With all due respect, I can tell you that information you have received is utter nonsense. I believed that were the case with the Aer Lingus cadet programme, but after speaking to all the cadets from last year's intake, NONE of them knew anyone from the airline. The FPP cadets I know dont have contacts with anyone from within BA either.
The point I'm trying to convey here is that the ones who are getting onto the schemes are getting in because they did the best job at selection.
I wish everyone the best of luck at selection!

Agreed EZY_FR.

Hopefully some of us are able to prove LostInFlight88 wrong in the recruitment process this year!

All the best

8th could work actually .. I will keep you in mind and let CTC know you would be willing to swap with me ..

I have already e-mailed them but will call first thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks

thanks BVB and others! much appreciated!! I have been under the impression that those needing to catch flights will be allowed take interviews first, is this the case from anyones past experience?

I have a flight to catch at 18.25 from Southampton Airport. Should this be feasible or should i be changing my flight? I was told by others that i should be done around 3 if im successful and get an interview?

Best of luck to everyone going for the assessment, hope you all are not as nervous as myself as a first timer!

You are correct in your thought process, CTC will generally be accomodating of that fact. The 6pm end is usually the last interview.

HELP!!!
 

Hi guys,

I need to swap my CTC Virgin Selection day with the 5th/6th January as I have already booked flights and accommodation round those dates but were not available when I went on to book the Selection Day :(

I have booked the 14th January, however CTC can swap me with other dates later on in January that are still available.

I would really appreciate your help guys as I have spent too much on flights on this and I could really use the cash right now, especially since this is not a cheap process!

Thank you :)

Hi Guys

Is anyone attending the assessment the 8th? Where is everyone booking into accommodation?

I've booked IBIS hotel from booking.com.. taxi from there to CTC costs £20 each way .. if you decide to book IBIS aswell we could share it as my Selection day is on the 8th too!

Im booked into the Heatherdene Bed & Breakfast, £57.50 for the night with breakfast and apparently only a 6 minute drive from dibden manor.

I'm at the Dale Farm House B&B, likewise, a 5 minute drive/15 minute walk.

The first option I tried was CTC's own accomodation at Dibden Manor, unfortunately fully booked for the day I'm going to be there. I don't know how much it costs though, I would imagine a comparable rate to the local B&Bs.

There are quite a few B&B places nearby, typically about £60 or so and some offer a complimentary lift to Dibden Manor. I've booked into one of these for the night.

Just a thought for the guys above talking taxis... It's usually around £35 to hire a car for the day (fiat 500 or similar, for example from europecar or budget) at Southampton airport... Adds a lot of flexibility and removes a lot of potential for mistakes. At least that's how I always did it around there and never had a prob parking at Dibden...

What an disorganised, poorly transparent scheme that was!

Off topic a bit but I still wonder why selection costs near £300.

25 wannabes a day, makes CTC £37,500 a week. Run it for 4 week, you make £150k. Surely not breaking even are they?

Whereas military selection you get all expenses paid, albeit transit accommodation. Yes risking your life and all that but we don't do it for that.

What a sorry state aviation finds itself that these companies see the young hopefuls rock up with rose tinted goggles on and expect them to pay travel, food, accommodation, and then a sweetener for the privilege.

Good luck to all those who make a bid, it's worth it in the end!

I can think of some fees the fee may cover... All guess work, but using available data.

You have the pay of staff for their work to read all 2,200 applications (SOURCE: CTC) from this programme. That could take hours. Considering it was between 14th November and 24th December, who knows how many hours it takes. I would also imagine, CTC offsets the cost of their pilot careers advice centre with the programme application fees as they no doubt have helped people.

Where have you got 2200 applicants from?

The selection team themselves-- although don't hold me to that. It just came up in a quick conversation.

Hey guys, anyone going the 21th?

Best luck to everyone going for the assessment!

Congratulations if you are through to the CTC assessment. Please could you share what your current job is and whether you have a PPL? Thanks.

Interesting, cheers.

Hey guys, anyone going on the 11th?