British Airways Future Pilot Programme.
Join Date: Dec 2013
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May I remind you all, this is a COMPETITIVE process and disclosing "things you would have done differently" surely gives an advantage to someone who is yet to have their assessment, and is unfair on everyone else who have already sat their assessments. This was mentioned on more than one occasion, with specific reference to pprune at a recent assessment day.
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Statement of comparability
Hi, I am invited by FTE. However since the invite came in yesterday and there were only very few slots available, I have less then 2 weeks to prepare. One of the requests is to bring statements of equivalency for your grades to the assessment day. I informed with NARIC but they cannot guarantee even the fast track service to be on time for my assessment.
Does anybody know what the real requirements are? My masters and bachelor grades are all in English anyway. Only my education before that is all in my own language.
I guess they expect me to bring this paperwork regardless
any of you experience with this?
Thanks!
Does anybody know what the real requirements are? My masters and bachelor grades are all in English anyway. Only my education before that is all in my own language.
I guess they expect me to bring this paperwork regardless
any of you experience with this?Thanks!
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Seattle, WA
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Applied to CTC a few days before the initial closing date and still haven't heard anything back just yet. I'm not too surprised it's taking some time, plenty of applications to go through. So don't worry, you aren't the only one @alvinsimcy.
It doesn't look like they are going through applications based on where you applied from though... It was one of my original thoughts.
It doesn't look like they are going through applications based on where you applied from though... It was one of my original thoughts.
Join Date: Dec 2013
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@EB747 Thanks very much for that.
@beng123 I am like i said "not looking to get answers on how to pass the tests" and when i say "things you would have done differently I mean" anything from going a different way to the airport because of roadworks, taking some food with you because lunch isnt until later than you think and the tests are draining, or staying in a certain hotel because other applicants seemed to stay their and so itīs a could opportunity to meet some people the evening before. We are all adults here we do realise it is a competition you dont have to give the game away to be helpful.
@beng123 I am like i said "not looking to get answers on how to pass the tests" and when i say "things you would have done differently I mean" anything from going a different way to the airport because of roadworks, taking some food with you because lunch isnt until later than you think and the tests are draining, or staying in a certain hotel because other applicants seemed to stay their and so itīs a could opportunity to meet some people the evening before. We are all adults here we do realise it is a competition you dont have to give the game away to be helpful.
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Sea to Air
Hey all
I've been monitoring the forum for a while and figured its about time to join in. Just wanted to say a big congrats to all those invited to assessment and good luck! I've applied to CTC and haven't heard anything yet...first time applying after finishing my 5 year contract with my last job. Excited about this possible opportunity to say the least!!
Hope to chat to you all soon and maybe see some of you at an assessment day!
I've been monitoring the forum for a while and figured its about time to join in. Just wanted to say a big congrats to all those invited to assessment and good luck! I've applied to CTC and haven't heard anything yet...first time applying after finishing my 5 year contract with my last job. Excited about this possible opportunity to say the least!!
Hope to chat to you all soon and maybe see some of you at an assessment day!
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CTC
I have also applied to CTC, not heard anything yet though. Seems that no news is good news so far, as I believe applicants that were rejected have been informed.
Fingers crossed !
Fingers crossed !
Join Date: Dec 2011
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I spent about six hours on the two essay questions (and who knows how long for the full application), plus a substantial time attempting to trim the resulting walls of text into something meeting the 500-word restrictions (the fields actually being limited to a rather longer - unless you showed sesquipedalian loquaciousness 
- 4000 characters, but I thought it best to adhere to the stated specification as well as the technical limit).
- 4000 characters, but I thought it best to adhere to the stated specification as well as the technical limit).
Join Date: Jun 2013
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I think how long you spent on the application is a bit redundant really. You could spend half an hour and produce the same result as spending 4 days. Of course something so important you want to take the time to get right, don't get me wrong.
But time spent on application doesn't neccessarily equal how good your answers will be. I'm willing to bet people who spent both hours and minutes on their applications got both rejections and acceptances.
But time spent on application doesn't neccessarily equal how good your answers will be. I'm willing to bet people who spent both hours and minutes on their applications got both rejections and acceptances.
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Completely disagree with the above two posts. In some exceptional circumstances someone may be able to produce the best possible result they could have hoped to achieve by spending a very short time on it. But that would be more of a reflection on their weak English skills than anything else. In the vast majority of cases I think you'll find the quality of the answer is (to a large degree) directly proportional to the amount of time spent conceiving it. By your philosophy, at my more than 100 word per minute typing speed I could write a novel in a day. But do you think it would be a good one?
And it's moot to suggest that the quality of your answers is irrelevant so long as it gets you to the initial assessment. Do you really think the initial screening process is the first and last time anyone will look at your answers?
And it's moot to suggest that the quality of your answers is irrelevant so long as it gets you to the initial assessment. Do you really think the initial screening process is the first and last time anyone will look at your answers?
Join Date: Jun 2013
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But that's not what I've said at all. I clearly have said that you should thoroughly consider your answers and put a lot of thought into them - it is the dream after all.
All I'm saying is that hours and hours spent on an application doesn't necessarily equal success. It might do, but it might not. You only have to look at this thread to see that some people who spent ages on their applications didn't get through and others did. It is not set in stone. I therefore thought it was unfair to essentially assume another poster hadn't had a response merely based on the amount of time they had spent answering.
All I'm saying is that hours and hours spent on an application doesn't necessarily equal success. It might do, but it might not. You only have to look at this thread to see that some people who spent ages on their applications didn't get through and others did. It is not set in stone. I therefore thought it was unfair to essentially assume another poster hadn't had a response merely based on the amount of time they had spent answering.
Join Date: Jun 2009
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G-force.
I could not agree more. I personally spent the full two weeks on my answers. I wanted to make sure that they absolutely reflected my desire to become a pilot and also reflected my suitability for the role/BA whilst making sure that it was written grammatically perfect and professional. I then had my older brother (being a doctor and highly literate) proof read it for me and make any adjustments he felt were necessary.
Spending just 1 hour on this application just doesn't seem entirely wise to me. This may or may not have been the reason why some people did not make it to the initial interview stage but either way, it makes more sense to spend as much time on the application as possible to give yourself the best possible chance.
Also, as G-force said, the initial application plays a big role in the whole assessment particularly at the final stages. For eg. If you were an interviewer and you had two applicants who performed equally as well in all aspects of the the assessment process and ticked all the boxes in the interview but they couldn't particularly remember your face etc. What do you think will be the deciding factor?
I could not agree more. I personally spent the full two weeks on my answers. I wanted to make sure that they absolutely reflected my desire to become a pilot and also reflected my suitability for the role/BA whilst making sure that it was written grammatically perfect and professional. I then had my older brother (being a doctor and highly literate) proof read it for me and make any adjustments he felt were necessary.
Spending just 1 hour on this application just doesn't seem entirely wise to me. This may or may not have been the reason why some people did not make it to the initial interview stage but either way, it makes more sense to spend as much time on the application as possible to give yourself the best possible chance.
Also, as G-force said, the initial application plays a big role in the whole assessment particularly at the final stages. For eg. If you were an interviewer and you had two applicants who performed equally as well in all aspects of the the assessment process and ticked all the boxes in the interview but they couldn't particularly remember your face etc. What do you think will be the deciding factor?
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LadyL
Well in reality that's not really true is it?
Look at the following scenarios.
Let's say applicant A is equally as strong at writing as applicant B. Applicant A spends 7 days on his/her application. Applicant B spends 1 hour. Whose application answers are likely to be better?
Let's say applicant A is a STRONGER writer than applicant B and applicant A spends much longer on his/her answers then applicant A's answers are going to be more than likely much better.
Let's say applicant A is a WEAKER writer than applicant B but applicant A still spends 7 days compared to 1 hour on there application, whose application answers are likely to be stronger? Again, most likely applicant A. Applicant B could not have produced there absolute best work in 1 hour.
Give yourself the best chance folks and take your time.
I think how long you spent on the application is a bit redundant really. You could spend half an hour and produce the same result as spending 4 days.
Look at the following scenarios.
Let's say applicant A is equally as strong at writing as applicant B. Applicant A spends 7 days on his/her application. Applicant B spends 1 hour. Whose application answers are likely to be better?
Let's say applicant A is a STRONGER writer than applicant B and applicant A spends much longer on his/her answers then applicant A's answers are going to be more than likely much better.
Let's say applicant A is a WEAKER writer than applicant B but applicant A still spends 7 days compared to 1 hour on there application, whose application answers are likely to be stronger? Again, most likely applicant A. Applicant B could not have produced there absolute best work in 1 hour.
Give yourself the best chance folks and take your time.
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Have a read of my clarification at the top of the page.
I have said one should take their time and really put a lot of effort into their answers. I don't know how much more clearly I can say that. Don't rush your application at all. I am just saying that time spent on application isn't necessarily equal to the end result.
Some will have spent ages on their application and others less time, but BOTH will have received rejections and acceptances.
Personally, I spent a long time thinking about how I wanted to say what I wanted to say. It is the most meaningful application I have made. BUT I wouldn't presume that JUST BECAUSE I spent ages on it means that it is any better than anyone elses who may have spent more or less time than me.
I have said one should take their time and really put a lot of effort into their answers. I don't know how much more clearly I can say that. Don't rush your application at all. I am just saying that time spent on application isn't necessarily equal to the end result.
Some will have spent ages on their application and others less time, but BOTH will have received rejections and acceptances.
Personally, I spent a long time thinking about how I wanted to say what I wanted to say. It is the most meaningful application I have made. BUT I wouldn't presume that JUST BECAUSE I spent ages on it means that it is any better than anyone elses who may have spent more or less time than me.
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Has anyone else received an invite to assessment/rejection from OAA today?
I am surprised that they instantly replied to a lot of candidates initially within a few hours of receiving their applications (which filled up a couple weeks worth of assessment dates) and yesterday they suddenly start inviting candidates who it appears they had not originally responded to for a long time (irrespective of if they applied in the first or last week of application window) and opened up a whole extra week of assessments for these candidates.
Just wondering if everyone who applied to OAA has now either been given an invite to assessment or rejection or are there still people waiting to hear back?
I am surprised that they instantly replied to a lot of candidates initially within a few hours of receiving their applications (which filled up a couple weeks worth of assessment dates) and yesterday they suddenly start inviting candidates who it appears they had not originally responded to for a long time (irrespective of if they applied in the first or last week of application window) and opened up a whole extra week of assessments for these candidates.
Just wondering if everyone who applied to OAA has now either been given an invite to assessment or rejection or are there still people waiting to hear back?
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Voltozonic; the (exact) part that I disagree with is "...time is irrelevant." Clearly, this isn't a "fact". Time is absolutely relevant, and most people produce better results by investing more time on something. If I were a betting man I'd be willing to bet a large amount of money on there being a strong correlation between the time spent writing a response and the quality of that response.
And if you go back in time to page 72 of this topic you'll see a post by Lindsay Craig (Head of Pilot Recruitment at BA), which is highly indicative that he agrees with me. I quote:
LadyL; you said:
While it's possible to spend half an hour on an answer and get the same quality that you would have achieved had you spent 4 days on it, it's quite unlikely. But even if you did prepare what you initially thought was the best you could do in the first half hour, why wouldn't you sleep on it and look at it with a fresh pair of eyes the next day? And why wouldn't you get the opinions of people you value the opinions of to see if your answer could be improved? You might end up with exactly the same response that you produced in that first half hour, but at least you'd have used all the resources at your disposal to ensure that it really was the best you could do.
You are right that the length of time spent on the application doesn't necessarily determine its quality. It just probably does in most cases. Therefore referring to it as "...a bit redundant" is - in my opinion - simply wrong in the vast majority of cases.
But anyway; I genuinely wish you both the best of luck with this process. I'm not here to argue; but a little heartfelt debate from time to time can never be a bad thing.
the (exact) part that I disagree with is "...time is irrelevant." Clearly, this isn't a "fact". Time is absolutely relevant, and most people produce better results by investing more time on something. If I were a betting man I'd be willing to bet a large amount of money on there being a strong correlation between the time spent writing a response and the quality of that response.And if you go back in time to page 72 of this topic you'll see a post by Lindsay Craig (Head of Pilot Recruitment at BA), which is highly indicative that he agrees with me. I quote:
...do take care not to rush your application unnecessarily - this process requires thought and care and success won't come from sending in the first words you can think of in the shortest possible amount of time.
you said:
I think how long you spent on the application is a bit redundant really. You could spend half an hour and produce the same result as spending 4 days. Of course something so important you want to take the time to get right, don't get me wrong.
But time spent on application doesn't neccessarily equal how good your answers will be. I'm willing to bet people who spent both hours and minutes on their applications got both rejections and acceptances.
But time spent on application doesn't neccessarily equal how good your answers will be. I'm willing to bet people who spent both hours and minutes on their applications got both rejections and acceptances.
You are right that the length of time spent on the application doesn't necessarily determine its quality. It just probably does in most cases. Therefore referring to it as "...a bit redundant" is - in my opinion - simply wrong in the vast majority of cases.
But anyway; I genuinely wish you both the best of luck with this process. I'm not here to argue; but a little heartfelt debate from time to time can never be a bad thing.
Join Date: Jun 2013
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G,
I think we're at cross purposes a bit. I COMPLETELY agree with everything you say, don't get me wrong. Redundant was the wrong word to use, which is why I clarified with further posts. Perhaps 'not a guarantee' would have been a better term to use.
I guess I just felt it was a bit unfair that a poster was jumped on because they spent 2 hours on an application and another poster was presuming this is the reason they hadn't heard anything, which in reality no one could know.
Good Luck to you too and hopefully we may meet on the flight deck one day
I think we're at cross purposes a bit. I COMPLETELY agree with everything you say, don't get me wrong. Redundant was the wrong word to use, which is why I clarified with further posts. Perhaps 'not a guarantee' would have been a better term to use.
I guess I just felt it was a bit unfair that a poster was jumped on because they spent 2 hours on an application and another poster was presuming this is the reason they hadn't heard anything, which in reality no one could know.
Good Luck to you too and hopefully we may meet on the flight deck one day
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Sorry to interrupt!
Has anyone still not heard back from CTC?!
I'm starting to worry they haven't even received my application since I didn't get a confirmation email.
Wondering if it's worth giving someone a call.
Has anyone still not heard back from CTC?!
I'm starting to worry they haven't even received my application since I didn't get a confirmation email.
Wondering if it's worth giving someone a call.
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Have you checked your junk folder? I know some people who got their confirmatiuon and responses sent there instead of their inbox.
I think it absolutely can't hurt to give them a call if you can't find a response.
Good luck!
I think it absolutely can't hurt to give them a call if you can't find a response.
Good luck!