BA Airbus v B757

[120class]

Post a successful DEP Sim Assessment, now awaiting a course date and wish to know more about Airbus v B757 lifestyle, typical roster patterns etc.

Many Thanks

[pilotatlast]

Take 757 every time, better lifestyle, a fair bit of longhaul, more days off, and a real mans plane!

[Hotel Mode]

No question the 757, bit of long haul so less LHR hassle and good chance you'll be directed off to another fleet before your initial freeze is over if/when the fleet runs down.

[Tandemrotor]

757

But I doubt the chioce will be yours!

[Captain Airclues]

Accept whichever has the earliest start date.

Airclues

[Riker]

Take 757/767. You will get to know Dar Es Salam real good. You will also get to see Nassau - nice......

[Frank Poncherello]

Hiya,
I fly the 'bus from LHR, and would recommend you took the 75! Nothing to do with the Airbus v Boeing argument, more a case of having more options in the bag. You will find it easier to convert/transfer to another boeing when the long haul bug bites (I have long since forgotten what trim is! - and I love it:} )

Seeing as a larger percentage of the BA fleet is Boeing, I would take the 75 is offered. The 73 LGW aircraft dont have long to go on their leases, so things could change very rapidly in the shorthaul camp.

Well done on getting in!

Frank

[PA-28 CLOUD SURFER]

I too am hoping to be in the same situation, in the very near future. If all goes to plan could it even be worth considering turning down an Airbus course and waiting for a boeing?? i am in the view that a type rating or job offer should never be turned down but i really would prefer the 75. Would love your views and help with this descision.

Best Regards

Cloud surfer

[TopBunk]

all goes to plan could it even be worth considering turning down an Airbus course and waiting for a boeing??

No, No a thousand times no. Simple enough?

I presume you have relatively low hours - not enough for direct entry to longhaul? The 757 fleet will probably have a (very) small if any requirement for Direct Entry Pilots. You will (presumably) have a long career ahead of you, take the first fleet offered and get on the list.

It's a no brainer.

[Von Smallhausen]

Once in BA, with the exception of leave, EVERYTHING is dependant upon seniority; When you get you days off, where you fly, how soon you can change aircraft, what type you change to, when you get your command, the list goes on....

Though vaguely aware of this beforehand, now that I'm in I cannot stress it enough. I appreciate most of us probably all have a bit of inner caveman about flying the biggest/fastest jet etc on joining but don't let this short-term appeal dimish the quality/choices you'll have over an entire career.

TAKE WHICHEVER COURSE GIVES YOU THE EARLIEST START DATE!!

I nearly forgot, well done too!

[120class]

Many Thanks!

[Boomerang]

120class well done! Is anyone else starting 19th Dec on the Airbus?

[MR SEABASS]

120, well done on passing selection. I joined the Airbus fleet earlier this year, having been given the option to delay a contract issue pending a 757 course. As it turned out I probably would have got a course a few months later but didn't want to risk it. I would echo the points about seniority, not just within the company but also within the fleets. You are likely to move off the bottom of the list far more quickly on the Airbus than on the 757, due to the large movement rate from the airbus fleet onto longhaul types at the top end of the list. You could be at the bottom of the 75/76 lists for longer, meaning more blind lines and weekend working etc. So, as ever, it comes down to your priorities. If you don't mind your fleet seniority staying lower but really want the chance for longhaul opportunites then the 75/76 might be worth holding out for, but if you want to gain bidding power and some control of your rostering earlier then the Airbus is probably a better option. Hope this heps. PM me if you want any more specifics.

[omnidirectional737]

Hello congrats

Can you give some more info on the SIM.

Regards

[120class]

Sim Test was on the 747-400. The sim was run by a Captain and SFO although not in our case from the 747 Fleet. In general the conduct was very friendly and straightforward.

Briefing - Covered basic aircraft systems, radios, navaids and autopilot use (not A/T). The brief also covered what was and was not being assessed (landing etc). Issued jetplans, weather & approach plates for the first leg;we were then allowed about 15 mins to plan the sortie choosing suitable divs etc.
Before each leg the respective PF was given an unassessed take-off, approach and landing prior to the Test.
Profile - Brussels to Heathrow (for me as PNF) followed by a break during which we recieved the next leg details which was Heathrow to Stansted as PF. We were expected to follow the relevent SID & STAR with of course timely interjections by ATC. We did not get a diversion on either leg. We had a few questions such as being asked to calculate ETAs etc.

At the end, we asked to debrief ourselves on the good and bad points. All in all the test took about 6 hours including briefs, breaks & chat.

Hope that helps.

Cheers