Jesus christ mate, it's the 21st century, girls are allowed in the flight deck nowadays and not just to serve you tea and coffee. Despite :mad: like you in the industry I've never met a female pilot with a chip as big as yours on their shoulder.

Regardless of gender, do you see anyone over 30 in that group? I'm thinking I'm well past my prime now despite more than meeting the requirements. A little bit of sour grapes? Sure but good on the kids, I wish them a successful and fulfilling career. I am however seeing flashbacks of the old Ansett hosties that sued Virgin Blue for age discrimination and won!

I am sooooo glad I got to read the post immediately above yours McGrath, just before it was deleted......:rolleyes:

Flyboat North, if you didn't apply and are not interested, why are you rambling?

Flyboat North won't be posting in this thread for a while.

TID

Sounds like the selection panel got it right on that one!

Holly, hard to know if its gone back to the years where over 30s had no chance. From what I know the Jetstar cadets were all very very young. I think it would be fair to say that things have slowed right down and now companies have the option to pick and choose. I guess the younger applicant gives an extra 10 year return on investment. I'd say there have been times (during the boom) in the industry when the opposite was the case.

In your shoes I'd keep applying for the cadetship and elsewhere if flying is what you want to do. You'll have a million hurdles, knock backs and down times during your career how you manage them will be what makes the difference in the end.

I actually remember picking up an info form of a large European airline in the early nineties. It stated: minimum 2000 hours and under the age of 24. Put the fear of god into me but I didn't let it stop me.

I've met a few Jetstar Cadets and they didn't appear to be 18yo school leavers.

The most impressive Jetstar Cadet I met was late 20's and his first career was as a builder. He stood out from the crowd by working hard and being more prepared.

From memory, 7 out of 9 J* Cadets who started the course completed it, which is a much higher completion rate than other integrated courses. It probably means the selection process works well and picks up the right ones.

The J* Cadets seemed generally happy with their course, but did complain about OAA/CAE being disorganised and they thought the Virgin Cadetship might have been better.

The cadets have 'graduated':
Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian#


The article says Virgin will partner with the Airline Academy of Australia (based at Archerfield). Surely this is incorrect and they mean Flight Training Adelaide?


Updated: re-read the article. The engineers will be trained by 'AAA', but I think it is meant to read ATAE, who are owned by RQAC (same as AAA).

holly 1

We are already seeing a certain amount of frustration amongst the First Officers who are now realising that a Command will take a very long time to achieve.

We are already seeing First Officers making "lifestyle decisions" that will ultimately commit them to being permanent First Officers for their career with Virgin Australia.

Not criticism......just the facts.

I think management are very aware that a younger candidate will possibly offer more career time to achieve that elusive Command or they may be more willing to accept the disruptions in Base and Type that more 'mature' candidates (and current First Officers) are not.

Having a disproportionate number of First Officers who are unwilling to move for a Command is not an ideal situation at all.

As it is....to fill positions in Perth it is getting to the point of having to hire off the street to fill FO vacancies or create NEW Commands that may not be actually needed Fleet wise.

We have recently had E190 Captains transfering to the B777 as First Officers for most likely lifestyle decisions.

Lots of stereotyping there I know but its their train set, but they have to do what they believe is right for the long-term viability of their workforce.

Flashbacks of age discrimination..............not sure.......but I know no one benefits out of a Court case........NO ONE!

Congrats to all the new graduates!

Would be an honour serving under the Virgin Group.

The filthy lawyers do.:mad: