Rumour becomes Fact
Company email from a senior manager sent to all BA pilots:
Due to growth in our Summer 2011 flying programme, we anticipate a need to recruit pilots to ensure we have the correct pilot establishment to fly the programme.
A business case has been submitted and we have received approval to recruit 80 pilots in the financial year 2011 to 2012. Once more detail emerges about the planned flying programme for Winter 2011 a further review will take place, which may result in the need to submit a further business case for additional pilot recruitment.
Our campaign to recruit 80 pilots for next summer will open on 1 October 2010 and will initially be for pilots with a current type rating and at least 500 hours flying on the A320, B757/767 or B737. If and when we gain approval to recruit pilots beyond the initial 80 for Summer 2011, we may at some point widen the campaign to include SSPs and DEPs without a type rating on an aircraft type that we operate.
When we closed the last recruitment campaign in 2008 there were 118 pilots in our “hold pool”, made up of a combination of DEPs and SSPs. We have written to all 118 to advise them of the current situation and what options are available to them individually.
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More rumours - apparently there is some debate amongst senior management as to whether there will be enough TR'd applicants to meet BA's needs for the coming training year.
Also, rumours that there will be a further requirement for approx 200 pilots during the following 2 years, for which the TR requirement may be relaxed.
Good luck.