Virgin Atlantic Questions - the Master Thread! (Merged)
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Alps
I know of people with only 737 and 320 command hrs getting direct left hand seat at Virgin Nigeria.
As for them only taking guys that currently hold 340 ratings, I dont think they can be that picky at the moment...
Lots of guys currently doing 340 sim training at Gecat at the mo.
Just my two pence worth though...
As for them only taking guys that currently hold 340 ratings, I dont think they can be that picky at the moment...
Lots of guys currently doing 340 sim training at Gecat at the mo.
Just my two pence worth though...
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: germany
Virgin Interview
Hi there,
does anybody know,what the virgin atlantic interview is like?Do they perform an assessment center and so on?
Would be great,if anybody could tell me something about it.Thanks,
marssurfer
does anybody know,what the virgin atlantic interview is like?Do they perform an assessment center and so on?
Would be great,if anybody could tell me something about it.Thanks,
marssurfer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: At work
Originally Posted by marssurfer
Hi there,
does anybody know,what the virgin atlantic interview is like?Do they perform an assessment center and so on?
Would be great,if anybody could tell me something about it.Thanks,
marssurfer
does anybody know,what the virgin atlantic interview is like?Do they perform an assessment center and so on?
Would be great,if anybody could tell me something about it.Thanks,
marssurfer
Interview with flight ops, HR and a pilot in attendance. Tech, verbal reasoning, psychological profile and maths exams. A sim ride is no longer part of the selection process. Those offered a position will be subject to a medical examination by a company doctor prior to employment.
Unfortunately I have not been invited for an interview yet, however VS is my number one choice and I will get there!
Appreciate any additional info please, PM me if you wish!
p.s. I have airline experience with 3500 hours TT, including 1300 hours jet. (B737 and A319)
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: South-East England
The assessment day is not too bad. I was one of 6 guys on my assessment day. You have a straightforward Tech paper, which is really just a time filler while each 1 of the 6 leaves the room for their interview - they openly allow you to confer with eachother. There's a psychometric test (shapes, numeric reasoning etc.) which is not too difficult but you don't have much time to complete it. The interview is 3 to 1 (I had 2 management pilots and a lady from Human Resources). Not too stressful - some tech stuff from the pilots, questions like "what would you do in xyz emergency scenario". Then HR lady asks you about yourself and career history (she has your cv in front of her covered in highlighter pen to make sure you're not bull!!!!!ting). Finally, there's a PF16 personality profilling paper (for which there's no right or wrong answer - you just have to be truthful).
I'm 40 and was lined up to do a command at my last Co., so I had to convince them I wanted Virgin for the right reasons - lifestyle etc.
Hope this helps
I'm 40 and was lined up to do a command at my last Co., so I had to convince them I wanted Virgin for the right reasons - lifestyle etc.
Hope this helps
Moderator
Joined: Dec 1997
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 6
From: Suffolk UK
Yes, Virgin is interviewing. There are many, many applicants; not all (in fact, far from a majority) will get an interview. Far fewer will get a job (about 140 in 2005, probably a similar number in 2006). Luck, inevitably, will play a part.
Scroggs
Scroggs
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: South-East England
iBus,
Yes, I got in - currently doing my '340 training. Best of luck with your application. From what I've seen so far you won't regret it if you get in - seems to be a really excellent company !
Cheers,
Greenfinch
Yes, I got in - currently doing my '340 training. Best of luck with your application. From what I've seen so far you won't regret it if you get in - seems to be a really excellent company !
Cheers,
Greenfinch
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Close to Wales
I would imagine around 8-10 years. Previous command experience does not get you any further up the list. Believe minimum hours for command are 6000, with 250 hours credit given for each year in Virgin up to a maximum of 1000 credit. With 8-10 years in the right hand seat most will easily achieve that 6000 hours. That said, there are far worse places to spend your time in the right hand seat!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 1997
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 6
From: Suffolk UK
Command time is primarily dependent on the rate of expansion of the airline. Retirements are relatively few as yet (Virgin has a fairly young pilot population), and it's quite likely that, before long, captains will retain their command until 65. Few people leave for other reasons. Therefore the primary source of new left-hand-seats is new aeroplanes!
At the moment, VS is taking, on average, three or four new aircraft a year, net. Some years more, some less. That rate looks set to continue over the next few years. Whether the company will continue to expand at this rate (>10% pa) is moot, but common sense would suggest that it can't continue indefinitely. At the current crewing ratio, and taking all other factors into account, VS needs about 40-50 new captains a year. There are around 400 FOs on line, so the maths is fairly straightforward - at the moment!
Looking at BA, whose fleet strength is static at the moment (and has been for some time), longhaul commands would seem to be around 23+ years right now, give or take a bit. It's therefore reasonable to suggest that VS time to command will tend in that direction as the airline gets bigger, and the proportional effect of three or four new aircraft a year decreases. The airline is forecast to be double its 2003 strength by 2012 (or thereabouts!); by then I would expect command for new entrants to take around 13 years. But who really knows?
Scroggs
At the moment, VS is taking, on average, three or four new aircraft a year, net. Some years more, some less. That rate looks set to continue over the next few years. Whether the company will continue to expand at this rate (>10% pa) is moot, but common sense would suggest that it can't continue indefinitely. At the current crewing ratio, and taking all other factors into account, VS needs about 40-50 new captains a year. There are around 400 FOs on line, so the maths is fairly straightforward - at the moment!
Looking at BA, whose fleet strength is static at the moment (and has been for some time), longhaul commands would seem to be around 23+ years right now, give or take a bit. It's therefore reasonable to suggest that VS time to command will tend in that direction as the airline gets bigger, and the proportional effect of three or four new aircraft a year decreases. The airline is forecast to be double its 2003 strength by 2012 (or thereabouts!); by then I would expect command for new entrants to take around 13 years. But who really knows?
Scroggs