BA Connect (was City Express)
Join Date: Dec 2000
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Are ROSCO328 my friend, any engine failures during a go around yet. I've practiced for mine already.
I have to laugh about it now. It was a good day out in all.
I have to laugh about it now. It was a good day out in all.
Join Date: Aug 2003
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I am afraid it is true - even within a single s*dding hold pool there is a caste system. I also heard direct from the horses mouth, but only in answer to my direct question "is it possible for my place in the pool to go DOWN?" and after a long uncomfortable pause at the other end...
If I'd have known that this was the deal before I went for the sim etc?? ...wouldn't have made a jot of difference, lets face it I am desperate for that job like we all are. Still it's just not cricket is it?
SS
If I'd have known that this was the deal before I went for the sim etc?? ...wouldn't have made a jot of difference, lets face it I am desperate for that job like we all are. Still it's just not cricket is it?
SS
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Well, to add to your theme of oxford/jerez jumping the queue...
If you do get into this company then you continue to be leap-frogged by these cadets into jet (including RJ fleet) positions whilst you sit there in your dash8. It is a constant cause of resentment. Just in case the inevitable reply is coming... yes, yes blah, blah, I am grateful to have a job etc and we would all be grateful to watch our progress blocked wouldn't we!!
If you do get into this company then you continue to be leap-frogged by these cadets into jet (including RJ fleet) positions whilst you sit there in your dash8. It is a constant cause of resentment. Just in case the inevitable reply is coming... yes, yes blah, blah, I am grateful to have a job etc and we would all be grateful to watch our progress blocked wouldn't we!!
Join Date: Jan 2006
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WITHOUT DOUBT
Let me say one more thing on this thread regarding OAT/CABAIR bods and BACON. It is DEFINITELY the case that these low hour students are walking in the door onto jets with the company. As if that isn't bad enough for modular guys/gals, they are DEFINITELY by-passing all those in the Dash 8 hold-pool, and will infact, superceed them if needs be. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't have a clue about what is going on at Didsbury.
So come on, lets hear from some of you OAT graduates fresh out of the wrapper on the 145/146!!
So come on, lets hear from some of you OAT graduates fresh out of the wrapper on the 145/146!!
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Low hours for pilots entering a jet or turboprop fleet is not a problem - as long as your training sytem is robust enough to deal with the relative lack of experience.
Having spent a number of years providing JOC training for BA sponsored cadet pilots I can tell you that a GOOD bridge training course (not an MCC - something longer and more involved) will go a very long way towards preparing someone for a jet FO job. A good type rating organistaion will then train the pilots to a higher standard than that which is required to pass the TR. Add on QUALITY line training and you are well away.
BA (mainline) have never had a problem assimilating 200 hours CEPs onto their jet fleets because they have all the above in place. Most get through the TR in minimum hours and the line training in somewhere close to minimum sectors. The money spent on JOC training is saved many times over in reduced training costs at a later stage. As for BA Connect, I have no direct experience.
However, I can say that those airlines that try to do it on the cheap (trying to turn a 20hour MCC into a JOC) get less impressive results. I gather that one LO-CO carrier is reported to unhappy with the CTC AQC graduates - well, what do they expect after a 20 hour course? I don't blame CTC in the slightest - it's the airlines trying to do it on the cheap.
The moral, as far as I am concerned is: DON'T CUT CORNERS. Good quality training is not cheap - but the rewards are worth the expense.
Having spent a number of years providing JOC training for BA sponsored cadet pilots I can tell you that a GOOD bridge training course (not an MCC - something longer and more involved) will go a very long way towards preparing someone for a jet FO job. A good type rating organistaion will then train the pilots to a higher standard than that which is required to pass the TR. Add on QUALITY line training and you are well away.
BA (mainline) have never had a problem assimilating 200 hours CEPs onto their jet fleets because they have all the above in place. Most get through the TR in minimum hours and the line training in somewhere close to minimum sectors. The money spent on JOC training is saved many times over in reduced training costs at a later stage. As for BA Connect, I have no direct experience.
However, I can say that those airlines that try to do it on the cheap (trying to turn a 20hour MCC into a JOC) get less impressive results. I gather that one LO-CO carrier is reported to unhappy with the CTC AQC graduates - well, what do they expect after a 20 hour course? I don't blame CTC in the slightest - it's the airlines trying to do it on the cheap.
The moral, as far as I am concerned is: DON'T CUT CORNERS. Good quality training is not cheap - but the rewards are worth the expense.
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I'd like to apologise for the post which stated that people were going to get called. I didn't think the company had lowered themselves to having a hold pool and then go the way the they seem to be going.
I really thought that the hold pool was the next to get called.
I really thought that the hold pool was the next to get called.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Holding Pool
Hi all,
After reading the terms & endearment thread on BACon things are looking very bleak at present. Obviously much of what is said is conjecture but taking a worst case senario all of us in the holding pool are screwed. Seems like we are all back to square one again. Anyway morbid rant over i'm pretty f***ed off with work at present as well so that explains the tantrum, chin up to all treading water and lets hope for the best, ie everyone leaves in droves & the pool is emptied in weeks, hears hoping!
Regards,
Han.
anyway who wants to work for a company who circumvents the holding pool.!!!!!! me!
After reading the terms & endearment thread on BACon things are looking very bleak at present. Obviously much of what is said is conjecture but taking a worst case senario all of us in the holding pool are screwed. Seems like we are all back to square one again. Anyway morbid rant over i'm pretty f***ed off with work at present as well so that explains the tantrum, chin up to all treading water and lets hope for the best, ie everyone leaves in droves & the pool is emptied in weeks, hears hoping!
Regards,
Han.
anyway who wants to work for a company who circumvents the holding pool.!!!!!! me!
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Things could be worse comrades.
I work for a regional airline on the east coast of Australia where we have 20 Dash 8 100/200/300 aircraft. I have been an F/O for 4 years with no command in sight. Most guys here wait 5-8 years just for a command. We are all ' modular ' and our namesake airline accross the border in Queensland just received 4 Dash 8 400 aircraft. We are being teases that we might get some as well ( if we sign a crap EBA ).
Furthermore, we are not looked upon for entry into Qantas mainline due to the fact that they would have to train someone to replace us and likewise very lucky to get accross to Jetstar even though they are gagging for pilots, all because we are in the same group.
I personally have 6000 hours total and 5000 multi with 3000 turbine multi-crew with no foreseeable opportunity of moving onto jets.
Please be patient because once you get in at least you have some direction and promotional opportunities available. I also taught Qantas cadets their IR and MCC and still can't get in myself.
It's a character building industry. I still love it but you probably wouldn't accept it anywhere else.
Keep calling them and hopefully the squeeky wheel will get the oil.
I work for a regional airline on the east coast of Australia where we have 20 Dash 8 100/200/300 aircraft. I have been an F/O for 4 years with no command in sight. Most guys here wait 5-8 years just for a command. We are all ' modular ' and our namesake airline accross the border in Queensland just received 4 Dash 8 400 aircraft. We are being teases that we might get some as well ( if we sign a crap EBA ).
Furthermore, we are not looked upon for entry into Qantas mainline due to the fact that they would have to train someone to replace us and likewise very lucky to get accross to Jetstar even though they are gagging for pilots, all because we are in the same group.
I personally have 6000 hours total and 5000 multi with 3000 turbine multi-crew with no foreseeable opportunity of moving onto jets.
Please be patient because once you get in at least you have some direction and promotional opportunities available. I also taught Qantas cadets their IR and MCC and still can't get in myself.
It's a character building industry. I still love it but you probably wouldn't accept it anywhere else.
Keep calling them and hopefully the squeeky wheel will get the oil.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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There was a rumour about, that the on-line application form would reopen soon. With the news on other threads can't think this will happen now, but you can never tell.
Has anyone heard anymore news regarding the size of the hold pool ?
Cheers
MrM
but you can never tell. Has anyone heard anymore news regarding the size of the hold pool ?
Cheers
MrM
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Well i spoke to a crew member this morning, told that there is no course for August , there is a course for September but no one from the pool is on the course. They are putting about 8 cadets straight from flight school onto said course.
Not sure how accurate this is, but for me I'm waiting for the on line app form to re open. I would be well pi
ed off I was floating in the hold pool and this was the case ! 
.
MrM
Not sure how accurate this is, but for me I'm waiting for the on line app form to re open. I would be well pi
ed off I was floating in the hold pool and this was the case ! . MrM
Join Date: Aug 2003
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"They are putting about 8 cadets straight from flight school onto said course."
and they can't even be bothered to tell us poor sods in the hold pool that they've no intention of ever offering us a place cos of some grubby little stitch-up between them and the integrated schools?
Shame on them.
and they can't even be bothered to tell us poor sods in the hold pool that they've no intention of ever offering us a place cos of some grubby little stitch-up between them and the integrated schools?
Shame on them.
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If you read the thread I linked to only a couple of posts above, you - like me - may develop some doubts about the future of BACon. I would strongly advise those of you in the hold pool to continue your job search. While I may well be wrong, it would appear that not everything is rosy in the BACon garden. Read that thread.
Scroggs
Scroggs
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of course but the fact is though even if I knew 100% that they were imploding in 6 months I'd still join them for the type rating and whatever multi crew hours I could get my ratty claws into before they sank. Bet I'd not be alone either.
I know they don't "owe" anyone a job but surely the people who jumped through their hoops are at least owed a bit of honesty about this change in policy which effectively blows any chance we had out of the water?
Either they can't be bothered, or they're just being very mean spirited. Anyway fingers x'd for the guys/gals already working there.
I know they don't "owe" anyone a job but surely the people who jumped through their hoops are at least owed a bit of honesty about this change in policy which effectively blows any chance we had out of the water?
Either they can't be bothered, or they're just being very mean spirited. Anyway fingers x'd for the guys/gals already working there.
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Six-Sixty
I'm with you on this.
Correct, they don't owe any of you in the pool a job, but there is the moral aspect to this, after getting you to jump through hoops, interviews, group tasks, sim assesments, taking time off from work, paying for your own transport to the assesments etc, a level playing field would, NAH should, be the least to expect. It would be nice if the union like BALPA would help you out on this.
So keep looking elsewhere ! Look where exactly ? Unless your loaded and have the money to type rate or your a cadet with a " recommendation " , there is nothing.
Many aircrafts being bought on order but where is the recruitment ?
I'm with you on this.
Correct, they don't owe any of you in the pool a job, but there is the moral aspect to this, after getting you to jump through hoops, interviews, group tasks, sim assesments, taking time off from work, paying for your own transport to the assesments etc, a level playing field would, NAH should, be the least to expect. It would be nice if the union like BALPA would help you out on this.
So keep looking elsewhere ! Look where exactly ? Unless your loaded and have the money to type rate or your a cadet with a " recommendation " , there is nothing.
Many aircrafts being bought on order but where is the recruitment ?