EASYJET What are they like to work for?
 

With an interview looming large I would be interested to know what Easyjet pilots thought of their employer, their lifestyle and their pay and conditions please.
Any pointers on the interview, and how I should be preparing for it would also be greatly appreciated.
Ta much.

Ooh, this promises to be a good thread!

hotnhi, I don't work there, so cannot give you any pointers, but the best of luck!

The ground staff are fed up, the pilots are thinking of industrial action,and there's a TV programme on evey week where the staff and passsengers are frustrated with everthing orange.Still you can always have your C.V looked at elswhere for £50 quid!

Any positive, helpful people out there who actually work for the company? It would be nice to have a professional and balanced view for a lot of interested people out here...........:)

The company really is not the bad to work for, friendly crews, job security and the pays not that bad. I will say this summer was hard work, not because of the amount of flying but the complete F******** with the new rostering system. If you want to fly nice new boeing`s and soon airbus then join. There are somethings which could be better but as the saying goes " the grass is always greener........." still all in all it's OK.:)

Well said Dr.

Thanks Orange.

I've done turbo-props, charter and now scheduled with easy. This is by far the best job I have had!

I am not tired in August, as per charter world. I spend most of my flying hours in the daylight. I have predicted days off - 6 on, 3 off (this in itself is one of the best features).

pay and conditions are comparable to other airlines in the UK.

Aircraft are new ish , although the 737 is an old piece of kit by design. Even the -700 which looks reasonable enough at first glance, is in fact the FD of a -300 with screens bolted on. However, the 319 is a completley different story..........

Flying is fun if you like lots of short sectors and t/o landings. Log books are a pain to keep up to date.

Bad points. To be honest not that many for me, infact I'm struggling with this one. I haven't been affected by rostering, crew shortage issues here in L'pool. The crews moan a bit, but isn't that written in the contract somewhere??

The pay review is a complete farce, but that has been covered in other posts.

All in all a very friendly airline that should give job security for a few years to come!

PS. Pilots tend not to get caught up in the "orange" bit. (thankfully)!!

HEY HOTNHI, CAN YOU TELL ME IF YOU ARE 73 TYPED, I HAVE AN APPLICATION IN AND HAVENT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM FOR A WHILE.

I HAVE PLENTY OF HOURS BUT NOT THE TYPE.

I SEEM TO THINK THEY ARE KEEN ON AIRBUS PEOPLE AT THE MOMENT

It's been a tough summer, but we've learnt from it. Morale was (totally understandably) low because of the rostering cock-ups, and there were simultaneous handling issues at LTN. Both now resolved.

I would support a previous post....new aircraft, airbus on the way, job security, interesting (increasing) network, etc. etc. Ignore some of the gloom and doom you here about.....it ain't that bad and I would say go for it!

Dunlops......They are recruiting non 737 and non Airbus. I'm not sure what they are looking 4 experience wise, I suspect that the "Sell Yourself" part of the application form is v.important.

:) Thanks for all the positive contributions.

Kick the tires,

6 on 3 off going in April.

"Work" can you enlarge on that because if true that would in my opinion be a major disincentive. The 6 on 3 off is an attractive option that gives people stability to plan ahead and for those of us a little older with family etc that is a major issue.

I am Airbus rated and was thinking about applying next year the loss of 6 and 3 would make a big difference.

Just to add my bit.


I worked there for a year and a half, thats all I could stand.

Its not like working for an airline at all, honestly.

As a last resort I guess we'd all take the job, but like I say it would be a LAST RESORT!!!!!!!!


Don't do it!

:mad:

Seems a fair question, that deserves an honest answer.

I don't normally bother with these things, but I have never before felt so incised to offer my opinion.

I have been at EJ for over two years. Before them I worked for a charter company, before that I flew schedule and before that turbo props, so I have seen some different operations in my time.

I joined EJ because they had great expansion plans, they made a big song and dance about the family environment, the caring and sharing, and of course the rapid time to command.

Now don't get me wrong this is not a vent because I am still an FO, far from it. There is no way I would ever take a command in this company and I will leave as soon as I find something suitable.

Why?

The meritocracy of this company breeds an atmosphere of distrust and back stabbing. It is assumed and dare I say encouraged, that he who brown noses the best gets promoted quickest.

The lack of a seniority list means it is necessary to be seen in order to be promoted. Look at the management and you will see they have all come from a similar aviation back ground. They promote their own (and I'm not just talking about commands, but more worryingly to positions of significant managerial importance).

Recent events have allowed EJ to pick up some very experienced captains from flagging airlines. This has always been the easy way, good for them. It does however mean that their "promise" of early command can not be achieved as there are not the positions available. Look at the stats. 85% of new captains were direct entry. Those promoted were sent off to the frozen north, whilst the DE guys got the London jobs.

Every year they promise this will change.

The rostering of 6 on 3 off is an excellent idea. It is the first time I have ever been able to plan my life. Only I can't.

I start with three earlies, move into 2 four sector days and finish on a night flight. My 3 off very quickly becomes a 1.5 off.

Then there are the changes. Sure it was bad in the summer, but it hasn't improved that much now, despite all the apologies from the management. I still turn up at work not sure when I will be coming home, or if I will work anything vaguely similar to my roster. Making plans to spend time with friends or pick up the kids, or get your car serviced are all impossible on a work day as changes are so prolific.

So what of the management?

Well my base manager is a personable enough bloke, but he has very little managerial skill. His boss has absolutely no people skills at all and is widely mistrusted. Same applies at other bases. And their boss? Well he tried to leave but failed the interview allegedly.

And now the crew room talk is of those who intend to leave. The money section of the Mail (I think) said 40 pilots have already resigned. More disruption for the rest of us, but good luck to them.

Although apparently EJ won't let you leave. I am told (from a reliable source) that certain base captains are refusing to complete references and going out of their way to make alternative employment difficult.

And the money. Well theoretically it is very good. But after your travel (six commutes to work a week) topping up your pension, PHI, loss of licence etc etc, I am actually slightly worse off than I was in charter.

I think EJ serve a very important place in the avaition community, and I started out very proud to work for them. There are a lot of good guys to fly with, the aircraft are OK and routes, whilst becoming a bit repetitive do allow lots of handling.

But it is not a career airline, and will never be all the time the empire builders are allowed to continue as they have done, surrounding themselves with yes men.

I hope the fresh blood from GO will improve matters, but I am sorry to say, the first decent sniff of a job and I'm gone.

Some may say good riddance to me, but those who do are incredibly blinkered. Action has to be taken to prevent this possibly great airline becoming dominated by weak individuals.

Don't join unless your existing situation is really unmanagable.

Interesting post, especially for a first one, maybe my airline isn't that bad after all.

I was upset.

Still am!

Got paid today and found I am £700 short.

Try getting through to Orange world and oddly enough get answer machine which will no doubt be ignored.

Hateful company.

They still owe me about £70 "to be paid by cheque" and also a P45 from the end of September. Probably more chance of being abducted by aliens.
Very tempting to leave a rude message on the permanatley connected answering machine isn't it?

Houaah that was a very clear view on the orange way...Well, I think I'll stick to my airline which allows me to stay near my family for only a fraction of money less (if..)

Thanks for that and good luck.

Sorry to hear the super-negative remarks regarding easyJet. It seems like just a few months ago the remarks were mainly positive and optimistic... Just a couple of questions for easyJet pilots:

1. In the future (if you choose to stay there), what would you prefer to fly - the 737-700 or the A319 and why?

2. Quick question related to the 737-700 cockpit: does Easyjet use the full EFIS with speed and altitude tapes or the "watered-down" 737-300 version with projected ROUND DIALS like you find on Southwest 737NGs and Air Berlin 737NGs?


Best of luck to you in the future!

LD,

I'm rated on both so I can tell you that IMHO the Airbus is a much more pleasent place to work. It is much more comfortable. more spacious and quieter.

The NG fit that EJ use is as the 744, full PFD and ND only they have not taken the EICAS option.

The airplanes are fine, the pilots are nice guys, but the management is total cr@p. So I suggest you look elsewhere.

Northern Boy,

They haven't sent you a P45?

Well at least you got out, good luck mate!

I have been offered a job with easyJet and was quite enthusiastic to accept, but now I am having serious second thoughts.
It seems a lot of what we were told at interview was not entirely accurate.
Methinks I need to reassess my options. Thank god for pprune.:(

hotnhi,how long did it take for them to reply?What was your preferred base?

Don't allow the postings of a few highly disillusioned and unhappy people cloud your views, remember the warnings on this site about people with hidden adgendas and the chinese wisper effect. Granted there is no smoke without fire and easyJet pilots are involved in a prolonged dispute with management over terms and conditions ( not alot new there) but don't forget EZY are making moneyand they currently employ some 750 pilots, with more joining monthly. They are offering sponsorships for those with little or no experience as well as those with limited exposure and aim to be operating 44 B737-700 and 96 A319 by 2007.

There is a lot to look forward to

nice_beaver

If by ' a few highly disillushioned and unhappy people...' you mean practically every Luton based pilot for starters, then you might have a point.

I strongly object to your disingenuous comment about hidden agendas and the chinese whisper effect. I personally have no hidden agenda other than to foolishly expect a reasonable attitude from my employer.

Easyjet has fast become a rotten company where the word reasonable is no longer recognised or respected.

The people who read this board are not as stupid as you like to think. Ask yourself, are all these negative threads/posts about Easyjet from the few peed off pilots that every company has, or does it maybe stand out a little?

It's not a chinese whisper - its an angry shout!!!!!:mad:

Oh and you might recognise this quote from the company forum last month.

Meanwhile as the uncertainty continues more people show their dissatisfaction and leave for pastures new!

Hidden agendas you say - looks like you might be right.

Well said Flanker. Some people are still wearing the orange tinted spectacles they were brainwashed into wearing when they joined. It is time they took them off and had a look at reality.:(

What exactly?:rolleyes:

2 questions:

what are salaries like ?

Isn't 6 days ON 3 days OFF a bit harsh (Ryanair at 5 days ON 3 days OFF, others at 4 ON 3 OFF) ?

Flanker

I too have been a critic of some (many?) of the management practices over the last several months but, looking back briefly over the threads on PPruNe, it's always the same 20 or so names that appear to post. A small percentage of the total pilot workforce - most, if not all, of whom have access to internet.

Yes there are a lot of pi$$ed off people, but not everyone.

Another recent thread on PPruNe was started to specifically deter people from joining EZ. Bang out of order! Some of the problems we face result from a shortage of personnel in key areas - including flight deck.

How on earth will those problems ever be resolved if the supporters of that thread get their wish and no-one joins?

Many of the current dispute issues at EZ are common to many operators. Some, of course are unique.

I would still encourage people to join. The more we get, the easier - and quicker - it will be for our new rostering manager to hopefully provide us with the sort of working schedule that most of us would like. 'Crew based' rosters for next summer already SOUNDS like a step forward. Some, of course, will never be happy!

Hopefully there will be some form of announcement very soon to bring an end to these months of rumour-mongering about the pay and terms negotiations. With any luck, it will be acceptable to the majority and we can at last move on.

Gentlemen, gentlemen.

You have given me some ideas about life at eJ, for which I am grateful......to both sides.

This is probably not the best place to get a balanced view, who knows who I am talking to!

I will now try to talk to a few friends of friends to get the view of the coal face workers.

By the way, it took a few months for my call to easyland after I applied.

I think Easyjet itself is a good airline but treat their pilots like ....!! My advice is that if you want roster stability, do not join. On my last roster, every single rostered flying day was changed! Late to an early, early to a late, you name it they changed it.Next month to save heartache for my family etc, I will ask crewing not give me a roster but notify me of days off.

With regards to the flying, yes it is six days on three off. But once again "three off" not really! on your sixth day flying, you will always be rostered for a late finish and on your first day back you will be rostered for an early start.

The choice is yours! make the right one, I've been there a year, I'm knackered and nrrd to move on.

Flaps One

It's the same people like me who continue to post, coz I'm past caring but there are large numbers of pilots who feel that it would not be in their interests to write anti Easy posts. Count up the number of negative posts and extrapolate to a conclusion.

If you need proof check out the percentages in the poll's on the Easy forum, all the negative ones are in the nineties.

I could not recommend Easyjet as an employer, however it depends on the status of the pilots joining. If they are young guys looking for lots of jet time and a quick command then OK, but as a lifestyle option it is crap, and it's not what they promise.

If you think that easy will behave more reasonably because there are millions of people applying I simply disagree.

Anyway, ' for me ze vor iz over '! I speak from experience of a few other (jet) airlines and this lot take the biscuit, but if you're happy I'm pleased for you.

Flanker

I didn't say I was particularly happy with the way things are at the moment but the constant barrage of half-truths put out in the public domain are really beginning to grate.

Constant Speed DU has just stated that on your 6th day 'on' you WILL be programmed for late finish, followed by an early start on your next working day.

The use of the word WILL is deliberately inflamatory and untrue.

Of course I know it happens. It has happened to me often enough. But it does not ALWAYS happen and to say so is misleading. IF anyone ALWAYS has such a roster, and has kept copies, take them to the base Captain and get his opinion.

I have just looked at my last 3 months rosters and what Contstant Speed DU describes was rostered only 3 times for me. As it happens, I totally disagree with that. I think 3 days off should be proper 3 days off - that's another issue. But what I am reporting is accurate.

Furthermore, I didn't say things would get better simply because of '......millions of people applying'.

If crewing levels are brought up to target that has got to be good news hasn't it? Better flexibility for rosters all round surely. Is that not a major PART of the key to roster stability?

There will be a lot other issues to address as well but full staffing will be cracking start and make life a little better for all of us.

So why would anyone actively try to stop people applying?

Flaps One:

Seems you have a chicken and egg problem here. Never easy to solve; BUT remember that in most business (management) situations of this sort the old axiom applies;

"Things always go wrong from the top, not the bottom."

Your proposal is to try and put it right from the bottom. As that is not where the problem lies, it won't work.

Considering all the posts on this subject you are asking people to take one helluva gamble that ej will shave profits to employ more crews, which might, just might, cause an improvement in life style. An extremely risky venture.

As we all know in flying, there is another axiom.

"Where's there doubt, there is no doubt."

Flaps

So why would anyone actively try to stop people applying?

Just maybe they are trying to give their colleagues and friends the benefit of their knowledge and experience to help them make an informed decision?

Half-truths ? Well if I were defending Easyjet I would not be in a hurry to bring honesty into the picture! Basing, Shares, CCP, Staff Travel, 6on 3 off, the Flexiday definition, any number more issues and of course the 'Employer of Choice' line. You must be joking?

Constant Speed DU says he's been here a year and wants out because he's knackered, then again I suppose he's just a whinging liar? :rolleyes:

RAT 5

You are probably right that things generally go wrong from the top.

We could do with a serious overhaul in that dept! At the very least a significant change of attitude would help.

However I can't help but think that to openly dissuade potential candidates from applying is shooting ourselves in the foot with both barrels.

If we don't recruit to target over the next few months what chance is there of our rosters getting any better - virtually none I would suggest.

I don't quite follow the argument that it's a gamble to suggest EZ will 'shave profits to employ more crews'. We are recruiting more and more crews - at least trying. There are interviews and assessments every week I believe. Threads like this do nothing to help that process.

Chicken and Egg - Yes, but it's got to start somewhere.

Flanker

Just because you (we) have issues with EZ policy integrity on certain issues doesn't justify us stooping to the same level does it?

I maintain the use of the word WILL in DU's post was innaccurate and clearly gave the impression that this was always the case.

Whinging liar - your words, never mine.

Regarding the recruiting easyjet is doing at the moment, is this to replace crews that are leaving? or are they still taking deliveries of 737's? Anyone know what there policy is likely to be in terms of crewing the Airbus fleet? Will 737 crews transfer? or will that only be on offer to airbus rated crews? I know it's a little off topic, but would really appreciate some info, thanks.

Cloud Warrior

As I understand the recruiting is a long term thing to cater fir the continues expansion. More NGs still to come and have to be crewed.

No idea what the plot is for the Airbus crewing. Loads of rumours but no fact that I know of.

As far as the airbus goes my understanding is that as yet no decisions have been made about how or where they will be introduced into the UK.

The project team has only recently been appointed and there are other things to worry about first.

:cool:

FlapsOne and Engee73, thanks for the reply
CW

easyJet application and news
 

I passed the assessment course last week and should start on FEb3 2003! there were 8 of us to start with and if I'm right 6 passed the selection course.
the two day selection tests were quite tough but we had a very warm welcome from the recruitment team! I had a 737 easyJet captain on the phone he has been working for 3 years for the company and is very pleased! there were some rostering problems last summer which have been solved according to the team. obviously the company has a good reputation from inside... they need 140 pilots , non type rated pilots are very welcome! there is an assessment course every friday and conversion course every first monday of the month!!
as far as A319 well it's wait and see ...but the first ones will be based in Geneva for a start.
cheers and best of luck