British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1
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Slightly off topic, anyone know if it really matters if you have command time when applying to BA? Do they prefer First Officers they can mould into BA Captains or rather just assess you for who you are on the day?
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Can anyone 'in-the-know' share the plan with regards to the non type rated civi pilots now in the hold pool.
On my interview day in August they said in the group Q&A that we could expect course dates in March, but there was a mix of type rated A320,737, ex mil and non TR DEP.
Well the march start dates have been given and I dont know any non TR pilots who have got the call, I do know of some ex mil guys who have got the 767 recently, not sure about the 320 rated.
Are the non TR guys waiting for the A320 pool to empty? or the 737 pool? or the WHOLE pool? And does anyone know if BA put the non TR guys on their own course, or do they mix TR with non TR for the groundschool and just split them up when it comes to the SIMs?
I dont mind waiting, it will be worth it, but a time frame to plan with would be nice.
On my interview day in August they said in the group Q&A that we could expect course dates in March, but there was a mix of type rated A320,737, ex mil and non TR DEP.
Well the march start dates have been given and I dont know any non TR pilots who have got the call, I do know of some ex mil guys who have got the 767 recently, not sure about the 320 rated.
Are the non TR guys waiting for the A320 pool to empty? or the 737 pool? or the WHOLE pool? And does anyone know if BA put the non TR guys on their own course, or do they mix TR with non TR for the groundschool and just split them up when it comes to the SIMs?
I dont mind waiting, it will be worth it, but a time frame to plan with would be nice.
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I doubt they will mix TR'd with non TR'd for ground school, the short course on the 737 or 320 for rated pilots is 5 days, the full course is a couple of weeks before moving onto the sim stage. I would imagine for ease of planning they would look to place all non-rated pilots on the same course from the beginning to avoid too much lag between the ground school and the sim phase. With that in mind it is logical they would empty the pool of TR'd people prior to giving dates for those undergoing a complete TR course, but the BA training department works in mysterious ways!
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Just a thought....
FlyingTinCans, I have no idea I am afraid on what the plans are for TR'd or non TR'd people but it occurs to me that (as far as I am aware) the first non TR'd people were interviewed in August and therefore probably entered the pool in September (at a guess).
So it does make sense that if people who entered the pool from May to July are being called at the moment for March dates that these courses would not include any non TR'd guys. So I would not get too down about it, those of us who are non TR's are just not high enough up the list yet!
Merry Christmas everyone!
So it does make sense that if people who entered the pool from May to July are being called at the moment for March dates that these courses would not include any non TR'd guys. So I would not get too down about it, those of us who are non TR's are just not high enough up the list yet!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Last edited by Joseph Blue Pulaski; 18th Dec 2011 at 10:22. Reason: spelling
Slightly off topic, anyone know if it really matters if you have command time when applying to BA? Do they prefer First Officers they can mould into BA Captains or rather just assess you for who you are on the day?
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BA is seniority based, not meritocracy based, so, irrespective of previous experience, your time to command is based upon your 'seniority number'.
Hence, the sooner you join the sooner your command comes up.
As Mr Ripley has posted there are, occasionally, pilots in the RHS with more command time than the pilot in the LHS the difference is that the pilot in the LHS has done the BA Command course. All flight crew are trained to the same standard, only the Captain may land to the aircraft's operational limits/CAT 3 B but, in all honesty, that is only an insurance issue!
Luckily, 99% of us realise this fact and adjust accordingly. Hence the time in the RHS shouldn't be too onerous!
Hence, the sooner you join the sooner your command comes up.
As Mr Ripley has posted there are, occasionally, pilots in the RHS with more command time than the pilot in the LHS the difference is that the pilot in the LHS has done the BA Command course. All flight crew are trained to the same standard, only the Captain may land to the aircraft's operational limits/CAT 3 B but, in all honesty, that is only an insurance issue!
Luckily, 99% of us realise this fact and adjust accordingly. Hence the time in the RHS shouldn't be too onerous!
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Hi Guys, many thanks for your replies.
My question wasn't related to time to Command at BA as I am under no illusion of fast track Commands etc, it was simply a case of if I am not successful in this round of recruitment, then chances are by the end of 2012 I will be elligible for Command at my current company. Hours will be approx 3000tt with 1000jet.
But Command would be on a TP, which I am not fussed about. I am aiming for 1000jet as again all speculation.... But if not successful this time (for whatever reason) having the jet time makes me elligible for all fleets when I (if required) reapply to BA.
Im very positive and already working toward my assessment, however I am a planner and goal setter! Keeps me going :-) No odds at all about moving from LHS to RHS but would obviously prefer RHS to RHS this time round..... So back to the books :-)
Thanks again for the advice.
My question wasn't related to time to Command at BA as I am under no illusion of fast track Commands etc, it was simply a case of if I am not successful in this round of recruitment, then chances are by the end of 2012 I will be elligible for Command at my current company. Hours will be approx 3000tt with 1000jet.
But Command would be on a TP, which I am not fussed about. I am aiming for 1000jet as again all speculation.... But if not successful this time (for whatever reason) having the jet time makes me elligible for all fleets when I (if required) reapply to BA.
Im very positive and already working toward my assessment, however I am a planner and goal setter! Keeps me going :-) No odds at all about moving from LHS to RHS but would obviously prefer RHS to RHS this time round..... So back to the books :-)
Thanks again for the advice.
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Flyer,
The only 'eligibility' you require for a BA command course is the correct seniority to be 'eligible' and the bid 'in' to request it.
There are alot of pilots who wait longer for their command as they wish to move directly from right to left on the LH fleets and others who jump at the SH commands as soon as their time comes up. There are no specific 'requirements' apart from having an unfrozen ATPL. Which you will need anyway for the LH fleets. The only entry requirements to LH are the ability to complete ZFT which requires a certain number of hours on aircraft over a specific weight limit (I can't remember the figures I'm afraid) and the ability to act as PIC when the Captain goes to the bunk.
The only 'eligibility' you require for a BA command course is the correct seniority to be 'eligible' and the bid 'in' to request it.
There are alot of pilots who wait longer for their command as they wish to move directly from right to left on the LH fleets and others who jump at the SH commands as soon as their time comes up. There are no specific 'requirements' apart from having an unfrozen ATPL. Which you will need anyway for the LH fleets. The only entry requirements to LH are the ability to complete ZFT which requires a certain number of hours on aircraft over a specific weight limit (I can't remember the figures I'm afraid) and the ability to act as PIC when the Captain goes to the bunk.
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Wirbelsturm,
Thank you again for the reply. I think it was myself perhaps being a little unclear about the purpose of my post.
My question was simply asking if having Command time may work against me as a DEP First Officer applicant. Mr Ripley has put that to rest now with his reply.
The figures in my previous post were regarding myself being elligible to all fleets was in relation to requirements for LH and SH First Officer positions.
Apologies for the confusion but as always some more useful information from your posts.
Thank you again for the reply. I think it was myself perhaps being a little unclear about the purpose of my post.
My question was simply asking if having Command time may work against me as a DEP First Officer applicant. Mr Ripley has put that to rest now with his reply.
The figures in my previous post were regarding myself being elligible to all fleets was in relation to requirements for LH and SH First Officer positions.
Apologies for the confusion but as always some more useful information from your posts.