Sorry I took so long to reply, been busy with other things.
I had my interview on March 31st, and received my congrats email on the 2nd April.
Since then, I left Oz to move to Belgium with my sister until I finally found a place to live in London, and moved in on the 1st Sept.
I've been waiting for my NI application to process - I was told it could take up to 8 weeks & it's been 6 already. I hope they hurry up, as I think this is the only thing holding me back. (BA have nagged me for it since day dot - but as an Aussie, I don't have one, and needed to be in the country to apply, as we need to provide proof of residence)
BA have contacted all 3 of my references (I know one is yet to send their reply back).
Again, I hope this is all going to move quickly - the end of my hold pool is getting closer and closer, and with people being offered training before me, I can safely say I'm getting very anxious. It almost feels like it's never going to happen, although I have friends who work for WW and EF (both permanent) who told me they had to wait up to 10mths before getting training.
Good to hear you've got training, though - and I also hope for you that they don't cancel your training. Meanwhile I'm keeping my fingers (and toes, and whatever else I can think of) crossed hoping I'll get a golden call/email soon.
In reply to 747 message: Are you for real when you say you hope BA stood to the unions more? I work for BA and I'm also a BASSA member and I'm a bit pissed off when I read things like that. Our unions have been fighting for years for us to enjoy our current terms and conditions and I'm sure our T and Cs are the reasons why you applied for BA in the first place. I'm sure you'll enjoy them too when you get online and realise how lucky you are to be part of BA cabin crew. I'm glad our unions are as strong as they are and manage most of the time to protect the interest of the majority of our crew community. I'm sorry for those of you on a temporary contract ( some of my friends are on it) but you knew what to expect when you signed it. End of my rant
hey all... yes i just finished my 11 month contract... it was great had real fun... gutted wasnt offered anything... but thats it for me... and the rest of my course... any one i am sorry to say if you your contract is coming to an end... you will not be offered anything sorry guys... BA are even starting a new course on the 19th jan 2009 for ww temp course... its a shame they couldnt keep on those that wanted to stay and maybe offer another 11 months... i am sure people starting on the 19th jan wont say that.. i wish u lot lots of luck for your 11 months... but it seems its probably easier to recruit more temps than to offer anything to those that wanted to stay.. even another temp contract.. shame i would have stayed never mind... and yes before anyone replys to this message and says you know what a temp contract is... i do... nothing more nothing less.... just would have been to be kept on.... i had a ball though.... good luck to all those coming to an end... make the most of it.... p.s flying panther... i think 747 knew what a temp contract is... he /she was just expressing it would have been nice to be kept on thats all... and it would have... but obviously not to be... you quite clearly are a permenant member of staff. i could be wrong.
I am starting my training course at LGW Hangar 6 on Monday. I am traveling from Brighton, but I don't drive so I am relying on public transport. Could anyone help me with directions from Gatwick Airport Rail. I have done multiple searches on Google maps and I am still confused.
Any info would be much appreciated.
I have received a map in my starter pack but its really basic.
It's been years, but I thought Hanger 6 was located near the crew car park. That has probably changed, but I believe the hanger is on the South side of the runway, off of the Charlwood Road, to the Perimeter Rd South (I know it is the Perimeter Road South..it is basically where BA's LGW maintenance hanger is). I trained there when BA had a mainline base at LGW. They gave us directions in my orientation packet when I started, but mind you this was over 14 years ago.
I found this pdf file on the internet that shows the hanger area:
Hey YT
thank you so much for your reply. The map you sent is a lot more useful than the one I got and I can use the street names to do some bus research. Surely there must be a shuttle bus there and back, not everyone has access to a car.
I just could do with out one less thing to worry about on day one!
Thanks again
DG
hey dg, welcome to the ba family, you will love it here! anyway directions time, when you come out of the station turn left, then keep walking until you come to the virgin and easyjet check in desks! in the far right, past the toilets go through a set of double doors and downstairs until you are outside! in front of you will be a white bus, get on and tell the driver you are on ba training course,
Just a bit of extra information to add to c.r.m.'s excellent directions, the double doors will be labeled Concorde House. Although this is in the South Terminal, the buses will stop at Hangar 6 if you ask. The buses will be marked X,Y,Z and X overflow car park or something similar. The only thing I will say is that the drivers can sometimes be funny about taking people without ID's, which of course you won't have to start with, so make sure you've got something, ie a headed letter, with proof of training on it close to hand. This should be fine for them. Enjoy your course, study hard and we look forward to seeing you on line.
Jsl
P.S. For the record, LGW fleet is part of BA mainline in case you're wondering.
Just out of curiousity, what is the pay like, and the scheduling? Are you still rostered or can you bid for trips/days off? At BA loads on long haul and some on short haul commuted (I knew one who commuted on short haul to Durban! She would bid days off a certain way...long haul we were rostered). I wondered if commuting is possible if LGW based...
We have the Carmen system for our rostering. Technically, you can bid for trips/days off etc. but in reality, it's a bit of a sore point at the moment as it's not the most reliable! Saying that, a friend of mine seems to have got his bidding spot on. Either that or he's sneaking boxes of chocolates to Carmen, and his roster is always pretty much what he wants. The same goes for salary, as it really depends on what flights you're doing. Long haul is where the money is and the potential earnings are pretty good if you get it right. Unfortunately, if you're a purser, forget it! (I'm not bitter! )
As for commuting, a lot do especially since the introduction of single fleet. Most seem to manage quite well although, I don't think we have anyone coming form a long distance. It's mainly within Europe.
Saying all that, it's still a great base and fun to work at. There's no doubt, LHR have the better T&C's but LGW has a lot going for it too.
Thank you all for your excellent directions. Its really kind of you to help me out. I honestly would have had no idea how to get there (or to take my offer letter with me, thanks JSL). I feel so much better now.
Still a little nervous about starting as I've been waiting since May but its reassuring to know I am going to be working with a group of lovely people.
Looking forward to meeting y'all.
DG
Good Luck to those who have got course dates! But spare a thought for those left behind, some of whom had their assessments months before those who have received course dates, but who still have nothing despite checking with recruitment. Not even a cancelled course. Just nothing.
I don't understand the reasoning behind this. It clearly has little to do with previous experience as newbies too are being given a chance.
So if you have got a course - give it everything you've got. You are one of the lucky ones.
I must apologise if I have offended anyone. It wasn't my intention to rub anyones nose in the fact I have a start date. I have been in the same position, ready to leave my crap job since may, so I am very sympathetic towards people who are still painfully waiting.
Initially I started a new thread merely asking for directions and the moderator included it in this main thread.
So again I apologise, and I wish everyone who is still on hold lots of luck and hope you all get there very soon.
p.s flying panther... i think 747 knew what a temp contract is... he /she was just expressing it would have been nice to be kept on thats all... and it would have... but obviously not to be... you quite clearly are a permenant member of staff. i could be wrong.
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