Really, when I joined I had to swim and get it... That was quite a while ago though.

Some people told the trainers they weren't too confident in the water so they helped them out alot.

ABird, hello!

IIRC we actually jumped in the pool wearing our lifejackets. I can't seem to remember having been in the pool without the jacket on.

Makmo, if you're worried though, don't be. The trainers will help you as will your fellow trainees. The swimming thing isn't that big a deal really, as on my course there were a couple of people who absolutely couldn't swim but they were fine. People just looked out for them.

Good luck.

Sounds like you got off lightly!

We had to get in the shallow end and swim to the deep end where the trainers had chucked the lifejackets in. We then had to put them on and swim back to the shallow end.

I had to do exactly the same too.

If you arent a confident swimmer let the trainers know, and go to the pool before you start training and have a practice.

I always found areas Hampton/Woking/Walton-on-Thames all in Surrey good bases if you're using both airports like i did.

They're closer to LHR (about 20/30mins away max) but far enough away that you don't know there's one of worlds busiest international airport a stones throw away.

These places are also about 45mins from LGW and you don't have to join the dreaded M25 for either.

Loads of airline staff live in the these areas!

10th july training course
 

hi, im starting a ba trainig course on 10th july at gatwick. im not sure what fleet i am on........have been told numerous different things, so i will figure it uot sooner or later....

anyone else on this date....would love to hear form you. :O :ok:

Hi Emma! Congrats, and welcome to BA!

If your training is at Gatwick, I believe you'll be put on to Eurofleet Gatwick until October when the transition to Single Fleet starts. At this point you'll begin doing a mix of long and short-haul trips. Longhaul destinations that look set to stay at Gatwick are Kingston (Jamaica), Antigua, Orlando and Atlanta. Perhaps there are others, but I'm not aware of them yet.

Hey

Is that the only destinations from LGW. Am sure we got told Barbados, Huston and more, am sure?????

Hi matey,

It all depends on what stays at Gatwick after the move to Single Fleet. It also depends on the Open Skies situation.

At the moment, Longhaul Gatwick routes are Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Antigua, Orlando, Tampa, Barbados, Bermuda and Kingston. British Airways wants to move some of these to LHR when T5 opens, but may do so before that point - perhaps as early as October at the dawn of Single Fleet.

I was speaking to a Gatwick crewmember today who thought that there would only be four Longhauls left at Gatwick for Single Fleet INITIALLY - KIN, ATL, ANU and BGI. It's widely expected, however, that BA will try to move a number of routes from LHR to LGW as operating costs (or crewing costs, atleast) ex-LGW will be substantially lower than at LHR.

I heard rumours (rumours ONLY, mind) of a transfer to Gatwick for Mauritius. Not sure how accurate this suggestion is, as MRU is currently operated on the 744 and LGW crew will only be licensed on the 737 and 772 (until Airbii arrive at LGW in large quantities and the 737s are retired).

Eddy sorry but that's only an assumption....apparently for EF LGW the "bus" isn't the obvious choice.....Mr director of flight operations told us they are discussing four types for a new fleet...A318/319/320 - Embraer 175/195 (the new one which is very nice!) - Canadair CRJ700/900 - B737 NG 600-700-800. All of this IF we can make it profitable by 2008 (whatever they mean with that!)

So...it could get quite exciting!

I only got my roster about a week from the end of the course. A friend of mine says the same, and she was on a different course for a different fleet.

FlyByWire, I had the pleasure of flying on one of the new EMBs with Air Canada a couple of months back and it's a nice ride! I hadn't heard anything about other types being looked at for the LGW fleet renewal, but you're right in that my stating that Airbii would make up the fleet was, indeed, only an assumption.

To be perfectly honest though, I'd be very surprised if we didn't go Airbus. For the discounts we'd enjoy and the benefit of having fleet commonality throughout the airline's large shorthaul operation (LHR and LGW) will make Airbus an attractive option.

Yes true, but we tend to think that the new 737 NG planes would make more sense as the differences training course for our pilots would be minimal ("the boss" says probably about 3-4 days) = less money to spend!

As for the first roster, I got it after about 4 weeks of training.

I remember one of my first destinations was Genoa :{ Home sweet home......
Now, of course, we've stopped flying there!!! Flights were alwasy so busy and people used to buy lots of tax free stuff, but hey somebody said it isn't profitable anymore.......:ugh: :ugh: :ugh:

10th july
 

hey up! im starting 10th july as well found out yest! you any ideas as to where to live? no idea whats near to LGW as i thought i would be working at LHR!

So excited has anyone else arranged a uniform fitting as yet?

:)

10th july
 

hey lozzie, i have just booked my uniform fitting for 15th june, although its in an obscure place in crawley and am not sure how to get there....anyone any ideas??? im just soooo excited. can anyone tell me anything about the rostar, like how is it done so that everyone gets an equal amount of hours, how do you do overtime, can you choose a destination. also how long are you normally in the place. also how do exspenses work, do we pay first and get reinbursed or is there a set amount for the places you go to??? so many questions.....oh and also im going to be living in brighton as thats where i live now, its 20 mins by train and a cool place to live....emma xxxxxx

My mate is on 10th july hes a guy and funny2 goodluck... im the week before!!

Gatwick fleet
 

Hey everyone,

First time here and I have spent hours reading through the threads,

I have always wanted to work for BA as cabin crew and today I sent off my application for the current recruitment at Gatwick,

At the risk of being indiscreet, I wondered if anybody could tell me how much money I can expect to take home monthly when based at Gatwick if successful with my application? Although I want to pursue my dream, I also need to make sure I can pay the mortgage.... any anwers or guidance would be very much welcome and appriciated,

The other question I have is, if whilst working for BA I base myself say in Spain, would I need to pay taxes in the UK?

Again, thank you in advance for your time and answers, and perhaps hopefully, look forward to joining you later on in the year (being positive) :)

eman75

10th of july
 

Hey guys,

My course is on the 10 th of july as well... When was yr interview?

ba recruitment
 

hi there
i currently work for el al airline in israel
i hold a british passport and recently filled out an application form for ba
only after entering this forum was i even aware of the different fleets
it does actually say on my application form lgw fleet
what does that mean flight wise
what routes leave gatwick and what routes do the europe fleet do
do they have layovers?
do i have any say in which fleet i join
thanks for all your help
it sure will we well appreciated

Hello YM. I suggest you look over the preceeding pages on this thread and the thread on EFLGW, you should find all the info you need there.

In previous months the only choice was for temp contract at WW or EF LHR, or Perm at EGLGW (soon to be LGW Fleet). As far as I am aware now LHR is fully crewed and will be for a while because all WW LGW crew will be going to LHR, so any gaps that may come up will be filled by then.

I do also have some news for the temps at LHR. I spoke to the union today (AMICUS), and the current position with the temps at LHR is that they WILL NOT be required once the contract is up and will be given the option of reinterview for LGW or to leave.

Of course things change but that is the company's current plan, and all joiners were made fully aware that temp meant TEMP. They were also given the choice of a EFLGW perm contract as well.

Good luck all

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=203488

This is the link to the EFLGW / LGW Fleet thread.

Uniform stores is in a bit of an obscure place, and the people who work there are NOT BA staff so I do appologise in advance for any attitude you may recieve.

You may commute from Spain, but you may find it tough on just shorthaul until October. As for the tax situation it would seem that the loophole is being closed in the not too distant future so you WIll have to pay tax in either Spain or the UK