British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1

[NigelOnDraft]

Very interesting about the Jumbo though. I certainly won't turn a course down, but must admit the ultra long-haul lifestyle isn't my preference!

I shouldn't worry about ULH at the bottom of the Jumbo list

You'll find a great variety of work assigned to you, often bordering on MH. ~7x daily JFK varies from an 0830 departure to 2000 Or for variety, BOS, and the odd LOS thrown in

NoD

[wiggy]

I shouldn't worry about ULH at the bottom of the Jumbo list

ROFL, so true...

BTW don't forget there's the odd day out to CWL , but it's still not a reason to turn down a 744 course.

[cows_get_bigger]

Airbus Hold Pool

Anyone know if those in the pool with Airbus ratings are still planned to enter directly onto type? I've been in the pool a good while now, anyone know if there's still some movement?

[Wirbelsturm]

For those swimming and wondering I seem to remember that the 'delay' so to speak is purely down to training capacity on both the 744 and the Airbus.

As part of the BA cost cutting measures new terms were agreed with the TRI's and TRE's to reduce the costs within the training department during a period where no recruiting was planned and the only training was to be command conversions, LPC/OPC, route checks and ATQP training.

It has led to a drop in training capacity that will take a little while to renegotiate back up. It is happening though.

Have fun.

[shortcut_approved]

Basing

Hi again everyone,

No further news I'm afraid, but just wondering on basing issues. Is the ONLY LGW recruitment on the 737, and ALL other types get LHR?

Cheers,
Shortcut

[mr ripley]

Yes. 737 only based LGW.
All other types only based LHR.

[junglie-driver]

Many Congratulations Scudbus!!! When did you get married or are you still living with your Mum and Dad?

[Shaka Zulu]

Not quite Mr Ripley
737 LGW
777 LGW/LHR
All other types LHR

[gliding777]

If we're really splitting hairs:

777 pilots are 'based' at LHR but there are 8 777 a/c based at LGW. If rostered a LGW trip you report there.
320 pilots have same arrangement but there are far, far fewer LGW trips for them.

Not that there will be ANY DEP recruitment onto the 777 for a long time!

G777

[Wirbelsturm]

Not that there will be ANY DEP recruitment onto the 777 for a long time!

What makes you so sure? Those who are 'unfrozen' and bidding have gone to either the 744 or the 777. Those remaining are frozen and can only bid aspirationally or want to enjoy their position within their fleets. The 744 training pipeline is so clogged that they have just about had to admit that they can't achieve all training and conversion this financial year.

Two more 777-300's to come and there is flexibility on the 777 fleet to pick up the lines that the 744 can't achieve plus the possible expansion of LH leisure routes from LGW.

BA recruited DEP onto the 777 at the end of the last phase and there is no reason they couldn't do the same now if the demand/demographics required it. DEP 777 would be a long lonely place at the bottom of the list mind you!

Remember, it's BA we are talking about, reactive not pro active and never say never!

[parked_remote]

Not sure how many are in the holding pool at the moment but someone I know spoke to BA a few days ago and they said there are no courses available at the moment and that an update would be sent out shortly. I am Airbus rated and have been in the pool nearly 2 months.

[Mr Gammon Flaps]

A mate of mine who is rated on the B767 got a call last week to go on the B744 in mid Sept. He had been in the pool for nearly 3 months.

I'm on the B767 and have been in the pool for nearly 2 months but haven't had an update from HR.

I heard some 3rd hand information that a 767 chap was recently offered B777 - not sure if it was a wind up or if it's true.....

GF

[nrn]

does anybody know if recruitment for the 737 will start again?

[parked_remote]

Does anyone know of anyone with an Airbus TR who has been offered a course on another type? (I don't have the hours for the 747 but I'm just curious). Any Airbus guys offered an A320 course recently?

[gliding777]

Wirbelstrum,

Your information tells me that you are in BA, so I know what you say is correct. However - it was the last but one recruitment campaign that ended in 2006/7 that the last DEPs went onto the 777, and if you look closely at the latest Cassandra run you will note lots of soon-to-be-unfrozen bids for the 777 in 2012 training year. Therefore, can't see any DEPs going onto the 777, 744 definitely (including A320-rated guys/girls)!

But as you say, never say never. Good luck to all in holding pool/selection process.
Cheers G777

[Wirbelsturm]

G777,

What you say is indeed true however I think you haven't taken into account the training requirement and the training load. It is easier to back fill the 777 with DEP pilots than to train up Airbus pilots who then leave a 'hole' in the Airbus fleet which will also have to be filled by a DEP.

If the cadet scheme were up and running then those holes could be filled with cadets to enable them to get the cycles in. The cadet scheme isn't running and the costs point towards back filling this year and posting NV for the next Cassandra run (next month!)

As said, never say never, but also never believe Cassandra, they only publish ONE run but the system runs every day!

[The Eternal JP]

Guys, does this mean you think that the managed path will end up covering the 320 slots then, or is the trg burden too big for that fleet as well? Thoughts?

[ETOPS]

Just noticed that flight ops are publishing photos of each new joiners group in the Weekly Roundup.

So far 36 new pilots have joined us on 737, 767 and Airbus fleets.

[cows_get_bigger]

It's all gone very quiet in the holding pool, anyone with any info on when there might be some more Airbus courses planned?

[veetwo]

I heard yesterday from someone (who supposedly had spoken to recruitment) that they have filled their requirement (circa 140) for 2011 and the next courses would be in the new year.

Someone else I know heard only a week earlier that BA are planning courses every month except December.

Clear as mud?