British Airways - Wannabes & Recruitment
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Sorry I do not remember who asked about LGW allowances....
Basically if you think of it as a cake, your salary is made of 4 different ingredients:
- The basic salary. For LGW is just short of 10k for the first year
- The tax-free hourly allowance: £2.32 at the moment from report time to half an hour after chocks on on your last sector back into base. If you do more than 10.30hrs in a day then the hourly allowance goes up after that to some £6.30 ph (approx). Then it goes up again after 13 or 13.30hrs (not sure, it is something to do with long haul flying, cannot remember exactly)
If you do a short duty (for example a 4-hour MAN there&back, although it's very rare these days) you get paid the minimum hours which are 7. Airport standbys are paid the same, unless you get called out then your hours start at the beginning of SBY till you've finished your duty.
- Overnight allowance: some £7 (approx) per night. If your flight is a shorthaul there&back but lands back at base AFTER midnight you are still elegible for this allowance although technically you are not spending the whole night away.
- In-Flight retail commission. 10% of the money earned during the sales divided by the members of the crew.
Now, there's a huge dispute going on at LGW at the moment regarding our so called "breakfast allowance". What that is we are the only ones in BA to have a B&B agreement for short haul (and possibly for long haul as well, that's why the dispute is going on). BA want to "buy out" this breakfast to give us an increment in hourly allowance of 11-13p (again, it's chaos at the moment so I am not able to give any more details!). LGW community seem to be against this (I am personally) as breakfast downroute can be very expensive, and when you are on an early flight the hotel usually provides the crew with a voucher to be spent for dinner/drinks etc. So watch this space!!!
Somebody else asked if living in scotland is ok for the job.....well, definitely not for the training course, however once you're estabilished in your routine (or lack of!) there are lots of people who commute from gla/edi/abz/man/ncl, though they have a place near LGW (like a cheap B&B or a friend's house) where they can stay in between trips and fly home in their days off.
Training for LGW is paid the minimum daily hours each day plus overnight allowance for the days spent at LHR (with overnight accomodation only) on top of your basic salary. It is not much but helps you during the second month! (the first month would be basic only as allowances are paid one month in arrear).
Hope this helps all the wannabe's!
I agree with the rest of my colleagues though. LGW is a great base with lovely, easy going people, however money is bad compared to LHR (and other UK airlines!). So my advice is: if you are looking for quick promotion, a mixture of short and long haul flying experience, and for a fun, relaxed environment while money isn't your top priority at the moment then I will be looking forward to working with you!
However if you have substantial economical commitments already and think that you can transfer to LHR in the near future, do not bother as with the new fleet in place it might take new entrants many years to be given the choice to transfer. You'd be better off waiting for LHR recruitment to start.
Whatever you decide, good luck with your applications!!
FBW
Basically if you think of it as a cake, your salary is made of 4 different ingredients:
- The basic salary. For LGW is just short of 10k for the first year
- The tax-free hourly allowance: £2.32 at the moment from report time to half an hour after chocks on on your last sector back into base. If you do more than 10.30hrs in a day then the hourly allowance goes up after that to some £6.30 ph (approx). Then it goes up again after 13 or 13.30hrs (not sure, it is something to do with long haul flying, cannot remember exactly)
If you do a short duty (for example a 4-hour MAN there&back, although it's very rare these days) you get paid the minimum hours which are 7. Airport standbys are paid the same, unless you get called out then your hours start at the beginning of SBY till you've finished your duty.
- Overnight allowance: some £7 (approx) per night. If your flight is a shorthaul there&back but lands back at base AFTER midnight you are still elegible for this allowance although technically you are not spending the whole night away.
- In-Flight retail commission. 10% of the money earned during the sales divided by the members of the crew.
Now, there's a huge dispute going on at LGW at the moment regarding our so called "breakfast allowance". What that is we are the only ones in BA to have a B&B agreement for short haul (and possibly for long haul as well, that's why the dispute is going on). BA want to "buy out" this breakfast to give us an increment in hourly allowance of 11-13p (again, it's chaos at the moment so I am not able to give any more details!). LGW community seem to be against this (I am personally) as breakfast downroute can be very expensive, and when you are on an early flight the hotel usually provides the crew with a voucher to be spent for dinner/drinks etc. So watch this space!!!
Somebody else asked if living in scotland is ok for the job.....well, definitely not for the training course, however once you're estabilished in your routine (or lack of!) there are lots of people who commute from gla/edi/abz/man/ncl, though they have a place near LGW (like a cheap B&B or a friend's house) where they can stay in between trips and fly home in their days off.
Training for LGW is paid the minimum daily hours each day plus overnight allowance for the days spent at LHR (with overnight accomodation only) on top of your basic salary. It is not much but helps you during the second month! (the first month would be basic only as allowances are paid one month in arrear).
Hope this helps all the wannabe's!
I agree with the rest of my colleagues though. LGW is a great base with lovely, easy going people, however money is bad compared to LHR (and other UK airlines!). So my advice is: if you are looking for quick promotion, a mixture of short and long haul flying experience, and for a fun, relaxed environment while money isn't your top priority at the moment then I will be looking forward to working with you!
However if you have substantial economical commitments already and think that you can transfer to LHR in the near future, do not bother as with the new fleet in place it might take new entrants many years to be given the choice to transfer. You'd be better off waiting for LHR recruitment to start.
Whatever you decide, good luck with your applications!!
FBW
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LHR or LGW
Hi everyone,
I don't mean to influence anyone.
I joined LGW last spring and the first salaries were horrible. It took me 4 months to earn over £1000. I don't think the next new entrants will know the same situation as the single fleet is up and running now. My rosters are very nice and I can live and go out again.
Also, at same rank, I did earn a little more in my previous airlines but I worked a lot harder than I do now in BA. Being able to bid for your roster is wicked.
Moreover, I was lucky to be able to use my previous experience to get a purser promotion.
Please correct me if I'm wrong but at the moment, the LGW recruitment is already open whereas the LHR one is still a rumour.
Good luck for whatever you decide.
I don't mean to influence anyone.
I joined LGW last spring and the first salaries were horrible. It took me 4 months to earn over £1000. I don't think the next new entrants will know the same situation as the single fleet is up and running now. My rosters are very nice and I can live and go out again.
Also, at same rank, I did earn a little more in my previous airlines but I worked a lot harder than I do now in BA. Being able to bid for your roster is wicked.
Moreover, I was lucky to be able to use my previous experience to get a purser promotion.
Please correct me if I'm wrong but at the moment, the LGW recruitment is already open whereas the LHR one is still a rumour.
Good luck for whatever you decide.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Hi - does anyone know how strict BA are with height/weight ratio. From looking at the job advert it says about being able to strap into jumpseat without extension seatbelt, walk down aisle...etc etc - just wondering if not being a text book size would go against you when attending an interview. I am far from being large and just need to tone up a bit 
Any comments would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
Any comments would be gratefully received. Many thanks
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ex-crew, no worries you'll be just fine....BA (as I'm sure most other BA crew & pax will confirm) are not known for recruiting people SOLELY on how they look....there ain't a 'BA look' and there are many that don't have Victoria Beckham waistlines...(that would be worrying!)
As you know, as long as you can strap in comfortably and walk the aisles...then all you need do is concentrate on meeting the other requirements.
Good luck!
As you know, as long as you can strap in comfortably and walk the aisles...then all you need do is concentrate on meeting the other requirements.
Good luck!
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Need some Info .
British Airways LGW , I live in London and use public transport and I would like to know what time would I have to be on duty (Check-in) if I had to do a Early Morning Shift and I live in Baker Street . Is there other Cabin crew on here Based at LGW and live in London , Do you find your able to live ...Paying bills and going out etc .
Thank you !!!!!!
I'm also thinking of BA Cityflyer (LCY) , But then again look at BACON .
I'm so wanting to do that application form online but should I really be waiting for LHR , But it will proberly be Temp Position (6 Month's ) . Oh what to do
Thank you !!!!!!
I'm also thinking of BA Cityflyer (LCY) , But then again look at BACON .
I'm so wanting to do that application form online but should I really be waiting for LHR , But it will proberly be Temp Position (6 Month's ) . Oh what to do
Last edited by Location; 18th Feb 2007 at 14:24.
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Sweetie, they used to check height and weight but they don't anymore. They definitely did it with me 3 years ago. As far as I know (words from new recruits) the only thing you have to do now is to show that you can strap into a jumpseat and get out of it quickly. Nothing more.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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various replies
banewgr,
on the staff forum STS said during a floor plate meeting that recruitment would be tmp lhr if needed then sflgw perm again if needed. if i have it right about the nsp, they have to settle internal lists and promotions before recruitment to a fleet. also it's cheaper to train at lhr because they don't have to be put in hotel rooms or be bused around.
lgw pay, if you spend time working carmen properly then you can get good rosters, after 3 months i started takin 1300 and have never taken less that, if you don't count christmas and my crew card!!!
commuting, is easily possible, i live in doncaster and commute either early in the mornin on the high speed train or the night before and use a bnb, advance train tickets are cheap and i know crew who get late night bus services and sleep all the way, sometimes can be cramped though, it took 6 months or so for my money/trips to get right, although i was earning there were too many there and backs which isn't feasible for commuting. it pays to spend time getting to know how carmen works and what works for you, but remeber that what works for me might not for you, i never bid for time off as i find it's too constrictive etc etc
as for xfer to lhr, with the move to t5, efficient a/c usage, expansion at lgw etc etc i envisage crew movement between bases to be fairly fluid in about 3 years time ish, we work in a rumour mill so there is always hundreds of people saying different things so you have to look at the picture and then paint your own version:
there is going to be a long haul fleet expansion from 100 a/c to 135 a/c over the next (15 years?) few years, lhr is full, consultation on a 3rd runway isn't going well, t5 will be full in 2008 before any deliver is made, so where are the aircraft going?
lgw does it and does it cheap, the business plan is for leisure so why leave leisure routes at lhr?
why spend money on fleet implemention to sell lgw? doesn't make any sense!
sale of bmed and loss of routes, ba loses substantial presence in the middle east and north africa, 737's at lgw leases up for renewal, 737 ng's with er to then take the routes to lgw? maybe and would be more cost effective, particularly now with the new single fleet arrangements.
i can easily paint a picture of lgw being the future and i firmly belive that if you look at the business model and other airline structures then it does make sense.
on the staff forum STS said during a floor plate meeting that recruitment would be tmp lhr if needed then sflgw perm again if needed. if i have it right about the nsp, they have to settle internal lists and promotions before recruitment to a fleet. also it's cheaper to train at lhr because they don't have to be put in hotel rooms or be bused around.
lgw pay, if you spend time working carmen properly then you can get good rosters, after 3 months i started takin 1300 and have never taken less that, if you don't count christmas and my crew card!!!
commuting, is easily possible, i live in doncaster and commute either early in the mornin on the high speed train or the night before and use a bnb, advance train tickets are cheap and i know crew who get late night bus services and sleep all the way, sometimes can be cramped though, it took 6 months or so for my money/trips to get right, although i was earning there were too many there and backs which isn't feasible for commuting. it pays to spend time getting to know how carmen works and what works for you, but remeber that what works for me might not for you, i never bid for time off as i find it's too constrictive etc etc
as for xfer to lhr, with the move to t5, efficient a/c usage, expansion at lgw etc etc i envisage crew movement between bases to be fairly fluid in about 3 years time ish, we work in a rumour mill so there is always hundreds of people saying different things so you have to look at the picture and then paint your own version:
there is going to be a long haul fleet expansion from 100 a/c to 135 a/c over the next (15 years?) few years, lhr is full, consultation on a 3rd runway isn't going well, t5 will be full in 2008 before any deliver is made, so where are the aircraft going?
lgw does it and does it cheap, the business plan is for leisure so why leave leisure routes at lhr?
why spend money on fleet implemention to sell lgw? doesn't make any sense!
sale of bmed and loss of routes, ba loses substantial presence in the middle east and north africa, 737's at lgw leases up for renewal, 737 ng's with er to then take the routes to lgw? maybe and would be more cost effective, particularly now with the new single fleet arrangements.
i can easily paint a picture of lgw being the future and i firmly belive that if you look at the business model and other airline structures then it does make sense.
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BA recruitment 2007 - LHR
Hey guys,
any word or inside info on BA recruiting for LHR this year yet? Also, if its going to be temp does anyone know of anyone who was taken on temp last year but then kept on? thank you!! look forward to the response!
any word or inside info on BA recruiting for LHR this year yet? Also, if its going to be temp does anyone know of anyone who was taken on temp last year but then kept on? thank you!! look forward to the response!
Join Date: Jan 2007
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interview / assesment day
Hi everybody..
After recently failing to get into Virgin (boohoo) i have just sent off my application to join BA at LGW..
There doesnt seem to be any information on what BA's interview / assesment day entails, can anyone shed some light on this please?
Any info would be great!
Also, any1 know how long it usually takes to hear back re your application and then attend an interview day?
Thanks :o)
J X
After recently failing to get into Virgin (boohoo) i have just sent off my application to join BA at LGW..
There doesnt seem to be any information on what BA's interview / assesment day entails, can anyone shed some light on this please?
Any info would be great!
Also, any1 know how long it usually takes to hear back re your application and then attend an interview day?
Thanks :o)
J X
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James2k7
Hi,
Essentially, the process for us was that we attended a 1/2 day at The Rivers near to the airport. We then signed in and met the other applicants before being split into groups with some attending a presentation or a group activity (we then swapped round). After both the group activity and presentation we were then interviewed.
Key points:
Be yourself/try to make yourself feel at ease with the other applicants as soon as you walk in/be prepared to ask any questions you may have/don't worry about the crew seat (it'll fit just about anyone!)/think about what you have done in the past when dealing with others - what problems you faced/how you managed them/turned things around.
Remember, they really do want you to do your best - plain and simple. There'll be no trick questions from the 2 interviewers (who will be taking lots of notes!). They really are decent people who will do their best to make you feel at ease.
Oh, the only downside is that when you start you will discover that LGW operates the 777 the same as LHR however, there are fewer crew on board meaning that you have to work even harder (no time to read OK/Hello/Daily Mail I'm afraid) and yes, the pay is absolutely appalling
unless you still live with mum and dad in which case you will be fine. As for commuting well yes, we get 'cheaper' flights but this is an extremely expensive option for someone on LGW terms and conditions. Also, there is a Gatwick BAA train discount card (for which you pay around a tenner) and this gives you 1/3 off fares to and from LGW.
Should you decide to go for the LHR Temp if it comes up, let me tell you that you will have a great time doing an LAX, YVR, SFO, MIA and wherever else. You will also earn far better money in the process - an average of £1900.00 per month as opposed to £1100.00 at LGW where you really do work very, very hard.
Whatever the case, do what is right for you at this moment in your life and things will work out for you.
All the best.
Essentially, the process for us was that we attended a 1/2 day at The Rivers near to the airport. We then signed in and met the other applicants before being split into groups with some attending a presentation or a group activity (we then swapped round). After both the group activity and presentation we were then interviewed.
Key points:
Be yourself/try to make yourself feel at ease with the other applicants as soon as you walk in/be prepared to ask any questions you may have/don't worry about the crew seat (it'll fit just about anyone!)/think about what you have done in the past when dealing with others - what problems you faced/how you managed them/turned things around.
Remember, they really do want you to do your best - plain and simple. There'll be no trick questions from the 2 interviewers (who will be taking lots of notes!). They really are decent people who will do their best to make you feel at ease.
Oh, the only downside is that when you start you will discover that LGW operates the 777 the same as LHR however, there are fewer crew on board meaning that you have to work even harder (no time to read OK/Hello/Daily Mail I'm afraid) and yes, the pay is absolutely appalling
unless you still live with mum and dad in which case you will be fine. As for commuting well yes, we get 'cheaper' flights but this is an extremely expensive option for someone on LGW terms and conditions. Also, there is a Gatwick BAA train discount card (for which you pay around a tenner) and this gives you 1/3 off fares to and from LGW.Should you decide to go for the LHR Temp if it comes up, let me tell you that you will have a great time doing an LAX, YVR, SFO, MIA and wherever else. You will also earn far better money in the process - an average of £1900.00 per month as opposed to £1100.00 at LGW where you really do work very, very hard.
Whatever the case, do what is right for you at this moment in your life and things will work out for you.
All the best.
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BA Recruitment - Inside info and guidance from current staff
Hi there!
was just wondering if there was any word of LHR recruiting yet, even for temp positions? i was going to apply for LGW but am holding out for LHR! Also any info about commuting from scotland - anyone do it or know any1 who does it? much appreciated! thanks X
was just wondering if there was any word of LHR recruiting yet, even for temp positions? i was going to apply for LGW but am holding out for LHR! Also any info about commuting from scotland - anyone do it or know any1 who does it? much appreciated! thanks X
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No permanent recruitment into LHR yet. As the IFS manager said recently, the next recruitment into LHR will most likely be on a temporary basis, and after the period expires it could be transformed into a permanent LGW contract.
Commuting from scotland is fine, I know many people who do it even in EF, however it might take a while to get the trips you want (longer ones or scottish night stops for shorthaul) so that could make it a bit more difficult; for longhaul it is less of a problem. Keep in mind though that you are not elegible for staff travel for the first 6 months or indeed while on a temp contract, so it might be cheaper to find an accomodation near the airport for that period.
Whatever you decide....good luck!!
Commuting from scotland is fine, I know many people who do it even in EF, however it might take a while to get the trips you want (longer ones or scottish night stops for shorthaul) so that could make it a bit more difficult; for longhaul it is less of a problem. Keep in mind though that you are not elegible for staff travel for the first 6 months or indeed while on a temp contract, so it might be cheaper to find an accomodation near the airport for that period.
Whatever you decide....good luck!!
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Hi All
As a crewmember @ LGW , ive been reading your postings .
On the subject of pay talks are starting shortly which will cover allowances etc .
Yeah LGW 777's work with less crew than LHR but the Gatwick Fleet has only been running 4 months and they will be doing trial flights soon too monitior service , crewing levels etc .
With ba taking extra LH aircraft their is no room at LHR for expansion unless ba drop routes or buy slots . So LGW is the likely option and with them only having 9 LH nightstops + shuttles , it would be good for LGW to have expansion even if its lesiure market. So watch this space and their is rumours additional LH aircraft will come to LGW ! So watch this space for aircraft orders as it will be announced soon for both LH and LGW Shorthaul routes .
I know some people think ba lgw is not mainline but it is and is part of ACC NSP - which is A ir Cabin Crew National Selection Panel who monitior transfers , part time and agreements for mainline crew etc .
Another rumour is that LHR will no longer take permament new entrants as recruitment will be done via LGW .
Good luck all and look forward to flying with you all if you are BA LGW !
As a crewmember @ LGW , ive been reading your postings .
On the subject of pay talks are starting shortly which will cover allowances etc .
Yeah LGW 777's work with less crew than LHR but the Gatwick Fleet has only been running 4 months and they will be doing trial flights soon too monitior service , crewing levels etc .
With ba taking extra LH aircraft their is no room at LHR for expansion unless ba drop routes or buy slots . So LGW is the likely option and with them only having 9 LH nightstops + shuttles , it would be good for LGW to have expansion even if its lesiure market. So watch this space and their is rumours additional LH aircraft will come to LGW ! So watch this space for aircraft orders as it will be announced soon for both LH and LGW Shorthaul routes .
I know some people think ba lgw is not mainline but it is and is part of ACC NSP - which is A ir Cabin Crew National Selection Panel who monitior transfers , part time and agreements for mainline crew etc .
Another rumour is that LHR will no longer take permament new entrants as recruitment will be done via LGW .
Good luck all and look forward to flying with you all if you are BA LGW !
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flyer55 i can almost guarantee that SF LGW will NOT be getting any new longhaul aircraft ANY time in the near or indeed distant future. BA would not waste it's valuable new resources by doing something as foolhardy as that! lol!
you might be very lucky and get the odd shorthaul airbus from LHR thrown your way. maybe.
the company has been saying for years now that they are desperate to expand the LHR operation - but haven't been able to do so in any full way due to the lack of available aircraft in the longhaul fleet.
any new routes launched in the last 4 years or so has been at the expense of other routes, or a reduction in frequencies to certain muti-service destinations.
ALL of the new aircraft that will be arriving into our fleet from next year onwards will be LHR based. they will be replacing 20 of the oldest 747-400's; all of the 767-300's and more aircraft added to the fleet in order for expansion of the operation to commence again.
the list of cities that BA wants to launch brand new services to, and also return flying to, is as long as my arm. again ALL of those routes will be operated from LHR.
LHR is, and has always been, where the money is. not LGW.
they will plough all their new investment in aircraft into where they know that they will get a very big return on it - London Heathrow.
btw, ACC NSP stands for air cabin crew national SECTIONAL panel, not "...selection.." panel.
you might be very lucky and get the odd shorthaul airbus from LHR thrown your way. maybe.
the company has been saying for years now that they are desperate to expand the LHR operation - but haven't been able to do so in any full way due to the lack of available aircraft in the longhaul fleet.
any new routes launched in the last 4 years or so has been at the expense of other routes, or a reduction in frequencies to certain muti-service destinations.
ALL of the new aircraft that will be arriving into our fleet from next year onwards will be LHR based. they will be replacing 20 of the oldest 747-400's; all of the 767-300's and more aircraft added to the fleet in order for expansion of the operation to commence again.
the list of cities that BA wants to launch brand new services to, and also return flying to, is as long as my arm. again ALL of those routes will be operated from LHR.
LHR is, and has always been, where the money is. not LGW.
they will plough all their new investment in aircraft into where they know that they will get a very big return on it - London Heathrow.
btw, ACC NSP stands for air cabin crew national SECTIONAL panel, not "...selection.." panel.
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BA Boi; I think is spot on, despite meeting the SHPIG targets for LGW all is far from rosey in the garden. Ground handling performance is still poor and costly and Waterside is reluctant to put any new longhaul routes there as so many are covered by the opposition and at considerably lower costs, which is the main concern. The SH operation is run surely to stop Easy becoming a major player from LGW which would happen if we cut back our SH services. If we could facilitate the 777 services at LHR be assured they would be here tomorrow and bear in mind the 7's are the GE engined a/c which do not perform as well as the RR engined. It is of greater concern the replacement of the 737's that at times look desparate and cannot operate as effectively as there LHR equivalent and it is to the Euro aircraft that need to be the prime concern for replacement. If replacement goes ahead it will not be until the end of 08 start of 09 at which time Watersides main concern will be T5 not LGW. If the price is right don't rule out the EMB190's.