BA cadets; what are they like?
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BA cadets; what are they like?
Hi,
I know this appears to be a strange post but I was just wondering what sort of people British Airways recruit to be their pilots.
I've been turned down at the final interview 3 times in 3 years now and can only come to the conclusion that BA actively recruit tossers!
I was waiting to be interviewed and one of the other candidates was telling me how he actually had an interest in small aircraft (I don't mean 737s, I mean really small like Cessna's). Are BA's cadets all a bit....well, "in it for the love of flying" because it sounds a bit fairytale idealistic to me. Maybe I'm wrong but if so, then I need to do some serious work on my interview technique!
Any c
I know this appears to be a strange post but I was just wondering what sort of people British Airways recruit to be their pilots.
I've been turned down at the final interview 3 times in 3 years now and can only come to the conclusion that BA actively recruit tossers!
I was waiting to be interviewed and one of the other candidates was telling me how he actually had an interest in small aircraft (I don't mean 737s, I mean really small like Cessna's). Are BA's cadets all a bit....well, "in it for the love of flying" because it sounds a bit fairytale idealistic to me. Maybe I'm wrong but if so, then I need to do some serious work on my interview technique!
Any c
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FO (F!ck off)
What an ignorant and uninformed post particularly considering that it is your first. Perhaps you should stop spending so much time wondering who does get in and think about why you didn't, maybe then you'll realise who the tosser is.
What an ignorant and uninformed post particularly considering that it is your first. Perhaps you should stop spending so much time wondering who does get in and think about why you didn't, maybe then you'll realise who the tosser is.
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*LAUGHS OUT LOUD AND THEN FALLS OF HIS CHAIR*
Heheheheh. EGP is right; they do recruit the best but that doesn't necessarily mean some of them aren't tossers
In my experience I've found that the qualities needed to excel at a difficult job are often ones that can bug the hell out of people! To name but a few:
I'm sure they are all great guys and I hope to join them oneday but it was a fair comment!! *laughs some more*
Aerostude - Relax my man! Make yourself a pina colada, lay yourself down by the pool with your copy of Flight and you'll feel a whole lot better
Laughing all the way,
SpeedBird22
Heheheheh. EGP is right; they do recruit the best but that doesn't necessarily mean some of them aren't tossers
In my experience I've found that the qualities needed to excel at a difficult job are often ones that can bug the hell out of people! To name but a few:
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Work-aholic
- Perfectionist
- Disciplining others and authority
I'm sure they are all great guys and I hope to join them oneday but it was a fair comment!! *laughs some more*
Aerostude - Relax my man! Make yourself a pina colada, lay yourself down by the pool with your copy of Flight and you'll feel a whole lot better
Laughing all the way,
SpeedBird22
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In answer to your question: They are good. BA aim to recruit the best from those who apply, and generally make a pretty good job of it.
In answer to your conclusion: You seem to be in some danger of proving that BA don't.
In answer to your comment: Many in BA will see no need for you to alter your interview technique one bit.
In answer to your conclusion: You seem to be in some danger of proving that BA don't.
In answer to your comment: Many in BA will see no need for you to alter your interview technique one bit.
Guest
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Don't want to add fuel onto the fire etc but surely the statement BA only recruit the best is slightly arrogant and degrading to those who gain sponsorships with other airlines, or go it self funded. At the end of the day all pilots share the same skies, and not everyone can work for BA.
Before I get spammed for being a BA "reject", I have never applied to BA but will be doing so in the future, as well as other airline sponsorships etc.
British Airways recruit those that they feel match their criteria.
Other airlines (that offer sponsorship) recruit those that match their criteria, ie some people who got into BA might not get through their schemes, as the recruiters feel that they don't satisfy "their company ethos".
Lets get over the NANANANAAAAA stage and treat all those ATPL holders with equal respect, regardless of the route that they took.
Flying schools in my opinion don't help this worrying trend. Reports have been placed on this site about OATS giving preferential treatment to sponsored cadets. Why I honestly don't know, and more importantly why they get away with it is another question.
Wannabes out there want to make it, 10 years down the line when those that have made it will the BA sponsored/self sponsored debate continue or would pilots from all airlines treat each other with the respect that they would give to their own colleagues.
Flame away if u want, but I believe in encouragement rather than "We r considerably better than u"
Good luck to everyone
Sagey
Before I get spammed for being a BA "reject", I have never applied to BA but will be doing so in the future, as well as other airline sponsorships etc.
British Airways recruit those that they feel match their criteria.
Other airlines (that offer sponsorship) recruit those that match their criteria, ie some people who got into BA might not get through their schemes, as the recruiters feel that they don't satisfy "their company ethos".
Lets get over the NANANANAAAAA stage and treat all those ATPL holders with equal respect, regardless of the route that they took.
Flying schools in my opinion don't help this worrying trend. Reports have been placed on this site about OATS giving preferential treatment to sponsored cadets. Why I honestly don't know, and more importantly why they get away with it is another question.
Wannabes out there want to make it, 10 years down the line when those that have made it will the BA sponsored/self sponsored debate continue or would pilots from all airlines treat each other with the respect that they would give to their own colleagues.
Flame away if u want, but I believe in encouragement rather than "We r considerably better than u"
Good luck to everyone
Sagey
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I'm with you on this one Homer - definite wind-up.
But while we're on the subject I reckon that BA, even more so than other airlines, recruit trainee pilots who they feel will constantly have the commercial interests of the company on their minds and therefore be able to save the company money - stepped climbs, customer service blah blah blah. The interest in flying has to be there of course but with BA the commercial side is hugely important. They want the type that can be farmed off into management. Nothing wrong with that of course but easy to see how it could infuriate the passionate aviator without the commercial/corporate awareness BA want.
But while we're on the subject I reckon that BA, even more so than other airlines, recruit trainee pilots who they feel will constantly have the commercial interests of the company on their minds and therefore be able to save the company money - stepped climbs, customer service blah blah blah. The interest in flying has to be there of course but with BA the commercial side is hugely important. They want the type that can be farmed off into management. Nothing wrong with that of course but easy to see how it could infuriate the passionate aviator without the commercial/corporate awareness BA want.
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BA use the same recruitment techniques as most large firms but add the ability to learn to fly to the list. If flying ability were the main criteria then they would not use HR people for recruitment.
Ultimately BA require corporate minded people who work hard, respect the company ideals and in general lack the capacity for independent, as in non-taught, thought. The type who work hard for a 2:2 degree.
Arrogant attitude, quite possibly, but certainly no more so than the approach taken by those involved in recruitment who are in the position judge applicants aptitude for a job through questionnaires. B & Q is the most recent example of the stupidity of this practice.
The only factor in their favour is the large number of applicants for a few positions - but that does not make it right or the best solution.
Ultimately BA require corporate minded people who work hard, respect the company ideals and in general lack the capacity for independent, as in non-taught, thought. The type who work hard for a 2:2 degree.
Arrogant attitude, quite possibly, but certainly no more so than the approach taken by those involved in recruitment who are in the position judge applicants aptitude for a job through questionnaires. B & Q is the most recent example of the stupidity of this practice.
The only factor in their favour is the large number of applicants for a few positions - but that does not make it right or the best solution.
Guest
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The BA sponsored people I knew at OATS were great. Very focussed students who could proberbly of chosen any career, they were willing to help anyone who was struggling (S or SS) and knew how to enjoy themselves come the weekend.
[This message has been edited by F3 (edited 01 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by F3 (edited 01 May 2001).]
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Hmm... very interesting. In the last 3 months (flicking through my logbook) I've flown with cadets who had or were; a former computer hacker; a rugby-teams worth of Aero Eng including one PhD in it; a couple of BSc Civil Eng; many with just an A-level background; a Masters in Marine Biology; a chemist (degree) and a chemist ("something for the weekend, sir?"); self-sponsored from engineering/ customer service background; music student (we compared notes! Ha!) and one bona-fide rocket scientist who had developed engines for a Mars lander. By no means an exhaustive list, but shows the variety in backgrounds, and all very pleasant company over 5-units downroute.
All high achievers as well, but none to the detriment of personality. It's very easy to generalise when it suits our purposes, but the harsh truth is, as Bellerephon stated, they have a lot to choose from so some excellent candidates don't make the final cut. There are some tossers in every walk of life, and there are also some people somewhere who will consider you a tosser. C'est la vie.
£6
Former automaton, with no personality, no life and a tosser to boot, apparently!
Edit for the usual "I before E except after C..." yep, definitely slipped through the net, this Squid did!
[This message has been edited by Sick Squid (edited 01 May 2001).]
All high achievers as well, but none to the detriment of personality. It's very easy to generalise when it suits our purposes, but the harsh truth is, as Bellerephon stated, they have a lot to choose from so some excellent candidates don't make the final cut. There are some tossers in every walk of life, and there are also some people somewhere who will consider you a tosser. C'est la vie.
£6
Former automaton, with no personality, no life and a tosser to boot, apparently!
Edit for the usual "I before E except after C..." yep, definitely slipped through the net, this Squid did!
[This message has been edited by Sick Squid (edited 01 May 2001).]
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Cor blimey... look at this one!
Well, some interesting points have been put up here, especially those by jollygreengiant. S/He is correct in saying that the BA selection process is similar to large corporations, indeed it is, and again s/he is correct in saying that being able to fly is not the be all and end all of getting in - I know of several cadets with no, or very little, previous flying experience.
I understand that many excellent candidates sadly don't make the grade but I do resent Token Bird's statement that we are 'automatons with no personality'. If she can say that of all the cadet pilots she has met on the flight deck then I think the problem lies with her.
BA takes hard-working, keen young men and women who understand the commercial side of flying as well as the technical side. Of course they are expected to have managerial and leadership qualities ( a captain is in essence a manager and leader whilst flying ) but by no means are all cadets selected on their ability to be 'farmed off into management'
If you want to know what cadets are like then drop me a line and I'll introduce myself, or perhaps I should introduce you to my good mate from PPRuNe 'Walsh Wenker' a genuine, funny welsh guy who I've not even personally met yet!
F3- Good comment, it's good to know that past BA cadets had just as much life as the new ones!
There is no typical BA cadet, they are all different, which I think makes it such an appealing company to work for. Guys coming in now come from as diverse backgrounds as: medicine, pharmacy, engineering and even the police!
Regards, as always,
SB
Well, some interesting points have been put up here, especially those by jollygreengiant. S/He is correct in saying that the BA selection process is similar to large corporations, indeed it is, and again s/he is correct in saying that being able to fly is not the be all and end all of getting in - I know of several cadets with no, or very little, previous flying experience.
I understand that many excellent candidates sadly don't make the grade but I do resent Token Bird's statement that we are 'automatons with no personality'. If she can say that of all the cadet pilots she has met on the flight deck then I think the problem lies with her.
BA takes hard-working, keen young men and women who understand the commercial side of flying as well as the technical side. Of course they are expected to have managerial and leadership qualities ( a captain is in essence a manager and leader whilst flying ) but by no means are all cadets selected on their ability to be 'farmed off into management'
If you want to know what cadets are like then drop me a line and I'll introduce myself, or perhaps I should introduce you to my good mate from PPRuNe 'Walsh Wenker' a genuine, funny welsh guy who I've not even personally met yet!
F3- Good comment, it's good to know that past BA cadets had just as much life as the new ones!
There is no typical BA cadet, they are all different, which I think makes it such an appealing company to work for. Guys coming in now come from as diverse backgrounds as: medicine, pharmacy, engineering and even the police!
Regards, as always,
SB
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I may be playing devils advocate a touch here however, BA is a business and the main focus for this business is profit and a satisfied customer, the two tend to go hand in hand. With this in mind the recruitment process has to take into account those who have a handle on the 'economics' of the airline, those who understand what excellent customer service entails and also those who have the aptitude to fly. I am not saying that having a sound knowledge of business is more important than having a passion for flying, it is about having the correct balance of each. BA have recruited people who tend to be well rounded individuals with a variety of interests....
Tossers, not the ones I know!
Tossers, not the ones I know!
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No arse licking going on here, just a simple comment which I am sure those who have gone through the process will agree with. As I said, aptitude and passion for flying are essential, combined with the other qualities. Not an HR, just someone who would prefer not to be called a tosser!
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I have read this with interest!
I have met a few current BA cadets as well as a few that are waiting to start training and I feel they are all nice people!!!! The few that I have met are happy, positive people and good folk to have a pint with!
I think to sum it up and it is the same with any airline! BA recruits people that fits their own criteria. These criteria could be quite different in other airlines and these will change with time!
MG
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Don't land in a field or the sheep will eat the aircraft.
I have met a few current BA cadets as well as a few that are waiting to start training and I feel they are all nice people!!!! The few that I have met are happy, positive people and good folk to have a pint with!
I think to sum it up and it is the same with any airline! BA recruits people that fits their own criteria. These criteria could be quite different in other airlines and these will change with time!
MG
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Don't land in a field or the sheep will eat the aircraft.
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I find it disturbing and somewhat incredible that someone with a desire to fly airliners in UK feels that the UK's largest and most successful airline exclusively recruits 'tossers'.
I don't work for BA, but I have (successfully) been through their selection procedure, and it actually isn't that much different from any of the major airlines. It does deal with a great many people, and there is a formal assessment of candidates' appreciation of their contribution to the company's bottom line, but the rest of it is pretty standard. As others have said, the sheer weight of numbers of applicants allows BA to select the best of those that fit their ideal profile - and any other airline in UK would be pleased to have those candidates.
If you wish to get yourself employed by a UK major airline, curb your attitude and start finding out how to present yourself at interview. If you don't learn it now, you will certainly need to when you try and find alternative employment outside aviation....
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Scroggs
Wannabe Forum Moderator
[email protected]
I don't work for BA, but I have (successfully) been through their selection procedure, and it actually isn't that much different from any of the major airlines. It does deal with a great many people, and there is a formal assessment of candidates' appreciation of their contribution to the company's bottom line, but the rest of it is pretty standard. As others have said, the sheer weight of numbers of applicants allows BA to select the best of those that fit their ideal profile - and any other airline in UK would be pleased to have those candidates.
If you wish to get yourself employed by a UK major airline, curb your attitude and start finding out how to present yourself at interview. If you don't learn it now, you will certainly need to when you try and find alternative employment outside aviation....
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Scroggs
Wannabe Forum Moderator
[email protected]