Bitterly Disappointed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 72
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From: Dublin, Ireland
Bitterly Disappointed
Well, I got the Dear John letter today - I'm not good enough to fly for BA (I recently did the aptitude tests for CEP). I didn't think it would bother me so much, but I've been in a foul miserable humour all day 
.
Anyway, I phoned them looking for some feedback and was told if I write to them they will give me some. What can I expect, how much will they tell me? Has anyone here contacted them for feedback before? I want to be ready to prove them wrong for rejecting me when i re-apply this time next year!
[ 10 July 2001: Message edited by: Irishboy ]
.Anyway, I phoned them looking for some feedback and was told if I write to them they will give me some. What can I expect, how much will they tell me? Has anyone here contacted them for feedback before? I want to be ready to prove them wrong for rejecting me when i re-apply this time next year!
[ 10 July 2001: Message edited by: Irishboy ]
...the thin end thereof
Joined: Jun 1998
Posts: 269
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From: London
Hard luck old chap. I have been there before and so have most, if not everyone on this site. Try not to take it personally, they are not saying you are not good enough for them, just this time you did not make the grade.
With the feedback you can expect them to tell you which tests you passed and which you failed. You will probably find that you only failed one of them. They will also tell you how well you did on the ones you passed if you ask them. I put my feedback request in writing and they phoned me a few days later.
Chin up.
With the feedback you can expect them to tell you which tests you passed and which you failed. You will probably find that you only failed one of them. They will also tell you how well you did on the ones you passed if you ask them. I put my feedback request in writing and they phoned me a few days later.
Chin up.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 130
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I worked for BA as an aircraft maintenance engineer for several years and was turned down for pilot training (two occasions after the final interview!) and promotion within engineering. I left the company and became a flight engineer with another company. BA is one company amongst many, and are only perceived to be the best mainly because they keep telling us they are!! Thats the only reason. My Dad used to fly for BA and he is not a superhuman.
Widen your horizons, theres a world out there beyond BA!! I never used to think so, but believe me there is!!
Good luck.
Widen your horizons, theres a world out there beyond BA!! I never used to think so, but believe me there is!!
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 72
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From: Dublin, Ireland
Well, thanks for the words of encouragement Wedge, Superpilot, Basil & Ennie. I'm feeling a bit better now. I know there's more to life than BA, it's just that I don't know where I will get £60K odd to pay for training myself - I was hoping BA would take care of that for me 
Anyway, water under the bridge now - life goes on
Anyway, water under the bridge now - life goes on
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1
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From: uk
I failed to get in as a DEP a while ago, and got feedback. They told me that I would be pleased to know that my flying was completely up to their standards....unfortunately I should brush up my interview technique!
Their HR dept are a bunch of to**ers.
Their HR dept are a bunch of to**ers.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 46
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From: Hertfordshire - UK
pole (and everybody else),
I just feel this is unfair! The only thing I can think off is the following scenario:
You're applying for a job in a recrutiment agency or a position in the personnel department where you are supposed to conduct interviews for prospective employees. However, you were not succesfull and got their feedback:
You will be pleased to know that your interview technique is completely up to our standards....unfortunately you should brush up your flying !
Sorry for the sarcasm, but I couldn't resist it.
Good luck! At least you have the hardest bit, the flying! The easiest might be the interview technique really! Start applying for everything (not flying job) for practicing!
[ 11 July 2001: Message edited by: TheNavigator ]
I just feel this is unfair! The only thing I can think off is the following scenario:
You're applying for a job in a recrutiment agency or a position in the personnel department where you are supposed to conduct interviews for prospective employees. However, you were not succesfull and got their feedback:
You will be pleased to know that your interview technique is completely up to our standards....unfortunately you should brush up your flying !
Sorry for the sarcasm, but I couldn't resist it.
Good luck! At least you have the hardest bit, the flying! The easiest might be the interview technique really! Start applying for everything (not flying job) for practicing!
[ 11 July 2001: Message edited by: TheNavigator ]
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Cape Town SA
hey man, you got as far as the interview!
- this means your employable...
- you're in the running...
- it's just a question of time...
- it aint over till the fat lady sings...
you'll get there buddy.
regards,
smithy.
- this means your employable...
- you're in the running...
- it's just a question of time...
- it aint over till the fat lady sings...
you'll get there buddy.
regards,
smithy.
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: A galaxy far far away
Been there myself Irishboy and know exactly how you feel. Got the PFO from bmi only a few weeks ago. This was the 4th and final stage and between travelling, accomodation and a class 1 medical it ended up costing me over £1000..and all for nothing. Some day though. Dust yourself down and go again.
Teroc
Teroc
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Belfast
This is another matter for the data protection act. ANY company holding information on you is obligated by LAW to allow you to see that data apon your request. With some expections like the police or government.
Remember all those notes the interviewer was taking, and what about the over all score you achieved, and your weak points. That is all data held about you and you are intitled to see it. They may charge you £10 to send it out to you but at least you will then know where you went wrong.
So next time you are on the phone ask them to send you a copy of the interviewers report.
If they say no sorry you are not allowed to see that. Then they are breaking the law. However accusing them of that and pushing them may have an effect on your chances of being successful at another time. Its a gamble I suppose but all you can do is ask..
Remember all those notes the interviewer was taking, and what about the over all score you achieved, and your weak points. That is all data held about you and you are intitled to see it. They may charge you £10 to send it out to you but at least you will then know where you went wrong.
So next time you are on the phone ask them to send you a copy of the interviewers report.
If they say no sorry you are not allowed to see that. Then they are breaking the law. However accusing them of that and pushing them may have an effect on your chances of being successful at another time. Its a gamble I suppose but all you can do is ask..
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Jerez
BA???
Well I know how you feel BUT,
There´s a charter firm that will be offering sponsorship in the coming months that:
1) pays well over half your training costs.
2) gives you 2 years ´proper flying´ on turboprops.
3) pays better than BA when you go onto jets.
4) doesn´t involve doing ´the shuttle´ for years before you get some interesting routes and
5) offers command opportunities to capable pilots after 3-4 years instead of 10ish years.
BA really aren´t as great as their adversising firms make out. Same as all the others really. This probably isn´t making you feel any better but as long as you realise that there are other (and better in my opinion better) deals out there!
[ 11 July 2001: Message edited by: ROTATION ]
Well I know how you feel BUT,
There´s a charter firm that will be offering sponsorship in the coming months that:
1) pays well over half your training costs.
2) gives you 2 years ´proper flying´ on turboprops.
3) pays better than BA when you go onto jets.
4) doesn´t involve doing ´the shuttle´ for years before you get some interesting routes and
5) offers command opportunities to capable pilots after 3-4 years instead of 10ish years.
BA really aren´t as great as their adversising firms make out. Same as all the others really. This probably isn´t making you feel any better but as long as you realise that there are other (and better in my opinion better) deals out there!
[ 11 July 2001: Message edited by: ROTATION ]
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 17,500
Likes: 1,845
From: England
Hey I got TWO letters from BA telling me I was not good enough for their training scheme - not a year later I was training cadets for Aer Lingus and Airtours and a year after that I was flying a Boeing out of London for a BA owned company operating BA drills and procedures whilst earning more than if I had got the sponsorship 3 years earlier and with a LOT less time to command to boot.
Go figure.
Keep your chin up and keep trying. The road is long, winding, many and varied - my advice is to try to enjoy the journey...
WWW
Go figure.
Keep your chin up and keep trying. The road is long, winding, many and varied - my advice is to try to enjoy the journey...
WWW
Shining Example, apparently...
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 288
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From: Lone Star State
Irishboy, tough luck mate, I also know exactly how it feels. At least the waiting's over and you'll get your life back in a day or two.
My feedback was v. worthwhile. They asked how I felt it had gone and then augmented my self-analysis with some points I'd spotted, and one that I'd missed completely.
I'm too old to reapply, but I gather that a significant proportion of cadets make at least one unsuccesful application before being offered a position. So, good luck next time.
Have to say, I object to the cheap shots against BA HR. I found the whole process extremely fair and thorough, though I was obviously miffed with the result. My impression of BA changed from jaded cynicism to considerable respect, especially for the standards demanded & upheld on the flight decks. And in case anyone thinks I'm brown-nosing, see above paragraph.
A minor correction to Capt. Ireland: The Data Protection Act is only applicable to information "stored electronically", so unless they scanned the interviewer notes into an archiving system, you won't get your hands on them.
Teroc, what's the maximum age for bmi sponsorshop? I see they're recruiting again in the Autumn...
Crepello
My feedback was v. worthwhile. They asked how I felt it had gone and then augmented my self-analysis with some points I'd spotted, and one that I'd missed completely.
I'm too old to reapply, but I gather that a significant proportion of cadets make at least one unsuccesful application before being offered a position. So, good luck next time.
Have to say, I object to the cheap shots against BA HR. I found the whole process extremely fair and thorough, though I was obviously miffed with the result. My impression of BA changed from jaded cynicism to considerable respect, especially for the standards demanded & upheld on the flight decks. And in case anyone thinks I'm brown-nosing, see above paragraph.
A minor correction to Capt. Ireland: The Data Protection Act is only applicable to information "stored electronically", so unless they scanned the interviewer notes into an archiving system, you won't get your hands on them.
Teroc, what's the maximum age for bmi sponsorshop? I see they're recruiting again in the Autumn...
Crepello
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: A galaxy far far away
Crepello,
Im pretty sure last time it was 32 or 33 although I may be wrong. Ive applied for so many of these things I could be getting it mixed up with some other firm.
Where did you see the Autumn recruitment ad?
Im pretty sure last time it was 32 or 33 although I may be wrong. Ive applied for so many of these things I could be getting it mixed up with some other firm.
Where did you see the Autumn recruitment ad?
Shining Example, apparently...
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star State
Excellente - that gives me hope for a few more years.
It wasn't a recruitment ad, as such. I'd heard that bmi operate a part-sponsored scheme but there was no mention on their website. I called their HR department, where a recorded message stated that recruitment would restart around the autumn and would be advertised in a popular GA magazine. (Am I allowed to name it on here?)
It wasn't a recruitment ad, as such. I'd heard that bmi operate a part-sponsored scheme but there was no mention on their website. I called their HR department, where a recorded message stated that recruitment would restart around the autumn and would be advertised in a popular GA magazine. (Am I allowed to name it on here?)
Shining Example, apparently...
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star State
OK, bmi stated that the scheme would be advertised in FLYER magazine. No surprises there.
If memory serves, adverts will appear sometime around September. Time will tell...
If memory serves, adverts will appear sometime around September. Time will tell...
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, Ireland
Thanks everyone for your support and comments. I've decided to try and go the modular route - one step at a time. First one is to try and get the money together to do a PPL. Seriously considering selling the car!
[ 12 July 2001: Message edited by: Irishboy ]
[ 12 July 2001: Message edited by: Irishboy ]