Virgin Australia recruitment

[amateur]

Does anyone have a real idea about how much a first year SO would actually earn inc allowances? The base salary would be around $72,000 minus super, which isn't great. I've crunched my own numbers based on allowances in the eba, but interested to hear what the average figure actually is...

[Altimeters]

The base salary will be going up regardless if and when this new EBA comes out (but I don't suspect it'll get voted up first go). Plus, considering a lot of our allowances are in USD and fluctuates, and depends on how much you want to spend while you're over there, bank on 5 trips per 56 days at $290USD per trip.

[thefeatheredone]

Any ideas on when the courses are due to start for those that have got through the current round of interviews? I heard that it will most likely be in the US due to busy SIMS here?

[A-Thousand-To-Go]

There will be a B777 course in April...

[BPA]

Amateur,

Anyone starting has a B777 SO will start on base pay of around $89000 (excluding super) if the new EBA is voted in. Throw in the overnight allowances and you will make over $100000.

[Snakecharma]

Be surprised if it gets over the line

[kirkbridge]

Yawn

What a fantastic deal, especially for the a330 blokes. The chance of a yes vote is as likely as the second coming.

$88k for SOs unlikely. Best plan on $72k.

[thefeatheredone]

Is there much difference in the flying being based at Auckland vs Christchurch? Is it similar trips, destinations etc?

[White and Fluffy]

Job details - Expression of Interest - Fokker 100 First Officers | Virgin Australia

Are there no ATR FO's or 777 SO's that want to move to Perth?
Surely the cadets would be keen.

[wheels_down]

please provide a copy of your high school results

Is this common? I mean it's been probably 20 years for some I really don't see the point (let alone trying to find them)

[Cunning_Stunt]

Ok then. You write back to them and advise them you couldn't be buggered looking for them because you " don't see the point". That should fix 'em.

[apache]

I know of guys and girls with in excess of 10,000 hours, including jet time (both as FO and SO/ wide body/narrow body ) with multi crew command experience (turbo prop)who can't even crack an interview with VA!!!
Anyone got any ideas ?

[KABOY]

Anyone got any ideas ?

Yep!

Halve the hours, remove the considerable work experience and make yourself look like your are a keen GA/Regional pilot wanting to move up......

[apache]

Ok so....
Lie on the resume,
Falsify the logbook
Dumb down the real,life experience

They are PILOTS..... Not HR wannabes !

[Capt Fathom]

It has nothing to do with flying experience anymore!
It is all about satisfying the HR ego.
And every HR ego have their own take on what that involves.
It is a total lottery.

[AerialPerspective]

Originally Posted by apache

I know of guys and girls with in excess of 10,000 hours, including jet time (both as FO and SO/ wide body/narrow body ) with multi crew command experience (turbo prop)who can't even crack an interview with VA!!!
Anyone got any ideas ?

If experience is anything to go by it'll be because they're scared someone will enter the business that knows more than others already there and in charge... it's a characteristic of VA, they HATE people who know what they're doing... I know of many people who have been maneuvered out because they knew their stuff and obviously were too much of a risk in showing up those that don't, who are plenty.

[John Citizen]

I know of guys and girls with in excess of 10,000 hours, including jet time (both as FO and SO/ wide body/narrow body ) with multi crew command experience (turbo prop)who can't even crack an interview with VA!!!
Anyone got any ideas ?

Here's a great idea - join the "boys club" (cronyism/nepotism)

It always was a boys club.

How can there be any merit in a system that recruits GA pilots, with even less than 2000 hours flying single pilot light piston twins (eg BE76), but yet they overlook highly experienced jet/turboprop pilots ?

To make it even more confusing, some of these pilots were hired from one resume only through one of their mates, and then after an interview consisting of nothing more than a casual chat and basically when can you start. No aptitude testing, sim ride or tech questions. How can you can call this accurate screening ?

You might say experience isn't everything, and some of these highly experienced pilots might be unsuitable, but yet they cannot even get an interview to start with.

[Snakecharma]

You are a bit behind the times Mr Citizen

The interview process has had a panel interview and sim assessment for the last 8 or so years that I can recall and now includes a psych test and group exercise.

That all said, does it produce a better result than the convivial chat? Don't know, I have my suspicions.

As you allude to, getting the interview is the hardest part, though I am surprised that these days that is an issue.

[Goat Whisperer]

John Citizen et al:

Virgin can no longer offer pilot recruits a rapid path to command, nor realistically can it offer a brilliant controllable roster or world-class pay. Isn't it reasonable that the recruiting may lean towards the younger GA types who will more patiently sit in the 777 backseat or ATR right seat for 3 years THEN a long stretch in the right seat of the 737, possibly not at their preferred base???

I know 25 year old me would have put up with these things happily where 40 year old industry experienced me wouldn't deal well with it.

The 2000 hour GA/regional candidate is more likely to put in a few years. Those with thousands of hours of turboprop command won't enjoy sitting beside captains younger than them for 15+ years and will soon wander off elsewhere. VA currently can choose who it recruits. The pool is unquestionably drying up though.

[Ten Two Hundred]

I've witnessed first hand the result of no longer hiring the best candidate, but hiring the best candidate that suits the company's idealogy at the time.