British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cloud Cookoo Land
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks binsleepin. I should've been more precise. I have neither seen nor heard of any time limitations to tenure, in this round of recruitment.
2whites2reds - like most people on here, I have a tendency to think out loud - so it might be crap? The Airbus movement is encouraging. It is probably most expected, being BA's largest fleet. A320 guys and girls within the holdpool appear to be 'streamed.' The 737 is a little more precarious, shall we say. In fact, to be honest, its all too precarious at the moment!!
2whites2reds - like most people on here, I have a tendency to think out loud - so it might be crap? The Airbus movement is encouraging. It is probably most expected, being BA's largest fleet. A320 guys and girls within the holdpool appear to be 'streamed.' The 737 is a little more precarious, shall we say. In fact, to be honest, its all too precarious at the moment!!
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Planet Moo Moo
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys, sorry to burst your bubble but BA/IAG will never give out timescales/estimates for the swimmers.
The logistics behind course allocations depends upon a whole host of factors, many of which are well beyond the control of recruiting.
There needs to be space on the trainees fleet which means the pilot vacating the space needs a fleet to go to and a training course. There is the variability of the delivery dates for new aircraft, the potential braking action of the economy, the costs to the company of training need to be approved at board level and the numbers of new recruits for each financial year approved.
Add to that a whole gambit of variables my age addled brain can't think of and you can get a small grasp of why they can't give dates as they might not be able to honour them.
So, whilst it is frustrating in the extreme, especially with the recent recruitment announcements, I'm certain that Lindsay will be trying to give the best, most up to date information he has to all involved.
Keep treading water!
The logistics behind course allocations depends upon a whole host of factors, many of which are well beyond the control of recruiting.
There needs to be space on the trainees fleet which means the pilot vacating the space needs a fleet to go to and a training course. There is the variability of the delivery dates for new aircraft, the potential braking action of the economy, the costs to the company of training need to be approved at board level and the numbers of new recruits for each financial year approved.
Add to that a whole gambit of variables my age addled brain can't think of and you can get a small grasp of why they can't give dates as they might not be able to honour them.
So, whilst it is frustrating in the extreme, especially with the recent recruitment announcements, I'm certain that Lindsay will be trying to give the best, most up to date information he has to all involved.
Keep treading water!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bolton
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Many thanks Wirbelstrum, as informative and well meant as ever-I really appreciate the time you take keeping us all 'in the loop' as much as possible!
One thing that would be of great help to me would be to know if BA still plans to enforce the historical limit on time in the pool or whether under the current circumstance's they may decide to allow you to 'swim' for as long as it takes!?! (within sensible reason!!)
I think most of the anxiety would be taken away knowing that all we need be is quietly patient and our turn will come! The worry creeps in when you think the clock is ticking!!! (rightly or wrongly!!)
One thing that would be of great help to me would be to know if BA still plans to enforce the historical limit on time in the pool or whether under the current circumstance's they may decide to allow you to 'swim' for as long as it takes!?! (within sensible reason!!)
I think most of the anxiety would be taken away knowing that all we need be is quietly patient and our turn will come! The worry creeps in when you think the clock is ticking!!! (rightly or wrongly!!)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Planet Moo Moo
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BP,
I'm afraid that I have no information about the length of stay in the pool. I do remember after the last emptying of the pool that many within the company considered it ridiculous that those who had already passed selection would have to re-apply and the company extended from 12 to 18 months.
Perhaps you could contact Lindsay or his team at Cranebank as they willl have the definitive answer.
I'm afraid that I have no information about the length of stay in the pool. I do remember after the last emptying of the pool that many within the company considered it ridiculous that those who had already passed selection would have to re-apply and the company extended from 12 to 18 months.
Perhaps you could contact Lindsay or his team at Cranebank as they willl have the definitive answer.
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After being in the pool for 6 months with no info on a time scale or position in the pool I plucked up the courage to send an e-mail to he recruitment team to ask just this. My reply was...
Thank you for your email.
Unfortunately we are unable to tell you of your position in the hold pool, however as you have been told before you can be in the hold pool for up to a year.
Thank you for your continued interest in British Airways.
Yours sincerely
British Airways Recruitment
[email protected]
British Airways
4 weeks later I was given a course date! I believe the official policy is still 12 months but as many have said already, wether or not that is enforced is another matter! I agree 100% with Wirbelsurm just ask. LC and the team have been very helpful with all the red tape you have to go through when joining new a company so whilst yes they'll never commit to a time frame (as I found out above) I'm sure they will give as much info as possible and confirm the current policy with regard to falling out the pool after a year.
Things are def moving along so stay positive and good luck to everyone!
Thank you for your email.
Unfortunately we are unable to tell you of your position in the hold pool, however as you have been told before you can be in the hold pool for up to a year.
Thank you for your continued interest in British Airways.
Yours sincerely
British Airways Recruitment
[email protected]
British Airways
4 weeks later I was given a course date! I believe the official policy is still 12 months but as many have said already, wether or not that is enforced is another matter! I agree 100% with Wirbelsurm just ask. LC and the team have been very helpful with all the red tape you have to go through when joining new a company so whilst yes they'll never commit to a time frame (as I found out above) I'm sure they will give as much info as possible and confirm the current policy with regard to falling out the pool after a year.
Things are def moving along so stay positive and good luck to everyone!
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: England
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
September Q&A
All,
The hold pool duration was mentioned on the Q&A session in September.
Categorically it remains at 12 months from date of interview with the "flex" to sim date prior to any Recruitment Team decided extension.
I concur with binsleepin's letter - had one myself!
As others have mentioned, if you are getting close to your time it really would be in your best interests to phone the team up directly.
So to re-iterate, with a hope of moving the thread on from "pool duration": its 12 months from date of interview (possible extension to sim). The Team may decide to extend but that will be reviewed when required.
The hold pool duration was mentioned on the Q&A session in September.
Categorically it remains at 12 months from date of interview with the "flex" to sim date prior to any Recruitment Team decided extension.
I concur with binsleepin's letter - had one myself!
As others have mentioned, if you are getting close to your time it really would be in your best interests to phone the team up directly.
So to re-iterate, with a hope of moving the thread on from "pool duration": its 12 months from date of interview (possible extension to sim). The Team may decide to extend but that will be reviewed when required.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bolton
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the quick responses guys....all info is good info!!! I have already been in touch with BA and asked the polite question, whilst they didn't tell me where i am in the pool they did give me a rough idea of my standing regarding people ahead of me on my type and that I could have a long wait!!....One last question TP, do you know how many people are on each course!? Last question honest!!! Haha!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Another airport hotel
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last I heard, maybe 2-3 months ago, was a shortage of 757/767 rated folk in the pool to start in early 2012. That said, the 757 chaps I know who recently joined have gone onto the 747 not 767.
There has been a shortage of experienced 757 drivers in the UK over the last 12-18 months, in sharp contrast to 2008/9.
There has been a shortage of experienced 757 drivers in the UK over the last 12-18 months, in sharp contrast to 2008/9.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Middle East
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Assessments going ahead??
In the absence of any official information from BA about hold pool expiry / expected time spent in hold pool / how is recruitment and training for 2012 affected by recent events etc:
One important indication of BA's expectations for 2012 might be whether the assessments continue at full throttle. Are day 1 and sim assessments still taking place at the previous rate? Or has this slowed down over the past weeks?
Are people successful on the online application still getting invites for Day 1?
Are people who were successful on day 1 still getting sim invites, or is this on hold "until further"? Any info would be appreciated!!
One important indication of BA's expectations for 2012 might be whether the assessments continue at full throttle. Are day 1 and sim assessments still taking place at the previous rate? Or has this slowed down over the past weeks?
Are people successful on the online application still getting invites for Day 1?
Are people who were successful on day 1 still getting sim invites, or is this on hold "until further"? Any info would be appreciated!!
Join Date: May 2009
Location: over there
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I interviewed in October, initially got an email saying no Sim slots available. Got another email about a month ago saying that Sims would be in "early 2012" and that they would contact me closer to then to arrange a date.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is just speculation on my part, but the news from inside BA suggests there is a fair amount of uncertainty regarding the future of short haul and the likely impact the acquisition of BMI may have should IAG be successful in their bid. Once this has been resolved I imagine things will become clearer regarding exact numbers required for 2012/13.
If you are going through the recruitment process now or floating in the pool the two important factors in your favour are the arrival of the A380 and B787 are still going ahead as planned - this will result in a small but tangible increase in fleet size - and the folks who stayed on after the retirement age increased to 65 will start to head for the golf course full time over the next few years. There is clearly a need for a continual stream of new pilots into BA for the foresee-able future, as Wirbelsturm mentioned one of the biggest problems is simulator and training capacity. It's worth the wait once you get here
If you are going through the recruitment process now or floating in the pool the two important factors in your favour are the arrival of the A380 and B787 are still going ahead as planned - this will result in a small but tangible increase in fleet size - and the folks who stayed on after the retirement age increased to 65 will start to head for the golf course full time over the next few years. There is clearly a need for a continual stream of new pilots into BA for the foresee-able future, as Wirbelsturm mentioned one of the biggest problems is simulator and training capacity. It's worth the wait once you get here
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Earth
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Course date
Hi guys/girls
Another point of reference (hopefully) for all the hold-poolers as I know what the wait is like:
Recently got a course date for middle of March, A320 LHR. Sim was in mid-June. Wait was about 6 months. I'm A320 rated, about 2500hrs.
Best of luck to everybody out there.
Another point of reference (hopefully) for all the hold-poolers as I know what the wait is like:
Recently got a course date for middle of March, A320 LHR. Sim was in mid-June. Wait was about 6 months. I'm A320 rated, about 2500hrs.
Best of luck to everybody out there.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Amity Island
Age: 43
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA changed their retirement age policy about the time I graduated flightschool - Dec 2005.
BMRR re pilots heading for the golf course - normal retirement rates will not resume for another 4 years.
BMRR re pilots heading for the golf course - normal retirement rates will not resume for another 4 years.
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Mycenae
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BMRR re pilots heading for the golf course - normal retirement rates will not resume for another 4 years.
Last edited by StudentInDebt; 16th Dec 2011 at 07:37.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's the seat lock time again for newhires? 5 years locked on your first type? How often can you bid new types after that (or is there a standard seat lock time each time you get a new type)?
Cheers
Cheers
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Planet Moo Moo
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Iver,
The initial type freeze is 5 years. You can bid for a new type every year if you wish, it only means that the company don't need to honor your bid if you are frozen. If, however, they desperately need you they will waive the type freeze and give you a transfer if you bid for it.
Be aware though that you might bid for something in a previous bid that then gets pulled up for transfer. The golden rule in BA is only, only, only ever bid for what you want. Never bid for something on a whim that you subsequently don't want to do.
The initial type freeze is 5 years. You can bid for a new type every year if you wish, it only means that the company don't need to honor your bid if you are frozen. If, however, they desperately need you they will waive the type freeze and give you a transfer if you bid for it.
Be aware though that you might bid for something in a previous bid that then gets pulled up for transfer. The golden rule in BA is only, only, only ever bid for what you want. Never bid for something on a whim that you subsequently don't want to do.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Was in the pool since June, now have a march course on the 320. Rated with 5500 hrs. So since my first entry in the pool in may 2008 it's all so different. Hairstyles have changed, jedward happened, Fergie got drunk and tried to sell her ex, I have had 2 kids (well my wife did). Anyway, should make it this time (unless there is another global financial crisis...........doh)
