Hairdo and 787diver, I’m not suggesting your experiences are invalid, but as a current VAA pilot with two years at the company, I haven’t encountered the issues you’ve described. Is Virgin Atlantic perfect? Of course not—but my experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
The training is of a high standard, and while the airline doesn’t spoon-feed its pilots, it reflects a mature, professional environment that many of my colleagues—and I—genuinely appreciate. There’s an expectation of professionalism, which is appropriate for an airline of this calibre.
In my time here, I’ve had the pleasure of flying with some of the most competent and professional individuals I’ve met in the industry. That said, it’s true that a small number of recent hires have fallen short of the standards expected—both in terms of behaviour downroute and performance on the flight deck. Like most reputable carriers, Virgin does not tolerate that kind of conduct.
They pay fairly, treat their staff well, and expect high standards in return. Let’s not allow isolated incidents or personal grievances to distort the reputation of what is, for many of us, a very good company to work for.