VIRGIN BLUE !!!!

[nickmelb]

hi guys!

I have been invited to an assesment day with Virgin Blue on 4 march! anyone else been invited? ANyone been to one of these?? what should i expect>? Darn it what should i wear! they dont believe in ties!!!!!!!

HELP!

nick!!!!!

[Sick Squid]

Hi Nick. Congrats on the interview....

There's been quite a lot of information (to put it mildly!) on Virgin Blue in this forum over the last year. If you set your browser back to look at posts for, say the last 6 months, and spend a few minutes reviewing, you'll find some useful gen. Use the "show topics from last..." prompt to the top right of the CC Forum main page.

Loads of good people on here who can put you in the right direction. Good luck!

£6

[FloatJockey]

Sounds like they will be opening a base in MELB soon...

Bloody hell, after all the effort I did to find a fake address in Brissy! <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

FloatJockey's wify

[Theo Racle]

Mrs FloatJockey, trolli-dolli

There is currently no plan to open any other base for DJ crew.

Current EBA restrictions and DJ route structure limit CC to operating an average 3 sectors per day. Odd number of sectors means overnighting somewhere regardless of where crew originate from.

Hence the cost of duplicating bases, extra reserves, training centers/staff etc. plus the "your base gets better rosters than ours!" problem far outweighs any advantages of addiitonal bases.

Ask again in 5 years time when schedule is stable and massive growth has curtailed.

This is not intended to offend but to any others reading this... Every body is told this when taking the job. If you don't like it don't apply. There are a couple of thousand others who want the job...

Oops, I forgot to mention... BNE is a great place to live, costs are low, weather is great, DJ is a fantastic place to work and the staff travel is excellent. Cut the apron strings - get on with it - and have fun!

[ 21 February 2002: Message edited by: Theo Racle ]</p>

[FloatJockey]

Dear Theo-Racle,

thanks for the valuable hint. Unfortunately not everyone has easy access to certain info. Myself and others rely on "pour parler" (commonly called gossip from friend-networking). It is good to read from the ones working in front sometime...

By the way, I hope everyone enjoyed the case of wine for X-mas! That is such a great idea!

Pilot's wife (I like "Mrs. FloatJockey" as well!)

_______________________________________. .P.S.: Don't get me wrong: I love Brissy! But what can I do if they don't want me?!

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

[Ustar]

I heard a very strong rumour the other day, that the next base will be Uluru N.T.

Trust me it will happen!

:)

[nickmelb]

well i had my interview today at 5pm! Was pretty good, i loved it actually...the recruitment team were great and bubbly!. .. .time will tell now!!!!!!

[nickmelb]

ps-i met dreams before our interview! was great to meet her! all the best for your virgin interview dreams!!!!!!!

[cabinboy]

Hi Nick,. .. .Was your interview for cabin crew ? What was the process this time ? Group performance again with a sing song then questions and answers after ?. .. .Did "dreams" go to the interview too ?. .. .Regards and Good Luck. .. .Cabinboy

[nickmelb]

heya cabinboy!. .. .yes we did a group sing/dance or tv commercial.They loved ours...was quiet funny! then dreams and I worked together to think of a second use for a knee pad! We said that it would make a great boob tube for girls...everyone laughed...dont know if thats good or bad! Havent heard anything yet..i know its only been a day...but if they dont call by Thursday i aint pinning my hopes!!!!

[nickmelb]

ps-cabin boy...u got it...was the same format...diana was there...leigh was there...some english lady and a really young girl...... .. .they actually seem quiet cool and unreal to work for..a very diverse airline..which i think is kinda fresh!. .. .*fingers crossed i make it to 2nd rounds* However they do only hire ex male models and that i am NOT!

[vdd]

Hi all. .. .Now that Patrick's has bought into Virgin Blue, the news reports are that Virgin Blue will expand, which might mean more FA recruitment.. .. .What is the age restriction for Virgin Blue FAs? I was at the airport last Friday and noticed that their FAs were 20 somethings (and gorgeous!)... do they hire people in their 30s....or (dare I say) even older? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .Cheers

[nickmelb]

well i got my letter today! sorry u werent successful!!!!!! BOO HOO! . .. .WIthout sounding like a bitter and jaded person, i just want to say that i think i wasnt pretty enough! A girlfriend of mine got an interview, she is your typical pretty girl blonde hair and all that <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> Good luck to her!. .. .I miss out again:((

[FloatJockey]

Hey Nick!. .. .I look like your friend! Blonde beauty, huge smile, Perfect body! Only 10 years older and half-devastated... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Don't worry about VB, you'll do just fine with another airline! My husband has been applying for over a year and never got an interview (he is 737 NG type-rated, 30, 5000 hours, multi-crew captain, good looking, blah blah...). I know it's frustrating, we've both been there, but who cares? After all "the world is our oyster!", so let's get over it and have a look somewhere else!. .. .This message is for you and anyone feeling a bit depressed today... Keep your chin up! You are the most precious and wonderful thing in the world!. .. .See ya on the beach!!!!!...... .. .Mrs. FloatJockey. .. .------------------------------------. .Remember:. ."Not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck!". . . . <small>[ 16 March 2002, 02:18: Message edited by: FloatJockey ]</small>

[jumpedseat]

Have to agree...Nick, keep your chin up and don't let it get to you.. .. .The entire recruitment process at most airlines lacks any merit-based credibility. The focus is solely on picking the right people who fit the process, not necessarily the right people for the job.. .. .Those of us in the game know only too well that feeling of "how the f*** did you EVER get a Senior position?" and I'm frequently putting it down to the quality of recruitment. . .. .It took me 8 tries to get a Flight Attendant role and when I was finally successful it was with the airline that gave me an interview. Interestingly enough if was my airline of LAST resort but I'm playing on Boeings and its a stepping stone. The rest either wouldn't even invite me to assessment or in the case of JetConnect - ARRRRGGGHHH lets not even go there!. .. .If you really want it - shop around. Don't focus on the one airline. Choose the one that does the right thing by you instead of thinking you should change your entire life to suit the airline. Be prepared to move town and country if need be.. .. .Good luck - you WILL make it!!!!!!

[FloatJockey]

It's raining!. .. .Igataninterview in Brisbane on March 21st, 10 am, with MM, eh sorry, I meant VB.! Howz that? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> . .. .Anyone booked on DJ 203 SYD-BNE that morning?. .Anyone attending as well?. .. .Ok, nails, haircut, dress, shoes, resume, pen, photo, shall I bring a lunch box as well? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Mrs. FloatJockey. .. .-------------------------------------------. .YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> . .Keep fingers crossed for me please...

[nickmelb]

mrs floatjockey!. .. .ur gonna get them at that interview!. .. .good luck babe!!!!!. .. .Nick!!!!!!1

[Floaty]

OK, how to resume 20 minutes talk in 3 lines:. .. .VB Interview OK. Met 4 girls at the bar before, 2 already got a call, one was ex Kendall, the other dunno. I had bright, shiny yellow dress, sat in front, spoke pretty loud, asked great intelligent questions, smiled heaps, controlled my group during the 5 minutes panick (organizing the sketch), exchanged phone numbers with those girls in front of Leigh, gave questions to ask to the other girls, etc.

By the way, we were 35 people:
- a good 10 of them over 40 years of age (ex-ansett)
- 10 guys (a couple of them quite good looking)
- 10 there by mistake ( Shy, pimples, unhealthy look...) :confused:
- 5 gorgeous, friendly, outspoken girls :D

We'll see... I'm glad I had my opportunity. Whatever comes next is BONUS!

Floaty / Mrs. FloatJockey

[Floaty]

EEK! I received an e-mail from VB mentioning they'll be conducting another 5 or 6 assessments in Brisbane next Wednesday... I guess this time I didn't make it. Oh well.

Still, if you guys are flexible and really really keen to work for VB but never had a chance for an interview, then find an address in BNE, change your profile on staff.cv and be ready to jump on the next plane!!!... A bit expensive but it might pay off...
:p

From what I have seen/heard during the assessment, they do not select the applicants before contacting them. It looks like they e-mail all the applicants within a region and start from there. You do not need to have R.S.A., S.F.A. or Innoculations done in order to apply because they won't check until you have 1-1 interview and you can do all that while on training.

Hope it helps. Ciao ciao!

Floaty / Mrs. FloatJockey

[nickmelb]

floaty!!

Your always a wealth of information!!!

love ya work!!

nick!

ps- 1 week to go till Emirates

pps-new pprune forum looks great!!!

[nickmelb]

hey everyone thought u might be interested in this email i received from Virgin Blue Recruitment Team!

I basically sent them an email asking them why i wasn't successful! SO here it is!

Dear Nick,

Thank you for your email. Virgn Blue is an unconventional company and our
recruitment process reflects
this nature. Our Selection Criteria includes both technical ability as
well
as key behaviours including customer service, teamwork
rapport building and Virgin Flair!
We shortlist our candidates based on the strongest demonstration of all
these competencies.

We thank you again for your interest in joining Virgin Blue, and wish
you
well in your future endeavours.

hmmm the email came from 's' but was signed 'd'....hahaha

im not bitter or angry its soo cool, i obviously wasnt what they were looking for:) all the best to the rest of you apply to Virgin!

nick

[kjay]

Hi all .
Thanks for the information floaty and nickmelb.

Just another VB qeustion is it usuall for VB to advertise in the papers for cabincrew? Ive been asked to attend the Perth information session I applied through staffcv, but I noticed in the west Australian paper ,VB said they will be advertising the positions on the 13th April. Is this what has happened in other states as well?
Cheers
kjay:rolleyes:

[FloatJockey]

Nop! At least not on Women's Weekly... :D

There is a little something I'd like to mention about VB but I'm not sure it will be understood. I am not an ex-Ansett and I wish well to all the people both at VB and from ex-Ansett. However I have a baaaaaaaad feeling about what's happening and I need to get it off my chest...

My feeling is that VB advertise jobs on newspaper 'cause they want Australians to believe they welcome all the ex-Ansett people on board... let's call it another advertisment campaign...

I don't believe they want people with a lot of experience since they could not mould those who already know how to get the things done well. I don't even think they'll change their (mysterious) "entry criterias" to help the unemployed people already in the industry. I know, I know: This is business, not charity! But still!

I dislike the description they use for their own cabin crew: "people with the Virgin Flair"... What does it mean anyway? You can invent whatever you want when you are an IT or an H.R., but it's like saying that Coca-cola is better than Pepsi... (or Virgin Cola... ).:D :D At the end you still get stomach burn... and they still hire who they want without telling you why "Thanks but no thanks"...

I don't think any of the ex-Ansett people that attended an assessment day ever got a job with VB... I really would like to read about someone that got in and can stand up and say "Yes, I am one of them!". Why do you think they call people of all age and background to their assessment day?? Really you think they have a chance? Or is it a way to capture people' attention and play Mr. Right in the industry?

Somebody will take over the ex-Ansett' routes (but not the ex-workers) and make snot-loads of money... and that will definitely create some bitterness (we are all tax payers after all!).

Mmmmhhh... I doubt this post will be welcomed.

Mrs. FloatJockey

------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I loosing my sense of humor? Naaaaaaaa! :p

[Theo Racle]

As I understand it, there are at least 15-20 ex Ansett crew currently working with DJ. I believe there are between 3-6 on each course.

[SydGirl]

MrsFJ I tend to agree with your statement. I am ex-Ansett crew and although I personally haven't applied for Virgin I know several colleagues that have. Out of all of the very competent, attractive, intelligent and personable ex-Ansett colleagues (both male and female) that I know of that have applied only one was successful. I'd also be interested to know where Theo got his/her numbers from.

I don't believe that Virgin are going out of their way to avoid recruiting ex-Ansett, I just don't believe they are going that extra mile to recruit ex-Ansett staff. Due to their vague requirement for "Virgin Flair" - who knows what they are looking for!

SydGirl
PS. Good luck nick with Emirates and also good luck with Impulse MrsFJ

[Theo Racle]

Trust me, I'm a Doctor.....

[kjay]

Thanks Floaty
I had the same feeling when I saw the article.
Cheers
Kjay:confused:

[Wirraway]

My information is that ex Ansett F/As currently make up 20%
of the total, the bad news is that a fair percentage of them
are having trouble fitting in, due to aircraft cleaning and the
30 min hot turnaround.

Wirraway

[cabin secure]

Dear Wirraway
Those of us at Ansett that hung on until the 4th of March, cleaned and tidied the aircraft cabin. This was part of the cost cutting introduced by the Administration.
As a Cabin Manager I was perfectly happy to do this and might add that prior to Ansetts collapse I regularly cleaned the front toilet often several times on Perth sectors, as did some of my colleagues.
I have several friends that have gone across to DJ and none of them has ever said it is the cleaning they have a problem with.
I have attended one Virgin information session and was invited back for a 2nd interview. I admit I was shocked. I'm 35 and with all the rumours I had heard re discrimination on the basis of age I never expected this. However I have not heard re a 3rd interview.
I have to say I have no understanding of what Virgin flair is. All I know is I have given 16 years of my life to taking care of people and loving every minute of it. I've sat and held people whilst they have wept on their way to a funeral,
I've taken screaming babies from stressed frustrated mothers and brought them back asleep.
I've gotten to know my regular businessmen so I automatically know what drinks to pour them after takeoff.

I've comforted kids off to separated parents and wept with them. It has never ceased to amaze me how kindness can be so personally rewarding.
Disgustingly sentimental I know. My job has always, prior to the birth of my son, been my greatest love and true passion.
I hope this gives some people an understanding of why flying means so much to some of us that have had our great love taken from us and why we are so desperate to be a part of it again.

[cabincrewboy]

Well what can i say but to cabin secure if you said that to any airline i think they should have the decency to give you a f/a position at the least.

Congratulations for being part of Ansett and providing a special touch of service to passengers worldwide. Whilst the company may no longer be operational I along with many others still hold all the employees of Ansett in high regard. :D

As i am currently studying at University i have not had the opportunity to apply to cabin crew positions with airlines. However my applications for ground crew positions have thus far been unsuccessful. :(

In regards to the issue of "Virgin Flair" what is Sir Branson on about. Is he wanting people that can hold a tune at 33000 feet and those that can hold an aerobics class (has anyone else heard these stories??? :confused: ) What i think all airlines should require are crew like yourself and the many others both flying and the wannabes (nickmelb it has got to be your turn soon ;) ) who have a deeper passion and a greater understanding of what principles cabin crew should uphold.

Tim

[kjay]

Cabin secure
Your an inspiration and everthing i feel someone part of a cabincrew should be.
I wish you and all the ex Ansett staff the best of luck any airline should be greatfull to have you aboard.;)

[Wirraway]

cabin secure

I can well understand where your coming from, as an ex-Ansett
employee myself (many moons ago) I also feel disapointed in
hearing about some ex AN F/As who could be spoiling it for their mates who are looking for employment.

The fact is Virgin Blue is a different concept in the way it is run to
how Ansett operated, and it is up to any former F/A from there
or any other airline to adapt to the "Virgin Flair" as you put it,
or it simply will not work out.

It also don't help when a couple of ex-AN F/As, employed by VB in a North Qld bar telling this guy in jeans and t-shirt, what a circus
Virgin Blue is against working for Ansett, trouble is they did not
know (and proberly still don't), that the said guy was a Virgin
Blue excecutive from Brisbane, on the other hand I know a few
that have worked in like magic, go figure.

Wirraway

[Iguanahead]

Its always the minority who causes the most damage isn't it?

It's a shame that this happens because the majority is who we should be paying attention to.

I think the lesson to be learned here, a lesson I learned in my first week of flying many moons ago, is that when you work in this industry you are always on duty. 24 hours a day you are the face of the company you work for no matter who that is, and people will always be watching no matter where you are. Be it London or the back of Bourke!

Please don't forget these people have feelings too and are suffering the anxiety of losing not only thier jobs, but a company they came to know as family, and adjusting will take time. It's normal to want to vent after what they have been through but they must move on and pass that loyalty over to the company that employs at present.

I wish them all luck no matter what avenue they pursue. :)

[FloatJockey]

Hi all!

I'm glad someone from ex-Ansett added a post to this topic. I hope someone from VB recruitment will read it!!

Good luck to you!

Mrs. FloatJockey

[cabin secure]

Hey guys
Wanted to thank you all for your support.
Just to let you know I got my rejection letter from DJ yesterday.

Just have to try to not take it personally and keep applying. Somethings bound to come up sooner or later.
Good luck to everyone else.

[flightbunny]

u think being ex ansett staff is a turn of for vb recruitment trying being both ex ansett and now qf they don't even bother...

what do i have to do to get an interview with vb? lie!!!!

if any one has any ideas i would like to hear!!!

thanks

[FloatJockey]

Flightbunny,

I think I wrote it somewhere already but yes, lie a bit if necessary! I got my interview by changing my address on staff.cv and I flew to Brisbane the morning of the interview. Of course if you do that you must be ready to relocate and spend a few bucks for a ticket... :rolleyes:

The two locations I would mention on my VB application right now are BRISBANE or PERTH. Find family/friends that don't mind giving you a hand (afterall it just an address) and go for it!

Little white lies are permitted... I'm sure God will close an eye... :p

Good luck!

Mrs. FloatJockey

[MissShagwell]

Does anyone know where the (supposed) Virgin Blue advertisement is in today's West Australian???

[kjay]

Ive been searching all morning but have seen no advert.
I e-mailed VB recruitment and they had heard nothing about there being and add in todays west australian. Thay told me they are only recruiting through the normal channels.
So your guess is as good as mine?

[FloatJockey]

KJAY, you mentioned previously that you got an e-mail from ??? saying they would advertise in the newspaper. Can you say something more about that e-mail? Was it a hoax?

Mrs. FloatJockey


-------------------------------------------------------------
:rolleyes: :( :confused:

[Wirraway]

AAP

Virgin crews among 'world's sexiest'

Australian discount airline Virgin Blue's female cabin crew have been rated among the sexiest women in the world - at least by readers of an Australian men's magazine.

Eight Virgin Blue employees have been nominated for FHM Magazine's 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2002 survey.

The airline's billionaire chairman Sir Richard Branson agreed his female flight attendants were "just delightful".

"We do have some of the most delightful crew flying, I would say in the world, here on Virgin Blue and they're not only beautiful but they've got great personalities, they're caring and they're just delightful," Sir Richard told reporters.

Traditionally, stars such as Kylie Minogue, Anna Kournikova and current titleholder Jennifer Lopez are nominated.

FHM editor John Bastick said it was not surprising the Virgin Blue crew members were included.

"When we were investigating these votes further, we realised that everyone agreed these girls are talented in more ways than the average flight attendant.

"There is nothing average about them at all," Mr Bastick said.

Each FHM Magazine worldwide asks their readers to vote for the women they consider the `sexiest', with the winner determined by the most amount of voters collectively worldwide.

Voting will continue until April 30.

©AAP 2002

[kjay]

Hi all.

VB didnt email me about the advertisment I saw it in the West Australian Newspaper on the 30th March.
It read.
VB is expecting an avalanche of applicants from would be flight att when it advertises for West Australians to crew its expanding fleet.
The move comes as VB ramps up its commitment to the WA market, with the expected doubling soon of services to Melbourne and Adelaide.
An advertisment for cabin crew will appear in the West Australian on the 13th April.
It also went on to say the day long interview process will be in Perth on May 6.
As I said I emailed leigh to find out what was happening and they had no idea about the advert and the only way to apply was through there website.
So who knows, looks like its just a waiting game to see when they will be in Perth.
Definetly not a hoax, it was just what I had read.
:rolleyes:

[cabinboy]

No Offence to VB or anything but of course the VB girls are going to be "voted" the worlds sexiest. The vote comes from an Australian magazine where most of the readers would have flown ansett, qantas and virgin blue only.....hardly a big competition. Perhaps a WORLDWIDE vote from ALL FHM magazines may reveal more contenders......I.E - SAS, Singapore, Lan Chile ????

More free publicity for VB again.

[MissShagwell]

Hi Guys,

Like every man and his dog in Perth I have been invited to a VB assessment day in May. I have looked through some of the previous posts but I still have no idea what to wear. Should I go for the professional F/A look or something a little more 'smart casual'??? Any ideas greatfully appreciated.

P.S. For anyone else in Perth with an interview Good Luck. Lets show them what a great bunch we are in Perth!!

P.P.S. Should I leave the CFM (Cum F@!k Me) boots at home???:D

[FloatJockey]

Hey Miss! Most of the people at VB interview were in Business clothes (the 2 girlfriends of mine that got in were in dark trousers and classic shirt). It is a good way to go I think. There are no "rules" with VB, however it seems the classic F/A look is the way to go... Be comfy in your clothes and keep mid-size heels 'cause you'll have to move/dance/jump quite a lot... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Good luck!

Mrs. FloatJockey

[kjay]

Good Luck Miss Shagwell

What day are you going? Ill be at the 11.00 on the 7th.
Im wearing the classic FA look seems to be the way to go.

Go Perth,Yeha:D