T&C more or less industry standard it will be a lot easier to off load, but J2 won't be a buyer IMHO

1013, he hates it so much because he failed the selection and is stuck in Leipzig with DHL.