BA Engineers

[The African Dude]

Hi folks,

I noticed the thread 'Arrogant pilots' below so I'm worried about posting this Q now!! Anyway, here goes. I do want to fly, but I graduate next year in Mechanical Eng (with Aeronautics) from Brunel.

I thought about working for BA as an engineer, but was wondering what life was like? For example, how difficult is it to get into as a graduate and what the pay and conditions are like (PM if you prefer), but also all other aspects of the job would be of interest.

Can anybody give a step-by-step guide as to what to expect from the date of starting? Although I want to fly I'm also willing to put 5 years of hard work into engineering to pay for it - would I be hated for my end goal???

Any info at all, or any advice would be great!!

Thanks chaps
Andy

[FunctionedSatis]

Andy,

For a grad entering the airlines your looking towards the officed based side of our industry, technical sevices, tech records, maint planning, dev engineering, thease sort of areas. Many airlines do recruit such people although im not fully aware of how often they do.

Actual hands on working on aircraft your degree will be as much use as tits on a nun. Many of my friends have 1st class hons from city and kingston, but they all still have the required EASA pt 66 licence.

Now for yourself with aspirations of becomming a pilot id steer well clear of studying for the pt 66 licence and try to hunt out a good graduate programme with and airline or aerospace company. Im not up to speed on thease. 2 friends have just completed there programme with Virgin and are now qualified development engineers. They have 1st class hons from city uni.
so there are jobs out there your just gonna be a small fish in a very large pond im afraid.

What i can say 5 years is not much in engineering, maybe compleate a grad programme in 3 i think, certainly not a licenced route, takes around 4 years to get licenced and thats the quick way by going to an approved training school. Even then your not very expirienced, like me currently 8 years, 2 years fully licenced and still learning my trade. you never really stop.

Well hope my ramblings are usefull somhow.


Cheers

Stu.

[coax]

my advice to you is stay away from aviation,get a job in IT or something and if you do still want to go for it stay away from BA,and before anyone jumps on my case I am a fully qualified B2 engineer who did 10 years at BA,and a further 6 years at my present employer .

[Fargoo]

By all means come into engineering just don't choose BA.
BA engineering is in turmoil at the moment with severe downsizing in progress and a generally demoralised workforce.
The place was great 10 years ago but things have most definately changed. Another 10 years will probably see most of BA's engineering outsourced (if it takes that long).
Wherever you go you won't be hated for your aspirations - just make sure you see them through!

Edited for PP Spelling

[The African Dude]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys.

I hadn't realised it took that duration to become licensed. I suppose I'm looking for a challenging job that is in the aviation game, whilst I work towards my ambitions.

Thanks also for the heads-up on what life's like at BA!! Any more advice is more than welcome!!


Andy

[nozzle]

Hey the African Dude engineering is cool and the way you would realy see what engineerings about is to go work in deep Africa.
It is a good and enjoyable trade.
Good luck and enjoy.

[FunctionedSatis]

I can add to that too, steer clear of BA i was 6 years there, they trained me so i got some good out of them! but engineering is a mess at the moment!

[jar66_b2]

I'm with the majority here.

Only lasted 2 years at BA, couldn't settle in there and hearing bad things within the ranks now. Got out and now working on Industrial Turbines.

Plenty of options out there though, if I'd bothered going to Uni I'd target the manufacturers of airframe/components, Airbus, GE, Honeywell. rockwell collins etc

Good luck

[The African Dude]

Thankyou folks, all your information and advice has been interesting and helpful.

Best wishes to you all with your own careers.
Andy