Pilots face turbulence in job market
Following the recent economic recession pilot recruitment has been hit hard. However, now that people are starting to talk about a recovery there are many out of work pilots waiting for the jobs to return. The truth is that there are airlines starting to recruit, but conversly there are still those trying to reduce their workforce.
In the USA some airlines have managed to get through the tough times without needing to make any enforced redundancies and others, such as American Eagle, have called back all their furloughed crew. This is in contrast to some cargo carriers and even American Airlines who are still looking to furlough employees.
Outside of America, the picture is still pretty confusing. Emirates has begun recruiting again and many of the Indian carriers are talking about looking for new employees this year. In Europe Turkish Airlines, amongst others, are looking for crew.
There are jobs arriving in the market place, the need is just not stable enough for significant recruitment from numerous carriers. It places pilots in a difficult position waiting for the situation to improve.
Source: Aviation Week
I personally think the T&C's
I personally think the T&C's at EZY right now are terrible and because there is a huge supply and not enough demand alot of these airlines can exploit it.
Soon there will be a time where Easyjet will need pilots but people will refuse it unless the T&C's improve dramatically, or they might boycotte them out of principle
J.Knight
This is a very interesting
This is a very interesting piece and it mirrors what I see every day when I'm talking to employers and flight crew.
There seems to be some real momentum in airline expansion but still there are some lay off despite some carriers making profits. The airlines in China and the Middle East are increasing their pay and conditions to attract people and it will work, everyone has their price! With the expansion of the Asian market there is simply not enough pilots to fly their planes in their home countries, these pilots will have to come from somewhere.
Interestingly enough I met an Easyjet pilot at a Gatwick hotel the other day and he told me that Easyjet has got their crewing figures really wrong and they are desperate for pilots! Sure enough, his Captain turned up and was a Monarch Pilot on secondment. Now I see CTC are looking for contractors for Easyjet's summer season.
Interesting times.