British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: UAE
Goes on date you entered the pool ie date you got the good news call! I applied 330 days ago and awaiting a course date also so don't stress!
Last edited by Kempus; 7th September 2011 at 15:54. Reason: Proof read first next time
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: On the side of the pitch!
Whatever course you are offered regardless of shorthaul or longhaul, take the first offered, seniority is king! From what I have been told by trainers I've flown with recently courses restart from December on the A320! Not sure about longhaul. The latest bid results are due out over the next week or two (for fleet transfers, commands etc), so a major load of training planning will be going ahead between now and Xmas is my guess! Lots of movement going on throughout BA!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: UAE
As stated, take first course given but internal transfers have filled longhaul requirements. Unless you are rated or coming out the forces with heavy experience it looks unlikely any longhaul slots will be offered. Never say never but its unlikely.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: Planet Moo Moo
Apparently there have been quite a few rated 744 guys come across from 'other' airlines and they have been shunted straight onto the 744.
There also seems to be a ramp up for DEP training onto the 777 next year as the company looks to fill crews for the remainder of the 777-300's due for delivery and they seem unwilling to release Airbus pilots from their type freezes early. Not unsurprising really as they would require two courses then and DEP 777 would only require one.
Decisions on the future aircraft at LGW seem to have been delayed until December with Embraer, 737NG and A320 Neo being in the running, obviously for aspirational joiners the numbers will be key.
Rumours abound that the take up on the 787 has been 'weak' as the company stipulates current 777 experience and most of those guys/gals don't want to move from a prime fleet.
All in all lots happening, LH DEP seems to be moving as of 2012 but, as stated above, don't hold out for DEP LH, seniority is everything and waiting a couple of months could put you back years in terms of seniority for fleets, bidding and command.
Have fun.
There also seems to be a ramp up for DEP training onto the 777 next year as the company looks to fill crews for the remainder of the 777-300's due for delivery and they seem unwilling to release Airbus pilots from their type freezes early. Not unsurprising really as they would require two courses then and DEP 777 would only require one.
Decisions on the future aircraft at LGW seem to have been delayed until December with Embraer, 737NG and A320 Neo being in the running, obviously for aspirational joiners the numbers will be key.
Rumours abound that the take up on the 787 has been 'weak' as the company stipulates current 777 experience and most of those guys/gals don't want to move from a prime fleet.
All in all lots happening, LH DEP seems to be moving as of 2012 but, as stated above, don't hold out for DEP LH, seniority is everything and waiting a couple of months could put you back years in terms of seniority for fleets, bidding and command.
Have fun.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: Planet Moo Moo
As I've explained before there is no 'rush' for Longhaul.
If you join now on the SH fleets then you will have your seniority number and thus your 'place' in the pecking order. If they did start recruiting directly to the LH fleets after a year or two you would sit there on SH feeling peeved until you realised that when you do move across all of those who went DEP before you will be pushed down beneath you for bidding.
The current situation means that those with 'decent' seniority on the Airbus are slotting into the 744/777 lists at over a third of the way up the list and achieving good rosters and decent bids.
Waiting is never a good option with BA.
If you join now on the SH fleets then you will have your seniority number and thus your 'place' in the pecking order. If they did start recruiting directly to the LH fleets after a year or two you would sit there on SH feeling peeved until you realised that when you do move across all of those who went DEP before you will be pushed down beneath you for bidding.
The current situation means that those with 'decent' seniority on the Airbus are slotting into the 744/777 lists at over a third of the way up the list and achieving good rosters and decent bids.
Waiting is never a good option with BA.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: London
Possibility of Embraer's in LGW eh?? Would save me a type conversion if I was offered it..... Firstly the assessment awaits!
By the sounds of it... a few of us will possibly have to wait until Novemeber? I heard all the slots in October were filled already.
I don't really mind waiting, I know there is a lot of talk about seniority etc, but lets be honest, if you are lucky enough to get into BA your pretty much set for life, and things will eventually work out for you so i'll happily wait my turn! :-) Good luck to all still waiting.
By the sounds of it... a few of us will possibly have to wait until Novemeber? I heard all the slots in October were filled already.
I don't really mind waiting, I know there is a lot of talk about seniority etc, but lets be honest, if you are lucky enough to get into BA your pretty much set for life, and things will eventually work out for you so i'll happily wait my turn! :-) Good luck to all still waiting.