Internal email stating heavy recruitment for the next 9-12 months.

Well if that is the case they had better start advertising. I know of two large jet operators who are finding in hard to recruit for the right seat. The story seems to be that the applicants have better offers.

Update for those playing from home: The hold file comprises ten pilots, and two of those are bound for the soon-to-be-slashed ATR fleet. Need 180. Now.

Officially the only entry-level positions are NZ737/ATR FO/777 SO but I don't see how VA gets through this year without nearly 100 Aus 737 FO positions, with 737 hours rising 40% in two years.

How did they let it get this bad? Or am I asking a stupid question?

If this is true, how can they be turning down experienced turboprop guys?


Is this a case of HR getting their rocks off over impossible to pass (and totally irrelevant) psychometric testing?

No significant hiring from about 2012-1015 didn't help.
Suggested numbers are only to cover current shortfalls in resource planning, and given that we have had a net loss of airframes with the recent fleet decommissions, you can see how thinly pilots have been spread here.
With FO's and SO's still leaving for QF and Cptns still considering China, this shortfall will continue to grow.

I'm just wondering if the days of direct entry 737 may return?

By looking on their careers page it looks like all cadetships from now!! Yippeeeee

Open Descent:

I'm strongly of the opinion that recruiting straight to Aus based 737 RHS will be needed. Soon.

Would that be the plan with the latest round of cadets or will they be consigned to SO on the 777 or even shipped off to NZ?

While I tend to agree with Goat's opinion, I don't believe that it can be practically achieved without causing further disharmony among the troops. The GDOJ has a significant number of internals who are screaming for a chance on the B737 in Aus. Once those numbers settle down only then will we see any possible of direct recruitment into B737 AU positions.

IMHO - external recruitment will be for the B737 NZ, VAI B777 SO and VAA ATR FO positions. I think you'll find the cadets (in particular) will end up on the ATR.

You can't just switch GDOJ on and off when it suits you. It will undermine the entire system and open up to legal challenges.

Zero attempt being made to retain pilots. The focus is all on cadetships and hiring. The next stunt is the direct entry into the 737 carrot.

An application to Alliance would be the quickest route to command probably anywhere in the world at the moment.

Am I missing something?

Thousand-to-go:

I don't disagree with you. VA will get to the bottom of the GDOJ list looking for 737 FOs, then look outside.

Exclude all the frozen applicants, those disinterested in changing bases and a few with poor check results and you won't get everybody. The Perth-based F100/A320 captains aren't likely to get too excited about 737 RH seats. Many NZ based pilots wouldn't want to uproot to Aus for the payrise. Especially after 10 minutes comparing rents/house prices and commute times in Sydney.

Mikewill: cadets still destined for 777 SO/ATR FO at this stage. Cadets are still a small part of VA's pilot needs.

Is there much hiring though? Or do you mean coming soon?

It's a process that has begun but will be a huge one. And little/no account is meaning made of the fact that attrition from both ends of the list will continue and accelerate.

At least someone seems to have noticed that a lot of the experienced trainers have retired/refleeted, and before too much training can commence, trainer training will take up scarce training resources.

Clear?

External recruitment over the top of current crew will only drive further attrition (this may indeed be managements plan). There are a whole bunch of ATR folks from BN who are going to be over looked in this current import. So to hear of external recruitment to the 737 or even the 777 is extremely disappointing.

Cadets will be for the ATR and then down the road the 737. Good on them they're taking advantage of a ridiculous management plan. The multi command time will be the stumbling block for them.

Cheers,
Greaser

206g... how is recruiting "over the top" of current crew. You join today, you're at the end of the list, your mate joins tomorrow, she's after you. Regardless of SO/FO, regardless of base or type.

There will be enough 737 FO jobs for everyone, but someone has to keep the 6 ATRs flying. And meanwhile they shuffle slowly up the fabled GDOJ list.

Well Goat, I would say it's "recruitment over the top" if you have externals taking positions in front of current ATR crew. That is positions they have bid for but will not be awarded as "management" require them to remain on the ATR. Why not recruit to the ATR?

hahahahah they did

5? Yeah that should fix it...