British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1
Join Date: Aug 2003
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757 driver is correct, Ops Manual just requires 2000h and full ATPL for 747,767,777, due to the fact you will be carrying out PIC duties on 3-crew sectors. I know several people who are now on 744 who only had previous SH experience. Timing is everything, if manpower need a slot filling on the 744, you have a good chance! My feeling is that the course would have to start this calendar year because next year there will be more internal bidders becoming unfrozen and hence eligible for a bid.

Join Date: Feb 2010
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The last recruiting phase ran from about Oct 2005 to Aug 2008 which will give you an idea as to how many pilots will be exiting intial type freeze after 5 years. Expect bids from SH to LH until about Aug 2013!
There have been concerns within the training department as to loads on the TRI's/TRE's with the requirements to run continuity training (LPC/OPC/ATQP) alongside conversion courses and, eventually, ab-initio courses coupled with the implementation of two new fleets requiring the training of TRE's/TRI's and TSC's next year. This might cause a slowdown of release of experienced SH FO's as the maturity of the fleet starts to suffer (business terms obviously as the current maturity of the fleet shows high/stable by the SESMA profile).
There is also a strong rumour that Boeing is pushing the 748 very heavily toward BA who, as the largest single fleet operator of the 744, are one of Boeings premier customers. Boeing are citing delays to the 380 programme and training/operating difficulties as a major reason to purchase the 748. The company is, apparently (SEP forum), listening and keeping 'all options open'.
Interesting times ahead! Perhaps that oft banded about 'long time to command' could well be changing within BA as the new business plan calls for expansion and renewal!
Have fun.
There have been concerns within the training department as to loads on the TRI's/TRE's with the requirements to run continuity training (LPC/OPC/ATQP) alongside conversion courses and, eventually, ab-initio courses coupled with the implementation of two new fleets requiring the training of TRE's/TRI's and TSC's next year. This might cause a slowdown of release of experienced SH FO's as the maturity of the fleet starts to suffer (business terms obviously as the current maturity of the fleet shows high/stable by the SESMA profile).
There is also a strong rumour that Boeing is pushing the 748 very heavily toward BA who, as the largest single fleet operator of the 744, are one of Boeings premier customers. Boeing are citing delays to the 380 programme and training/operating difficulties as a major reason to purchase the 748. The company is, apparently (SEP forum), listening and keeping 'all options open'.
Interesting times ahead! Perhaps that oft banded about 'long time to command' could well be changing within BA as the new business plan calls for expansion and renewal!
Have fun.

Join Date: Feb 2010
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Kempus,
Generally I would say 'yes, no problem' but the 737 is at Gatwick which is Carmen bidding so I can't really say 'yes'. Perhaps someone with experience of Carmen could answer your question better.
I can only say 'I don't believe it will be a problem'.
Generally I would say 'yes, no problem' but the 737 is at Gatwick which is Carmen bidding so I can't really say 'yes'. Perhaps someone with experience of Carmen could answer your question better.
I can only say 'I don't believe it will be a problem'.


Join Date: Jan 2002
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Thanks for that wirbelstrum. Friend emailed me a roster and chunks of days off and together which is good to see! Would def have to get lodgings in crawley though!
Pre, i'm 737 rated and the newest joiner to the pool I think and I've been waiting less than a week. Infact make that less than a working week and looking at a Jan/Feb start!
Pre, i'm 737 rated and the newest joiner to the pool I think and I've been waiting less than a week. Infact make that less than a working week and looking at a Jan/Feb start!

Join Date: Aug 2010
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73 poolers
Hi all, just to give you some info. The 73 is a great place to be and it is just trying to cope at the moment with all the changes with new people in and those moving on to other fleets. The problem is training capacity, not just on the 73, the trainers are all working flat out with very few breaks and the first wave of new pilots has hit the line. Because of the training capacity the unfrozen 73 people are waiting their course dates for the triple and the 74. There is, as you can imagine, lots of movement at the moment and the 73 is currently over crewed and will remain so until all of those who are fleet changing do so.
The numbers required continue to change but they will need more I think in the new year once this initial movement has calmed down. Having spoken to a few FO's on the move, their course dates for the 77 and 74 are around Aug onwards so it may not be until the new year for more 73 joiners.
This is just my opinion but thought the information may be helpful to some of you swimming at the moment.
The numbers required continue to change but they will need more I think in the new year once this initial movement has calmed down. Having spoken to a few FO's on the move, their course dates for the 77 and 74 are around Aug onwards so it may not be until the new year for more 73 joiners.
This is just my opinion but thought the information may be helpful to some of you swimming at the moment.

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So.... All seems very quiet on the Western Front. I've been in the pool for nearly 10 weeks and not a peep. Has anyone got any further info? It would be nice to have an e-mail just saying they haven't forgotten us... Anyway good luck to all in the pool and those trying to get in.

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Hello guys,
Anyone have an idea of when they will re-open the Airbus recruitment campaign again? It sounds like they have enough people in the holding pool right now but are there any more rumors about any more recruitment, maybe in the new year?
Kind Regards,
Anyone have an idea of when they will re-open the Airbus recruitment campaign again? It sounds like they have enough people in the holding pool right now but are there any more rumors about any more recruitment, maybe in the new year?
Kind Regards,

Join Date: Oct 2010
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Start date
Has anyone got a start date coming up?
If so when and for what fleet?
Just so we can get an idea of how often courses are starting etc and how far down the year courses are already planned!
If so when and for what fleet?
Just so we can get an idea of how often courses are starting etc and how far down the year courses are already planned!

Join Date: Jan 2010
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The last BA recruitment drive which was for TR B757/767 pilots closed on 8JUNE2011. Since then there has been a long silence. Has anyone managed to get beyond the "Thanks but no Thanks" letter in this recruitment drive? Or maybe passed the interview and are invited to the SIM? Or even maybe passed the SIM and got the job offer and swimming in the pool......? Or was this recruitment drive a total washout?

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It's not that slick.
Closing date was the 8th - my app went in on the 7th. Got an assessment day invite around a week later (mid-June) and when I went to book a day (quite soon after being given the nod) the earliest available ones were in mid-July. My assessment's this week as are those of two of my mates.
Closing date was the 8th - my app went in on the 7th. Got an assessment day invite around a week later (mid-June) and when I went to book a day (quite soon after being given the nod) the earliest available ones were in mid-July. My assessment's this week as are those of two of my mates.

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Strong rumours that BA will shortly be announcing Cadet Pilot Courses in the next few months. Apparently Ab Initio students are struggling to find funding due to the problems convincing banks to provide un-secured credit.

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Any other news for the turboprop guys?
Just wondering if anyone in the inside has any info on likely recruitment of those of us loitering in the dark corners of turborop ops??
There's a sizeable number of us currently flying for the regionals desperate for a sniff of a quality airline like BA and praying they will drop their currently very restrictive type rating requirements.
There's a sizeable number of us currently flying for the regionals desperate for a sniff of a quality airline like BA and praying they will drop their currently very restrictive type rating requirements.
