Virgin Blue hiring
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Hey FJ2K,
I was a referee for someone who applied for Virgin Blue a couple of years ago.
I don't know if things have changed too much or not but a woman rang me from their HR people in Brisbane (he was applying from WA) and spoke to me for about 15mins. He started with them 2 weeks after that (maybe everything at VB happens in 2 week cycles) and I think now has a captaincy on an E Jet out of Perth.
Think positive mate, sounds like you're on your way to me. Make sure you ring your referees and give them a "Heads Up" (just in case)
Good luck!
Stiky
I was a referee for someone who applied for Virgin Blue a couple of years ago.
I don't know if things have changed too much or not but a woman rang me from their HR people in Brisbane (he was applying from WA) and spoke to me for about 15mins. He started with them 2 weeks after that (maybe everything at VB happens in 2 week cycles) and I think now has a captaincy on an E Jet out of Perth.
Think positive mate, sounds like you're on your way to me. Make sure you ring your referees and give them a "Heads Up" (just in case)
Good luck!
Stiky
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Hey atlas,
I was asked in the interview too which is why I thought was interesting they were asking for them again. Spoken to them so should be all ok.
Thanks Stiky! That's definitely good news. Heard the hold file is 9 - 12 months long, but still being on it will be awesome.
I was asked in the interview too which is why I thought was interesting they were asking for them again. Spoken to them so should be all ok.
Thanks Stiky! That's definitely good news. Heard the hold file is 9 - 12 months long, but still being on it will be awesome.
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Congrats FlyingJ2K. May I ask your experience? Total and do you have >5700kg?? A few of us already endorsed on the embraer/737 are still waiting in the shadows. Just trying to get a gist on where they are at working their way down the pile of experience. Cheers mate, hope it all goes well
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Hey beaver,
Not taking it as complete good news till I'm on the hold file, but thank you
Like I said, still uncertain because there are people with more time than me, interviewed before me and from what I am aware haven't heard.
I have a little over 3000 hrs and 1000 hours > 5700kg
Good luck mate!
Not taking it as complete good news till I'm on the hold file, but thank you
Like I said, still uncertain because there are people with more time than me, interviewed before me and from what I am aware haven't heard.
I have a little over 3000 hrs and 1000 hours > 5700kg
Good luck mate!
What generally happens if they offer a base, such as Perth in the above post, but you turn it down? Do you remain on the hold file until the base you want turns up, or do you end up being kicked out of the system?
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Not only base but 737 vs ejet aswell.
You may never get exactly what you want, I agree. I don't think you'll be banished from the hold pool for rejecting an offer, just a matter of are you willing to wait longer for a possible better offer, if it does come along. Things can change every quickly in this game.
Just my opinion, anyone been in the situation? Interested to hear the responses.
You may never get exactly what you want, I agree. I don't think you'll be banished from the hold pool for rejecting an offer, just a matter of are you willing to wait longer for a possible better offer, if it does come along. Things can change every quickly in this game.
Just my opinion, anyone been in the situation? Interested to hear the responses.
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Why wouldn't you take it knowing that you could bid into a better base after a few years? The way I see it, the current state of aviation employment is not unlike musical chairs. Virgin is arguably the most promising operator to work for, so I would just park myself on a chair before the music stops. You can always swap chairs with someone else later 
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If you would like a career with Virgin, take what they offer. If you would rather stay where you are and want to risk missing out on an opportunity, its your choice. Remember if you turn it down hoping to get a better second offer, with the introduction of group seniority delaying your start date could affect your career significantly. Also with an EBA looming, joining after could see a lower salary as opposed to joining before.
The last EJET course of 12 most were syd base from the offer of employment. By the time they were checked to line, all had their base of choice, SYD, MEL and BNE. If anyone wants a BNE base, take an EJET slot. The days of holding out for a BNE 737 f/o slot are gone. There are 4 year EJET f/o's still waiting BNE 737 f/o spots.
I would say if you accept a Perth position, there is so much movement and expansion on the horizon that it would only be temporary. As Atlas says when the music stops you want to have a seat. When I joined recruitment stopped for 12+ months.
Remember there are alternatives, Jetstar, Tiger, Alliance, Skywest. Red Q
The last EJET course of 12 most were syd base from the offer of employment. By the time they were checked to line, all had their base of choice, SYD, MEL and BNE. If anyone wants a BNE base, take an EJET slot. The days of holding out for a BNE 737 f/o slot are gone. There are 4 year EJET f/o's still waiting BNE 737 f/o spots.
I would say if you accept a Perth position, there is so much movement and expansion on the horizon that it would only be temporary. As Atlas says when the music stops you want to have a seat. When I joined recruitment stopped for 12+ months.
Remember there are alternatives, Jetstar, Tiger, Alliance, Skywest. Red Q
Last edited by Superbad; 14th Mar 2012 at 10:40.
The only thing slowing pilot numbers down are a lack of airframes at the moment. Whilst they don't grow on trees, they will slowly come along, and with them a requirement to crew them.
While it may be a risk to hold out for a potentially better offer, that offer will come in some way shape or form. I know guys that couldn't have taken the pay hit an ejet offer presented them, and held off for the next round. Fortunately for them, the 737 was the next offer, so for them it worked out. I know this was the case for several of those on the November intake last year (know a few of them personally)
PER seems to be the next provider for slots, however MEL and SYD are still short of crews as well.
With respect to numbers in BNE, it is common knowledge the port is over crewed. However, if future command slots in MEL and SYD (and possibly PER) are taken up by current BNE F/O's, to maintain the balance of Cpt/FO numbers surely those guys and girls will be replaced? Doesn't make sense to have more captains than F/O's in a particular port, would be a crewing nightmare I'm sure!
Anyhow, I'm no expert on the matter, just my 2c worth.
To those expecting/hoping/praying for an offer, I wish you luck and success
While it may be a risk to hold out for a potentially better offer, that offer will come in some way shape or form. I know guys that couldn't have taken the pay hit an ejet offer presented them, and held off for the next round. Fortunately for them, the 737 was the next offer, so for them it worked out. I know this was the case for several of those on the November intake last year (know a few of them personally)
PER seems to be the next provider for slots, however MEL and SYD are still short of crews as well.
With respect to numbers in BNE, it is common knowledge the port is over crewed. However, if future command slots in MEL and SYD (and possibly PER) are taken up by current BNE F/O's, to maintain the balance of Cpt/FO numbers surely those guys and girls will be replaced? Doesn't make sense to have more captains than F/O's in a particular port, would be a crewing nightmare I'm sure!
Anyhow, I'm no expert on the matter, just my 2c worth.
To those expecting/hoping/praying for an offer, I wish you luck and success
Some things in life are more important than just accepting any base so you can fly a jet.
Good luck with that!
Only in 2012 could we have a conversation discussing whether an applicant will accept a First Officer position with an Australian Airline or whether he will stand back and wait for said Airline to recognise his undoubted abilities and offer him a better base and better type.
Trouble is I have to train these 'applicants with attitude' who think from day one they are in the wrong seat, wrong type and wrong base in that order.
Jesus wept!