Virgin Australia - Wannabes & Recruitment
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: East Coast
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Hi everyone, I had a call last week from VB regarding a telephone screening to progress to an assessment centre. The lady said I would know if I had progressed in the next week to two weeks. Is this the normal process. She asked me exactly what was on my application, nothing new which I thought was odd! No target selection questions, just reconfiming info on my application.
Does anyone know how many & when assessment centres are going to be. I have the big wait now. Thanks!!
Does anyone know how many & when assessment centres are going to be. I have the big wait now. Thanks!!
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Australia
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Telephone Screening
Hi Gloria,
I work for Virgin and recently flew with one of the recruiters who told me part of the "improved recruitment" process for Cabin Crew is a initial phone screening interview to verify the details of your online application and query what you have written in there. From this point they will then short list who they invite to the interview day.
I think its a way of culling out people who place inaccurate information on their application forms, and I can tell you there are PLENTY of those. Word of advice guys, be as honest as possible with dates, work history etc, they are looking very closely at these nows.
I believe they will be recruiting all year round, so don't worry to much about how many assessment as there are a number of opportunities..
Good Luck all
I work for Virgin and recently flew with one of the recruiters who told me part of the "improved recruitment" process for Cabin Crew is a initial phone screening interview to verify the details of your online application and query what you have written in there. From this point they will then short list who they invite to the interview day.
I think its a way of culling out people who place inaccurate information on their application forms, and I can tell you there are PLENTY of those. Word of advice guys, be as honest as possible with dates, work history etc, they are looking very closely at these nows.
I believe they will be recruiting all year round, so don't worry to much about how many assessment as there are a number of opportunities..
Good Luck all
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sydney
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Looks like it's finally coming...
Thanks to everyone that sent me info about the VS Exchange. I am applying, selling my apartment and coming Europe!!!!! well I have to get in first but I want it more than anything at the moment.
On another note and this is to current crew and maybe it's BNE only but looks like they have finally figured out a way to cut overnights. I have gone from 12 in Jan to 1 in Feb. I am not worried cause I am over the long four sector days min rest at a hotel and straight back to another four sector day. I have a whole week in Feb of operate BNE - SYD and pax home and that is it. Granted the money will suck but I always knew this would eventually happen.
Everyone else's rosters the same? backlash is going to be huge judging by the amount of rosters all over walls requesting trip swaps all of a sudden.
Thoughts?
On another note and this is to current crew and maybe it's BNE only but looks like they have finally figured out a way to cut overnights. I have gone from 12 in Jan to 1 in Feb. I am not worried cause I am over the long four sector days min rest at a hotel and straight back to another four sector day. I have a whole week in Feb of operate BNE - SYD and pax home and that is it. Granted the money will suck but I always knew this would eventually happen.
Everyone else's rosters the same? backlash is going to be huge judging by the amount of rosters all over walls requesting trip swaps all of a sudden.
Thoughts?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Australia
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Same with me...1 overnight for the entire month of Feb. Not happy! Perhaps they could of warned us that this was going to happen? Yes I realise they say that overnights are never guaranteed, but we have been having on average 10 a month for years, and now to severly cut the back like this is terrible! There will be a backlash. Crew are not impressed...another downer to crew morale. I don't have a problem doing day trips, I do have a problem with the money however! Lets hope its just a one off for Feb and has something to do with them playing around with the bidding system.
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Hi Guys,
I'm Melbourne based and from what I have seen most crew still have the overnights here, not sure what is going on in Brisbane. Is it like that for all crew? However someone did tell me that February is usually the quiestest month and there is always a drop in flights etc, so perhaps it may have something to do with that.. Not sure what is going on...
If there has been a sudden drop in overnights and crew get all day trips i can pretty much see sick leave going up as crew wont accept the sudden cut. Let's wait and see what happens before we get to carried away...
Cheers SocialFlyer
I'm Melbourne based and from what I have seen most crew still have the overnights here, not sure what is going on in Brisbane. Is it like that for all crew? However someone did tell me that February is usually the quiestest month and there is always a drop in flights etc, so perhaps it may have something to do with that.. Not sure what is going on...
If there has been a sudden drop in overnights and crew get all day trips i can pretty much see sick leave going up as crew wont accept the sudden cut. Let's wait and see what happens before we get to carried away...
Cheers SocialFlyer
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Crew morale is set at a very high level.. by crew. Alot want alot for nothing. Overnights will come and go. Crew are only guaranteed a base wage. The overnights are allocated by the rostering department to make sure that the planes are operating with limited time on the ground.
As for those crew who placed their mortgages for houses etc saying they average $2k a fortnightly have to take responsibility for their own actions. When there are more crew, the probability of overnights will drop per a person. Some get more and some less. The schedules for Feb are no different than the ones for March albeit a couple syd-mel/bne flights due to aircraft checks in CHC.
Be ready for more dissapointment if your expect a golden egg, with KRONOS system in place it will provide the VB the best cost effective, streamline flight organisation in comparison to the old Sabre.
Sorry to put gloom on... thou people need to consider that things will change. Chances are those who got one overnight this Feb will get 8 next month.
As for those crew who placed their mortgages for houses etc saying they average $2k a fortnightly have to take responsibility for their own actions. When there are more crew, the probability of overnights will drop per a person. Some get more and some less. The schedules for Feb are no different than the ones for March albeit a couple syd-mel/bne flights due to aircraft checks in CHC.
Be ready for more dissapointment if your expect a golden egg, with KRONOS system in place it will provide the VB the best cost effective, streamline flight organisation in comparison to the old Sabre.
Sorry to put gloom on... thou people need to consider that things will change. Chances are those who got one overnight this Feb will get 8 next month.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Australia
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KittyBlue,
I totally understand where you are coming from with your post above but I also think Virgin has a responsibility and obligation to its employees to let them know that there will be changes to pairings and rosters which in turn means reduction in overnights. To date the communications in relation to the new KRONOS system has always been about "Crew will now get what they want", "Create your roster" etc.... There has never been a word of a new efficiency system resulting in the reduction of overnights.
I think its obvious that overnights are not guaranteed, but when you go from having 14 to having none thats a slight shock to the system. I guess the coming months will be interesting to see the outcome. Let's just wait and see...
I totally understand where you are coming from with your post above but I also think Virgin has a responsibility and obligation to its employees to let them know that there will be changes to pairings and rosters which in turn means reduction in overnights. To date the communications in relation to the new KRONOS system has always been about "Crew will now get what they want", "Create your roster" etc.... There has never been a word of a new efficiency system resulting in the reduction of overnights.
I think its obvious that overnights are not guaranteed, but when you go from having 14 to having none thats a slight shock to the system. I guess the coming months will be interesting to see the outcome. Let's just wait and see...
Join Date: Jun 2007
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The schedules for Feb are no different than the ones for March albeit a couple syd-mel/bne flights due to aircraft checks in CHC
Overnights will come and go. Crew are only guaranteed a base wage.
The argument that there are crew wanting rosters like that has been used, and I agree that there are, however no-one advised that there would be rosters of this type built - and no option was provided to nominate yourself for a roster like that.
Chances are those who got one overnight this Feb will get 8 next month
Off on a slight tangent now...
KRONOS promises to give us the bids that we want - so we are encouraged to bid for what we want. To this end, I'd like to see the 'Specific Flight' bid option modified to only show flights that will actually be available to the person bidding for it. This month I wasted my points bidding for a flight that has always been, but for February wasn't even given to BNE crew
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Guys KRONOS is about reducing overnights... why do you think there was such a push to bring it in... also based on the leave available for BNE crew, there's a massive overstaffing issue up there ... meanwhile MEL based rosters seem to be much better than usual... got at least 12 o/n here which means a marked improvement than ever before averaging no more than 9ish.
I hear the Ejet crew are getting even more overnights and very good trips (ie. 2 sector days, 12-14 overnights, big layovers) although they aren't getting any leave - that's the way it goes I guess - but very good money! Seems to all the new routes - CBR-OOL, CBR-SYD, SYD-PQQ, SYD-ABX and the increase of a daily SYD-ROK and SYD-MKY to a smaller E70 will see these guys get bigger layover opportunities anyway... so go do the EJet haha!
Once SYD is set up properly... think it may even out a bit maybe 5/6 overnights per base... on the upside... V Australia is on the way... gaurenteed overnights!
I hear the Ejet crew are getting even more overnights and very good trips (ie. 2 sector days, 12-14 overnights, big layovers) although they aren't getting any leave - that's the way it goes I guess - but very good money! Seems to all the new routes - CBR-OOL, CBR-SYD, SYD-PQQ, SYD-ABX and the increase of a daily SYD-ROK and SYD-MKY to a smaller E70 will see these guys get bigger layover opportunities anyway... so go do the EJet haha!
Once SYD is set up properly... think it may even out a bit maybe 5/6 overnights per base... on the upside... V Australia is on the way... gaurenteed overnights!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sydney
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As for E-Jet crew about time they got some overnights and decent trips again. Melbourne crew got the better deal with the "Ambassador" disaster. DM's and DR himself sold it to them as the program for high performing crew, which they got and in typical Virgin style there was no information or transperancy about how they would be introduced or what the the rosters would look like.
Obviously some for commercial in confidence reasons but all the people who took a leap of faith and trusted management got was and I am talking about BNE crew was four months of day trips. My friends roster was BNE - HBA four days in a row followed by two BNE - ADL returns over and over again.
Obviously some for commercial in confidence reasons but all the people who took a leap of faith and trusted management got was and I am talking about BNE crew was four months of day trips. My friends roster was BNE - HBA four days in a row followed by two BNE - ADL returns over and over again.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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'That is the hope and prayer of those that got minimal overnights. Are you suggesting tho, that it's a random/cyclic thing? a software glitch? a new fairness distribution? or just some astrological alignment that will adjust things? Here's a suggestion to check the 'tolerance' of all the crew population - next month the overnight distribution should be inverted - take the number each crew member got this month from the common 10/11 overnights, and build a roster with that many for them next month.'
I'd say better option is to ask for some money for the tooth fairy!! IMO that the fill in the big blanks and settle the rest with what ever crew are left. I would like it to be evenly distributed to those who want overnights. Alas I dont think that is gonna happen.
Feb roster for some Bne crew gave them a paxing sector back to bne for hotel overnight then pax them back to eg. syd the following day and repeated that cycle for the 4 days. Its all just frustrating to say the least!! GOOD LUCK TO US!!! I hope these issues are ironed out so its flair for all!
I'd say better option is to ask for some money for the tooth fairy!! IMO that the fill in the big blanks and settle the rest with what ever crew are left. I would like it to be evenly distributed to those who want overnights. Alas I dont think that is gonna happen.
Feb roster for some Bne crew gave them a paxing sector back to bne for hotel overnight then pax them back to eg. syd the following day and repeated that cycle for the 4 days. Its all just frustrating to say the least!! GOOD LUCK TO US!!! I hope these issues are ironed out so its flair for all!
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I would say that from a management point of view, they would like to get rid of overnights as much as they can. They cost money. I wonder how much of a saving they are making by opening the Sydney base?
By the way, is there much talk of crew going applying for Qantas? That might throw another spanner in the works if too many crew jump ship!
By the way, is there much talk of crew going applying for Qantas? That might throw another spanner in the works if too many crew jump ship!
Last edited by crewbus; 30th Jan 2008 at 22:57.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Some news I heard was that ON's haven't been reduced at all..... Of course given that a Sydney base has opened they have had to pay for it some way so I guess long term ON's will reduce! I was also told that the reason for the BNE - SYD then PAX home was due to the Sydney crew being assigned 2nd Sec BOC flights for nearly EVERY trip....! To remove these and help out the Sydney guys they had to put these ordinary day trips in for BNE crew.
On another note I have looked up the Kronos website and materials.... basically the new PBS / roster optimiser doesn't actualy determine the number of ON's. That is to do with the Kronos Pairing system that the planners have been using for some time now.
PS. I came from QANTAS..... The grass is greener this side... let's hope it stays that way!
On another note I have looked up the Kronos website and materials.... basically the new PBS / roster optimiser doesn't actualy determine the number of ON's. That is to do with the Kronos Pairing system that the planners have been using for some time now.
PS. I came from QANTAS..... The grass is greener this side... let's hope it stays that way!
Join Date: May 2001
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OSBOUND - You come from MAM darls, not Qantas. Big difference between MAM and Qantas Full-time. MAM got the leftover flying that full-timers didnt want remember ?
I think QF Full-time and DJ Full-time are very similar. QF crew are getting max 14-18 overnights per months similar to DJ.
The only thing greener about DJ for you is that you are full-time-let's not confuse everyone with your statement.
I know people who want to leave QF for the new V Australia. I also know people leaving DJ for Qantas L/H ( QCCA )
The grass is always greener.
I think QF Full-time and DJ Full-time are very similar. QF crew are getting max 14-18 overnights per months similar to DJ.
The only thing greener about DJ for you is that you are full-time-let's not confuse everyone with your statement.
I know people who want to leave QF for the new V Australia. I also know people leaving DJ for Qantas L/H ( QCCA )
The grass is always greener.
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Hey Guys,
Interesting information about the overnights, i'd say the Sydney rosters had alot to do with it as they were actually prepared before Mel and Bris, hence we were left with the left overs...
As for DJ crew going to QF I believe a number of crew have interviews next week but as in 2 minds about pursuing or holding out for V Australia. I guess for many of the crew the fact that you now have to resign from VB to work for V Australia means they are willing to resign to do LH for either V Australia or Qantas. Besides they are only allocating 35% of V Australia positions to VB crew, hence with 1500 crew for VB opportunities are limited for the start up.
I've applied for both V Australia and QF Long Haul. Only decide if I am successful...
GoodLuck guys
Interesting information about the overnights, i'd say the Sydney rosters had alot to do with it as they were actually prepared before Mel and Bris, hence we were left with the left overs...
As for DJ crew going to QF I believe a number of crew have interviews next week but as in 2 minds about pursuing or holding out for V Australia. I guess for many of the crew the fact that you now have to resign from VB to work for V Australia means they are willing to resign to do LH for either V Australia or Qantas. Besides they are only allocating 35% of V Australia positions to VB crew, hence with 1500 crew for VB opportunities are limited for the start up.
I've applied for both V Australia and QF Long Haul. Only decide if I am successful...
GoodLuck guys
Join Date: Jul 2007
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How is max. duty hours calculated when AL is allocated?
Looks like my post fell victim to moderation 
Can any VB crew please explain how our maximum duty hours are calculated during a month where annual leave is allocated?
31 (a) of the EBA states that cabin crew will typically be rostered 125 duty hours per month and will not be rostered or work more than 140 hours per month.
31 (c) states that maximum hours will be pro rata the remainder of that roster period where annual leave is taken.
If rosters are typically built with a 125-130 hour target per month, then how is maximum duty hours calculated during a month where leave is allocated? Is it prorated on 125-130 hours or prorated on the full limit of 140 hours?
I can't seem to find a pattern during the months I have been allocated leave and am wondering whether I am calculating it incorrectly as the duty hours I have been rostered in some months are much higher than the maximum duty hours allowable from my calculations.
Can any VB crew please explain how our maximum duty hours are calculated during a month where annual leave is allocated?
31 (a) of the EBA states that cabin crew will typically be rostered 125 duty hours per month and will not be rostered or work more than 140 hours per month.
31 (c) states that maximum hours will be pro rata the remainder of that roster period where annual leave is taken.
If rosters are typically built with a 125-130 hour target per month, then how is maximum duty hours calculated during a month where leave is allocated? Is it prorated on 125-130 hours or prorated on the full limit of 140 hours?
I can't seem to find a pattern during the months I have been allocated leave and am wondering whether I am calculating it incorrectly as the duty hours I have been rostered in some months are much higher than the maximum duty hours allowable from my calculations.
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Sonique- REEEEEEEEEOOOOOW...dont take it too personal babe, each entitled to our own opinion!
Well yesterday I got my JOB OFFER from Virgin Blue!! Now my next stress is training...any tips on how to get the most out of it, or get through it all, even just what to expect?
And on the overnights thing, it makes sense with a sydney base there would be more staff and less demand on existing staff for o/nites, but i guess waiting and seeing is all we can do....I just cant wait to have a roster!oh and my uniform!yay!
Well yesterday I got my JOB OFFER from Virgin Blue!! Now my next stress is training...any tips on how to get the most out of it, or get through it all, even just what to expect?
And on the overnights thing, it makes sense with a sydney base there would be more staff and less demand on existing staff for o/nites, but i guess waiting and seeing is all we can do....I just cant wait to have a roster!oh and my uniform!yay!
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Congratulations Sara Fanta,
You will enjoy working for Virgin its a fun culture and altough it can be tiring at times, we generally do have a good time.... With respect to overnights, I would not worry too much, it will take them some time before they ever phased them out, with expansion as it is, I can only see them increasing overnights to cope with the parking off aircrafts in ports other than MEL, SYD, BSN...
In regards to training, all the advice I can say is take LOTS of vitamins, prepare your body for stress as that is a natural reaction... You just have to focus for the 5 weeks and keep your head in the books.. They will tell you all about it, but basically you have to know everything WORD FOR WORD... And yes at the start it all seems rather scary and you think you will never learn it, but trust me the trainers drill it into your head and you will sleep and eat commands, equipment, SOP etc.... Most importantly dont forget to try and have some fun in training and it is part of the job you will always remember and you will make some friends for life out of it..... Also get your camera ready and take LOTS of pics...
Good luck and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, more than happy to help..
Regards SocialFlyer
You will enjoy working for Virgin its a fun culture and altough it can be tiring at times, we generally do have a good time.... With respect to overnights, I would not worry too much, it will take them some time before they ever phased them out, with expansion as it is, I can only see them increasing overnights to cope with the parking off aircrafts in ports other than MEL, SYD, BSN...
In regards to training, all the advice I can say is take LOTS of vitamins, prepare your body for stress as that is a natural reaction... You just have to focus for the 5 weeks and keep your head in the books.. They will tell you all about it, but basically you have to know everything WORD FOR WORD... And yes at the start it all seems rather scary and you think you will never learn it, but trust me the trainers drill it into your head and you will sleep and eat commands, equipment, SOP etc.... Most importantly dont forget to try and have some fun in training and it is part of the job you will always remember and you will make some friends for life out of it..... Also get your camera ready and take LOTS of pics...
Good luck and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, more than happy to help..
Regards SocialFlyer
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Hi vb_girl, My understanding is that it is based on the number of hours that the Planners aim to roster your group and base for. ie. if it is 120hrs then you will be prorated against 120 etc. You could try emailing cc.rosters to find out more info?.. or CCOS?
