Virgin Blue hiring
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: dessert island
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've chatted to a few of my mates in VA about the 'quick command' bubble/s that have happened. Please correct me if I've mis-heard this, but during those bubbles apparently the command upgrade failure rate increased dramatically! Pilots being upgraded were generally less experienced and hadn't got a handle on the AC type yet.
In my experience, better to spend longer as an FO, rather than fail a quick upgrade and get handballed back into the RHS with your poor tail between your legs. Even worse if you really botch it up the company will label you a PFO (permanent FO).
I reckon 10-12 years would give someone a bloody decent amount of time to soak up everything you should know, while having fun in the meantime?
In my experience, better to spend longer as an FO, rather than fail a quick upgrade and get handballed back into the RHS with your poor tail between your legs. Even worse if you really botch it up the company will label you a PFO (permanent FO).
I reckon 10-12 years would give someone a bloody decent amount of time to soak up everything you should know, while having fun in the meantime?
Integration
Can anyone clarify the integration if starting out on the 777. Is it my understanding that if hired as a DE FO you will get command priority over a cruise FO even if you start earlier than the DEFO with the company?
Cheers
Cheers
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Australia at the moment
Posts: 177
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Look Left and co, again as alluded to in other posts pilots will often leave for the sake of it sometimes even if they are in a good position and happy where they are living, I know I have done it.
Australia is a great place to work but often you get these itchy feet syndromes, the old what if? maybe that would be fun ideas. The money becomes less important the super seems to be ticking over; only 10-15 years of flying left in me the kids are finished school, and I really don't want to baby sit anymore gremlins , let's explore.
As the VA pilots get older I bet quite a few will take this option and have a go.
Time will tell
Australia is a great place to work but often you get these itchy feet syndromes, the old what if? maybe that would be fun ideas. The money becomes less important the super seems to be ticking over; only 10-15 years of flying left in me the kids are finished school, and I really don't want to baby sit anymore gremlins , let's explore.
As the VA pilots get older I bet quite a few will take this option and have a go.
Time will tell
HappyBandit
My understanding is that all VAA and VAI positions are awarded based on Group Date of Joining, with the exception of B737 and E-Jet commands.
Whenever there is a current VAA FO bidding for a VAA B737 and E-Jet command, the positions are awarded based on a command priority system.
Current VANZ FO’s have priority for VANZ command positions.
Hence a direct entry 777 FO who is hired tomomrrow will use his GDOJ number to bid for any command.(He does not have a Command priority number as they are only issued to current FO at time of the EBA vote)
Caveat is that experience and sin bin requirements apply.
Given that his GDOJ number will be 1300+ then as the posters above have been highlighting it may very well be a longer wait than previously.
My understanding is that all VAA and VAI positions are awarded based on Group Date of Joining, with the exception of B737 and E-Jet commands.
Whenever there is a current VAA FO bidding for a VAA B737 and E-Jet command, the positions are awarded based on a command priority system.
Current VANZ FO’s have priority for VANZ command positions.
Hence a direct entry 777 FO who is hired tomomrrow will use his GDOJ number to bid for any command.(He does not have a Command priority number as they are only issued to current FO at time of the EBA vote)
Caveat is that experience and sin bin requirements apply.
Given that his GDOJ number will be 1300+ then as the posters above have been highlighting it may very well be a longer wait than previously.
Last edited by ad-astra; 3rd Apr 2013 at 07:46.
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Oz
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Query
Hi
Does anyone know of anyone that has been offered a VAI gig but didnt take it hoping to get into direct entry FO a few months later? Or is it more wise to take whatever is offered if wanting to join the Virgin group?
D
Does anyone know of anyone that has been offered a VAI gig but didnt take it hoping to get into direct entry FO a few months later? Or is it more wise to take whatever is offered if wanting to join the Virgin group?
D
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: dessert island
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last Friday 777 start dates were phoned out for June. Tuesday she rang back and said it was cancelled. How do I know... Because I was one of them 
Last edited by wrongwayaround; 10th Apr 2013 at 05:03.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guess I wasn't the only one then.. Got a call last Wednesday for June course then got a call yesterday saying had been cancelled.. I wonder what caused the the sudden backflip..
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Australia
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
tigermoth_744 and wrongwayaround....just wondering if you guys would mind sharing if you were interviewed for 777 CRFO, or you've come out of the domestic hold and offered the 777.....and I'm sure that would have been gut wrenching having your course cancelled 
but at least its a positive sign your on the next one 
Cheers.
but at least its a positive sign your on the next one Cheers.
...and I'm sure that would have been gut wrenching having your course cancelled...
Sorry to hear about all those affected. I've just accepted my fate.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks tigermoth. Can anyone shed some light on how they order and assign start dates to those on the hold file? Is it based on interview date, application/ interview strength, combination of? Seems to be pretty random so far...