New plan pre-training

24 Apr 2026
An easyJet A320 at Reus

With the slight dilemma mentioned in the last post, I’ve now had a bit of time to reflect and consider the options properly. It’s still a very tough choice, essentially having to weigh up if an extra ~£40,000 is worth a guaranteed job before starting…

Listing out all the pros and cons as well as the goals, for how I’d ideally like life to play out for the next couple of years, I decided that if I were to go with Aeros, it’d probably be better for me to take a sabbatical from work, and join their full time residential course to do the ATPLs, so that I would be able to focus on them without any distractions or stresses from work. The flying, should be much easier to do in chunks, either part-time or while on leave, around working.

So with that decision made, it essentially took out the time aspect of ‘get started asap’, out of the equation, as the earliest likely start date for all three routes would be roughly the same. So it then came down to the job security, and how quickly I’d be flying for one of the airlines I’m targeting, and for me, that is a significant factor.

With the modular route, given easyJet’s strong preference for MPL/Integrated cadets, they would effectively become ruled out as an option to apply to. And as I’d ideally like to be in a merit based, stable, short haul airline, on a good salary, with a good roster pattern, based in the UK (but not London), for me, that really leaves Jet2 and LoganAir, both of whom I’d have to hope are still actively hiring at the end of my training.

That suddenly felt like somewhat more of a risky route, given there’s only two airlines in the running and no guarantee with either. Whereas I could now again, potentially have a job offer from easyJet before starting anything, a fixed timescale to get there, and two shots at getting it.

I realise that is going to sound like I am putting limitations on who I’d like to be working for and where from, which does not really align with most advice you hear being given to people considering this career, as you do have to be flexible, but this is the reality of doing it later in life when you have other commitments and people in your life to consider too, and as such have things to consider beyond just getting to the righthand seat.

This ultimately tipped it in favour of the easyJet schemes. I really like the company, and was all set to apply last year, the only thing that’s changed is it’s become more expensive. So, that’s now the new plan.

I’m going to apply for both the CAE MPL route, and Skyborne’s easyJet linked ATPL, with CAE being the preference, as I think the MPL with more time in the Airbus sim learning to fly with easyJet’s procedures, as well as the fact that it’s not a full-time residential course, are a better fit for me and my personal life.

Modular with Aeros will be my fallback option should neither of those schemes work out for any reason.

So, with that decision made, I have put application in with CAE, and I’ve “registered interest” in the Skyborne scheme. I’ll let you know how I get on through the selection process!