Airbus Girl ---->
would you leave? NO not in my position, having joined in my mid 30's 4 years ago I am not badly placed as a short haul FO re. seniority (about 2/3rd up on the airbus list), so get my choice of work and days off etc .... although that will change if I go say 777 or 747 ....
given the chance again, would you have joined BA? Uuuhhhmm !!!! I could have been a Capt. for the last 3 years with my previous employer .... its a difficult question to answer and one I often ask myself ! (even after 4 years with BA).
In short ... I miss a smaller company with 'simple SOP's' where the word 'airmanship' meant a lot (not FCO's Flight Crew Orders in BA where airmanship is almost a dirty word ) .... BUT, BA does offer stability, good pay, stable roster (bliss!),retire at 55 with a good pension (not the case for new joiners), lots of types to fly, huge route structure, very strong BALPA council .... so in short I wouldn't leave BUT do have friends who have been in BA and now gone to say Easy for commands after only a few years .....
To have joined BA 6-8 years ago mid 30's would have been great, you would see a shorthaul command very quickly and the carrot of a 777 or 744 command would be within reach before you retire .... but all that is not the case now .... the retirement bulge is over, the retirement age will be pushed to 60 (causing a 5 year stagnation period), BA has closed all the regional bases for early commands (even LGW has become very senior due recent pay deal); if your <30 then YES join its worth it (but only with a final salary pension) .... at the end of the day BA doesn't bond on types so you can always throw in the towel and go pastures new .... but >say 30 think carefully about seniority with view lifestyle and very long term command prospects ....
Last edited by noblues; 23rd May 2004 at 07:39.