Cathay to Easyjet/RyanAir
 

Been in Cathay now for 8 years and was thinking of making the move to Easy or Ryan. Could anyone tell me what it's like at these companys and a typical monthly take home wage?

Should I stay in CX or make the move?

Tell us what your monthly wage and rostering is like.
I would imagine its better then mine.
Id stay there if I were you unless those surgical masks are getting you down.:cool:

Mr Dog who are you with?

Yes there is no doubt the pay is good here, at CX the basic is about 5K a month with around 3.5K on top for housing. They will even pay that towards a mortgage for you.

Days off vary, if you do an Ultra Long Haul you get between 3-5 days off and its normall to have about 13 - 15 days a month off. However if your doing nothing but ULH this is the minimum you need to recover. Long trips back and forth across the Pacific really takes it's toll on you!

Reasons for leaving are constant erosions of CofS and cuts. I also think it would be great fun to fly a 737 all over Europe with a decent bunch of girls down the back. CX Hostees will serious try to back stab you given ANY opportunity

Hey Shamen, in your previous posts (under a Virgin qestions forum in term and endearment, year 2002) you said you were flying a 757 for a UK carrier, and that you were interested in Virgin to fly the heavies. How can you be with CX? Especially for 8 years.

Cheers

Sony

You are indeed correct my friend - However I did put BS types etc because I wanted complete anonomity! trust me I am with CX and I dont want this to get off topic ok? I am just seeking advice - I was offered something by Virgin back in the winter, so as you can see I am looking to 'jump Ship'

Hope this resolves the ambiguity!

Shamen,
In low cost you can expect to due 6on 2 off or worse.
6/7 sectors a day and paid less than you are on with no housing or education allowance.
Keep your mask on and stick it out.:cool:

I can understand your way of thinking, I currently work for Gulf Air
with a so so package plus having to move to AUH for the company
with a less then so so deal. I have this feeling aviation has been going gradually downhill for the last let's say 13 yrs. It is very hard to find a decent job nowadays. So I started thinking, if I have to accept hardship doing this I'd better do it in more or less my own surroundings EUROPE. Things might be a bit less here and there, but at least it's in my own culture. Having a lot of bills in Euros has also not done me a lot of good being paid in a currency pecked to the $. It's just a matter of adding up stuff.
We do alot of night flying and that starts to hurt aswell. I recently received an email from Ryanair and I'm seriously considering to go. May be free lance for a bit, about 40 hrs a month is good enough for a reasonable income and day flights only, yes hard work sometimes but more satisfying then sitting in the sand waiting to be shipped to another desert. This job is not like it used to be, the beancounters have taken care of that. Sorry I can't be more positive about it.

Good luck, GP76

Could anyone let me know the average monthly take home salary for Easyjet/RyanAir?

Thanks!

Shamen,
If you're looking for a decent bunch of girls down the back then don't bother with EZY:p

Lots of easyJet people F/Os and Capts where applying to CX when the advert appeared in Flight before SARS.

Are they still recruiting for the London base?

You'd have to be pretty desperate to join EJ................

Go,

All recruitment has been suspended for now, however I should imagine it will start again as quickly as it stopped. To my knowledge they were recruiting as FO on the freighter and for SO's on the PAX fleet. I am not sure if London bases were available.

Thanks for the feedback anyway guys - its appreciated :)

Hey Shamen,

Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I, even with SARS, would love to be in your position right now. I have wanted to fly for Cathay since I was 13, I'm now 23.

Cheers

Sony,

Well despite what has been said about Cathay recently they are in my opinion a pretty good bunch to work for to an extent. I guess you could say it's the lesser of all evils syndrome. I know I sound like I am contradicting myself when I say that! I have had no run-in's with them. However they are eroding CofS but then again these days which airline isn't?

I think if I am honest with myself it's nice to fly those big shiney jets and have a decent salary but I tend to find myself feeling homesick a fair bit and If I am honest with you this I think is why I really want to jump ship. I just want to come back home!

I hear so many mixed views nd comments on RyanAir etc. It's hard to try and work out what's the truth amongst all the opinions.

shamen

i posted information on my illustrious company on a couple of threads a few weeks ago.

i tried to be super smart and provide links to them on this reply - to no avail, sorry. (the technology is beyond this humble serf!!)

however you can find them if you do a search on my username. hope they are of use.

Ryanair roster 5 on/ 3 off
Capt take home pay is around 5000 sterl a month
F/o in increments (by experience) up to 3500 sterling a month
good to work for them, great girls in the back.

shamen,
Remember with Ryan its bring your own sandwiches .No 1st class food and hotels like your used to.
Plus your under Irish rules .Total time on takeoff touchdown.
Finally MOL hates pilots!

Shamen,

If I may put across my view on your situation. I am in Cathay as well and I have many friends working for the low cost airlines and I would suggest you stay where you are. The money at Cathay is better than the low cost and Cathay won't work you as hard as the likes of Easy etc.

If it's because of home sickess than why don't you apply for a europe basing. After the sars is over(very soon) they will be chances for those basings again.

At the end of the day it's down to you, but remember, the grass isn't all ways greener.

:ok:

Shamen,

I work for easyJet.

Take home if you don't contribute to the company pension scheme is about £3,000 for FO's.

I fly from an outstation, do about 60 hours a month and enjoy the flying. Buzzing around Europe in a 737 is a lot of fun.

Certain things need improving such as rosters, if they get that sorted they'd have me for life.

6 or 7 sector days are not the norm, 4 is. A six sector day is normally sectors of no more than 1 hour a piece. But equally there are some long days such as STN - Belfast - STN - Alicante - STN, then there are the two sector days such as LGW - Malaga - LGW.

It's not the best airline to work for but neither is it the worst. But it maybe worth hanging on in Cathay until the market improves. With the exception of BA I think most airlines in the UK are much the same. When looking at it myself I couldn't find anyone worth moving too :uhoh:

mjenkinsblackdog

block time is block time same as anywhere else - brakes off to brakes on. i think you need to change your source!

Gentleman,

Thanks for all your advice and I do indeed have some tough thinking and decision making ahead

Skycruiser - yes I could take a basing but then the money would be the same as RyanAir and I would have to fly 3 times a month with the LHR Dinoasaurs, be constantly Releif and never get a sector!

The LHR based chaps, I have have flown with are, to a man, absolute Gentlemen.... maybe youre on another fleet?

PS. going to work 3 times a month - yep, I hate that too! LHR is only a 3 day pattern...and a min of 5 Gs between trips.... throw in maybe 1 RT/PC.... Its still only 12 days work a month. :{

Conversely, I agree with your RC comments! If you want 'hands-on' time youre far better off with eASY/RYAN... big call though! (With the June roster.... I doubt you'll get any flying at all)

Bon chance! :ok:

Ryanairpilot,
I was told by a Ryanair pilot that your 900 hours allowed by the company were based on takeoff to touchdown.
If thats not the case !
Ill get back to him.

Clear,
The belfast guys regularly do 6/7 sector days.
It varies around the network.

mjenkinsblackdog

i can assure you it is 900 hrs block time.

Having working for ez and working now for ryan, this is my vision:

EZ:
seems nice from outside,nightmare inside
orange bull!!!! every day,THE orange culture...
crap roster 6 3 (late to early)
unstable roster
totaly unflexible flt ops
no jump seat
lot of time wasted in taxis,positioning flt,waiting time on the gnd
low morale
very english
very good training,well organised
Loss making company
Going for 3 diff A/C types .... good luck ez

Ryan:
seems rough from outside,very nice once on the line
no company culture,no bull!!!!, fair deal
very stable roster
5on 3 off
much more flexible company
Flt ops dep works great
just jump in the flt deck if you need a ride
NO time wasted in taxis,DUTY= BLOCK time
happy pilots
much more Europe minded
Disorganised training
Profit making company


Good luck

is the ryanair roster 5 on 3 off or is it 5 on 3 off followed by 5 on 2 off?

5 On 3 Off... with some sby's... (then almost 4 on 4 off ):D published 4 weeks in advance...

LDLN,
Thanks for that info, seems quite interesting, what is the money like (F/O UK based)? Is it true that there are different pay scales?
Regards, Bokkie

Exact, depend where you are base... airplane, qualified or not...
Sector pay half during the first 6 month

Lemon

Depends on where you are based, Stn is 5 on 3 off, Dub is 5 on 3 off 5 on 2 off.

The roster is very stable and works well. Once in a blue moon you might get asked to work a day off but it is only a request and you are paid £212Stg plus your normal sector pay for it.

mjenkinsblackdog

It is definatly 900 brakes/brakes. Your info is wrong.

Come to Emirates!
Below in no particular order...

1. Half way to Europe.
2. Sun shines evey day. (our boss seems to think that's a REALLY big selling point)
3. Training, well that depends on if you're the -ee or the -or.
4. Money, livable but don't believe the millionair stories.
5. Housing dept. If you want something, don't dare request it!
6. Rostering. Computer generated OK, once clerks get their hands on it things change.
7. Days off. Can only speak for myself. Acceptable.
8. Time to command. Excellent!
9. Line flying. Excellent!
10. Layovers. Getting shorter, not much fun. (see below)
11. Cabin crew. Better 6 years ago, now most belong to the 'slam click club'
12. Profit share this year. Thank you VERY much!!
13. Medical. Excellent!
14. Schooling allowance. Nice, but increasingly problems finding a place at a school.
15. Overall. No airline job is perfect. For now I'm happy to be here! :ok:

haddock

absolutely nothing!.....if you work your leave right you can get the best part of 2 months off. of the remaining 10 months (roughly 300 days) you work 5 out of every 8 days. that equals 187. marvellous eh!!

Captain Haddock,

When you say you have been offered a "contract" - do you mean general employment or a specific contract? Is this a Captain slot? Could you specify? Also, what type of aircraft do you fly now - do you have 737NG experience?


Congrats!

C.H.

Some 3rd hand info that might help. The pilots work 5 earlies (0630-1400) 3 days off 5 lates (1400-2300) +/- 3 off. With only 4 crews per a/c there is very little SBY cover, but with trusted colleagues there is not much roster change; however that may be effected by the size of the base; i.e number of a/c and routes etc.

Crews are trained in advance of a/c deliveries and thus go on contract (134euro per schedule block hour) until their a/c arrives. This is paid after the line training is finished. Upto that time you are on your own. Contract pilots can be based anywhere at any time, but preferences are noted. There is no guarantee of how much flying will be available on contract. The a/c arrives and they are offered a permanent deal with fixed base. With a/c arriving a such a fast rate the time on contract is likely ot be less than 6 months, but it is your choice to accept permanent employment or stay on contract if you wish. The latter allows you to choose your available duty days and work%.

They plan to open 2 new bases each year, quite a few non-UK, but their location is often last minute.

If you are type rated then you should need only an OCC, which takes 2 weeks or so at EMA.

Don't confuse the Easy low cost operation with that at Ryanair; the two are poles apart in every respect. Ryan's formula works whereas the others doesn't! Look at the comparative financial successes of both airlines and it becomes clear.

On contract a Captain with Ryanair currently earns €134 per block hour times 900 hours per annum. Ok, he pays ALL of his expenses, hotac, everything, but as you know, one can live quite economically when you have to pay the bills yourself. Thats where pilots are very adept. Work the figures yourself.

In principle; no night flying, no standbys, days off in blocks, no mucking around in taxis positioning base to base, etc, etc. 900 mhours is a lot, but done in a less fatiguing way than endless hours of duty time spent in the back of a cab or away from base in a hotel.

Those outside hate Ryanair, those within generally love it. They are home earlier, get to the pub and generally enjoy a considerably better lifestyle. You 'takes your money and you takes your choice'. Not everyone's 'cup of tea' but considerably better than most.

Two routes into Ryanair; direct or on contract. Agencies for contract are Brookfield or Storm. Both are looking and both offer same benefits.

Hope that helps

CH,
Ryanair permanent employment pay for CPTs is:

Basic annum salary is £47905 gross, for year one CPT. (3% basic salary annual increment every April plus annual increment £300 gross also every April)
My sector money was £21105 net, for period Mar 01st 2002-Feb 28th 2003.
Annual leave paid 29 days x £60 = £1740 net.
I have flown days off during that period for £2986.
Roughly that is £61000 net.

I had 204 working days and 124 days off, plus 29 days of annual leave plus 8 days of not available due to limit of 900h in previous 365 days. Total hours from start up untill cut off 885h in that period.

To simplify: 204 working days and 161 days off.
Average day was payed £167 throughout 365 days.
Average working day was payed £299.
Average flying hour was payed £69.

Offcourse this is my story in Ryanair only. Payments in other bases are different and I do not know accurate details.
Great company to work. Easy life style, only 8 nights out of my bed during that period. Do not step in way of managers and you would live easy life, but that is same for any company.
:ok:

EZY girls and guys also great. I have done a handful of 6 sector days during 5 years with the company, never 7, same moaners slag ezy on this place all the time, not perfect but overall I think its great. quite a few cx guys here too.

Normal day is a 2 or 4 sector day depending on where you go. About 750hrs per year. Never done 800 plus yet. £4200 ish a month in pocket. 6 on 3 off roster.

comes recommended from the majority, the same moaners will moan whoever they work for.

southern softy,

Your leading a very sheltered life in EJ. My log book shows 899hours last year and for the last 3 months 100hours on the dot.

At EJ expect to work a 6 and 3 roster- finishing on lates, starting on earlies.


"comes recommended from the majority"

Your having a laugh.

I hear Ryanair are doing a stack of interviews with EJ guys, 2 more have just been given jobs. Not to mention the number of people waiting to see if NOW actually get operational.

Don’t paint the glossy picture of a crap outfit.

Any bennies at Ryan? Pension, medical, loss-of-license?
Heard a strange rumor that you don´t get paid for the sector if you don´t make it to destination, like if you have to divert. Any truth to that or just a load of cr*p?

Big mouth,

Pension-Yes
Medical-No
Loss of licence-Yes

Not paid for diverted flight-bulls*it. Big lie
:ok:

Orange_bubble

Are you STN based.

Things are not that way at the other bases. (or at least not for me or SS)

Easy is not perfect by any means but we are hoping that they will get better once the digestion of the GO take over is complete and the rosters are sorted out once and for all. It seems good things are happening in this area but a bit of good will might be needed to get them on track.

It is a solid business with a great future.
IMHO.

:ok: