Virgin Atlantic recruitment?
 

Anyone know how to get in to this FANTASTIC company?
Can it be done with turboprop experience only?
Could I join as cabin crew initially?

In short, no to both internal/turbo-prop!

Could be wrong, but don't think VS have ever done Cadets or "Pay to Fly" donkeys!

As far as I know, VA did do a cadet scheme a long time ago. I recall meeting a very young chap in Boston who may have been the last. I could be wrong but..

Come to think of it, think I had a chat with a Second Officer type in Antigua! Cruise pilot I think, so stand corrected on that! But it's not something I've seen them do for a while...

They will definitely be doing a cadet scheme. I don't know the time scale but keep an eye on the website.

Oh great another cadet scheme. Just what we need. It's sad that often today your first airline job will be your last. Were it's TP flying or LCC there is nowhere to go as airlines just want cadets. Sign of the time I suppose. It's just a shame that TP guys who work so hard and are great operators are stuck in the TP forever. It used be a case of starting small and ending up heavy jet. I feel that is no longer the case.

Yes MON took on some ex Dash operators from FlyBE but they will likely be out if a job soon and BA are only taking rated NAND experienced guys so there is still very little scope.

I've heard a couple of guys that VS is a like an old boys club and the chances of getting in matter not what your experience and skill set is but rather which squadron you were in when you were in the military. This coupled with the upcoming cadet scheme really means that VS is a no go to a lot of us. Shame as I'd love to work for them.

The Irony is so lost on so many!

I have also been told by a very reliable source today that they will be opening up cadet recruitment very soon. Most likely end of september, early october.

two factors to consider (if this programme starts):

a) will there will be an age restriction (say max age is 28)
b) will there be a flight time restriction - ruling out anyone with more than a PPL

If its like the BA programme, well good luck to the ab initio wannabees, but tough luck for all with anything more than a PPL.

I would imagine it would be similar to the current FPP and EASY MPL

Let's just all face it, the only place the traditional move on upwards to eventually go long haul is the US. Good luck getting the right to live and work.

Pure PPRuNe speculation at its best here.

IF the cadet scheme goes ahead, who's to say it won't parallel the CX one and (initially) be open to international and experienced pilots?

Let's wait and see eh? :rolleyes:

Believe it's a MPL scheme they are launching

Does anybody know whether this scheme is likely to be sponsored in any way, shape or form? I read previously that they are likely to be selecting OAA as their preferred FTO?

So are virgin seriously planning to put cadets into the right hand seat or will they be sent elsewhere to fain experience?
What do you guys think of this?

Why ?
 

Why would Virgin be recruiting cadets ?

They've made huge losses for the past 5 years and only just recovering ?

Plus their new aircraft (789) are replacing their ageing 343/346/744 as they don't want to pay for expensive D checks.. No fleet expansion. So where is the big demand for new pilots coming from?

And they've streamlined their operation to get away with 2 crew operation to a lot east coast and Caribbean destinations (almost 33%) of their route network.

I'd be very surprised if they took on cadets unless they're looking for a few skivvies to do general ops for a few years before slotting them in when there is natural decay.

Why not?! The big players all do it and Virgin is a big player. The cost would fall to the cadet, as per every other cadet program. I have many pals working there who would not consider anywhere else. There's a lot of experience at Virgin and any cadet chosen to work there would be a very lucky chap/chapette. Time to command can be a lengthy spell, but worth the wait.
Good luck to them. Am glad to hear Virgin are opening their doors and good luck to all who apply. To all the TP drivers, you have a job..be grateful of that. There are thousands around you who would jump at the chance to fly anything bigger than a C150. Yes the industry has changed and the career paths of 20 years ago are a distant memory bar a few exceptions.

Big player ?
 

Don't believe the virgin hype.

They like to think they're one of the big boys, but with a fleet of 38 aircraft they're hardly huge.

I'm with Mr Walsh, I'll be surprised if the brand lasts another 4 years given delta are now involved.

cheap easy way of getting cruise pilots.

By the time they have claimed the VAT back, not paid cooperation tax on the training, reduced pay and reduced NI contributions they will have a free pilot for 2-3 years.

And they will get someone to carry the nav bag and make the skippers bed up to boot.

Considering that VA will be present at the Flyer event in November for the first time, I'd say this is worth keeping a close eye on.

VA May not have 200 jets but it's a happy ship with expansion and new aircraft on the cards, a great bunch of guys and girls who get on well and know how to have fun. Great place to be!

Do you think VA is doing this to have a broader experience and dynamic levels across flight crew or to reduce cost?!

It still may be a great place to work. But not as great as it was before.

No more free parties at Xmas, or getting invited to dickie's house anymore. No more valentines or Xmas pressies. Those were the sort of touches that made virgin special.

Also a new upper class product which is worse than the previous one. It's like being in a coffin. Poor cabin crew had to deal with several complaints about it on my last flight.

As for expansion? What new routes are coming up ? Atlanta was a trade off for a NY slot with delta. Sydney has gone.

New B789 aircraft were necessary as the A346 was hopeless and the B744 will cost a fortune on it's next heavy maintenance.

I stand corrected and agree that they must be lining up some sort of recruitment if they're going to be at the flyer exhibition. Suspect the bean counters have figured out it will somehow reduce their costs. MPL / Cruise pilots maybe. But for what routes? West Coast USA ? South Africa ? Far East (HK, PVG, NRT) ?

Sorry if it's been covered already but I have a few questions if anyone can answer or point me towards old posts...

What's the interview/assessment consist of?

Time to command?

Average take home for a new FO?

Typical A340/330 roster?


Many thanks :ok:

EGKK

At the moment, VA are not recruiting, so nobody here can provide you with information regarding the assessment process. It will be difficult to find answers for your other questions unless VA pilots currently rated on the A330/40 read this forum.

And if they get cruise pilots it might be all changing anyway

Typical !!
 

I say there's no sign of expansion and then I get this email from their flying club:

A fifth daily service from London Heathrow to New York JFK
A new daily service from London Heathrow to Detroit offering new connections across North and Central USA such as Cincinnati, New Orleans, Memphis and Indianapolis*
An additional daily service from London Heathrow to Los Angeles
A second daily service during the summer season from London Heathrow to Atlanta
An additional summer seasonal service from London Heathrow to San Francisco flying five times a week
A second daily service during the winter season from London Heathrow to Miami

So this now begs the question...how are they going to service the routes with their current fleet ? I see no new deliveries apart from a 789 due in autumn at some point.

Are these 78's replacement or expansion aircraft?

I also recieved that email from the flying club and it kind of made me think they will need some extra crew for this but then I'm also un aware if they have some kin of hold pool with guys waiting to be trained up.

I remember the last time they took on people was back in 2011...it's been a while. End of 2014, beginning of 2015 seems probable for a handful of people to slot in....who knows.

So that's how they're doing it
 

Virgin Atlantic drops Tokyo and Cape Town in favour of US - Telegraph

No more NRT CPT or BOM.

The 789 is replacing old or in the 346 case under performing aircraft.

EGKK, they recruited last year mate.

last year. ok, thanks.

just have to keep an ear out i guess.

cheers

I have also heard rumors (quite a while ago) about VS starting a FPP-like cadet program with some of the leading aviation schools throughout the EU (CTC, OAA, and FTE).

If this actually develops from being a rumor to becoming an actual cadet scheme, I would be very excited to apply!

Virgin Atlantic recruitment?
 

Watch their website......

Dead headed with a few Virgin A340 guys on secondment at Norwegian on the 787.

Top guys and sounds like a very nice place to work.

I really hope they give us Non Rated Boeing guys a shot again.

Ryanair are appearing at the Flyer exhibition for the first time soon as well. Almost certainly just a coincidence but, 2/3 years at FR then a guaranteed slot at VS as and when they're available?

I don't see the point of cruise pilots, it's not like they have a large number of ultra-long haul routes a la Cathay Pacific. There can't be that many routes requiring 3 pilots. Just LAX, SFO, LAS, JNB, HKG, PVG? Maybe a couple more but certainly not a lot.

I have just updated my details on the website but there doesn't seem to be a link to upload my updated CV, have I missed something?

Cadet scheme
 

My friend received good info from a current Virgin Atlantic pilot about an upcoming VA cadet scheme. Virgin are intending to launch a new scheme at the Flyer event in November, with the intention of taking on 6 new cadets. After completion of training they should start on either the A330 or the 787.

Will be done by CTC, mark my words!

Drum-roll please .....

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...-fleet-405290/

:D

The article has been deleted, what did it say?