I've flown domestically for QF in the past so just wanted a change. They are still a great company to work for and would definitely recommend anyone apply if they get the chance, but I like the career progression opportunities VA offer. In my opinion QF aren't really all that supportive when it comes to career progression. Admittedly I was a MAM casual so I think we were treated a lot differently to the Qantas employees, which was another reason I left. Being QD or QCCA may have been different. :)

Well that's fair enough then, thanks for your opinion :) Yes I think VA seem to have very good progression opportunities. That's what appeals to me too and the fact VA are full-time positions. Anyway I still have a long way to go so keeping fingers crossed!

KAAATE - That is so awesome!!! Congratulations - woohoo! Oh I am so happy for you! Did they say the Ground School will be in Melbourne? The reason I ask - when I attended the Recruitment Day in Adelaide, they mentioned they weren't sure where our training (Adelaide base) would be. They said it could even be Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. So I'm just wondering if maybe they are pulling a few bases together for one Ground School.
WOW - that is fantastic KAATE. Well done. You must be ecstatic!
When are you expecting to receive your medical information?
Congrats again!!

Updated Thread Title
 

Hi Everyone,
Just letting you know I've amended the Thread Title.
Have abbreviated Virgin Australia to VA, and also added SYD & MEL in the title.
It's the same thread, just a change of title to pick up all the MEL & SYD candidates that are interested in adding to the thread. It was always open to everyone, however wasn't reflected in the thread title. This has now been changed to reflect that.
It may take a while to show up - needs to be approved by the Moderator I think!? :ok:

Thankyou manymiles! I am so happy that all this waiting has finally paid off! I have booked my medical for Tuesday so fingers crossed all goes well :)

They didn't mention on the phone where the ground school would be, but I did ask that question at my assessment day and they did say it would be in Melbourne. Just like anything in this industry though it could change! I will definitely keep you all updated :D

Congrats KAAATE!
Did you get the call for medical then ground school after reference check stage?
I've applied for Auckland base and the next step after reference checks was an email to complete the swimming assessment (they said the process has recently changed to swimming before medical and ground school). So Virgin phoned you to let you know you were through to this stage? I've submitted my swimming certificate so now waiting to hopefully be progressed to the next stage. I'm interested to know what the medical will involve.

Christchurch & Auckland Ground School
 

Hi everyone! Just created a profile as I've been silently stalking this thread for a while and thought it would be helpful for anyone in NZ to know what the recruitment process has been like! I applied in March this year and am attending Ground School on 10 Oct! So next month:-) the whole process involved: recruitment day, online comprehension test, references, swimming test, medical and then ground school confirmation :) has been a long process but worth it! We just found out last week that our ground school would be on 10 October, anyone here going to be attending this Ground School also? Apparently it's Auckland and Christchurch combined!! :-) good luck all!!

Thankyou flywme :)

So I received a phone call yesterday and they basically said there's a ground school starting on the 18th of October, so we're going to send through the emails for you to do your swimming competency and medical checks.

My references were contacted about a week ago, maybe just over. :)

Oh exciting ground school is soob for you!

I've got a dilemma now. I had applied for Qantas (Jetconnect in NZ) and they've just phoned to offer ground school starting on 11 October (pending a medical test). I haven't heard back from Virgin still, I'm wondering what to do. Should I say yes to Qantas and wait and see what happens with Virgin, I don't want to miss out completely but am leaning towards Virgin.
Qantas Jetconnect is flying just NZ to Australia, Virgin from AKL to Aus and the islands.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!
I suppose until I've signed a contract nothing is a done deal.
Thanks!

I was in a similar situation having applied for QCCA (Qantas international) and virgin. Virgin was always my preference but at the same time if Qantas offered me a position first I would have taken it and just waited for virgin to get back to me, and then would have decided what I wanted to do. If you don't want to risk missing out all together I would accept Qantas' offer and wait and see what virgin says. You can always quit ground school part way through if you find you really wold prefer a position with virgin.

Update for Adelaide Base
 

Hi All,
My references have now been completed and today I received an email confirming I've progressed to the next stage which is swimming competency test. It seems a couple of GS are starting within a month. That is fantastic. I hope the recruitment campaign moves quickly for everyone.

Great news manymiles! How exciting, on the homes stretch now! Have they said anymore about where GS will be?

Hi Manymiles! Congrats! I've just recently come on here. I attended the Recruitment Day on August 30 in Adelaide and have pretty much went through the exact same process as you. I am at reference check stage and only one of my referees have completed the reference. I changed one of them on Wednesday night, as my current manager has managed me just under 6 months and I was worried as I know they wanted it to be at least 6 months. The new referee I put down hasn't recieved the email yet... I hope I hear soon as I'd love to start a GS soon as my current contract is finishing very soon!! Do you think they will chase up the 2nd reference soon?

SYD ground school
 

SYD ground school starts October 11

Hi everyone,
Great updates and news from some and looks like things are progressing well. Congratulations to everyone on your success so far!
Update from me - I've been offered a place in GS starting 18th October (subject to medical clearance).
I'm very happy and extremely grateful. I am however keeping a lid on my excitement until I get the full green light.
Going for my medical this morning.
Will keep you posted.

Hi Lo zC,
Great news you have progressed so far. Congratulations! Has your second reference been contacted yet? Hopefully you have good news??

Hi manymiles! That's so exciting you have been contacted about GS on October 18. My second reference has been completed (on Friday) but I am still waiting to hear an update.... :( I hope I hear something soon. Did you hear there may be more than one GS for Adelaide? Do you know where your GS will be held?

Hey everyone! I've noticed VA have now included MEL and SYD in their ad again so must be plenty of positions available in those locations. I haven't heard anymore after submitting my elevator pitch just over a week ago. Would be nice to know if they even plan on holding more recruitment days for Adelaide this year or not but I'm worried if I email them again that it will look bad... any thoughts?

Thanks Kaaate I have ended up accepting the conditional offer with Qantas/Jetconnect with ground school starting on October 11 subject to medical which I'm doing next week. Quite a bit to sort in a short time frame, they gave me just under four weeks notice.
I haven't heard back from Virgin in the mean time, they last emailed that I'm on the recruitment waitlist pending final review and once they have confirmation of future training schools they will be in contact.
The costs to sort the qantas medicals would probably put me off heading to virgin if they do contact me soon, already $240 for bloods with audiogram and the medical itself to go which is looking like another $500 minimum. Anyway I'll wait and see :)

Golden Call - ADL Base
 

Hi Everyone,
Received the 'Golden Call' yesterday.
Start date 17th October with Ground School starting 18th October in Melbourne. I'm ecstatic! :)
Hoping to hear more good news from more of you soon! :ok:
For those that are still waiting, stay focussed and remain positive. You will get there in the end, and if not - there will be other opportunities!