There is no mention of bases at the moment.The major bases such as MAN and LGW are not usually on the list. Having said that, some previous applicants who joined at the smaller outstations have subsequently been able to successfully bid for a move to a more desirable base from their point of view at a later date. There have been some bids from 737 to 757/767 internally with around 24 pilots transferring . There seems to be some fairly major re-planning of the summer programme at the moment, hence this new recruitment round.

Hi Matey.

Do you know what the major replanning involves?

Cheers.

I don't, but this re-opening of 737 recruitment coupled with a re-run of the internal pilot bidding process indicates something is afoot.

You mean they got the numbers wrong again? Surely not!!

Direct entry 757 was an unpopular move in our company as so many 73 guys wanted that fleet but were type froze. as a result the freeze was lifted and recent 73 joiners are moving fleets this Winter.

Meaning more recruitment on the 73 and less 75.

Well that's just my opinion but I don't think it's far off

How could the consolidation of all TUI brands impact pilot hiring? See below:

TUI Group to push ahead with airline consolidation plans - ch-aviation.com

Also a few guys are leaving for BA. Full time contract is a pay rise compared to guys at TOM hired onto part time one.

Has anyone been invited to assessment yet? Also, how many people are Thomson looking to take on this time round? If there are 20+ guys from B737 converting to the B75/76, would this mean possibly of 100% contract for the current employees on PPY50?

Caution
 

Maxbrake, I believe it will be a cold day in hell before the guys hired last year receive the offer of full time contracts, before the 5 year mandatory point unless they challenge it.

As for those considering joining Thomson, I would suggest that as xollob said above, factoring in the employer pension contribution rate of 15% should not be assumed to be what they will get for for the current employee 3.5% rate. If the financial remuneration is marginal between current employer and Thomson then one may come up short and need to reconsider.

I have also heard the word on the street is they plan to offer a much reduced rate to pilots joining this year, but the company have not shared that information with pilots about to join, that's bad news if the rumour is true and you've already given your notice to your old employer ......

I'd recommend anyone offered a job should get in writing what the contribution rates for their pension will be as part of the offer, I note the recent advert didn't detail it.

Also note those employed for just the last summer season did not get kept on, so if anyone suggests taking a summer only contract and paying the £7k out of salary for the training despite being rated already could lead to a permeant contract, take it with a pinch of salt.

Seldom smoke without fire, just rumours on a rumour forum.

I stand to be corrected, but as far as I am aware only one of the pilots recruited on a summer contract was not retained, and that was for performance related reasons.

Compare the list from August 14 to Feb 15, it appears as though all four of the pilots on a Fixed Term Contract were 'let go' :bored:

Thanks for the info, is moral generally good at Thomson? Any real gripes or changes that could be implemented to improve working conditions?

February recruitment
 

Has anyone herd back with regarding an interview? I know some friends who have had the no thank you email but nothing for myself yet. Words are that they lost a few guys to BA recruitment and they are still not sure how many people they need.

Seems like a rather large seasonal surplus of pilots at Thomson. For comparison, around 30 new FOs have been hired at TCX since October and up till now (most are replacements for those off to BA). All were hired over winter and offered full time permanent positions from day one. World of aviation, never ceases to amaze.

TCX
 

Out of interest were the 30 all type rated Bus and ex Monarch? Didnt see any recruitment advertised.

@ Maxbrake

Moral and morale are two entire different entities.

Generally I think most employees carry a certain degree of moral, and generally, I think the beatings will continue until morale improves, if that helps.

All bus rated and mostly not ex Monarch. Positions not advertised.

TCX
 

Thanks Super pilot. Any chance of non rated comming up?

Highly unlikely I would say

superpilot,

I'm not really sure what your point is regarding seasonality at TOM. All airlines have this issue To a certain extent, however, it has been managed down considerably at TOM over the past few years, in fact the 75/6 is manic year round, the 78 is actually reverse seasonal as most long haul is through the Winter..... only the 73 has the issues you allude to but with 9 aircraft going to Canada every Winter, the days of 3 flights this month are pretty much gone.

One only needs to look at the apron in Man on a Winters night, there can be 10s of aeroplanes mostly jet 2 and TCX... there are very few TOM jets sitting around idly.

You're being overly defensive. My comments were in response to someone highlighting that forced seasonal employment is still going on at TOM. I was simply comparing the situation to TCX which had the same "problems" in the past but clearly not right now as 30+ FOs have just started on a perm basis. I didn't intend for it to become all about TCX! :O

New Joiner Pension
 

Thomson intends to impose a reduction in the employer DC pension contribution rate for new joiners from 15% to 7%. The first group of newstarters to be affected will be joining the airline on 26 February 2015.

I would probably advise all new joiners not to sign the pension document and speak with TOM company council via BALPA to find out what's potentially In the pipeline. I believe the workforce won't stand for this change as it goes against agreements in place.

Your given the pension documents to fill out at a later date so seek that advice first so no rush to sign and potentially lock yourself in.

I'm hoping the jack brigade stands up on this one, it's a necessity imo! If the company can just totally disregard agreements in place as well as the process and promises recently given, then everyone should be completely angered by this as we've basically been duped by their letters....it certainly ruffled my feathers and I support strong action against this.

Wrt to the pension, during my joining process, I was given the documents and had to fill out at home as it requires birth certificates etc so I would use this time wisely to seek council. Incase signing the agreement locks one in or makes it more complicated for the CC to reverse.

For the MON pilots joining TCX - out of the chip pan, into the fire:

Thomas Cook holds secret talks to offload airline arm | The Sunday Times

If you want to fly TCX pax join easy or Thomson.

Easy declined to renew the 2012 deal so not entirely true.

Ultimately all leisure airlines have their days numbered. Might as well join forces and team up now.

Utter crap.

yoeman, have you not noticed how many EZY and RYR flights now fly into and out of the usual bucket and spade destinations? EZY might be able to champion the low cost long haul flight if they can get a headstart by buying the TCX airline (think Europe not just the UK). RYR could buy the TUI group airline :E

Yeah, MOL with his award winning customer service! Getting a loco flight is one thing but a loco RYR holiday, No thanks!

So people fly with EZY/RYR to the likes of TFS, FUE, Kos, Iraklion to visit their relatives do they? They use cheap flights and sort out their own holidays/accommodation, and the trend is increasing dramatically as the air traveller becomes more savvy.

You are correct, of course people book flights with RYR and book their own accom.
You said that RYR could buy TUI and I was amused by the potential of a "RYR package holiday".
RYR are only interested in point to point flying with no strings. Works most of the time, but not for example when you get left down in CFU for a week with all extra expense on the PAX like last summer!!

I agree with YEOMANS reply to your post 117...

Sorry for the thread drift!

So had a notice today to state that Thomson will be recruiting again with the indication of group/personal assessments at the end of September begining of october.

So if your interested give em a look.

What's the chance of them inviting Non Type Rated candidates this time?

Slim at best unfortunately.

TR'd
Summer ONLY and you pay 7K for 'training' ???

Can't hurt to apply tho,

Naaah not on those terms......

For info to prospective joiners, after a spirited campaign from BALPA and the pilot group, our new joiners this year maintained their pensions in line with the rest of the pilot group. It was a great result and showed that even though less than 1% of the pilots were affected, the 99% wouldn't accept it.

Unfortunately this isn't the end of the problem as the company has intentions of reducing new joiner pension provisions over the next few years. How this will pan out is anyone's guess.

The company makes no secret of its problem with seasonality and a new joiner should expect a PPY contract to potentially last for several years, added to this the £7000 one is expected to pay for training (this I find particularly unsavoury) makes TOM not quite the option it once was.

If however, one gets over the £7k and manages to get full time fairly soon then it can still be a good career airline.

Just my opinion, good luck to those who choose to apply later in the year.