Balpa Conference (Merged)
TightYorksherMan
Join Date: May 2002
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The presentations I could have give myself, by doing research on websites and beforehand on recruitment.
The lady from Cathay showed us lots of pretty pictures of Hong Kong, saying 'this is why you want to work for us' - most people like myself were drooling over them - until she said you need Xnumber of thousands of hours and then basically she could have just shot us all in the foot!!
What was nice was to meet the people as Will did say - what use it did who knows, watch this space!
The lady from Cathay showed us lots of pretty pictures of Hong Kong, saying 'this is why you want to work for us' - most people like myself were drooling over them - until she said you need Xnumber of thousands of hours and then basically she could have just shot us all in the foot!!
What was nice was to meet the people as Will did say - what use it did who knows, watch this space!
Join Date: Sep 2002
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You may find that all those who did bother to turn up on their weekend to personally say 'Hello' and hand in their CV get called for interview (as and when) before all the cold callers and speculative CV'ers.......
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
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What did I get out of the day that I did not know already? Nothing.
I agree with a few of the previous mails. I already knew all the airlines recruitment criteria and buying a pint for someone will not get me another 1000hrs!
From the show of hands I would guess that 70% of the people were low hours, so the conference should have reflected that, i.e it should have been 70% geared to employment for low hours pilots, since we paid 70%. It was though a true reflection of the current state of industry recruitment. Maybe therefore the structure of the day needs changing or a separate conference for low hours.
I think that if I had 1500+ Commercial flying hours then I would have found it very useful and spoke to all the recruitment personel. But I am sorry Balpa I shall not be attending next year and if 70% of those attending had the same view, you will have to find another way of funding your Christmas Party.
I did though find the day enjoyable, professional and it was a chance to meet up with colleagues, but not beneficial.
I agree with a few of the previous mails. I already knew all the airlines recruitment criteria and buying a pint for someone will not get me another 1000hrs!
From the show of hands I would guess that 70% of the people were low hours, so the conference should have reflected that, i.e it should have been 70% geared to employment for low hours pilots, since we paid 70%. It was though a true reflection of the current state of industry recruitment. Maybe therefore the structure of the day needs changing or a separate conference for low hours.
I think that if I had 1500+ Commercial flying hours then I would have found it very useful and spoke to all the recruitment personel. But I am sorry Balpa I shall not be attending next year and if 70% of those attending had the same view, you will have to find another way of funding your Christmas Party.
I did though find the day enjoyable, professional and it was a chance to meet up with colleagues, but not beneficial.
Join Date: May 2003
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A couple of points that I feel should allow us low hour Bods some glimmer of hope:-
1. Nathan Bankett of Thomsonfly or was it Britannia, (Don’t mention the B word!!!), did say that Thompsonfly expected 25% of its pilots to have under 500hrs in 2007.
2. Tim Berry of Bmibaby said he was “terrified” by what he was hearing and expected a number of resignations from his pilots as they moved on up the food chain in the near future.
The fact also that there were a number of Bods from the head sheds of other airlines loafing around indicated to me that they were trying to get a feel for the number of their pilots that would be moving on.
I went last year as well. My opinion this year, the food was worse, there were more experienced pilots amongst the mob looking to move up the food chain, the airlines were actively recruiting the experienced Bod, that must start a employment convection and I was glad I parted with £55 pounds to go.
May the wind at your backs never be your own.
Mumbo
1. Nathan Bankett of Thomsonfly or was it Britannia, (Don’t mention the B word!!!), did say that Thompsonfly expected 25% of its pilots to have under 500hrs in 2007.
2. Tim Berry of Bmibaby said he was “terrified” by what he was hearing and expected a number of resignations from his pilots as they moved on up the food chain in the near future.
The fact also that there were a number of Bods from the head sheds of other airlines loafing around indicated to me that they were trying to get a feel for the number of their pilots that would be moving on.
I went last year as well. My opinion this year, the food was worse, there were more experienced pilots amongst the mob looking to move up the food chain, the airlines were actively recruiting the experienced Bod, that must start a employment convection and I was glad I parted with £55 pounds to go.
May the wind at your backs never be your own.
Mumbo
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Was it worth it?
I have to say yes.
That was my first conference and the value for me came from the indirect lesson learnt:
What is my competition?
What makes that airline want to stand up and present?
What are they saying about entry requirements? (500+ Turbine multi crew) (Okay that's direct lesson learnt)
How the airlines see the future of their company and aviation on the whole?
How much value is placed on integrated / how little in modular.
For most of these questions I got my answer. Is it a money spinner? - Yes. Does everyone benefit? - Yes in some way.
EGCC4284 - I agree and disagree with you about your thread.
I agree she was entertaining and brave. I disagree that she was an inspiration. She was indeed smart to go down the route she went, but her presentation was under the banner of networking and going through Oxford integrated course does most of that for you - as we heard so often that day ( recommendation from FTO)
For true inspiration, I would like to see a young modular person who has built up their experience through the logical step of FI / basic twin etc and continued to network. Before you say it - no not like me.
I don't doubt she is the type of person that would be good in the cockpit, but I don't think her experience answered the exam question.
(reaches for shovel to dig hole as people lament about how wrong I am)
That was my first conference and the value for me came from the indirect lesson learnt:
What is my competition?
What makes that airline want to stand up and present?
What are they saying about entry requirements? (500+ Turbine multi crew) (Okay that's direct lesson learnt)
How the airlines see the future of their company and aviation on the whole?
How much value is placed on integrated / how little in modular.
For most of these questions I got my answer. Is it a money spinner? - Yes. Does everyone benefit? - Yes in some way.
EGCC4284 - I agree and disagree with you about your thread.
I agree she was entertaining and brave. I disagree that she was an inspiration. She was indeed smart to go down the route she went, but her presentation was under the banner of networking and going through Oxford integrated course does most of that for you - as we heard so often that day ( recommendation from FTO)
For true inspiration, I would like to see a young modular person who has built up their experience through the logical step of FI / basic twin etc and continued to network. Before you say it - no not like me.
I don't doubt she is the type of person that would be good in the cockpit, but I don't think her experience answered the exam question.
(reaches for shovel to dig hole as people lament about how wrong I am)
Join Date: Sep 2005
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No i agree, I tend to think it comes down to 'right place right time' and Flybe were desperate at the end of last year given the large number of resignations.
I think what she did demonstrate;
1. Continually improve your CV
2. Networking will simply mean that your CV is in the right place at the right time(but you must still have the min requirements)
3. She probably was a good low hours pilot; Ex Italian airforce trainee, OAT, Dispatcher!,flying the piggy etc.
But not sure that I understood to much of what she said! But I get the impression with her CV, give her 18months and she's off!
Ma non sono sicuro che potrei capire che cosa stava parlando.
I think what she did demonstrate;
1. Continually improve your CV
2. Networking will simply mean that your CV is in the right place at the right time(but you must still have the min requirements)
3. She probably was a good low hours pilot; Ex Italian airforce trainee, OAT, Dispatcher!,flying the piggy etc.
But not sure that I understood to much of what she said! But I get the impression with her CV, give her 18months and she's off!
Ma non sono sicuro che potrei capire che cosa stava parlando.
Join Date: May 2001
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Stories of 'How I made it' like that of the Italian girl often disappoint me because they are rarely simple and full of hard work and determination.
More often, as in this ladies case, it was a lucky break that got her flying a multi turbine dropping parachutists. Now this is not something that the vast majority of 300hr frozen ATPLs will ever get the chance to do. I gather she got it through military contacts.
Fair play to her though!
My point being that I don't really learn from these stories. Another one that BALPA gave out involved someone meeting a business man who 'just happened' to be starting an airline on his laptop at that very moment!
I think we're in for a long hard struggle to find the right place at the right time!
More often, as in this ladies case, it was a lucky break that got her flying a multi turbine dropping parachutists. Now this is not something that the vast majority of 300hr frozen ATPLs will ever get the chance to do. I gather she got it through military contacts.
Fair play to her though!
My point being that I don't really learn from these stories. Another one that BALPA gave out involved someone meeting a business man who 'just happened' to be starting an airline on his laptop at that very moment!
I think we're in for a long hard struggle to find the right place at the right time!
Last edited by Dude~; 30th Oct 2005 at 10:31.
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I am sorry dear colleague but I started working with piggy because I knock the door of their flight operations everyday for a long time...didn't have any contact.....
......and for what concern Oxford....well as i said I had been unemployed for 12 months....that should say something
Thanks for the feedback anyway!
ciao
PS you should say "non capivo di che cosa stesse parlando"
......and for what concern Oxford....well as i said I had been unemployed for 12 months....that should say something
Thanks for the feedback anyway!
ciao
PS you should say "non capivo di che cosa stesse parlando"
Join Date: May 2001
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I’m glad you added that you only got to fly piggy due to sheer determination and not military contacts. That makes me feel better because it suggests that it could happen to anyone who really wants it.
What does "non capivo di che cosa stesse parlando" mean anyway?
How’s life on the Dash?
What does "non capivo di che cosa stesse parlando" mean anyway?
How’s life on the Dash?
PPRuNe Knight in Shining Armour
Join Date: Feb 2000
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pilotarosa
I knew you had balls gal, but I didn't figure they were as big as that!! Fair play to ya.
Are you still denting the runway at EDI or have you figured out how to land the bitch yet?? (and if you have, you're a better man than I 
)
PS How was the holiday touring Scotland?
PPS In case you're wondering, you know me, and I'm being mischievous!!
I knew you had balls gal, but I didn't figure they were as big as that!! Fair play to ya.
Are you still denting the runway at EDI or have you figured out how to land the bitch yet?? (and if you have, you're a better man than I
)PS How was the holiday touring Scotland?
PPS In case you're wondering, you know me, and I'm being mischievous!!
