British Airways sponsorship
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In courses in the past, there have been people with degrees, people who have packed in their degree, and people with no degree at all.
A pure mix would be a good description!
MG
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...For Radar identification, throw your your jumpseat rider out of the window...
A pure mix would be a good description!
MG
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...For Radar identification, throw your your jumpseat rider out of the window...
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The point is that you need the right skills. It appears that graduates are more LIKELY to have these skills, but not guaranteed, just as there may be some very unsuitable graduates, and very capable school leavers. University gives you a better chance of acquiring these skills, so it is not the degree in itself which gives you a better chance, but what you have done with your time.
I have a question for a friend who is applying: how long does it take from applying to being able to go to initial tests at the moment?
I have a question for a friend who is applying: how long does it take from applying to being able to go to initial tests at the moment?
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Food 4 thaught perhaps? I have got through to aptitude stage twice having only being able to write on my app form that I have a part time job at B@Q!! When I left school in '98 with my A-levels I didn't want to go to uni cos I didn't think it was for me. As it happens I started a degree course last September and guess what...I still don't think its for me! Except that now I can't work so often and hence have far less money resulting in a lower alcohol consumption and general 'doing stuff' ability which all makes me pretty miserable at the moment 
So what do I do stick with college which I don't like but get a degree whilst waiting 4 the call or do I go full time in the orange apron and get on the managment trail while I wait for the call???
Confused yet?? Bloody hell I am!
Any advice greatly appreciated btw!
...you know, things are more like they used to be nowadays...
So what do I do stick with college which I don't like but get a degree whilst waiting 4 the call or do I go full time in the orange apron and get on the managment trail while I wait for the call???
Confused yet?? Bloody hell I am!
Any advice greatly appreciated btw!
...you know, things are more like they used to be nowadays...
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Supersonic,
Snap!! It seems like you are in exactly the situation as me. I hate uni but don't have another choice at the moment. I think the answer is that we're gonna have to stick at it, at least until we manage to get sponsored. It might work if we left and say, became flying instructors and follow that route in but the benefits of having a degree are so great its not quite worth it.
In 20 or so years time the competition for jobs will be so hard that a) most applicants for the good jobs will have degrees and b)it will almost be a standard thing to have, like gcse's.
The way I look at is that 3 yrs is a very small percentage of a 40 or so yr flying career. Email me if theres anything else you want to talk about and good luck...
SB22
Snap!! It seems like you are in exactly the situation as me. I hate uni but don't have another choice at the moment. I think the answer is that we're gonna have to stick at it, at least until we manage to get sponsored. It might work if we left and say, became flying instructors and follow that route in but the benefits of having a degree are so great its not quite worth it.
In 20 or so years time the competition for jobs will be so hard that a) most applicants for the good jobs will have degrees and b)it will almost be a standard thing to have, like gcse's.
The way I look at is that 3 yrs is a very small percentage of a 40 or so yr flying career. Email me if theres anything else you want to talk about and good luck...
SB22
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Hello
I wonder if anyone can help me. I also want to apply for a BA sponsorship but the galling thing is I don't meet their stated minimum criteria. I fell short by one grade at A Level and I don't have a degree.
Not that I am a thick tw@t mind you. Since leaving school at 18 I played professional cricket in the UK and South Africa, and I am a director of a small recruitment consultancy which I established from scratch. Without blowing my own trumpet I think I have first had experience of many of the teamwork/leadership/managerial qualities BA appear to look for.
I am currently in South Africa working towards my PPL this month with the intention of building 150 hours and going to Oxford to do my various ATLP modules. It would be nice to have some bodyelse spend the £30,000+ for you especially when you are not guaranteed a job at the end of it.
Is there anything chance BA would be persuaded to at least consider my application? Having spoken to them on the phone when I was last in the UK answer was in the negative. I then wrote to their HR Department and my original question was ignored and they send me a nice pack of info on IT......I'm still trying to figure out the logic in that one.
Anyway I would be grateful for any comments & advice offered, and for any one unsuccessful in getting a sponsorship think about building some hours in South Africa....its very cheap when you pay in Sterling and its a magnificant place.
I wonder if anyone can help me. I also want to apply for a BA sponsorship but the galling thing is I don't meet their stated minimum criteria. I fell short by one grade at A Level and I don't have a degree.
Not that I am a thick tw@t mind you. Since leaving school at 18 I played professional cricket in the UK and South Africa, and I am a director of a small recruitment consultancy which I established from scratch. Without blowing my own trumpet I think I have first had experience of many of the teamwork/leadership/managerial qualities BA appear to look for.
I am currently in South Africa working towards my PPL this month with the intention of building 150 hours and going to Oxford to do my various ATLP modules. It would be nice to have some bodyelse spend the £30,000+ for you especially when you are not guaranteed a job at the end of it.
Is there anything chance BA would be persuaded to at least consider my application? Having spoken to them on the phone when I was last in the UK answer was in the negative. I then wrote to their HR Department and my original question was ignored and they send me a nice pack of info on IT......I'm still trying to figure out the logic in that one.
Anyway I would be grateful for any comments & advice offered, and for any one unsuccessful in getting a sponsorship think about building some hours in South Africa....its very cheap when you pay in Sterling and its a magnificant place.
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Hey fellow speedbird,
All I can give you is my best guess....I think that if BA have given you a definite no then you should take that as being final. However, depending on how long ago it was that you phoned them its probably worth either just applying and letting them see all the other qualities/experiences you've had, or simply phoning them up again and, quite simply, arguing with them. Its gotta be worth a shot.
If all fails and you still really want to do it, why not do an A-level part time or by distance learning??? It'd be worth it in the end but depends on how badly you want this.
Then theres the option of trying other schemes. Hope I've been some help and good luck.
SB22
All I can give you is my best guess....I think that if BA have given you a definite no then you should take that as being final. However, depending on how long ago it was that you phoned them its probably worth either just applying and letting them see all the other qualities/experiences you've had, or simply phoning them up again and, quite simply, arguing with them. Its gotta be worth a shot.
If all fails and you still really want to do it, why not do an A-level part time or by distance learning??? It'd be worth it in the end but depends on how badly you want this.
Then theres the option of trying other schemes. Hope I've been some help and good luck.
SB22
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just a(nother) comment on the whole degree debate. I graduated last year and wasnt a great fan of universty either only wanting to fly. i was fortunate enough however to have been sponsored by the RAF as a pilot for my whole time there so had a wicked time on the UAS and got near on 100 hours free flying. I think that BA probably arent too bothered if you have a degree or not, yes it has its plus points, but you can probably find some of them from other areas of your life. However to start something and quit or give up part way through doesnt illusrate a great deal of determination, moivation and commitment, even if it is to leave and fly for BA. If for one reason or another airlines doent work out you have always got something to fall back on and as one of the speedbirds said what is three years when your 18 when you put in the contex of 40+ years . Your young, enjoy life, try and join the UAS and get lots of flying experience and show your determinaion to fly and just try and focus on what it is all for. Good luck and anyone going for BA assessment end of Feb. see you there
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Tiggerair,
I've gotta agree with you there. It seems like hell at the time but you've just gotta do it. Three or four years isn't really a long time in the grand scheme of things.
The only problem is, when you're slap bang in the middle of those three years it can seem like eternity.
Good luck at your aptitudes...hopefully I'll be there too.
SB22
I've gotta agree with you there. It seems like hell at the time but you've just gotta do it. Three or four years isn't really a long time in the grand scheme of things.
The only problem is, when you're slap bang in the middle of those three years it can seem like eternity.
Good luck at your aptitudes...hopefully I'll be there too.
SB22
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I just got to the end of my degree started working and paid my own way. In hindsight there are now guys out there who are younger and instructing / flying for small companies and even got into Qantas with 1500 hrs i'm still plodding along with little experience but alot of useful contacts from uni. I know that you guys are going for BA sponsorship so good luck but remember if you dont get in there are other ways to fly.
PS in my opinion the degree will do nothing for me until I knock on the airlines doors down the track.!
PS in my opinion the degree will do nothing for me until I knock on the airlines doors down the track.!
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I guess it all depends on the individual. I think that on the whole uni is the way to go for most wannabes - it looks good on a CV and ther is no reason why you can't work and or get some good flying experience when you're there. I certainly don't have the cash to splash on hour building and I have much, big in da area respec' for all those wannabes who are willing to spend all their hard earned beer tokens on flying. This takes a lot of hard work and commitment not to mention getting a decent job in the first place!!
Hats off to all then I think!
Hats off to all then I think!
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On the subject of BA's selection, if you have done the Micropat tests before and have subsequently failed them, do they get you to do them again? Or is it a case of you can't, due to it causing unfair competition?
Incidentally, on the great Uni debate, i'm 18 and have just been rejected from the BA Prelim. I've decided to not go to Uni, as in my view i would rather avoid getting into debt unnecessarily, and would rather get life experience elsewhere. I think a degree counts for a lot, but it's not essential to get into the industry, i'd rather get a job now and start the long road to saving towards self sponsorship, so that i can be ready if it comes to that.
Answers to the above question would be greatly received. We'll all be flying soon.
[This message has been edited by Supersonic7 (edited 18 January 2001).]
Incidentally, on the great Uni debate, i'm 18 and have just been rejected from the BA Prelim. I've decided to not go to Uni, as in my view i would rather avoid getting into debt unnecessarily, and would rather get life experience elsewhere. I think a degree counts for a lot, but it's not essential to get into the industry, i'd rather get a job now and start the long road to saving towards self sponsorship, so that i can be ready if it comes to that.
Answers to the above question would be greatly received. We'll all be flying soon.
[This message has been edited by Supersonic7 (edited 18 January 2001).]
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Supersonic7: I think you are wrong not to go to uni, as there is so much opportunity to be had in doing sport, societies and other stuff beyond your degree with uni. Get into the industry is not the way, as you can do cheap gliding, and UAS at uni, and debt is not really a great issue if you budget. The big debt thing which has been proclaimed by such bodies as the NUS is a myth, as you do not repay until you can afford, and only then at incremental rates. Unless you want to drink every night, you can avoid debt by holiday work easily, while keeping up solid academic commitment with extra work. A first and no debt at high rates is possible, you just have to be committed.
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willwc22
So you don't want to be an investment banker anymore? Neither do I.
It's always nice to find people in the same situation as yourself. I do hope you will make it at BA. But if not you are probably, as an investment banker, able to finance your dream on your own. At least after awhile.
Has anyone any example of a scandinavian being accepted for the sponsorship?
So you don't want to be an investment banker anymore? Neither do I.
It's always nice to find people in the same situation as yourself. I do hope you will make it at BA. But if not you are probably, as an investment banker, able to finance your dream on your own. At least after awhile.
Has anyone any example of a scandinavian being accepted for the sponsorship?
