Virgin Blue hiring
34R
Bloody hell....
I shake my head as well.
In any case if anyone is making decisions on which airline to accept today based on either innuendo, perceived promises or just good advice they are nuts.
We have FO's who have declined to accept their initial Command because it would involve a base transfer or commuting. Their prerogative and for the most part they live happily with their decision.
My point is that they did not join Virgin (Blue) thinking that it was a Brisbane 737 Command or nothing.
They accepted the position that was offered and made the decisions as they eventuated.
Girlfriends came and went, Wives came and went, families came and went, and Command aspirations came and went.
Must be nice for the current crop of aspirants to be able to juggle the various Command time possibilities and decide which Airline to work for.
For me I took the first one that offered me a job.
Just a bit of advice to some.....Take a reality check today.
People yet to join already concerned about time till command!
Bloody hell....
In any case if anyone is making decisions on which airline to accept today based on either innuendo, perceived promises or just good advice they are nuts.
We have FO's who have declined to accept their initial Command because it would involve a base transfer or commuting. Their prerogative and for the most part they live happily with their decision.
My point is that they did not join Virgin (Blue) thinking that it was a Brisbane 737 Command or nothing.
They accepted the position that was offered and made the decisions as they eventuated.
Girlfriends came and went, Wives came and went, families came and went, and Command aspirations came and went.
Must be nice for the current crop of aspirants to be able to juggle the various Command time possibilities and decide which Airline to work for.
For me I took the first one that offered me a job.
Just a bit of advice to some.....Take a reality check today.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Australia
Age: 58
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And here I agree with ad-Astra. The company only has responsibility to employ you at your entry level position. No company has the responsibility to supply you with a career path.
Life-style is ultimately King. I know the guys who have relinquished command for a SFO position on the B777. All good blokes. They are happy and the company has command experience at the helm while the skipper is on crew rest ( just to point out, most SFOs have previous heavy jet command time).
It true that the ATR will be under the VAA AOC soon.
We live in the perpetual white water of change.
Life-style is ultimately King. I know the guys who have relinquished command for a SFO position on the B777. All good blokes. They are happy and the company has command experience at the helm while the skipper is on crew rest ( just to point out, most SFOs have previous heavy jet command time).
It true that the ATR will be under the VAA AOC soon.
We live in the perpetual white water of change.
The command obsession I bet is long gone at QF. Over there people know the score. Many went to Jetstar (MOU) did the left seat thing and went back to QF for lifestyle.
It's mathematics, it's reality that's life! Sooner or later you get over it and enjoy what you have, stop chasing and start enjoying. Problem is that the obsession is entrenched. You can't go to a check without hearing "when you come up for your command". It's a nice thought but no longer realistic.
It's mathematics, it's reality that's life! Sooner or later you get over it and enjoy what you have, stop chasing and start enjoying. Problem is that the obsession is entrenched. You can't go to a check without hearing "when you come up for your command". It's a nice thought but no longer realistic.
Sounds to me like a lot of people held on to the fact that because they interviewed with VA they were "entitled" to a job! Whilst they had that "entitlement" they spat in every other job opportunities face and now have regrets. Time to command is important, yes?
The very fact your applied for another job is to leave your current one. I just don't understand how you can be so picky, demanding or pig headed. Rant over.
The very fact your applied for another job is to leave your current one. I just don't understand how you can be so picky, demanding or pig headed. Rant over.
Willie,
No one is discounting your goal to have a Command.
What is at issue is that aspirants are placing so much importance on what they read on this web site or hear from their mates or even what they get told from a telephone call to Virgin HR in regard to what their probable career path is going to be.
It all means Nought. Nada. Nothing.
NOTHING!
I have been with Virgin for 13 years, the industry since 1978 and a Command for 20 years and have no idea if I will retire with them or find myself overseas again before I retire as a First Officer or Captain.
Why do pilots aspiring to join think that they will have any guarantee of where, what, when and how their career will unfold.
Yet they place and worry so much about the importance on "years to Command" as they make the decision if they should accept a job.
Take the job if it is offered.
Worry about if it is not offered!
I'm out.
No one is discounting your goal to have a Command.
What is at issue is that aspirants are placing so much importance on what they read on this web site or hear from their mates or even what they get told from a telephone call to Virgin HR in regard to what their probable career path is going to be.
It all means Nought. Nada. Nothing.
NOTHING!
I have been with Virgin for 13 years, the industry since 1978 and a Command for 20 years and have no idea if I will retire with them or find myself overseas again before I retire as a First Officer or Captain.
Why do pilots aspiring to join think that they will have any guarantee of where, what, when and how their career will unfold.
Yet they place and worry so much about the importance on "years to Command" as they make the decision if they should accept a job.
Take the job if it is offered.
Worry about if it is not offered!
I'm out.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wherever the job takes me...
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'Perspective' is the word I routinely keep thinking of as I occasionally peruse this thread. I'm a VA FO in my mid-40's & going into my 8th year with the company, ever mindful that I sometimes sit next to some pretty young folk who - through the good fortune of 'right place & right time' - managed to get in early & enjoy a meteoric rise through the ranks. As for me, whilst I never intended - nor do I wish - to be a career FO, I've reached a point in life where I'm simply not prepared to jeopardise the quality of my life outside of work, along with the happiness of my family, all for the sake of swapping seats. I've made my bed & will lie in it, in as much as I won't commute & I won't move my family across the country, all for the sake of a command. And seeing as a command opportunity in my home base could be many years away (if ever), I guess I better get used to sitting in the seat that I've already occupied for some time now.
Do I occasionally become frustrated over my lack of command prospects? I'd be lying if I said "no," but then I contrast my position with the many eager young hopefuls on this site who would give everything to be where I am now - & how can I possibly say I'm doing it tough? I get to fly jets for a major airline, I get paid reasonably well for it, I get to live in a great country, I get to enjoy lots of time off - & I have a family who love me & love the life we've got. And as much as I still love the flying when I'm doing it, I don't miss it one bit when I'm not - & I definitely won't be lying on my deathbed wishing I'd spent more time flying aeroplanes.
Left seat or right seat, it's still the front seat. So I guess what I'm saying is, let's all be a little more grateful for what we've got - & don't sweat so much over how long one might have to spend at airline 'A' versus airline 'B' to get that elusive command. Grab whatever opportunity presents itself & accept it for what it is rather than what it could/should/might be, otherwise you'll just do your head in whilst trying to second-guess how that future of yours might transpire, not to mention missing out on the opportunity altogether because you're too busy second-guessing...
Do I occasionally become frustrated over my lack of command prospects? I'd be lying if I said "no," but then I contrast my position with the many eager young hopefuls on this site who would give everything to be where I am now - & how can I possibly say I'm doing it tough? I get to fly jets for a major airline, I get paid reasonably well for it, I get to live in a great country, I get to enjoy lots of time off - & I have a family who love me & love the life we've got. And as much as I still love the flying when I'm doing it, I don't miss it one bit when I'm not - & I definitely won't be lying on my deathbed wishing I'd spent more time flying aeroplanes.
Left seat or right seat, it's still the front seat. So I guess what I'm saying is, let's all be a little more grateful for what we've got - & don't sweat so much over how long one might have to spend at airline 'A' versus airline 'B' to get that elusive command. Grab whatever opportunity presents itself & accept it for what it is rather than what it could/should/might be, otherwise you'll just do your head in whilst trying to second-guess how that future of yours might transpire, not to mention missing out on the opportunity altogether because you're too busy second-guessing...
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The Back Paddock
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
VARA still pigheaded in their demand for its senior pilots to go to the top of DoJ list, it ain't gonna happen.
2015 will be another year of changes at Virgin Australia. think those who are saying the growth will be at VARA will be wrong. With the plan to integrate the ATR's within VA, VARA's (A320, F100 and F50) growth will slow or perhaps stop.
Bunglerat
Last edited by Capt. On Heat; 30th Dec 2014 at 22:15. Reason: Spelling
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I get to fly jets for a major airline, I get paid reasonably well for it, I get to live in a great country, I get to enjoy lots of time off - & I have a family who love me & love the life we've got. And as much as I still love the flying when I'm doing it, I don't miss it one bit when I'm not - & I definitely won't be lying on my deathbed wishing I'd spent more time flying aeroplanes.
Incorrect Anthill, way off the mark in fact. Many would not even vote for integration when weighing up any tradeoff of their current EBA. As you say "it ain't gonna happen", they know this too and aren't demanding it at all. Sounds like you're getting info from the same bloke W8 does....
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Australia
Age: 53
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bunglerat, mate best post of 2014. I have many mates doing the sandpit and Cathay existence who are making good coin, sitting in the left seat of nice equipment but as you so eloquently said there is sooooooooo much more to life.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: On the equator
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If VARA is the only way of getting in to VAA now, does that mean VARA HR and recruitment will determine who gets employed by VAA? Or will VARA and VAA HR and recruitment be integrated in to one?
The job advertised is for a F50 F/O with Skywest... that's all.
I'm interested In the position but money definitely factors into the decision making process as to whether to apply or not. Lifestyle would be more or less the same as what I'm currently experiencing - no change of city or anything. However it would be a pay cut... and unfortunately better lifestyle doesn't pay for the mortgage or school fees etc.
I was interested in how long or if the SkyWest/VARA F50 F/O's were getting upgrades. I'm not terribly interested in 737 commands at Virgin as that would involve moving.
I know a few years ago guys were getting upgrades within a couple of years. I know times change etc - just an idea would be good. I wouldn't be striking the months off until the prescribed date...
ta.
I'm interested In the position but money definitely factors into the decision making process as to whether to apply or not. Lifestyle would be more or less the same as what I'm currently experiencing - no change of city or anything. However it would be a pay cut... and unfortunately better lifestyle doesn't pay for the mortgage or school fees etc.
I was interested in how long or if the SkyWest/VARA F50 F/O's were getting upgrades. I'm not terribly interested in 737 commands at Virgin as that would involve moving.
I know a few years ago guys were getting upgrades within a couple of years. I know times change etc - just an idea would be good. I wouldn't be striking the months off until the prescribed date...
ta.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Australia
Age: 58
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Johnny, that's a very hard question. Once upon a time, FO s were getting F50 commands very quickly. Too quickly, like 18 months.
What will determine time to command is the number of FOs in front of you and the rate at which commands become required.
The F50s are pretty long in the tooth and will be retired over the next few years. It's also no secret that the ATR will go onto the VAA AoC. What that will mean for commands is anyone's guess.
All you can do is apply and hope for the best.
What will determine time to command is the number of FOs in front of you and the rate at which commands become required.
The F50s are pretty long in the tooth and will be retired over the next few years. It's also no secret that the ATR will go onto the VAA AoC. What that will mean for commands is anyone's guess.
All you can do is apply and hope for the best.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: The pineapple plantation
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the rumoured extra A320 and 2x F100's turn up and the ATR is transferred to the VA AOC then commands could be 6 months. Don't forget that not all current FO's are able to or want to bid for a command on the F50.
Its not all about time to command, you may be in a better position to bid for FO on the F100 as soon as you can; jet time, better flying hours and pay.
As for pay, I have heard of F50 FO's that are prepared to work extra flights and RDO's making over $25k extra a year. Some of these allowances are also not taxed, so even better. The current VARA EBA is pretty heavy in allowances such as meals, over nights, PACR, productivity, worked days off, etc, so its not hard to make some extra cash on top of the base salary.
Its not all about time to command, you may be in a better position to bid for FO on the F100 as soon as you can; jet time, better flying hours and pay.
As for pay, I have heard of F50 FO's that are prepared to work extra flights and RDO's making over $25k extra a year. Some of these allowances are also not taxed, so even better. The current VARA EBA is pretty heavy in allowances such as meals, over nights, PACR, productivity, worked days off, etc, so its not hard to make some extra cash on top of the base salary.
AOCs and pilot lists
Keep in mind folk that being in the same AOC as someone doesn't mean you're on the same seniority list/career path. If the ATR comes to the VAA AOC that won't mean that its pilots are separated from other VARA pilots industrially speaking. Just as VANZ pilots won't be immediately in line for 777 jobs just because they move to the VAI AOC.