THANK CREW
Thomas Cook passengers hold emotional whip-round for tearful staff on final flight after travel firm collapsed
EMOTIONAL Thomas Cook passengers held a whip-round for tearful staff on the collapsed firm's final flight.
Britain's oldest travel firm went bust this morning, leaving 21,000 jobs at risk and thousands of holidaymakers stranded abroad.
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A tear-jerking video shows passengers raising money for stricken staff and applauding crew members as a plane from Orlando landed in Manchester.
The Airbus A330 touched down at Manchester Airport at 9.30am this morning after news the travel firm had gone under came out as they were in the air.
Elizabeth Evans, who was on the flight with husband Chris, both from Bury, Greater Manchester, said: "It's a sad day, they've just landed and found out they've got no jobs.
"The pilot... he just kept thanking the staff and the lead hostess thanked the pilot.
"It's a sad day for them.
"It was sad to see them crying, as we were getting off. One of the staff has done 22 years, now it's come to this.
"It's rubbish that it's gone bust."
Another video posted online today shows how travellers on a Thomas Cook flight wished all of those who worked for the firm "good luck".
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Everyone on board finished their message with a round of applause in appreciation for the team and their hard work.
The footage was filmed by a cabin crew member who asked holidaymakers to give her colleagues a "thumbs up" as they now face an uncertain future.
Despite this the member of staff stays calm and bubbly throughout her request, even though she may now be unemployed.
She said: "Please, I wonder if you'll be up for a little Thomas Cook challenge for me so that I can put it on our page when we land.
"I wonder if everybody would raise their thumbs and say a massive good luck Thomas Cook."
Keeping the mood light, she even makes a joke, saying: "Now, we are going to video it, so if anyone's on holiday with someone who they're not supposed to be on holiday with now is a very good time to duck out."
Thomas Cook employee rights
SOME Thomas Cook employees have already been told that they are being made redundant, although that number is expected to increase throughout the day.
A handful of staff are being kept on to assist the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in getting Thomas Cook holidaymakers home and to help wind up the shops’ operations.
Employees who have been made redundant will not be paid their September paycheck because the company is in liquidation.
Former staff will have to apply for their wages owed from the Redundancy Payment Service (RPS).
This is a scheme run by the Insolvency Service, an agency of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, that deals with companies that stop trading due to financial difficulties.
You can apply as long as you were working for the company with an employment contract and you live in England, Scotland and Wales.
But the amount you may receive is capped at £525 a week, meaning that you won’t be paid all of what you’re owed if your salary is more.
As well as unpaid wages, you can also apply for accrued holiday pay, redundancy payouts, and compensation for not being able to work your notice period, called statutory notice pay.
Each application is treated separately and also capped at £525 a week.
The agency aims to pay you your wages within 14 days of receiving your application, or sooner if possible.
Staff based in Northern Ireland can find out more about their rights .
Employees of Thomas Cook's airlines and tour operator companies are encouraged to speak to administrators , while retail and aircraft maintenance staff should speak to KPMG to make a claim via its or email [email protected].
The government has a for more information for Thomas Cook passengers and staff.
After wishing staff good luck, the passengers applaud the crew aboard for their efforts.
Since the video was posted on Twitter just after 7am this morning, it's received 505 likes and 106 retweets.
One person even replied to the post: "That made me emotional... :(".
Thomas Cook's collapse leaves 9,000 British employees in limbo and thousands of holidaymakers stranded abroad.
Some staff have been made redundant, while others will be kept on for now - see the box above for more information on salaries and redundancy payouts.
Thomas Cook CEO Peter Fankhauser offers his apologies to customers and colleagues after the company collapses
Other staff members have been quick to praise the failed firm for their time in employment.
"Devastated" cabin crew member Nicola Smith posted a photo of herself in the doorway of a Thomas Cook plane on Facebook.
She wrote: "It was a pleasure. Devastated today was my last flight and I done it without even really knowing."
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"Tearful" staff member Raúl Robaina Pacheco also posted a photo of his name badge and another of crew crossing the runway.
He wrote: "Absolutely gutted, I cried my eyes out when I got this job and I am crying my eyes out losing it.
"Thank you to all my colleagues, I will keep all of you in my sunny heart."
The troubled company had until 11.59pm last night to pay the £200million it owed its creditors.
It officially went into administration this morning.
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The Sun can reveal that ministers have now chartered dozens of aircraft as they plan the UK’s biggest repatriation since World War Two.
While travellers expecting to board Thomas Cook planes in the UK today have been told to stay at home as ALL flights are grounded permanently.
Here's what to do if you have an upcoming trip booked with Thomas Cook.
There my also be a chance that you can get your money back - here's how.
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