BA recruitment to recommence soon.

[yasserfat]

Apparently (i.e. rumour)and on good authority, the mighty BA still need pilots, and will re-start selection programmes later this summer. Those in the pool have started to be summoned, but not always on the type they asked for...A319 seems to be favourite at the moment.

Still, heartening news.

[flying doc]

Can anyone in the pool confirm this rumour..?

[Captain Numpty]

Precisely......I am not knocking what is being said here........However, it's interesting to note that no-one has seemingly mentioned this before........

Who knows, may be the "Pool" are all on a secret mission and can't talk about it LOL!!!

Good news if it is true though.....best of luck to all those concerned

C.N.

[B clam]

There are only 400 Flt ops positions to go with reference to the announced job losses so far (13200). This 'man-power reduction' is easily covered by initiatives such as part-time, unpaid leave et al. Coupled with the fact that there are something between 600-900 retirements over the next few years it doesn't need a rocket scientist to see that BA will need to recruit.

In addition, the 744 will 'gagging' for pilots soon as the Company are keeping some a/c that they thought would go. Whether DEP or from within - pilots required!

[Amazon man]

I doubt very much that there will be any external recruitment for BA at the present time any new entrants are more likely to go to CitiExpress.

CitiExpress Pilots, Mainline Pilots and BALPA still have lots of questions to resolve.

[Peter Skellan]

Oh goody - where do we all apply. After all I am sure we are all dying to work for Mr Eddington. Most pilots yearn to fly for an airline run by the Cabin Crew in cohorts with the Beancounters. YES, I say, I would relish sitting in the RHS of a Birdseed Whale contemplating 8 years to command and earning less than the CSD and Pursar comfortably chatting away behind me in First. Where they instruct me I am not allowed to sit.

I note with barely dampened enthusiasm that BA have withdrawn final salary pensions for new DEP's and that several unions in my new company are contemplating strike action. Meanwhile the sheer ecstacy that is the M25, LHR parking and Bus catching makes me virtually all of a quiver.

I just know that it will all be so worth it as I touch down in all those 'choice' destinations that my seniority will consign me to for a decade or so. I do think 3rd World countries offer such a rich cultural perspective on life and you hardly ever get shot at or anything.



It will certainly tax even the likes of Charles Satchi to sell a package that entails world leading appalling industrial relations, rock bottom morale, lower starting pay, long time to command and a no longer special pension.

PS <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Suggs]

Peter Skellan

Slightly bitter mate, don't worry lots have people have got a BA rejection letter.

[Flap 80]

At least BA give you the chance after a 4 year freeze to change from s/haul to l/haul or vv.Join VS,FR,GO or EZY and you are stuck in a groove.Do you want to fly one type until 55 or 60???.

[maxalt]

There are current threads on this BB speculating on the possible demise of BA. Perhaps slightly exaggerated, but this is a company with BIG problems.. .Wouldn't be my idea of a good move. . .But then I don't need a job.

[mainfrog2]

If none of you like the idea don't apply (if it's true).

. .Missing you already.

[thewwIIace]

i just flew with management pilot who says no recruitment this year after a training meeting last week so take that as you will

[Super Stall]

PETER SKELLAN, whenever somebody mentions the possibilty of working for BA you pipe up telling the world why they should'nt.

I really hope you are as good as your word, pls dont appply, EVER !!

Can't you get it into your head that other people's ambitions may be different to yours. They may just want to see a bit more of the world than you, and get the opportunity to fly some very nice kit in the bargain. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[jetgirl]

Am in the pool and no sign of any movement yet......I doubt they will take any unrated pilots for the time being.

[Captain Airclues]

The 'pool' refered to by Yasserfat is the group of pilots who had signed contracts prior to 9/11, but had not been assigned to a course. These pilots have been on full basic pay, and are now being offered courses, mainly on the B737 and A319/320 at LHR. Unlike some other airlines, BA allowed the TEP's to continue their training, and these pilots will have to be found places.. .There will be considerable movement in the next few years. Rather than ground some of the 744s as originally planned we will now be operating 56 in 2002 and all 57 in 2003. There are 200+ retirements for the next few years, mainly from the longhaul fleets.. .Loads are picking up in a big way, and the yields are also recovering. Most JFK flights are full in F and J. I don't think that it will be long before BA needs to start recruiting again. I think that aviation has turned the corner, which is good news for everyone, especially the wannabes.

Airclues

[FLEX42]

Peter Skellan :- I enjoyed your post, full of ironic humour and more than a dash of truth I'd say.

Maxalt :- Concur with your view, think it's a good time to be retiring from BA right now.

ps. Suggs, before you accuse me of having a rejection letter, I haven't. At the age I left the military I wasn't going to see a L/H command so there was no point in applying. As SS says, different people have different ambitions and I was lucky to fly some good kit all over the world. It probably IS fair to say that BA is not the great company it once was and has difficult times ahead if it is to survive........I hope it does.

[Recover]

Not that it would suprise me (mushrooms and all that), but if BA are starting to do this, then it is the first that the recruiters have heard about it <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[B clam]

It seems to me that most of the negative posts about BA come from those who don't work for the Company.

BA has created a lot of its own problems and cannot blame the economy/09/11 for its misfortunes but why are these people hoping that the Company fails - what purpose will this serve?

There needs to be an airline that pilots aspire to and BA is in the best position to provide this. It has started on the right track to reform, albeit reactively and still needs to tackle working practices. You can be sure that the management will be looking at these areas when they have enough cash/confidence to take on the unions.

I can only take as envy this 'schaden fraude' aginst BA. I work for the Company but have been on the 'other side' working for charter/RAF. I am suitably placed to know that we work just as hard as our colleagues in other airlines (90% of us do anyway!) and we get just as frustrated at the Company's inefficiencies.

Please try and cut out the petty and worthless back stabbing.

[dallas dude]

I got three "No Thank You" letters from BA myself.. .. .Remember being very disappointed each time, especially when they were running ads in Flight that basically said "If you're thinking of learning to fly"!. .. .Couldn't face a fourth so went to work for AA.. .. .Glad I did. Funny how things work out.. .. .Good luck to those that did make it.. .. .Cheers,

[NigelOnDraft]

PS. .. .&lt;&lt;I note with barely dampened enthusiasm that BA have withdrawn final salary pensions for new DEP's &gt;&gt;. .Could you provide a reference or similar to back this up? Or is it just speculation...?. .. .NoD

[orcahouse]

To all the people who are foretelling doom and gloom. Where were they 12 months ago when, despite its many and continuing handicaps, BA had started to turn the corner and was posting a nice little operating profit?

[Peter Skellan]

It amazes me that BA pilots - when someone has a go at BA - resort to the view that you must have been rejected by BA. This is just the sort of arrogance that gets Nigels their (largely) undeserved reputation. Just because a longhaul Speedbird callsign was your carrer zenith please don't assume it was ours. Personally I enjoyed a career flying combat aircraft, helicopters, big Boeings and latterly advanced Bizjets.. .. .I have several good chums in BA and they never cease to mercilessly attack their own company. Something I only do with a humorous overtone.... .. .Lets see. BA Regional crews robbed of their shiny Airbi and stranded with RJ's whilst BACE snap at their heals for routes. BA EOG crews viewed by HQ as a drain on revenue forced to become 'low cost' without the necessary slashing of overhead. Fortress Heathrow fiddling on whilst Rome burns, Paris and Frankfurt overtake them and the cost of living in the most expensive region of the EU rapidly neagates their generous allowances.. .. .Well at least you can console yourself with the "fact" that BALPA can "prove" you are the most efficient flightcrew in the business. . .. .Joe punter in the street can name but only three airlines (BA easy and Ryan) if challenged. Branson will undercut any Atlantic routes BirdSeed wish to milk and everybody knows or suspects it.. .. .BA will survive. They will either be much smaller. Or will sack 60% of non-operational staff and cut Cabin Crew remuneration by 44% and remain the same size.. .. .Air France and Lufti will suffer the same thing in 5 years time when they face low costs in their own back yard and rubbish domestic economies.. .Iberia, Alitalia and the rest of the basket cases will just have to die.. .. .PS

[Zico]

Jeeez, why do you guys always manage to hijack a thread on BA into something like "BA is bad, I don´t want to be there, those who are must be foolish". Get a life dudes.. .No, I´m not with BA, never will be.

[overstress]

Peter old chap:. .. .&lt;BA Regional crews robbed of their shiny Airbi and stranded with RJ's whilst BACE snap at their heals for routes.&gt;. .. .We don't even know if we will be flying these RJs yet - t's & c's not agreed. Talk sense, not twaddle.. .. .PS: plural of 'bus' is 'buses' <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />

[FlyboyUK]

In response to the cutting of final salary pensions ..... BA have stopped any new entrants to the original BRAL final salary scheme.....now money purchase for new CitiExpress entrants

[Bigpants]

I agree with most Of Peter S points and yes we are being rear ended in the regions. You do however, have a choice and if you do join BA you will work pretty hard all year round and you will take home less than some of our cabin crew.. .. .Getting back to the thread, last Thursday BA were trying to use BHX flightcrew to operate trips out of LHR. I am reliably informed that there were something like 30 uncovered trips on the Airbus at LHR on Friday.. .. .We are currently short of crews in some areas but whether this leads to recruiting has yet to be confirmed.. .Regards BP

[Carpe]

"There needs to be an airline that pilots aspire to and BA is in the best position to provide this.". .. .Wot?. .. .Personally, my aspirations centred around flying an aeroplane, not an airline. BC, what have I missed?

[wtpurser]

Some great words the from Airclues on page 1. At the moment alot of people are hyper-ventilating about nothing. Pax numbers will pick up, recruiting will pick up and shares will pick up. People still need to fly and nothing will change that.. .. . Its only a matter of time before things will change. The only problem I see coming is when BA start recruiting there is going to be thousands of people inundating them with applications, which could produce a back log of its own. Just hope my wee application makes it through WHEN they start recruiting.. .. .Cheers WT.. . . . <small>[ 05 March 2002, 13:31: Message edited by: wtpurser ]</small>

[thegirth]

There are only 7 idle DEP's(contracted prior to 11 Sept) without courses booked.

[BlokeX]

Actually, there are only 3DEPs without courses booked.

[Hand Solo]

Willie Shafter - care to name another airline in which you could fly such a wide variety of aircraft (and if you don't speak Spanish or French you can rule the two obvious choices out).

[JB007]

Nice one Captain Airclues...at last some positivity...i'll be applying!!!

[RRAAMJET]

Hand Solo:. .. .Try AA, United, Delta, blah blah...I know, I know, not without a Greencard.... .. .Yup, BA is still a career to aspire to in the airline world - you can still do a lot worse. Despite Rodders (my former Boss...), good luck to them all. Actually, Rod might fight BA's corner quite well on the BUSINESS side (personnel is another matter). Who knows.... .. .Dallas Dude and I came through very different paths to AA, and are very happy to be here. Let's hope we all start recalling and recruiting soon...

[Paddington*]

Peter, I know many pilots who are glad they're working for BA. I also know some who aren't, but they tend to be older and jaded and are reluctant to accept that the world of aviation has to change over the years. A commerical company has to continually adjust to remain viable in the real world. We're not in a flying club! Isn't your use of words such as 'robbed', 'stranded' & 'forced' a little emotive for a commercial change to the regions that might well help the company's (and therefore BA flight crew's) long-term future?. .. .By the way, what makes you think that someone who's proud of their company is arrogant?

[Capt Homesick]

Every BA thread seems to complain complaints that FOs earn less than some Cabin Crew. Does this matter?. .I compare my salary to other pilots- even then, if it is less (it usually is!), that is a spur to me to try and negotiate more, not to try and force other pilots' salaries down.

[The African Dude]

Professional Pilots RUMOUR Network.. .. .Please,. .Not "Professional Pilots Bitching Network".. .. .It's good to see that a few people on this thread have remembered that it was about the possibility of BA re-hiring. Whether it's true or not, if we wanted an ask-the-audience on "Is BA Cr&p" we could have looked at a wide enough selction of old threads. This, guys, is getting a bit like a broken record.. .. .I promise I'm not here to ruffle feathers! But how can we expect to move forward and make progress in our companies if we're negative!?. .. .Sometimes we need to set aside our personal issues and stand together for the good of EVERYONE, not just so we feel better individually for all of 10 minutes because we had a good rant.. .. .Regards to everyone.. .. .Andy

[Peter Skellan]

The thread was about BA recruitment. I chose to highlight the fact that this historically welcome event for UK pilots will, this time, be cause for scant celebration. I did this in my usual colourful manner. Hardly cause to castigate me.. .. .I would go on to add that a man would have to work for a poor company indeed if he longed to join another that:. .. .i. Is geared at 300% i.e. owes 6 billion but is only worth 2 billion. .. .ii. Recorded their best ever profit last decade of 550 million (see above). .. .iii. Pays interest on its debt at the rate of any Junk Bond company you care to name. .. .i.v Has a pension fund of 9 billion that is rather too small to cover its liabilities under FRS17. .. .v. Has the worst industrial relations of any airline in the country.. .. .Mind you they do have a lovely diverse of modern aircraft to fly. Which is nice. I suppose.. .. .PS

[Percy De Havilland]

And cabin crew too I heard - leaked advert -Wanted fat, old surly bags - must have sociopathic tendencies and natural aversion to hard work.

[THR IDLE]

Oh dear.

[exeng]

No need to stoop to such a low level Percy. Ignorant, unfair and untrue.

[Super Stall]

Peter old chap, you also forgot to mention that your average BA pilot will , over their career, earn a considerably higher salary, get paid far higher allowances, have a higher standard of living (over which they can also exert some control) than any of their peers. They will also fly to the largest and most diverse number of destinations than any other UK pilot, all in nice aircraft.. .. .Staff travels not bad either.. .. .Would you care to let us in on the corporate utopia of an airline you work for, so we can all apply.. .. .(The above added in the interest of fairness and completeness. The fortunes of the airline you end up working for may go down as well as up.)

[LAVDUMP]

Who wouldn't want the opportunity to fly 3-5 of the nicest, most-advanced aircraft types (e.g., A319, 777 and 744) over the span of their career to exotic destinations all over the world? Sounds like a good opportunity to me - I'd be signing up if I could.... .. .And don't forget Peter, you won't even have the remote possibility of flying the CONCORDE at EasyJet........... .. .Ciao

[Roobarb]

For all those who continue to carp over our ‘massive’ remuneration package, I would like to point out one or two realities:. .. .- We are required to live and work within 1h45 of LHR or LGW which places us in the most expensive part of the country, as confirmed even today by another national survey. Those on the B scale or new joiners are by no means enjoying a lavish lifestyle, believe me.. .. .- Before the idiot Ayling arrived the company was turning over between £7bn and £9bn a year, the business was carefully geared and more or less appropriately staffed. We made a handsome profit, in 1997 £553m after tax.. .. .- We operate in a market with discerning and wealthy customers who want a little more than cheap and cheerful, and have the means to pay IF they get value for money.. .. .If you don’t wish to work for a company like this, and are not prepared to help those like me who are determined to drag this airline back to where it belongs, despite its crassly inept management, then please feel free to apply for another job where you might feel more at home.. .. .Judging by many of your remarks, we will have a tough time recruiting?. .. . <img src="http://www.80scartoons.8k.com/roobarb10wee.gif" alt="" />

[fruitbat]

Why are so many old farts in avaition so negative, I suppose you would point to some pointless out of date happening to prove your wisdom.. .. .Well, catch this... BA for someone in their early 20's is a magic place to be. Level of training, equipment, benefits are fantastic. In 10 years this company will be a world leader. The PP24 generation will have retired, as will most of the bitter old and expensive CC. The new (cheap and better looking) CC and the dashing young flightcrew, will happily carry you bitter old farts on holiday with a smile.. .. .What goes around comes around, and with 30 years left to go, the futures bright and it isn't all orange. There are masses who feel like me, just most of us aren't bored enough to air our views here every evening.. .. .All positive and ambitious applicants are most welcome, ignore the rubbish stated previously. Goodluck.

[knows]

fruitbat. Nice idea.... hope you are right!

[mfds]

I can confirm that most of the DEP's already in the hold pool during Sept 11th have been offered courses, mostly Airbus, all but a very few have decided to wait for their original long haul slot to come up, which may well be some time. But they have a seniority number and are being paid full basic pay and doing odd jobs around Compass, ie. ex Midland Capt's spending 12 hour days fixing the printers at checkin ! (At least BA honoured their contracts, whilst many airlines were laying people off).. .. .I gave up 6 years seniority with another airline to come to BA in my mid 30's. Its not the great panacea that many people think, don't come with rose tinted spectacles ! BUT it does offer an excellent career structure with above all an excellent final salary pension (I have not heard its gone ?) and retirement at age 55.. .. .What other airline at the very least gives you preferences over rostering choices ? absolute roster stability ? Plus the opportunity to fly a myraid of types and retire as say a 777 captain ?. .With the bulk of the reirement bulge still to come its still the place for long term stability if you are under say 35......... .your's Nigel !. . . . <small>[ 08 March 2002, 11:55: Message edited by: mfds ]</small>

[Bigpants]

Fruitbat in short....bitter experience! That generally makes most of the old timers a tad cynical. . .. .Secondly given the cost of buying a house in the SE I just do not see new entrant pilot's enjoying the lifestyle that some suggest BA has to offer.. .. .There is something in the fact that over the next few years there will be a considerable retirement of flight and cabin crew which will do something to change the current culture. . .. .But, before you sign on take a close look at the debts and problems BA has to sort out eg working practices allowances etc. It is likely to make for a very "bumpy" ride. . .Regards BP

[wobblyprop]

I sincerely hope BA does carry on. . .. .I'm half way through the ATPL theory (ouch). . .. .Speaking to a TRE i know he told me that camping BA's doorstep wouldn't be such a bad thing. If the level of training and the variety stays somewhat similar (yes i'm aware they are trying to cut types) I wouldn't mind changing my name to nigel.

[Mr Orange]

I hope BA gets back on its feet and starts recuiting more pilots. There can be nothing better for the industry if 3500(?) pilots are kept gainfully employed on good salaries. I've always admired BA and up until a year ago I wanted to work for them, had the application form but never did anything with it.. .. .The following is not a dig at BA but in response to Superstalls assumptions I offer the following...... .. .To the assertion that a BA pilot will earn a considerable higher salary than his peers the answer isn't a straight forward yes. In my old airline someone did a study into **** v BA, taking factors into account such as seniority, time to command, pension etc and with the current BA package you had to leave **** by 32 to derive any benefit. The BA package is not what it once was, a pilot in a medium sized jet operation in the UK can normally achieve command in 3-5 years and then can go onto top scale within 15 years and take home around £90k. A lot of operators offer sector pay which can generate £60-100 in sector pay, add in £20 for a night stop allowance and a 3 day trip becomes very profitable! . .. .Of course you can earn a fortune as a long haul Captain but that is not for everyone! Ever been permanently fatigued? Each to their own though...... .. .Lifestyle is a very personal thing but to find somewhere decent these days within 1hr 45min of LHR or LGW is very difficult. It's even worse if you have a family. The further out you live from LHR the more compromises you're making on your lifestyle. The assertion that BA pilot's have better control of your lifestyle is tosh, by basing yourselves in the middle of the most expensive part of the UK you've already hindered your lifestyle. So what are your options? Live 1 hour away and sit on the motorway (dead time) or commute from the regions and either live in a B&B for your working week or nightstop continuously - so who's controlling your lifestyle now?. .. .You go to many different destinations, fly many different types and have fantastic staff travel but that's not much good if you're living in a 2 bed semi/terrace in a hole whilst trying to give your family a decent standard of living!. .. .That all said if they improved the package considerably (and I sure hope they do), gave a firm commitment to those regional bases still open then it would get my vote. I still think it would be fantastic to work for them but your assumption the BA package is vastly superior to that of everyone else is a little wide of the mark, but I'm past 32 so it won't worry me!

[splonguk]

The rumour I have heard is that BA will not need a large number of pilots between now and October 2004, due to the current fleet changes and the rate of retirement. Any vacancies that arise will probably be filled by current trainees and the odd recruitment for a DEP.. .. .However, if BA need pilots in October 2004, and if they plan to continue with the sponsorship scheme then trainees will need to start courses in April 2003, which in turn means recruitment will need to start in late 2002!. .. .This sounds possible to me. But then again I am an optimist!. .. .Also, who cares about the money! As long as I have a roof, a car and enough food, a career as a pilot (my life-long dream) would be a million times better than a 9-5 jobs which I dislike!

[Hand Solo]

Yes but after two years of training on no salary then joining on CEP rates you'll be lucky to afford a roof, a car and food when you're living in London!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[B clam]

Mr Orange,. .. .Bit OTT.. .. .I live in a great Hampshire village in the country which is 35 min drive from LHR out of rush hour and no more than 1 hr in it.. .. .It is no more expensive than W Sussex and I believe my life-style is great. I am junior in the Company but I can vouch that I have much more control over my life than I did with my previous employer (a well respected charter operator).. .. .Bc

[Big-Pants]

Well Big Pants.......you sure are an unhappy bunny. .why not leave and make room for someone who genuinely wants to work for BA !. .. .Though I guess it at least gives you something to moan about!!. .. .not ex-military are you ??

[mfds]

B clam - Well said !. .. .Its not for everyone, but many pilots from many airlines are based at LHR, and live in nice areas within 30 miles from there on normal airline pilots salaries.. .. .At BA on shorthaul 99% of the report times are outside of rush hour.. .. .BA's bidline although favouring seniority still gives some choice of days off and trips, and even a normal type of airline roster (blindline) has the option of preferences.. .. .A far cry from my previous life and most other operators - I have never had a roster change that wasn't cancelling my trip .... at least my roster on paper is still the same at the end of the month. The standard of hotels is first rate and even the crew meals streets ahead. No running around airports to find met rooms and printing off your own notams, its all done for you at BA ........ . .. .Things could be worse at BA (the people who complain are the ones who haven't worked for another airline and seen what it can be like !).

[direct chase]

Heard today that BA may be short of SIM capacity this summer so there may be an opening for DEP's who are 320 qualified. .. .best of luck to those waiting

[Bigpants]

Below the Line....we all wanted to join BA and we all walked through the door with our happy smiley faces thinking BA was the Be All!. .. .Well several years down the line I can assure you it is not quite what many expected. My reply was an answer to a previous post...why are some people a bit bitter or cynical? Experience!. .. .You and others at least have the benefit of Prune it does supply a useful flip side to the management blurb you will hear doing the recruitment process. By all means come on board but know what you are signing up for and don't complain if it does'nt quite match your expectations.. .Good Luck BP

[Super Stall]

Mr Orange,. .. . </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">The assertion that BA pilot's have better control of their lifestyle is tosh. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">I work at LGW (not bidline, but Carmen), I can therefore bid for:-. .. .Days off, Destinations, Where to night stop, Where to layover (and how long), No of sectors per day, No. of sectors per tour, Length of tours (1-6 days), Time of check in (e.g. Not before 07.30am). I also bid for when I want to do my Sim check and SEP, and when I want to do my reserve(standby).. .. .And all this from in the comfort of my own home via the internet. You obviously don't get everything you ask for, but its not exactly 'tosh' is it. I aplogise if my use of the phrase 'standard of living' confused the issue, 'Lifestyle', is what I meant....I think.. .. .I live within 30 mins of Gatwick and dont find the property too bad, I'm not living in a two bed and I'm certainly not living in a 'hole'. As for the M25, as already pointed out, very rarely do I hit a jam on a SH roster.. .. .Pre 9/11 times for command at BA ranged from 4 yrs (737 LGW) to 13yrs (744+777) comparable to other airlines (though obviously things have changed).. .. .Your point regarding other airlines closing the pay gap with BA is conceded. Lets hope the situation is resolved as the company recovers. However the more senior LH BA, is still the most lucrative flight deck position in this country. . .. .Honestly not trying to argue, just trying to point out some of the positives in working for BA amidst the sea of negativity. At the end of the day its the individuals choice. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 08 March 2002, 22:22: Message edited by: Super Stall ]</small>

[Mr Orange]

Superstall,. .. .Fair points! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> . .. .As you say if they get their act together and make it worthwhile for people to consider leaving their current airline then it'll be a step in the right direction! Have me tempted <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .. .You still have terms & conditions most us can only dream about! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

[G.Khan]

Fruitbat - There is very little to suggest that all the negative posts above are written by "old farts", as you so eloquently put it, in fact many would seem to come from disillusioned types of about your own age. Careful you don't get off on the wrong foot so early! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[Mr Orange]

B Clam,. .. .Point taken. But if you're not already in the housing market or you are but not in the SE, then how far do you think £140000 (3.5 X a DEP's salary) is going to get you? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> . .. .Not a trick question! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[Hand Solo]

Well if you've saved £20K from your previous job it could get you a one bedroomed flat in a depressing area of west London. Still it'll be handy for those endless reserve months you'll be doing.

[Shadowpurser]

After reading this particular thread I feel the nee to put my 10 pence worth in. I am a Purser for B.A. at EOG to be EFG (Shorthaul LGW) and have been there for 4 1/2 years. My gilrfriend is an F.O. on the same fleet and has been for 2 years.. .I'd like to address some of the posts on this thread if I may.. .. .1. As far as anyone knows no recruitment at the moment. If there was I'm sure this is the first place you would hear about it. (seeing as this was the whole point of this thread to begin with!!). .. .2. The pursers sometimes are earning more than the F.O.'s but...... bear in mind these people have been around for a while (20 yrs + some of them) and are on older contracts that are long gone or have just worked their way up to get where they are (It takes a long time for crew too!!), so if you've got a brand new cadet and a long serving PSR or CSD then yup they probably will earn more. However I assure you this is not the case here at EFG - believe me I know!!!. .. .3. Everyone who works for any company (B.A. as well) takes part in a bit of company bashing from time to time - it's part of working for someone else - we all think we could do it better!!! However put us in charge and I'm sure we'd all be on the bread line quicker than you say "rotate". But at the end of the day we all work hard for and are proud of "the company" and do our part. There are certain elements who are anti-company, these are either soon up for retirement or when the option of leaving is suggested to them they scoff and say "no chance" because B.A. is as much of a "job for life" in the airline insustry as your ever going to get, and are quite happy to bed down in nice hotels and count the allowances.. .. .4.House prices in the south are higher and you may not be able to afford to that flat in Mayfair but 1 1/2 from LGW of LHR gives you a big scope for house hunting, and an F.O.'s salary will get you something pretty good if you've got a deposit. At the end of the day it's unlikely you'll ever lose your money at any rate!!. .. .5. Lastly from a cabin crew point of view B.A. is "still" the airline to aspire to. As to what things are like on the other side of the flight deck door(and from an objective point of view I probably know more than most cabin crew) it looks pretty good from here and you could certainly do a lot worse for a career and a employer. . .. .Just like to finish by saying that the golden days of B.A. are gone - the Bentleys are dwindling from the car park and are being replaced by BMWs (still not too shabby!!) - the next few years (give it 10!!) will I hope see a new airline emerging that is even better to work for and is the pride of the country and the envy of the world. The people who are still there for the money will have gone and left the rest of us happy workers to show the world what B.A. is and can be.. .. .Sorry to go on - hope to see you all in club soon!!!

[Harry Wragg]

Does this BA you mention exist in some parallel universe or what? I admire your optimism but the phrase you can't polish a turd springs to mind.. .. .Harry (visitor from the 5th dimension)