BA Direct Entry Roadshows

[Wheelflyer300]

They are looking for 330 direct entry pilots in 2016. Here's the link:

British Airways announces Direct Entry recruitment roadshows - Pilot Career News

[Trafalgar]

Dan, don't be ridiculous. Why would anyone want to trade a career of chaos and misery for the opportunity to live and work in/near your home, with a recognised first world airline with robust labour law protections and exciting career path (not to mention hosties you can actually tell a joke to)? Sorry man, but you are going to have to do waaaaay better than that to get me to give up the pollution, dirt, non-rostering system, joke rosters, crowds, shoebox apartments, cultured locals and all the other wonderful aspects of living in HK. Don't forget, by staying with CX, you are assured that the management will continually demonstrated respect and gratitude towards you for the sacrifice you make. If that doesn't convince you, then being able to put away thousands of $$$$ a month into savings should surely swing it. Oh, wait....

[McNugget]

Oh look - it's Dan Buster and Trafalgar.

Yawn.

FYI. There are vast numbers not applying for a multitude of reasons.

Mine is thus - because I'm not a total idiot, I actually save more each month than my net take-home would be at BA.

[Anotherday]

Ahh yes McNugget, BA also get the days off if that's the roster you bid for. And you can go part time for even more days off.

So for you, forget the pollution and everything else that you and your family endure.

It's all about the money................

[McNugget]

No, it's not 'all about the money', but I'm not doing this for free.

Every month I work brings my retirement date forward a month. That's quite compelling.
My wife and I are very happy here, thanks.

I'm aware of the pros and cons of BA. There are many of both. So, like many on HKPA, for a whole host of reasons, I won't be applying.

Ps, their Chrystal rostering system, while better than our non-system, is now pretty poor by world standards. A big departure from what Bidline was.

[Shoebox]

(not to mention hosties you can actually tell a joke to)

Yeah but they'll still think you're a ****.

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by Dan Buster

But you are doing it for about 50% less.

Yet my take-home pay is exactly double what it would be as a BA LH DEP.


Thanks for the encouragement - I do enjoy living in said cesspool. There is a huge amount of fun to be had here.

I don't live with any spikey haired 'dudes'. I live with my wife. She doesn't have spikey hair, either.

And no - you're wrong. While many do hope for an increase in HKPA, it isn't why people are staying. Those that are hoping are also applying elsewhere.

Thanks for telling me how I think, though.

You really are a sad act.

[mngmt mole]

McNugget. Just exactly how long does it take to get approval back from management after review before you submit each post? You talk about 'take home'. Haha. Yes, and then you start paying HK prices. And I'm sure you and your wife are living in adequate accommodation as well. There's always one......

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by mngmt mole

McNugget. Just exactly how long does it take to get approval back from management after review before you submit each post? You talk about 'take home'. Haha. Yes, and then you start paying HK prices. And I'm sore you and your wide are living in adequate accommodation as well. There's always one......

I'm having to guess at the general direction of your comment, as it was borderline illegible.

Feel free not to believe what I say. I couldn't give a **** either way what you think.

HK is expensive, congratulations on working that out. I'm still financially far better off being here.

Would I like better accommodation? Naturally. But I also like 16-18 days off a month, and low tax regime thus higher take home, etc... Which I wouldn't stand a chance of getting at BA. I fact, if I could be bothered, I could spend more time in one of my more-than-adequate places in the UK than I would be able to working at BA.

All things considered, though, I'll stay out. Thanks for your concern.

[Avinthenews]

This is exactly CX's plan, get them in the door while things appear good for the early years by the time a family and schooling comes around seniority (the great system we actually think works for us ) has well and truly taken hold and the company can forever turn the screws knowing you've got nowhere to go!

With hindsight I should have left when I had the chance, sure I'd not retire as early but at least I would have seen my kids grow up in the country I call home. Plus I could always become a SIM instructor with CX

[Trafalgar]

Dan. I suspect that McNug is simply bitter and is therefore trying to justify his decision in spite of all the obvious contradictions in his comments. He either is or will be management. His attitude is perfect.

[Captn_Kirk]

More likely he couldn't make it to BA and is trying to convince himself he's better off here.

Nuggets, don't ever complain about HKPA or lack of basing.

[Joejetjock]

You guys all need to chill.
What any single person decides to pursue is up to him/her....surely.
We never know if our decisions were the right ones until the end: and even then we may not be sure.
No one else has the right or legitimacy to criticize choices that inherently, are personal. Such individuals that do criticize the decisions of others, provide nothing more than a source of light entertainment.
Live and let live.

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by Captn_Kirk

More likely he couldn't make it to BA and is trying to convince himself he's better off here.

Nuggets, don't ever complain about HKPA or lack of basing.

Yeh, perhaps you're right. Idiot.

And I won't, don't worry. If I wanted a base I would have been awarded it a couple of bids ago.

Traf - there is only one person here that comes a cross as relentlessly bitter; day in, day out, and it's not me.

Oh, and out of curiosity (as opposed to giving a **** what a bitter old man like you thinks) could you point out all of these 'obvious contradictions in my comments'?

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by Dan Buster

Some more garbage

You are wrong. The last LHR bid went senior. The one before was, like the one before it, awarded to JFOs, contingent on passing QL. I was higher in seniority than a friend who was awarded it.

Get your facts straight. You're looking more foolish than ever.

Contradictions, please?

Oh, I apologise. I'm FO1 - somewhere between 4.5-5 yeas in. Top stalking, though.

[betpump5]

£2500 pounds a month salary (29'500HKD) with 40% going to a bunch of pikeys.

Where do I sign up!

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by betpump5

£2500 pounds a month salary (29'500HKD) with 40% going to a bunch of pikeys.

Where do I sign up!

I think you're looking at the 'cadet' salary - for FPP cadets and those fresh out of flight school.

A DEP can expect 4,100-4,300 a month long haul. Again, still poor but the amongst the best of a bad lot. Europe is ridiculous now.

[betpump5]

so you are saying the Pikeys will get more welfare benefits?

£4'100 = 48500HKD= SO 1st year salary+ HKPA.

[McNulty]

Dan, don't be ridiculous. Why would anyone want to trade a career of chaos and misery for the opportunity to live and work in/near your home, with a recognised first world airline with robust labour law protections and exciting career path (not to mention hosties you can actually tell a joke to)? Sorry man, but you are going to have to do waaaaay better than that to get me to give up the pollution, dirt, non-rostering system, joke rosters, crowds, shoebox apartments, cultured locals and all the other wonderful aspects of living in HK. Don't forget, by staying with CX, you are assured that the management will continually demonstrated respect and gratitude towards you for the sacrifice you make. If that doesn't convince you, then being able to put away thousands of $$$$ a month into savings should surely swing it. Oh, wait....

Grass is always greener syndrome. Give me the polite, respectful asian cabin crew any day of the week (careful with the kind of jokes you tell the crew in western airlines, very easily offended). Give me the vibrant expat scene in HK over the dreary miserable culture back home. London is great if you like rain, high taxes and being treated like a terrorist by staff security every day despite doing a million background checks (no liquids >100ml captain).

Sorry if you're miserable in HK, but life as an FO in BA won't be quite the western civilized utopia you're dreaming of. And you will certainly be financially less well off too, have you looked at rental prices in London recently? Food for thought.

[3Greens]

I don't know a single BA pilot that actually lives in London. If money is your bag then live in France and pay about 15%tax. Easily done and hundreds do.
I have no idea what the bloke who mention our crystal bidding system is on about. We still have bid line. Albeit with a few changes over years gone by, but it's still bid line. Crystal is the software we use to bid annually to change seats, bases or types.
I'm a 15 year SFO, living in France and take home £8500 per month.
Does anyone really base a career decision on how the cabin crew react to a joke?