Britannia FO recruitment
Join Date: Jul 2000
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In principle there is nothing wrong with UK registered airlines employing foreign nationals, be they European or from further afield, providing they have the required experience and qualifications. The world is a global market-place after all. However, many wannabes feel aggrieved that there is very little reciprocity between the UK and mainland Europe.
To argue that many Europeans speak good English and hence are able to apply for UK jobs only goes so far to justify what is happening. English is the main aviation language worldwide but the downside of this status is that every man and his dog speaks it. So if you are a pilot from mainland Europe and your second language is English you're sorted. Whereas, if you are British, what pray should be your second language? Take your pick of French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian and the list goes on.
In theory JAR sounds great but in practice I'm not sure any more!
To argue that many Europeans speak good English and hence are able to apply for UK jobs only goes so far to justify what is happening. English is the main aviation language worldwide but the downside of this status is that every man and his dog speaks it. So if you are a pilot from mainland Europe and your second language is English you're sorted. Whereas, if you are British, what pray should be your second language? Take your pick of French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian and the list goes on.
In theory JAR sounds great but in practice I'm not sure any more!
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Lazlo
Unfortunately you are wrong I have been employed by a scheduled airline working from a London airport for many years.
I have many friends some who are ex military pilots who have been unemployed for over a year now and find I differcult to understand why employers take on these economic migrants who will once trained and have built up enough hours move to Lufthansa or KLM at short notice.
Balpa gives advice on these issues as do the IPA so I am not alone.
If you think about the CRM issues you should be concerned as aviation English is different to needing information read from many manuals in the flight deck and acted on! Listen to London ATC and some UK carriers have pilots who can just about understand a heading change let alone the further actions after a single engine go around
Regards
ps I understand Brittannia are good to work for and my information is from one of your guys plus friends who have paid dosh to CTC.
Unfortunately you are wrong I have been employed by a scheduled airline working from a London airport for many years.
I have many friends some who are ex military pilots who have been unemployed for over a year now and find I differcult to understand why employers take on these economic migrants who will once trained and have built up enough hours move to Lufthansa or KLM at short notice.
Balpa gives advice on these issues as do the IPA so I am not alone.
If you think about the CRM issues you should be concerned as aviation English is different to needing information read from many manuals in the flight deck and acted on! Listen to London ATC and some UK carriers have pilots who can just about understand a heading change let alone the further actions after a single engine go around
Regards
ps I understand Brittannia are good to work for and my information is from one of your guys plus friends who have paid dosh to CTC.
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Nice one x. I am of the same vintage and would concur with your appraisal of the company. It is true that we do not get that sort of money every month, but the options are there if you want to make some extra cash. I also agree with comments of how well you are looked after in terms of welfare.
It is such a shame that the impression our Human Remains department gives of the company is one of we just cannot bo bothered. I am sure it is not their intention, and it belies the fact that this is one of, if not the best company to join these days. Do not be put off. As for comments of recommendations getting you in, that could not be further from the truth. It may get you an application form, but then you have to jump through all the hoops like everyone else.
I spoke to HR the other day on behalf of a friend, and they said that letters would be going out at the latest yesterday (12th), so hopefully the waiting will soon be at an end. It sucks I know, but it will be worth the wait, as will the effort to prepare for the battery of tests. Good luck.
It is such a shame that the impression our Human Remains department gives of the company is one of we just cannot bo bothered. I am sure it is not their intention, and it belies the fact that this is one of, if not the best company to join these days. Do not be put off. As for comments of recommendations getting you in, that could not be further from the truth. It may get you an application form, but then you have to jump through all the hoops like everyone else.
I spoke to HR the other day on behalf of a friend, and they said that letters would be going out at the latest yesterday (12th), so hopefully the waiting will soon be at an end. It sucks I know, but it will be worth the wait, as will the effort to prepare for the battery of tests. Good luck.
Join Date: Jun 1999
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EPLS,
You are making an issue out of nothing. I can only think of a couple of pilots in Britannia who are from elsewhere in the European Union and a handful from around the world. We have over 400 pilots and over 90% are British. But at the end of the day the company will hire whoever they want, so long as they are legally allowed to work in this country. It is not their business to get political about it, and it is certainly none of your business what Britannia's recruitment policy is. In fact I would suggest that if Britannia actually had a policy of hiring British nationals only, and no other EU members then they would find themselves in serious legal trouble. If you are so incensed by this perceived injustice I suggest you go into politics and try to undo 25 years of European integration. The reality is that the numbers are few but people like yourself try to inflate the issue. Remember there are Brits working all over the globe for airlines in all countries. We regularly staff our Swedish airline with British pilots to cover shortfalls so, you see, you are wrong that there is no reciprocity (and no I don't speak Swedish).
As for your military friends, surely you must realise that this past year has been a terrible one for hiring. Almost no one was hiring and those airlines that were certainly do not owe anyone a job. Just because your friends may be ex-military and very capable does not provide any guarantees. Britannia have only just started hiring, as you know. At any given time there will be a pool of pilots who are unemployed. Some are just plain unlucky and keep falling through the cracks even though they would make very suitable employees. Some are totally unemployable and blame the world for their failure. The former will eventually get jobs and the latter hopefully never will but they will certainly be very noisy about it. Your friends may well be in the former category but, I say again, this past year was a dismal year for jobseekers whether they are British nationals or not.
Lazlo
You are making an issue out of nothing. I can only think of a couple of pilots in Britannia who are from elsewhere in the European Union and a handful from around the world. We have over 400 pilots and over 90% are British. But at the end of the day the company will hire whoever they want, so long as they are legally allowed to work in this country. It is not their business to get political about it, and it is certainly none of your business what Britannia's recruitment policy is. In fact I would suggest that if Britannia actually had a policy of hiring British nationals only, and no other EU members then they would find themselves in serious legal trouble. If you are so incensed by this perceived injustice I suggest you go into politics and try to undo 25 years of European integration. The reality is that the numbers are few but people like yourself try to inflate the issue. Remember there are Brits working all over the globe for airlines in all countries. We regularly staff our Swedish airline with British pilots to cover shortfalls so, you see, you are wrong that there is no reciprocity (and no I don't speak Swedish).
As for your military friends, surely you must realise that this past year has been a terrible one for hiring. Almost no one was hiring and those airlines that were certainly do not owe anyone a job. Just because your friends may be ex-military and very capable does not provide any guarantees. Britannia have only just started hiring, as you know. At any given time there will be a pool of pilots who are unemployed. Some are just plain unlucky and keep falling through the cracks even though they would make very suitable employees. Some are totally unemployable and blame the world for their failure. The former will eventually get jobs and the latter hopefully never will but they will certainly be very noisy about it. Your friends may well be in the former category but, I say again, this past year was a dismal year for jobseekers whether they are British nationals or not.
Lazlo
Last edited by Lazlo; 14th Nov 2002 at 09:13.
Join Date: Jan 2000
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All the previous is interesting but has anyone actualy been invited for a chat, I to received my no thank you today upon return from a trip in some pretty crappy wx.....I, like some of the above met stated minimums so who, if any have had good news? 
) has been interviewed today. About 4000 hours TT mostly jet, no 75 Rating.Join Date: Sep 2000
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Myself and at least three other guys from my company (that I know of) were invited for an assessment day. We all have at least a couple of thousand hours with 600-1000 hours regional jet time.
Join Date: May 2002
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Out of curiosity have the assement days taken place or are they still being scheduled? I am assuming these are the psycometric tests etc. with full interview to follow if successful.
Cheers
Cheers
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EPLS,
You are a real idiot. I am French and I 'm working with a UK airline and I probably took the job of a British national.
First of all, you can apply for a job anywhere in Europe.
Second, thoses Dutch CTC cadets pay good money to CTC or Cabair or whoever to get their licence keeping the flying school industry healthy in the UK.
Third, I try to buy a house in my hometown in France: I can't. The price went up because too many British, German or Dutch people are buying everything. Look what's happen in Spain (Alicante, Palma, Malaga ...) or Nice, or Britanny. Look where Ryannair and Buzz are flying in France. British and German are everywhere ! It is now very difficult to buy something in your own country.
But I am not complaining, because we need to transport the Brits to their new house and those people are filling the plane I'm flying, thence providing me a job. They also help the local industry.
So to make it simple, you are taking our home and we are taking your job. Europe is good for each side, maybe in a different way.
Finally, I bought a house in England, pay tax, go to Waitrose once a week, use local builder for all sort of home improvment, etc.., which means I am contributing to the local economy.
You may be on the wrong side of the stick at the moment, but you should have a global view of the problem.
Or maybe you want to go back 50 years ago when our grandfathers were killing each other ?
You are a real idiot. I am French and I 'm working with a UK airline and I probably took the job of a British national.
First of all, you can apply for a job anywhere in Europe.
Second, thoses Dutch CTC cadets pay good money to CTC or Cabair or whoever to get their licence keeping the flying school industry healthy in the UK.
Third, I try to buy a house in my hometown in France: I can't. The price went up because too many British, German or Dutch people are buying everything. Look what's happen in Spain (Alicante, Palma, Malaga ...) or Nice, or Britanny. Look where Ryannair and Buzz are flying in France. British and German are everywhere ! It is now very difficult to buy something in your own country.
But I am not complaining, because we need to transport the Brits to their new house and those people are filling the plane I'm flying, thence providing me a job. They also help the local industry.
So to make it simple, you are taking our home and we are taking your job. Europe is good for each side, maybe in a different way.
Finally, I bought a house in England, pay tax, go to Waitrose once a week, use local builder for all sort of home improvment, etc.., which means I am contributing to the local economy.
You may be on the wrong side of the stick at the moment, but you should have a global view of the problem.
Or maybe you want to go back 50 years ago when our grandfathers were killing each other ?
Funny way of showing it.
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Regarding the recent interviews and sim tests has anyone heard form Britannia?
Are they offering a base with a contract or is the base assignes after completion of training?
Another important issue is the Pension. Will it be final salary for new joiners?
Ta
Are they offering a base with a contract or is the base assignes after completion of training?
Another important issue is the Pension. Will it be final salary for new joiners?
Ta
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: United Kingdom
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Hi B757Rated.
Don't know the answer to your first question, but when I joined the base was offered on the day of joining subject to vacancies.
BALPA is currently balloting members over this years pay settlement which, if accepted will result in the final salary pension being retained for new joiners with slightly poorer benefits than for incumbent members. This is a trade off against accepting an inflation only payrise for two years.
Hope this helps.
Don't know the answer to your first question, but when I joined the base was offered on the day of joining subject to vacancies.
BALPA is currently balloting members over this years pay settlement which, if accepted will result in the final salary pension being retained for new joiners with slightly poorer benefits than for incumbent members. This is a trade off against accepting an inflation only payrise for two years.
Hope this helps.
