Any news here? Just did a random check for flight STN-EWR return in premium and got offer for £931. Not bad actually!

CP

Quite expensive actually, BA has many premium returns for 650.

If it were a matter of a €500 difference or so between the lower and upper end then no big deal. But as we all know not the case, rather up to 1000s of euros/month instead. But keep eroding the conditions so you can have your unique experience flying an A321 ETOPS (EDTO if you had kept up). I’m sure that added experience will feed your kids and prepare you for a comfortable retirement. Sigh...

So you are saying there’s not 1000’s of euros per month in difference between the best and worst contracts on offer around Europe?

My beef with your post was based on the fact that one should be happy with a lower salary etc just because you gain new experience. I am no happier knowing that I do EDTO in a 737 (BBJ). What makes me happy is that, I would guess, I am pretty close to top of the food chain compared to most EU gigs when it comes to pay and time off aloowing me a good QOL. Granted my employer isn’t from the EU but does allow me to live in Europe. Not bragging, just saying what matters more to me than an added line to my CV.

So what if a bunch of spikey haired, young punks agreed to start paying for their types some 15-20 years ago and the industry started to take advantage of that? Why do we have to allow that precedence to continue to erode our conditions? In case you haven’t noticed, hiring is as good as it’s probably ever going to be in Euroland and the ball has shifted into our court. If we don’t take advantage of that as a group now then we have nobody but ourselves to blame for being taken advantage off. Change has to start somewhere, so why not today?

Look at what is currently happening in the US job market. A few years ago guys flying regional jets were slaving at $18-20k a year, now first year pay has at least doubled in a short matter of time. Not to speak about the big boys and the vast improvement to their contracts over the last couple of years. The pilots have the ace in their hands and they use it to better there hands even further. We can’t the same thing happen in Europe, even if to a lesser extent as the shortage is not as acute in Europe?

If you are happy where you are, then I’m happy for you. I just wish pilots in Europe could gather together and use their collective strength to better the conditions we work under.

Are there delivery delays on the 321s?

CP

Yes, delays mainly due to the Leap engine manufacturer and some tech issues in the tail and they can't get the ACMI over the summer to cover the operation.
Real question is it just an delay or an excuse to scrap long haul together out of BHX to focus on STN/CDG due to load factors?

Interesting, wasn’t aware of that.

CP

Crew being let go of? Can’t imagine that but this business keeps surprising me so who knows.

CP

Why anyone would work for £800 / month is beyond me. If true, why don’t they just go and work for another airline that’s paying decent salaries?

CP

Just read this on a well known website for airline T&Cs where users can update information:

“Planning for the summer has totally failed and the company is now so short of pilots that lots of flights are cancelled or delayed. The future of Primera Air is unsure despite the orders for new 737MAX9”

Strange world we live in. As far as I know there are thousands of pilots in Europe. I guess it’s just that not enough of them are willing to work for the T&Cs on offer. Easy fix, increase pay and improve rosters and working conditions.

CP

can someone elaborate on perdiem of £400 for 10 units mean? Is it 400/10=40 pounds per layover?

According to the marketing chief officer, the reason why Primera Air has ordered A321Neo is to occupy the market while the 737Max9 was not available.
They indeed increased recently the orders up to 20 b737 Max 9 ER to use them on long range most probably on the same routes as the current A321Neo.
So within 2 years Airbus fleet will be probably disappeared from the Primera fleet and be replaced by a single b737 fleet.

The only question is that : why did they order only 2 A321LR?

I thought the delays are for those with the P&W engine, not the LEAP

Max9 - typical 2 class seating 178-193, 6570 km range

321neo - typical 2 class seating 180-190, 6900 km range

321neo LR - 7400 km range.

In other worlds, both the neo and the neo LR have range advantages on the Max9.

CP

More cancellations and ending operations from Birmingham completely, for now anyway.

https://www-coventrytelegraph-net.cd...d-14972951.amp

CP

How the heck do they expect this to work during the winter season? Just about every take off will be with a lump in the stomach. Or are they planning on fuel stop along the way?


07 August, 2018
SOURCE: Flight Dashboard
BY: David Kaminski-Morrow
London


Scandinavian carrier Primera Air’s first Airbus A321neo has been involved in a fuel emergency incident following a transatlantic service to Toronto.

The aircraft had been operating flight PF45 from London Stansted on 24 July.

Transportation Safety Board of Canada states in a bulletin that, during the descent, the crew “declared a fuel emergency” and was given priority for a runway 23 approach.
Shortly before 21:00, as the aircraft descended through 8,000ft, the crew was asked by approach controllers as to the quantity of fuel on board.

The crew replied that the jet had 2.3t and would have 2.1t on arrival, and also confirmed 204 occupants on board the flight, with no dangerous cargo.

Controllers cleared the aircraft for an ILS approach to runway 23 and TSB states that the aircraft landed without incident at 21:10.

Primera Air took delivery of the CFM International Leap-1A-powerd aircraft (OY-PAA), its first A321neo, in April this year, part of a strategy by the operator to open new transatlantic routes from the UK and France.

It disclosed last year that it would operate from London, Paris and Birmingham to New York and Boston with its A321neo fleet, and subsequently stated that it would include Toronto in the new transatlantic network.