BA Connect (was City Express)
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Han 1st Solo,
Many still swimming since October year 2005 so i feel a long long wait ahead for others ....
we'll try to forget that one.
For some keep those licences renewed and medical and lets hope for a course asap.
Chin up, stay current and keep positive everyone
Mr Wonka
Many still swimming since October year 2005 so i feel a long long wait ahead for others ....
'definite' course in August
we'll try to forget that one.For some keep those licences renewed and medical and lets hope for a course asap.
Chin up, stay current and keep positive everyone
Mr Wonka
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What is going on?
I have just had it from a very reliable source this evening that 4 OAT Graduates are starting with BACON next month! One is going onto the 146 fleet based on Isle of Man (cause no Dash guys wanted to go there) and the other 3 start on the EMB 145. Why oh why oh why!!!!!!!!!!!
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Originally Posted by Troy McClure
Some of us since October even.....
So September course now the favourite. There again, there were rumours of courses in May, June, July and see above for a 'definite' course in August.
We'll see...
So September course now the favourite. There again, there were rumours of courses in May, June, July and see above for a 'definite' course in August.
We'll see...
I guess all you guys in the pool aren't being told the whole truth.
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Originally Posted by HOLD5
I guess all you guys in the pool aren't being told the whole truth
I guess all you guys in the pool aren't being told the whole truth
I know somone from OATS cadet scheme on the next course, did'nt even go into the hold pool, they all by-passed it.
Sadly for me this means that the pool is not emptying, and of cause the on line application form isnt going to be on line any time soon.
Sounds like those in the hold pool are just being used, if they cant get cadets onto a course then last resort is use somone out of the pool.
MrM
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I too have been in the hold pool since Feb and have been following this thread with interest since then. I was told that there were 15-20 people ahead of me and I have had regular communication with flight operations to keep me updated. The last conversation I had with them at the beginning of June I was told that there were no planned Dash courses for the rest of the year and it was unlikely that I would be given a course/start date in 2006. There was some justification for this based on not as many people have left as they had planned for.
This is my theory on the whole situation: They had a whole load of pilots leave in 2004/2005 and they based their 2006 requirement on this. The number they predicted has obviously not been realised as there is about 30 in the hold pool and a load of people that didn't even get interviewed from their last recruitment.
The movement from the pool is based on movement through the company; Dash FO to EMB/146 FO etc. Since the re-branding seems to have been a positive one and pax yields are up it may have convinced some people to stay on just a little bit longer. There are also rumours around of new aircraft and a possible move to London, both would be good for the company. So no leavers slows down the aspirational movement through the company.
The other thing that also slows it down (and this is just a theory of mine), is that BA Connect have a contract with Oxford to take a set number of pilots per year. They have to meet some set standards (first time passes, 85% in ATPL's and a recommendation), but there are obvious economic benefits as it reduces the cost of finding pilots and maybe even Oxford are helping them out with the cost of the type rating? Who knows? Great if you have loads of leavers and pilot seats to fill quickly, but not if only normal wastage is occurring.
This is great for Oxford and BA Connect, but not great for those out there that are in the pool as it stems the natural flow of people through the company.
Unfortunately this is just economics at work and probably isn't fair to some people, but I am of the belief that those in the hold pool will get a phone call, eventually, but not anytime soon. You also must remember that you have reached a point in your aviation career where you have an attractive CV, if one company was interested in you and you had the quality to pass one selection process you can do it with others. That's my attitude anyway and until I get a phone call from them with a start date I am still looking elsewhere.
MDD
This is my theory on the whole situation: They had a whole load of pilots leave in 2004/2005 and they based their 2006 requirement on this. The number they predicted has obviously not been realised as there is about 30 in the hold pool and a load of people that didn't even get interviewed from their last recruitment.
The movement from the pool is based on movement through the company; Dash FO to EMB/146 FO etc. Since the re-branding seems to have been a positive one and pax yields are up it may have convinced some people to stay on just a little bit longer. There are also rumours around of new aircraft and a possible move to London, both would be good for the company. So no leavers slows down the aspirational movement through the company.
The other thing that also slows it down (and this is just a theory of mine), is that BA Connect have a contract with Oxford to take a set number of pilots per year. They have to meet some set standards (first time passes, 85% in ATPL's and a recommendation), but there are obvious economic benefits as it reduces the cost of finding pilots and maybe even Oxford are helping them out with the cost of the type rating? Who knows? Great if you have loads of leavers and pilot seats to fill quickly, but not if only normal wastage is occurring.
This is great for Oxford and BA Connect, but not great for those out there that are in the pool as it stems the natural flow of people through the company.
Unfortunately this is just economics at work and probably isn't fair to some people, but I am of the belief that those in the hold pool will get a phone call, eventually, but not anytime soon. You also must remember that you have reached a point in your aviation career where you have an attractive CV, if one company was interested in you and you had the quality to pass one selection process you can do it with others. That's my attitude anyway and until I get a phone call from them with a start date I am still looking elsewhere.
MDD
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Guys and gals
I think as harsh as it may sound everyone in the pool should just treat this as interview experience and move on. It is a shame and what a waste of money interviewing people and doing sim assessments then nothing but hey im not an accountant. Gonna send both my flight receipts down and see if I can have a refund!!lol
I think as harsh as it may sound everyone in the pool should just treat this as interview experience and move on. It is a shame and what a waste of money interviewing people and doing sim assessments then nothing but hey im not an accountant. Gonna send both my flight receipts down and see if I can have a refund!!lol
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Talking of wasting money …… some people have speculated that it might suit some of these airlines to take on people who they feel will move on after a few years. Maybe its true and maybe that's why these guys get put on the EMB 145…….since the pay scales are higher for this a/c than the Dash ! ……… Then again, I would have thought that training costs in general would far outweigh any small incremental increase in yearly salary ! Just my two penneth !
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Moving on
Mono Double D, I totally agree with your thread. There are a few important points to be voiced here. Firstly, there is a regular stream of people leaving BACON at any given time. A lot of these people move onto Main Line after working their bond on the EMB/146. Some even do the 2 yrs on the Dash and then move across (after doing the full selection may I add). Secondly, it is true that pax loads are very much on the up, and the low cost option is working very,very well for the company. They are in need of pilots, AND WILL BE FOR THE FORESEEABLE. However, when OAT and CABAIR raise their ugly heads, the modular guys suffer. I think its outrageous the way hold pool candidates have been treated by this outfit, and despite being one of the later myself, i'm gonna look elsewhere!!
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Toastal your info about people moving into mainline maybe a bit off the mark. Myself and others had to go through the full selection with BA mainline and had to pay some of our bond off when we left BACX as it was then. I have not heard of any mainline selected people starting in BA Connect then moving across as you suggest, since just after 9/11 when some cadets came into BACX as there was no places in mainline for them. I believe they have all returned to mainline. Personally Toastal I wish you luck with trying with other operators. My and many of my friends that are on the 777 and Airbus fleets feel that our time in BACX / Brymon / BRAL was really great fun and enjoyable.
All the best
All the best
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Am I reading this correctly. Is it true that if you are in the hold pool as a modular, you would be then waiting to go on to the Dash. If the time waiting is longer than a fixed period, you are then leap frogged by a OAT or Cabair cadet and are left waiting in the hold pool. Is this what true.
Sorry for spelling.
Sorry for spelling.
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EGCC4284
I am currently in the hold pool for the Dash ( have been since December )
As far as I know most of the people in the Dash hold pool are modular trained.
BA Connect takes Oxford graduates directly onto the EMB145 and has been doing for a while, they were doing it last year I know, when they were Citiexpress.
Apparently what happens is once selected they go into the Embraer hold pool. If once there they have not received a EMB course within six months they are then transferred to the top of the Dash pool!
However I have also been told that the turnover in the Embraer pool is such that this never happens.
Naturally I stand to be corrected on the above.
Regards to all the frustrated swimmers
BTT
I am currently in the hold pool for the Dash ( have been since December
)As far as I know most of the people in the Dash hold pool are modular trained.
BA Connect takes Oxford graduates directly onto the EMB145 and has been doing for a while, they were doing it last year I know, when they were Citiexpress.
Apparently what happens is once selected they go into the Embraer hold pool. If once there they have not received a EMB course within six months they are then transferred to the top of the Dash pool!
However I have also been told that the turnover in the Embraer pool is such that this never happens.
Naturally I stand to be corrected on the above.
Regards to all the frustrated swimmers
BTT
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As far as I have been told by BA Connect you are placed in the Dash hold pool based on your experience i.e. no multi-crew time and not on wether you have completed either integrated or modular training. I am in the pool and completed an integrated course in '03
The Oxford guys are placed directly onto the EMB bypassing the Dash all together if they meet certain criteria, one of which is completion of their integrated course within the last 6 months.
Yes this sounds crazy as why is the 200HR integrated student deemed more capable to convert and fly a more complex and quicker aircraft than those that have maybe over 1000HRS of either instructing, air taxi or charter work?
MDD
The Oxford guys are placed directly onto the EMB bypassing the Dash all together if they meet certain criteria, one of which is completion of their integrated course within the last 6 months.
Yes this sounds crazy as why is the 200HR integrated student deemed more capable to convert and fly a more complex and quicker aircraft than those that have maybe over 1000HRS of either instructing, air taxi or charter work?
MDD
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A follow up to the last post.
How is it that a graduate of integrated background can leapfrog their way into these positions with airlines? I understand that organisations recruit from a large pool of experience. Are they better than modular trained? (nothing against anyone who has an integrated background by the way)
Why is it that pilots who, you rightly say may have 1000+ hours instructing and SP/IFR time under their belt can not be recruited straight on to the jets?
I am merely an observer on this thread now, but I cant help but scratch my head sometimes, what is going on here?! I do know of people who have found a loophole, but it makes you wonder sometimes whether or not you are a valuable commodity!
Also, why have a hold pool that is full of pilots who are not flying and therefore not current?
This post is neither aimed at anyone or any organisation in particular, it is merely, as stated, an observation on the current climate and rumours that circulate.
How is it that a graduate of integrated background can leapfrog their way into these positions with airlines? I understand that organisations recruit from a large pool of experience. Are they better than modular trained? (nothing against anyone who has an integrated background by the way)
Why is it that pilots who, you rightly say may have 1000+ hours instructing and SP/IFR time under their belt can not be recruited straight on to the jets?
I am merely an observer on this thread now, but I cant help but scratch my head sometimes, what is going on here?! I do know of people who have found a loophole, but it makes you wonder sometimes whether or not you are a valuable commodity!
Also, why have a hold pool that is full of pilots who are not flying and therefore not current?
This post is neither aimed at anyone or any organisation in particular, it is merely, as stated, an observation on the current climate and rumours that circulate.
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though IT IS a ? to have integrated leap frog on to the jets.
After my conversation at the last BALPA Conference with CP regarding where you would be based and how he said its all done fairly and squarely, I cannot believe that these rumours about OAT or the likes leap frogging Modular guys onto the Dash after waiting 6 months for a Barbie Jet.
I have a friend down south who has sold his home and is now living in digs waiting to start for BA Connect. He a mod and has been in the hold since I think Oct 2005. Please, please tell me these rumours are not true.
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EGCC4284
Like I said earlier, I was told this by Ba Connect directly over the phone! Feel sorry for your mate as I think the chances of being called on by this company are slim to none unless your from OAT and have a whole 200hrs!
Goodluck to him though 
Goodluck to him though