British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1

[ltn and beyond]

I guess with the news, in other posts, of BA grounding some of its fleet recruitment could come to a grinding halt, so best be quick and make it count ....

[King Halibut]

Eek, lets not think like that

[peacekeeper]

It is a bit of a worry. The question is, would you leave a secure job if you were offered BA now?

I'm off for the assessment on July 14th, anyone else booked in then?

I've found using a Brain trainer programme for the PC good for getting the cog's turning before diving into all the great books that have been recommended on here. I also used GCSE Bitesize to brush up on some Basic math’s I had forgotten. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/,

Thanks to everyone who has posted info on here over the years.

[ChocksAwayUK]

It's a concern isn't it? I don't think BA have been known to create redundancies in the past(?) although temporary lay-offs have occurred. And who knows what Nu-BA, combined with rising fuel prices, economic gloom and WW's style has in store? I'm thinking I might as well give the assessment my all even if I'm not sure I'd accept an offer. Then I can make the decision...or have it made for me.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to this thread, it's answered loads of my queries. However, I was wondering if there is any off-board information doing the rounds by PM. I don't expect there to be but I was quite surprised with what was going on 'behind the scenes' during my CTC assessment! PM box is open.

[King Halibut]

Chocks

I wouldn't be too glum. I have heard that the 767's are being refitted and some are earmarked for Open Sky. Isn't the hiring mostly for the 777, 747 and airbus anyway?

Anyone got any more interview questions other than the ones on here? Come on, you know who you are!

[757_Driver]

The question is, would you leave a secure job if you were offered BA now?

Define "secure" in todays environment? I can't think of much more secure than BA to be honest.
Spent some time at FL390 reading an article in the sunday times, that BA has the cash to weather the storm, oil prices of over $150 mean that they make an operating loss, but they have the cash. (many others will be making an operating loss alot sooner than that)

Also with the current employment legislation making redundancies based on last in first out (i.e on seniority) will be tricky. I'm also guessing alot of senior captains with the max final salary pension will be happy to take voluntary, so even if BA do make layoffs, I can't see it having too much effect on new guys.
Of course it may mean that they don't pull people out of the pool, but then you've still got your current job, (for as long as the economy allows!) in that scenario.

Bottom line, If offered, I would take it - i don't see much to worry about.

[Mach trim]

psychometric

Any puzzles or IQ, mensa like questions on the assessment ?

could anyone remember examples of the numerical proficiency test ?

No technical,aerodynamica or perfomance like questions, surprising ?


cheers in advance

[ltn and beyond]

King H, You stated that :

I wouldn't be too glum. I have heard that the 767's are being refitted and some are earmarked for Open Sky. Isn't the hiring mostly for the 777, 747 and airbus anyway?

If this is the case would those 767 drivers not be filling the 747,777,Airbus seats before new recruits.

I do think if to downturn was that big then some of BA's senior pilots would be going with a very tidy amount of cash in the bank, leaving the junior cheeper guys to continue ??..

It still has to be worth a try and going if offered

[King Halibut]

Ltn, see your point but it's mainly guys who've retired from BA, ex BA drivers at AEU, Globespan or bods from elsewhere who are filling up Open Sky. BA need a lot of people so maybe that won't affect us.

[757_Driver]

just to reiterate my point above, MY VIEW is that the slow down may mean that they don't pull you out of the pool as quick, however if you do get a start date, and sign a contract, then the job is as secure, if not more so, than anything out there at the moment.
It looks to me that BA are better set than anyone else (in the UK) to wether the storm.

[wobble2plank]

BA is in a pretty good position to ride out the coming oil price storm. Aside from the aging 76/75 and the 744 fleets most of the rest of the fleet i.e 777 and airbus are relatively modern. Add to that the orders for the A380 and the 787, plus the concessions that will doubtless be won from Boeing over late deliveries, and you can see why the company looks stable. Bear in mind that on a round trip Sao Paulo the 777 uses considerably less fuel that the 744 for a similar pax config.

Also, there are alot of other carriers in far more risky positions. Within America the state of the economy does not bode well for the Government trying to 'prop' up bankrupt airlines as they go through Chapter 11 restructuring. The risk is to high and there are little if any funds available.

If these carrier fail, who will be in the market to pick up their business? Remember that it is cut throat out there, especially in the premium passenger market who are expecting alot for their money. Lets hope BA can leave the shambles of T5 opening behind and concentrate on delivering a first class product to the passenger. Something that seems to have been lacking the past few years

All this leads to a possible expansion of the long haul structure, maybe with a pause as the oil price stabalises, in the future and the expansion of the pilot workforce that comes with LH hulls. Just need to get the debacle of Open Skies sorted first.

Good luck with the interviews

[man757pilot]

Hi all,

I applied a few months ago but got rejected, i believe, due to my hours. A mistake on my part. However, i now meet the requirements but the email stated i had to wait a year to re-apply. Does anyone know would BA automatically reject another application if i applied before a year has elasped? Iv got about 1000 hrs on the 757, the requirement is now 750hrs.

Thanks in advance.

[CIPO]

In a word, yes!

[high-flyer]

anyone there on the 21st? Heard anything?

[Viking101]

I am curious, what is it in the application that makes the cut to be successful or not for the first interview?

First time I applied, I had only heavy turboprop but lots of hours.

This time I applied again, now with +2000 hrs heavy jet. Still I was not successful

It cant be that trivial that its just because I am not British? It took about 18 hrs before I got the email= very quick...

[Carnage Matey!]

It cant be that trivial that its just because I am not British?

No. There are more nationalities than you can shake a stick at working at BA.

[Viking101]

Thanks! I am very glad and relieved to hear that.

So anyway, I really dont understand this business even though I have been around for more than 10 years.

Just very funny, because I received exactly the same answer as the one 3 years ago. Or was it 4 years ago

Well, I will try again in 4 years, but guess I will get the same answer again

Good luck to you others though!!!!!!!!

[Palangi]

Just got my 'Technical Test Battery -Test 6' leaflet prior to interview. Are the questions illustrated representative of those on the day? What about the other tests in the leaflet - do any of those show up?

[n90bar]

Palangi

The test 6 of the technical battery is pretty typical of the ones you get asked. They don't use any of the other tests in the booklet.

[eagle21]

I would like to know whether any of you have applied to BA after their requirement for level 6 ICAO was introduced earlier this year.


Also where did you get you level 6 from? Can you recommend any schools?

Thank you