Commuting for Virgin Atlantic

[NordicJetSet]

Hello,

I'm thinking of applying to VA, but I'd like to stay here in Scandinavia. So does anyone know if it's possible to commute to London? Do rosters and staff travel benefits allow that?

And if someone knows an e-mail address etc. where I could ask about this, would be greatly appreciated...

[sukigirl]

Nordic i dont have an email address i can give you but i can give you a little info. You may find that for the first 6 months you would have to live in uk as you wont get your consessions untill after then. Then you will be able to buy zed fare or id90. You will have at least 2-3 days of after each trip (4 after hkg-syd.)
I have actually met a crew member who commutes from sweden and she says its very hard, For early flights you may need to come down the night before. You will find that your day may start at 6am for a 1pm check in for 11 hour LA flight etc. You also risk not getting on flights to uk that are full and crewing dont take to kindly to that. Plus we may soon be doing monthly standbys (see virgin crew pay ballot thread)
However i am not trying to put you of because there are crew who commute from all over, There is even a captain who commutes from Toronto!! Though he does also have an apartment near heathrow as well.
Just one thing, in your interview it may not be a good idea to tell them your plans of commuting if you can avoid it. As it may affect your chances. It all depends on how far you live from your airport and how long and frequent the flights are from your neck of the woods.
Good luck!

[virgincrew99]

hi nordic!!

personally standby tickets have increased so much its hardly worth commuting any more!! and on a virgin junior wage if you had 5 flights in a months that would be £250 down before you paid any bills! sadly we dont get paid enough! and with the soon to be introduced monthly standby!! this will kill off most of our virgin crew commuters! and when you are on standby on ba all their staff and one world partners will get on before you so you will be the end of the standby list !! so to be honest commuting is not really worth it and after living in london six months waiting for your concessions on a tiny salary you will be broke!
good luck and dont for get your virgin flair at your interview!