Whats going on with Monarch ?

[Eric Mc]

Monarch have been struggling for quite a few years. They were operating to a business model that worked well in the 1960s and 70s - but the airline scene has changed radically over the ensuing decades. I flew with them a couple of times in the early 1990s (757s) and they were a very pleasant company to fly with.

[David87]

El stovey said:

I think it’s more likely monarch crews will go to Qatar or Emirates or maybe Norwegian.

A Monarch pilot will have bills and a mortgage etc that needs a decent salary. If they go to Ryanair they have to pay for their training and live wherever Ryanair base them. Pilots pretty much never leave an airline to go to Ryanair. Most Ryanair recruits are newly qualified and lack experience to go anywhere else.

Ah. Makes sense. Fingers crossed for those guys then.

[Buzz84]

Monarchs engineering division seems to have somehow been saved and was set up as a separate company today:

https://www.monarchaircraftengineering.com/news/mo...

(Which will come as a huge relief Virgin Atlantic as they announced a 4 year contract to have their 787's serviced by them on Friday)

[5150]

The pilot job market is certainly in a better position than say the early 90's when Dan Air went bust along with Air Europe. Pilot's literally joining the dole queue as there was nowhere to go. At least now, there is a choice, and although Ryanair might not be their first choice, there's a chance that staying put in terms of home, is a possibility, rather than up-sticks and head overseas. Zero chance of a UK basing with the Middle East operators - Norwegian; perhaps, but what of their financial position? Frying pan/fire? Who knows. However, if I was placed in this position, I certainly wouldn't cross off Ryanair, for all their faults.

[Composite Guru]

Buzz84 said:

Monarchs engineering division seems to have somehow been saved and was set up as a separate company today:

https://www.monarchaircraftengineering.com/news/mo...

(Which will come as a huge relief Virgin Atlantic as they announced a 4 year contract to have their 787's serviced by them on Friday)

Yes that great news. I still have a few old mates working there in quite high positions. They seem upbeat.

The fact that they have just taken on a 4 year contract with Virgin to service their 787s at Birmingham is a good step forward.

[48k]

Buzz84 said:

Monarchs engineering division seems to have somehow been saved and was set up as a separate company today:

https://www.monarchaircraftengineering.com/news/mo...

(Which will come as a huge relief Virgin Atlantic as they announced a 4 year contract to have their 787's serviced by them on Friday)

It's not been set up as a separate company, it always was a distinct company (started in 1967) but part of the group. It's simply now continuing on its own.

[ecsrobin]

David87 said:

Sad news, and I hope all of the staff find new roles without too much trouble. Seems like Ryanair could do with a few more pilots - how long does it take to switch from A320 to B737?

6 weeks according to the internet although I’m assuming it’s not something you can just turn up to tomorrow and start learning. Then there’s the cost which is a few £k.

[surveyor]

ecsrobin said:

David87 said:

Sad news, and I hope all of the staff find new roles without too much trouble. Seems like Ryanair could do with a few more pilots - how long does it take to switch from A320 to B737?

6 weeks according to the internet although I’m assuming it’s not something you can just turn up to tomorrow and start learning. Then there’s the cost which is a few £k.

I presume that some were already on track for the type rating due to the fleet change?

I guess Boeing now have a shed-load of 737Max order places to fill...

[wjwren]

What is likely to happen to the planes? Are they all leased or any of them purchased?

[Eric Mc]

I'm sure some will end up parked at Mojave or somewhere of that type. At least for a while.

[djc206]

5150 said:

The pilot job market is certainly in a better position than say the early 90's when Dan Air went bust along with Air Europe. Pilot's literally joining the dole queue as there was nowhere to go. At least now, there is a choice, and although Ryanair might not be their first choice, there's a chance that staying put in terms of home, is a possibility, rather than up-sticks and head overseas. Zero chance of a UK basing with the Middle East operators - Norwegian; perhaps, but what of their financial position? Frying pan/fire? Who knows. However, if I was placed in this position, I certainly wouldn't cross off Ryanair, for all their faults.

Surely the obvious choice is to don orange and head over to easyJet? Same types, broadly similar pay I believe?

[5150]

Too right, although some Monarch guys have already completed type rating training for the 737's they were getting, so they wouldn't have to do a full course again on to Ryanair's fleet.

I know Virgin have opened up a recruitment channel specifically for Monarch drivers. I wouldn't be surprised if easyJet did something similar. . .

[kurt535]

the only winner in this is O'leary who will be jumping up and down at the thought of hiring a bunch of pilots to fill his thinning ranks and probably on lower pay.....

[anonymous-user]

kurt535 said:

the only winner in this is O'leary who will be jumping up and down at the thought of hiring a bunch of pilots to fill his thinning ranks and probably on lower pay.....

Plus less capacity on European short haul = price increases.

[Muddle238]

ecsrobin said:

David87 said:

Sad news, and I hope all of the staff find new roles without too much trouble. Seems like Ryanair could do with a few more pilots - how long does it take to switch from A320 to B737?

6 weeks according to the internet although I’m assuming it’s not something you can just turn up to tomorrow and start learning. Then there’s the cost which is a few £k.

Switching from A320 to B737 requires a whole new type rating. My experience is that this takes at least 3 months, that's to cover groundschool, sim and line training. And that's only after you've passed selection and been given a course start date, which itself can take several months.

My condolences to Monarch employees, I hope they all find new jobs very soon. I'm can't imagine how awful the past few days have been, especially after last years close call. Luckily for the Monarch guys an A320 rating is a strong ticket to have in the UK, with easyJet, BA and Thomas Cook all operating the type. For those with B737 ratings, you have Jet2, Thomson/TUI, Norwegian or as a last ditch resort, Ryanair. I hope the guys and girls all find a new job in their home bases without much delay.

[Eric Mc]

Aer Lingus also operates Airbus A320/321 aircraft.

[48k]

5150 said:

I know Virgin have opened up a recruitment channel specifically for Monarch drivers.

Just seen that. Nice touch - fast tracking FOs with a minimum of 2500 hours and 500 on Airbus or Boeing to join their Airbus and 747 fleets. Plus of course Virgin is all long haul.

I don't think any Monarch driver with half a brain would entertain going anywhere near RyanAir.

[griffdude]

48k said:

Just seen that. Nice touch - fast tracking FOs with a minimum of 2500 hours and 500 on Airbus or Boeing to join their Airbus and 747 fleets. Plus of course Virgin is all long haul.

I don't think any Monarch driver with half a brain would entertain going anywhere near RyanAir.

Think that a few might have already applied before waiting for the ship to go down.

Had a Monarch aircraft following us back into the UK in the early hours this morning, he said it was their last flight. Sad sight to see all the Monarch aircraft all parked up when we pulled onto stand.

[5150]

griffdude said:

48k said:

Just seen that. Nice touch - fast tracking FOs with a minimum of 2500 hours and 500 on Airbus or Boeing to join their Airbus and 747 fleets. Plus of course Virgin is all long haul.

I don't think any Monarch driver with half a brain would entertain going anywhere near RyanAir.

Think that a few might have already applied before waiting for the ship to go down.

Had a Monarch aircraft following us back into the UK in the early hours this morning, he said it was their last flight. Sad sight to see all the Monarch aircraft all parked up when we pulled onto stand.

More than likely, but today Virgin are prioritising further recruitment towards ex-Monarch. They sent out a link today specifically for Monarch drivers. Heard Flybe have joined in also.

[HappySilver]

sleepezy said:

JPJPJP said:

Callers to radio suggesting timing of Administration announcement was to ensure no planes were in the air at the time

Unless you want unlicensed, uninsured planes flying around this has to be the case

In 1989 I was on a flight from Miami to New York when the airline went bust mid-flight. The crew gave away all the drinks and nibbles, no doubt taking plenty for themselves, and the aircraft was boarded by administrators (or the US equivalent) when we landed. A very disconcerting experience. I can’t for the life off me remember the name of the airline, it was a Florida based company. But it does happen.