Britannia Airways

[Just another student]

I am currently thinking about attending BY's next interview / open day at EMA this month. I need a full time job in order to help fund the rest of my flight training, and I figure that cabin crew out of EMA, would be a step in the right direction. I would gain valuable airline experience, meet new people and be working in my chosen profession, rather than working out side of aviation again.I hear that BY are a good employer, but would you suggest that I should give the interviews a go? I would be interested to hear from anyone who works for BY about their experiences. Any information about the job would be appreciated.

Thanks

[BYlady]

I've been working for BY now for 7 years - and I can't fault them. The people are fab and the atmosphere is great - we are under a lot of pressure to work hard but you are rewarded in every way.

A lot of wanabee pilots take the role as cabin crew as the first step to get their foot in the door - what I would say is to be dedicated in the role that you are employed in as I have come across crew who are simply not interested because they're hoping to go on to do bigger and better things. At the end of the day we work in a team - remember not to let your colleagues down, simply because this job would be filling the gap and not a full time career option.

[Just another student]

Thanks for the replies. Although in the long term I do intend to try and achieve a flight crew position, I can quite honestly say that I always try to give 110 % in any job that I have. When your up there at FL350, its a team effort and that includes everyone. Its not just about the guys and gals up front, I have no illusions of just turning up and getting a wage. If the worst came to the worst, its a fellow team member that could save your life, so letting people down is not an option. In the end, a number of people are up there through love of aviation, and as long as I'm up there, I will always be content with whatever position I hold. It is hard work, but I'm sure the rewards are worth while

[BYlady]

That's the right outlook to have - just hope more people were like you

[Just another student]

BYLady, could you possibly give me any idea of the shifts involved in a new recruits first season with Britannia? I guess that most if not all, start with short haul work. With wanting to be based at EMA, I appreciate that there are no long haul routes served. However if I were to go to an airport that does offer long haul, would I fly all short haul, or a mix? What would be an average working day? How many days a week do you fly?

What is the maximum commute time that BY allow? I live in the midlands so could possibly access a number of bases.

On a lighter note, (baring in mind i'm a fella) are BY looking for Brad Pitt look a likes, or will normal, the bloke next door looks do
?

Cheers

[BYlady]

Hi there Just another student

To answer your questions, as an initial crew member you will first be given shorthaul routes to operate. However, there really is no set time at the mo to how long you would be on these routes as Thomson's longhaul programme is forever expanding. We need cabin crew to operate longhaul as crew currently get the opportunity to opt in and out of longhaul trips - at the moment a lot of the cabin crew are opting out hence the possibility to operate longhaul flights a lot sooner than previous years. Needless to say you would need to be based at either LGW or MAN to have the real variation in longhaul destinations.

My rosters are a mixture of both shorthaul and longhaul flying at the moment. With shorthaul flying you can only operate a maximum of 4 flights in a row, {or 3 if deep night flights}, there are RT days which are Recovery Time based around your days off which is additional time off.

This year our rosters seem to be more cabin crew friendly and it is reassuring to know that the Company works hard to make our lives at work more enjoyable.

BY give you 90 minutes to get to the airport.

Hope this helps, if you have any further questions, just ask.

.........oh, and you don\'t need to be a Brad Pitt look a like, just an Orlando Bloom one would be suffice

[Just another student]

lol ........ I'm a spitting image

I wouldn't mind doing some longhaul routes for variety, however I would be sruggling to make MAN in 90 mins. Does BHX have any longhaul routes? EMA used to, but that soon changed. To tell you the truth, i'd be happy just to get a job and get up there.

How long before a flight do you have to arrive?

On shorthaul do you always operate a return, or do you sometimes get a stop over?

Do you know how many people BY are looking to recruit? This interview day seems very close to the last course start date, is that normal?

Thanks

[BYlady]

We have one Domincan Republic operating out of BHX I believe, which to be honest is not all that!! All of the other routes are divided between LGW and MAN. At MAN we have to arrive and be seated at the briefing table 1 hour 30 mins prior to take-off, this time allows us to be briefed on the flight ahead, have our safety knowledge checked and to prepare the aircraft.

Unfortunately no stop overs on shorthaul flights unless it's an adhoc flight or if it's an unscheduled nightstop - crew out of hours, aircraft tech etc. The furthest we fly out to is Israel/Egypt there and back!! - a nice 15 hour duty!

[Just another student]

I would be daft not to go really, considering EMA is pretty close by. If this was not to work out, then I would probably go back on the ramp again. I'd much rather be flying though.

All I can say is, if the guys look like Orlando Bloom, i'd love to see what the ladies look like The last time I flew Britannia some of the female crew were simply stunning, I could barely talk

Well...... The Dominican Republic, or sunny Nottingham.........? I know which one sounds more tempting

What is the situation with innoculations? For places like Egypt etc Are they provided sometime before you are due to fly out, or do you have to arrange it privately?


Sorry for all the questions, but I like to try and get to know how things work before I go for anything.

Thanks as always

[Just another student]

Well if you believe the name of the airport, then Nottingham is the area around EMA However this isn't the case, its not even in Nottinghamshire. But that's a different story. Castle Donington, Kegworth etc are areas surrounding the airport. I live in Nottinghamshire and it takes me around 45 mins max to get there. Nottingham, Leciester, Derby and Birmingham will all be within the 90 mins rule.

I would ideally like EMA, but if MAN were possible I wouldn't mind being based there.

ib16uk........ don't worry too much about the maths testing. All you can do is practice the example questions and I imagine you will be fine. I had an interview with Virgin a couple of years ago and the tests seem very similar. They are not trying to catch you out as such, I guess its their way of reducing numbers..... after all they can't interview everyone

[Just another student]

According to the AA route planner, around 15 mins. Of course this depends on where you would be living in Derby.

[EMACargo]

Derby to EMA from Pentagon roundabout takes 15 mins at 5pm rush hour. I do the run every day as i work at the airport for UPS. I live at Alfreton 13 miles north of Derby and it can take me only 25mins.

Where can i find information about this openday??

Regards

Stu

[thomas_ba]

Surrounding areas all within 20 mins drive of East Midlands airport include, Melbourne, Loughborough, Derby, Ashby and many more. im in Melbourne and it takes 10 mins max.

I believe that thyre not recruiting for EMA - and even if they were then you would still be laid off oct 31st as you have to complete numerous summer seasons before being made permenant! So it would be a short contract if it was the case.

Good luck to all - the Britannia training centre lot are a gr8 bunch of ppl... but im sure that hundreds will turn up to the day so be prepared for it to be like pop idol!

Thomas - East Mids

[Just another student]

When I spoke to a guy in the HR department, he said that he was pretty sure that they are recruiting for EMA. But of course, they may well not be.

You really think that many people will turn up? Sounds a bit chaotic.

[BYlady]

You are responsible for getting your own innoculations and prior to training you must have had the yellow fever vaccination. I don't know which bases By are recruiting for but in the past it has been for our Southern bases such as LGW and LTN where there is a great bunch of crew!

Hope this doesn't put you off applying - it's worth ago and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you on the day

[EZYboy]

Hey there,

I'm hoping to go along to the open day too. I'm hoping to get into the Manchester base, fingers crossed!

I know this is probably a stupid question, but do you have to turn up in suits? just so i dont turn up in jeans and t-shirt and get chucked out...lol. will just confirm it for me, cheers!

anyway good luck to those going, might bump into you, lol.

[thomas_ba]

EMA

Hey.

There is no bus service from Melbourne where im originally from -to EMA. The only one I know is Loughborough (the shuttle bus) and Nottingham and Leicester I believe there is a bus service. Not sure about how early or late they are. I shouldnt think too flexible though as EMA is built in the middle of no where.. Unfortunately no train station either

Good luck as its your 3rd time. Yes theyre deffo recruiting for BHX. I would prefer BHX if i was you cos they have more aircraft based there, theres more of a chance of being made permanent and I think there's one or two long haul routes too

Flybe were great. However they have now raised their minimum age to 19! BHX is their biggest based - or Southampton. one or the other.

Good luck.

T - off sick with a cold

[Just another student]

EZYboy, I think that wearing a suit is the right way to go about things. The only airline interviews I have attended have been BMI and Virgin, and in both cases the guys were wearing suits and the girls smart skirts etc. It gives the airline an idea of how you look in business attire, and shows a level of professionalism. It was not a stupid question to ask.

Does anybody have a clue about how many extra staff BY are taking on?

The advert is a little vague, it would be nice to know exactly where they are recruiting for etc

[BYlady]

BY have done most of their recruitment throughout the winter - the first courses for the summer 2004 season started way back in January and have been running through the year so far. It looks as though the Company are still looking at the establishment figures and feel they need to recruit a few cabin crew here and there for different bases - so far I believe they have taken on around 250 new cabin crew this year.

To be honest, in the last few years, By have been giving permanent contracts to the Southern bases due to the amount of airlines/competition flying out of LGW. I wouldn't say you have any better chance of being made permanent at BHX. At the moment, our cabin crew who started in 2002 are still waiting to be made permanent at MAN. I hope this just gives you an insight to what's ahead.

[Just another student]

Thanks for the information. For those going on Thursday, good luck.

Cheers