Whats the story Virgin?
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Whats the story Virgin?
I've been applying to Virgin Blue for around 4 years now, and apart from the usual computer generated response, have not yet had a call or email to go up to Spring Hill for an interview. I have regional airline turboprop time, and thought this would have helped a bit, but, obviously not!
Anyone care to share how to snag an interview??
Anyone care to share how to snag an interview??
Dad or any living or deceased relative have anything to do with Ansett, TAA or Eastwest in that year between 1988 and 1990?
No blood relatives on that scab list that doesn't exist?
No blood relatives on that scab list that doesn't exist?
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HR Departments of airlines are the most incompetent departments of all. The lowcost operators probably have just pushed the job of recruitment onto someone's plate. That someone neither cares nor is probably capable.
Seeing as you most likely have to pay for your endorsement these days, don't worry about them and move onto another operator.
That sort of thing happened to me with a company earlier in my career and funnily enough, they wrote to me a few years later.It was like it was an instantaneous response to a first application and they were expecting me to be checking the mail twice a day for their letter.
You can guess the response they got from me. Undeterred, they kept writting back every 6 mths or so for quite a while.
Still scrapping to find pilots now but,tough!
Good luck and don't let the bast-rds grind you down.
Seeing as you most likely have to pay for your endorsement these days, don't worry about them and move onto another operator.
That sort of thing happened to me with a company earlier in my career and funnily enough, they wrote to me a few years later.It was like it was an instantaneous response to a first application and they were expecting me to be checking the mail twice a day for their letter.
You can guess the response they got from me. Undeterred, they kept writting back every 6 mths or so for quite a while.
Still scrapping to find pilots now but,tough!
Good luck and don't let the bast-rds grind you down.
Virgin use "referrals" a lot.
So do you know any Pilot's in VB? Ones that would be prepared to pass on your update with a recommendation? ( I say update as you've already applied )
hey I just hit 500.....
So do you know any Pilot's in VB? Ones that would be prepared to pass on your update with a recommendation? ( I say update as you've already applied )
hey I just hit 500.....
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SIX years, I applied to them for. I updated regularly,had 3 "blue stars", emailed them twice to make sure they knew I was there, even tried to call JW to see if there was anything else I could do.....
I HEARD NOTHING!!!!! until I accepted another job. A BETTER job, where I did not have to fork out 35k. Where I was PAID to learn. Where my time was appreciated.
The week before I commenced my new job, they sent me an email, which sounded to me like I should be GRATEFUL to them for even offering me an interview!!!!
well, with communication skills like this from their HR department, I forsee a HUGE pilot shortage for them, cos people will get other jobs quicker than holding out for VB to acknowledge you even exist!
I HEARD NOTHING!!!!! until I accepted another job. A BETTER job, where I did not have to fork out 35k. Where I was PAID to learn. Where my time was appreciated.
The week before I commenced my new job, they sent me an email, which sounded to me like I should be GRATEFUL to them for even offering me an interview!!!!
well, with communication skills like this from their HR department, I forsee a HUGE pilot shortage for them, cos people will get other jobs quicker than holding out for VB to acknowledge you even exist!
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I hate to be the Party Pooper here, but have you ever thought that, well... cough, maybe they don't want you?
It's not just about the hours you've got in your logbook. I don't think.
It's not just about the hours you've got in your logbook. I don't think.
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In terms of "referrals," for years the "blue star" system has been implemented - whereby someone already working within the company would stick a blue star on a mate's application. The more blue stars, the more likely your application would be fast-tracked for an invitation to interview. However I think you'll find they're moving away from this practise, as they have had their fingers burnt in the past - mainly from taking on guys that really weren't ready to step up to a jet, and subsequently required a lot of additional training to finally get up to speed. Just one reason I'm sure why the new recruiting process now requires, amongst other things, a screening check in a B737 sim.
Nevertheless whilst the new process may be fairer in some ways, there is still the question of how to get your name on the list of interview candidates in the first place. On this note, I would reiterate what has already been said, in the context of making your application look as good as possible. And I'm not talking about just making sure your logbook hours add up nicely. It's been a very long time since I looked at the application format, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I do remember it asking a couple of questions such as "why do you want to work for VB/what qualities can you bring to the role?" or something like that. As such, the quality of your answers might make all the difference (with correct spelling too whilst we're at it). Just my 50 cents' worth.
Nevertheless whilst the new process may be fairer in some ways, there is still the question of how to get your name on the list of interview candidates in the first place. On this note, I would reiterate what has already been said, in the context of making your application look as good as possible. And I'm not talking about just making sure your logbook hours add up nicely. It's been a very long time since I looked at the application format, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I do remember it asking a couple of questions such as "why do you want to work for VB/what qualities can you bring to the role?" or something like that. As such, the quality of your answers might make all the difference (with correct spelling too whilst we're at it). Just my 50 cents' worth.
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Kiwi Chick... no. I have never thought that. 
Apache... ACMS reckons they use re-ferals a lot at DJ. Maybe you're just not feral enough for them?
Apache... ACMS reckons they use re-ferals a lot at DJ. Maybe you're just not feral enough for them?
Last edited by Bendo; 8th Jan 2008 at 22:03.
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....geeeeeeeeez kiwi chick you sure know how to bring a guy down in a hurry!......must be more of that morning sickness hey?
You may very well be correct in yr assumption there but am sure he not want to hear it !I know of several pilots who could easily fit their 'mould' with 1000's of hrs on turbines but never get the chance for an interview, or if they did took sooooooooooo long ! I don't feel the numbers mean all that much, the ref's play an important role I believe & knowing someone already in there with any clout is what aviation is all about sadly !
CW
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........sorry Kiwi but I read that just this morning elsewhere in hear, ginger tablets help??
..................ahhhh to be a bloke !!!
CW
p.s...............lovely country you live in, been there a few times lately & it's still beautiful every time !
..................ahhhh to be a bloke !!!
CW
p.s...............lovely country you live in, been there a few times lately & it's still beautiful every time !
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Thanks everyone.
No, I dont have any relatives that were or are involved in the industry.
My C.V. for the application is condensed on to one page. The format I am using was given to me by a friend overseas who attended a seminar conducted by a well known european L.C.C. for potential applicants. They gave a copy of the C.V. format that they and many other airlines preffered, to each person that attended. The format contains everything a potential employer needs to know in an easy to read format, that is'nt pages and pages long. Just a cover letter, and a 1 page C.V. They also gave a copy of the format that airlines preffered for the actual interview also. Why? Because I guess over there they probably had the foresight to see that they were about to have a pilot shortage on their hands.
I update regularly to V.B. and have heard or received nothing! I applied to Jetstar for the first time in December 2006, and by September 2007 was invited to attend Stage 1 (which I did, and.......). V.B. on the other hand, 4 years and waiting..................................................... ..........
And yes, I am still with that regional airline I mentioned in my first post.
No, I dont have any relatives that were or are involved in the industry.
My C.V. for the application is condensed on to one page. The format I am using was given to me by a friend overseas who attended a seminar conducted by a well known european L.C.C. for potential applicants. They gave a copy of the C.V. format that they and many other airlines preffered, to each person that attended. The format contains everything a potential employer needs to know in an easy to read format, that is'nt pages and pages long. Just a cover letter, and a 1 page C.V. They also gave a copy of the format that airlines preffered for the actual interview also. Why? Because I guess over there they probably had the foresight to see that they were about to have a pilot shortage on their hands.
I update regularly to V.B. and have heard or received nothing! I applied to Jetstar for the first time in December 2006, and by September 2007 was invited to attend Stage 1 (which I did, and.......). V.B. on the other hand, 4 years and waiting..................................................... ..........
And yes, I am still with that regional airline I mentioned in my first post.
Last edited by cessnaman172; 8th Jan 2008 at 23:13.
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Hey Cessnaman172!
Sorry, I didn't mean to be harsh.
All I meant was, maybe there is a reason that they haven't called you?
Have you pissed anybody in the industry off? Or maybe you've (as suggested by someone else) just not worded your CV or letter very well?
If it were me, I would be pro-active and rock on up, or ring, or find someone you know who knows someone who knows someone else.
I know the saying is "good things come to those who wait" but sometimes that's just a crock of ****!
Get out there boy and go for it!
Sorry, I didn't mean to be harsh.
All I meant was, maybe there is a reason that they haven't called you?
Have you pissed anybody in the industry off? Or maybe you've (as suggested by someone else) just not worded your CV or letter very well?
If it were me, I would be pro-active and rock on up, or ring, or find someone you know who knows someone who knows someone else.
I know the saying is "good things come to those who wait" but sometimes that's just a crock of ****!
Get out there boy and go for it!
Expand your horizons a bit. Try overseas. Dragon Air are looking, may not be the best job but use it for a few years to get decent experience and move on.
Overseas generally = better pay, lower taxes, faster progression.
In many companies you could have applied, been hired, trained and even upgraded in four years. You're still waiting for an interview
Overseas generally = better pay, lower taxes, faster progression.
In many companies you could have applied, been hired, trained and even upgraded in four years. You're still waiting for an interview
"Dragon Air are looking," try 'Dragonair are screaming for pilots' could be closer to the truth. The recent 20% payrise is a step in the right direction as well (amongst other things).
b.
is a step in the right direction as well (amongst other things).b.
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Took me 8500 hours, 6 years and previous jet time. Airline recruiting practices are THE most frustrating 
...load of.......and will never make sense or be understood in a million years, even by the people who run them.
...load of.......and will never make sense or be understood in a million years, even by the people who run them.