Airline Recruitment Preferences

[HeathrowPilot1998]

Hi,

I'm currently reviewing my Modular vs Integrated options. I have 24 hours towards my PPL, but held off going further as I was considering integrated options. I got to the final stage of the BA academy process but was unfortunately unsuccessful, so I have the option to self fund a Skyborne course. I also have an offer from L3, but the recent news regarding L3 has put me off a tad.

I know that airlines tag cadets post ATPL, but I was wondering about modular vs integrated in terms of job opportunities post graduation. If I come out of a scheme with 90% average, all first time passes, am I more likely to get a job than if I did the same on a modular process? My main concern is shelling out £100,000 for a scheme, when I could go down the modular route for closer to half the price. I unfortunately don't know any pilots, so I have no one I can really ask the question to.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above. I reviewed the stickied thread but could not find too much. I'm more concerned about the job opportunity side of it. If British Airways, Easyjet would much rather hire someone from a scheme than a modular route, that does put me off slightly doing modular.

If any pilots / people knowledgable with the current situation would be able to assist, I would very much appreciate this. Feel free to PM me too.

[parkfell]

Complete your PPL. Go Modular & as you say achieve first time passes with high scores. But first obtain your Class One Medical.
Bristol Groundschool is worth considering. You will learn a lot by researching Rudestuff posts as to how to proceed with the flying.

[A320LGW]

Unless you're on an airline cadet programme, I'd go modular. Given the chance to train again, I'd go modular. All the best.

Ps. Shop around, never spend too much money up front, pay as you go. Bartolini, Diamond aviation all have good reps.

[VariablePitchP]

Thirded.

Modular, same bit of paper but £40K less. The airlines don’t care.

L3/CTC whatever it’s called… AVOID.

[sudden twang]

[QUOTE=HeathrowPilot1998;11559908]Hi,

I'm currently reviewing my Modular vs Integrated options. I have 24 hours towards my PPL, but held off going further as I was considering integrated options. I got to the final stage of the BA academy process but was unfortunately unsuccessful,

interesting conundrum hopefully this is logical….

You got through to the final stage
So you’re in the top 250ish of 23000
You weren’t in the top 100 this year. You may have been number 101.
When the scheme reopens many applicants will be the same as this year minus the top 100 but plus those who could not apply this year.
statistically you have a much better chance in 2024.
Additionally you have experienced the process which will help. Reapplying shows motivation and determination more pluses.

id be careful not to embark on a course that precludes you from applying.

On the other hand if you were head of recruitment and had 100 trainee pilots going through a course and you were in regular contact with the training organisations and your COO says we need to increase the 100 to 150 asap how would you do it? You have limited time and finite resources. What is the easiest way to find 50 pilots under training whose training records are immediately available from a known source?

But the modular is 50k cheaper. You can move training organisations etc etc. that argument has been done before. I did all 3 routes.

[HeathrowPilot1998]

Thank you, I will look into that. Class One will obtained before I do another hour. I have my Class 2, had a few extra tests done there but they alleviated any concerns so hopefully will be an easier process than that. Do you think if I did modular, and came out with say 90%, 1st time passes, I would have the same chance applying to airlines, than if I had pursued a scheme? (Tagging aside)

[HeathrowPilot1998]

Thank you, I guess my main concern is employment opportunities coming out of the modular course, but the flexibility of modular and also the cost reduction is a big attraction.

[HeathrowPilot1998]

Thank you, reading into reviews of L3 and CAE have put me off a bit. I'm sure Skyborne isn't as perfect as it seems either.

[HeathrowPilot1998]

Thank you. How did you go through all 3 routes? If you could redo one route now, ,what do you think you would go for?

[RichardH]

What is the easiest way to find 50 pilots under training whose training records are immediately available from a known source?

Used to happen on a regular basis at the ATOs I was instructing at the time.

Do you think if I did modular, and came out with say 90%, 1st time passes, I would have the same chance applying to airlines,

Yes you should have no problem at all, the airlines tend to use 85% as a guide. However the flying CPL & IR first time or at least first series pass more important and a good report from MCC is vital. ATPL theory pass rates just a quick way of determining which CV goes in the round filing cabinet (bin) first.

I guess my main concern is employment opportunities coming out of the modular course, but the flexibility of modular and also the cost reduction is a big attraction.

You are missing another benefit of modular ie. not having to stump up £25K+ in advance with no financial protection (unless purchased on credit card) with no guarantees at the end.
As you are already 24 hours into your PPL continue modular go and get class one ASAP. You will find that all the old sages on this forum (like me) will tell you to go modular unless you are on an airline cadet scheme & even they can go pear shaped.

Retired ATPL instructor.

[Alex Whittingham]

I have been told that credit card companies will not allow some ATOs to take lump sum payment for flying courses with their cards - apparently the view is that the risk of s75 claims is considered too high. This may be a reason why Skyborne et al do not accept cc payments for the lump sums in advance. That and the card charges .

[RichardH]

Yes Alex their view of too higher risks absolutely correct. In a previous life long ago I used to work for Barclays & we carefully vetted companies wanting to accept credit cards, starting off with a low floor limit (the maximum they can take on a card) & increasing as they proved their financial stability. Even car showrooms rarely let you pay more than the deposit with a CC as you say with 2%+ handling charges that eats into their margins. So for something as risky as flight training CC companies are going to edge on the side of caution.

Remember banks only willing to lend money when you don't need it & only too quick to call it in when you do. Even more reason to support your PAYG or no more than £5k up front if I remember correctly.

[sudden twang]

Originally Posted by HeathrowPilot1998

Thank you. How did you go through all 3 routes? If you could redo one route now, ,what do you think you would go for?

Long story I won’t bore anyone with.
integrated is all planned for you and if tagged straight into job MAYBE none of my course were offered a job. I did a modular conversion. Modular for the ME IR meant the school put you up for test when you were ready not when you’d completed the planned footprint. That saved me 50% of the cost.
once I had my licence I applied to 5 companies failed 2 got the other 3.
Personally I’d aim for tagged integrated and pray the economy doesn’t tank

[ManFlex40]

Originally Posted by HeathrowPilot1998

Hi,

I'm currently reviewing my Modular vs Integrated options. I have 24 hours towards my PPL, but held off going further as I was considering integrated options. I got to the final stage of the BA academy process but was unfortunately unsuccessful, so I have the option to self fund a Skyborne course. I also have an offer from L3, but the recent news regarding L3 has put me off a tad.

I know that airlines tag cadets post ATPL, but I was wondering about modular vs integrated in terms of job opportunities post graduation. If I come out of a scheme with 90% average, all first time passes, am I more likely to get a job than if I did the same on a modular process? My main concern is shelling out £100,000 for a scheme, when I could go down the modular route for closer to half the price. I unfortunately don't know any pilots, so I have no one I can really ask the question to.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above. I reviewed the stickied thread but could not find too much. I'm more concerned about the job opportunity side of it. If British Airways, Easyjet would much rather hire someone from a scheme than a modular route, that does put me off slightly doing modular.

If any pilots / people knowledgable with the current situation would be able to assist, I would very much appreciate this. Feel free to PM me too.

I went modular, and I’m fortunate enough to be through to the final stage of tagging selection with a well known UK carrier- if you’ve started your PPL and are committed to finishing it, stick to modular with a good outfit, you won’t regret it!