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If you're not after a specific fleet then that's a possible indication of time to LH going forward, especially given the points Wiggy has made (retirements picking up), with the usual health warnings about the clarity of the crystal ball. Of course Bex if you're specifically referring to the Yammer post about the seniority required for internal transfer to the 787 fleet in 2017 then you're more or less right, although I'd edge closer to 5 years.
My advice? Take Short Haul if it's offered. If you really want to spend the rest of your career in BA it's an absolute no brainer. Waiting another 18 months will make a huge difference to your career in this airline, it's just one giant seniority machine and anyone joining would be best advised to get their name on the Master Seniority List at the earliest opportunity regardless of the fleet.
Of course you have the additional prospect of another black swan event making any recruitment in 2018 vanish and you will be kicking yourself forever if that is the case.
Last edited by RexBanner; 19th Nov 2016 at 06:28.
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Hi Rex
Good post. Yeah it was a rough estimate. From last years bid guys who are on courses for the 2016 training year may have been in BA for about 4 years so just out of their training freeze. Next year my estimate was that that would increase and guys/girls would probably expect to serve their 5 year freeze. To sum it up, in my first year I moved up the seniority list about 70 places. In the last two years we have seen about 800 pilots join the list. This year commands are about 1400-1500 places higher. Seems like we all agree, when the phone rings take any fleet offered. Hopefully the company can continue to offer growth and good jobs for more pilots.
Good post. Yeah it was a rough estimate. From last years bid guys who are on courses for the 2016 training year may have been in BA for about 4 years so just out of their training freeze. Next year my estimate was that that would increase and guys/girls would probably expect to serve their 5 year freeze. To sum it up, in my first year I moved up the seniority list about 70 places. In the last two years we have seen about 800 pilots join the list. This year commands are about 1400-1500 places higher. Seems like we all agree, when the phone rings take any fleet offered. Hopefully the company can continue to offer growth and good jobs for more pilots.
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Binsleepen cheers I didn't account for that but the central point I was making was that it's unlikely to be significantly longer than your engagement freeze before you can move off to Long Haul if that is what you wish. Of course as I said no one knows how this will pan out going forward. I would imagine though that the increased uptake of part time options to cope with the workload and the return of retirements post 2016 to the long term historical average will only aid matters.
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It has been posted that some people are currently moving from short haul to long haul after about four years and it seems to be the assumtion that this will continue to be the same for anyone joing short haul in the future. At the same time, it has been posted that there are several hundred BMI pilots plus a further eight hundred new joiners between those people getting long haul positions now and any future joiners. Admittedly some of these pilots are already on long haul, but are we seriously suggesting nearly one thousand pilots will move from short haul to long haul over the next four years - just as a reduction in capacity has been announced in the five year plan? It does not add up.
Should someone in the pool from Sept 2016 until March 2018 who has let BA know they'd accept SH or LH, be worried they might not get called at all? Nothing is certain I know, and having taken three attempts to pass I know I'm happy to be swimming, just wondering if i might actually need a forth attempt somewhere down the road...
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Hi VJW, I'm worried about not being called at all also but hoping that if there is some positive movement in 2017 then there might be a chance. I am non typed and run out end of 2017. Seems there have been some sim checks after us so that is always positive. Guess we will be quite near the top of the list as non typed coming to end of next year so hope always alive!
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Hi basiljet and VJW
I'm in the same position as you. Hold pool runs out end of 2017.
I guess it just depends on when the recruitment can "confirm the requirement for 2018" and start offering positions.
If anyone can give an estimation on this that would be great.
Would have to sink in the pool after waiting so long
I'm in the same position as you. Hold pool runs out end of 2017.
I guess it just depends on when the recruitment can "confirm the requirement for 2018" and start offering positions.
If anyone can give an estimation on this that would be great.
Would have to sink in the pool after waiting so long
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Glad not to be the only one in this unsteady boat. I'm hoping if they start hiring again in 2017 then we should be ok but I have no idea of what/if/when etc. Hopefully the next few months will reveal more so then we can continue to hope or move on. Hoping for the former though.
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GS Alpha. No that's not what is being suggested. Most of the BMI numbers are either Captains or have moved to LH. Some still remain as P2 SH but very few. Of the guys after the BMI lot a good number are DEP onto LH. Work on 5 years for a move and you probably not going to be to disappointed.
Hold pool guys, once I have info on the internal bids for part time and how that affects things I'll put some info up. Until then though it did say A320 LHR/LGW - recruitment, and that's before any part time bids have been factored in. 2017 was always going to be a quieter year for recruitment so I would not worry at this time. Hope that helps
Hold pool guys, once I have info on the internal bids for part time and how that affects things I'll put some info up. Until then though it did say A320 LHR/LGW - recruitment, and that's before any part time bids have been factored in. 2017 was always going to be a quieter year for recruitment so I would not worry at this time. Hope that helps
Thanks from me too Bex.
Would be a shame for SH recruitment to open again, and hoover up more type rated guys over those of us swimming that are happy to go SH even though we're non type rated. If that happens I guess that's just how it goes though.
I'll keep treading
Would be a shame for SH recruitment to open again, and hoover up more type rated guys over those of us swimming that are happy to go SH even though we're non type rated. If that happens I guess that's just how it goes though.
I'll keep treading
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I've flown with a Capt who talked to someone from recruitment... (I know..)
As far as he/she know everyone in the current holdpool will be offered a startdate at some point (albeit it might take some time).
Hopefully that puts your minds at ease a little
As far as he/she know everyone in the current holdpool will be offered a startdate at some point (albeit it might take some time).
Hopefully that puts your minds at ease a little
BA have plenty of form on this I'm afraid.
Back in October 2011 I was interviewed, assessed and placed in a holding pool. Despite constant strong rumours about a complete freeze on recruitment, it wasn't until October 2012 that swimmers were informed that the pool was being closed.
I recall the same stories in 2008 or around that time. With Brexit and the general cyclical nature of the industry, I wouldn't be surprised if BA's growth ceases.
You cannot blame the recruitment team for the lack of information or clarity. I'm sure they're as frustrated as you are.
Back in October 2011 I was interviewed, assessed and placed in a holding pool. Despite constant strong rumours about a complete freeze on recruitment, it wasn't until October 2012 that swimmers were informed that the pool was being closed.
I recall the same stories in 2008 or around that time. With Brexit and the general cyclical nature of the industry, I wouldn't be surprised if BA's growth ceases.
You cannot blame the recruitment team for the lack of information or clarity. I'm sure they're as frustrated as you are.
I think that's a fair comment MH152,
I've lost count of the number of DEP cycles I've seen since the late 80's. I think up until Spring it was all very rosy but then a combination of matters political and otherwise have put a break on things.
That said fingers crossed that anyone currently in the hold pool will get fished out before too long.
I've lost count of the number of DEP cycles I've seen since the late 80's. I think up until Spring it was all very rosy but then a combination of matters political and otherwise have put a break on things.
That said fingers crossed that anyone currently in the hold pool will get fished out before too long.
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The negativity is overblown IMHO (although this is pprune of course!). Recruitment has hardly ground to a halt, this upcoming year was always planned as a lull comparatively speaking because BA are only taking delivery of a single 787 in 2017. Granted this "lull" was still projected to be 170 people and that has halved to potentially 80 people by all accounts but remember, if you forget the last two years that's still a fair chunk. People are getting offers as I speak, I know a couple of them.
Last edited by RexBanner; 23rd Nov 2016 at 21:56.
Thanks for the recent posts Rex, although I have to say a couple things. Firstly I don't think people recently are blaming the recruitment team for anything. I hope I haven't given that impression. Regarding being 'negative' this is only mildly the case due to an email all us swimmers got recently. Stating as you say the requirement for 2017 has been halved. It's understandable why we might be concerned by this, especially if you consider the hold pool time has been extended because of the same reason.
People might be getting offers, but I bet you they're all 320 rated - a point we've been trying to make.
People might be getting offers, but I bet you they're all 320 rated - a point we've been trying to make.