British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1
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Errr, no.
Only 1 hull has been laid up so far. Cardiff are for re-fitting/painting etc.. Possibly for the new Club World seats.
Last week has been chaotic as it was the summer/winter changeover which often results in hulls being 'displaced' for a while.
Apparently a couple more are on their way to be 'laid up'.
Only 1 hull has been laid up so far. Cardiff are for re-fitting/painting etc.. Possibly for the new Club World seats.
Last week has been chaotic as it was the summer/winter changeover which often results in hulls being 'displaced' for a while.
Apparently a couple more are on their way to be 'laid up'.
Last edited by wobble2plank; 7th Nov 2008 at 09:31.
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Why are you all trying to convince Bahee?
If he/she's too short sighted to see the real benefits of accepting SH first for seniority then let them go.
Its one less in the pool and someone more deserving who really wants to be there can get the job...
If he/she's too short sighted to see the real benefits of accepting SH first for seniority then let them go.
Its one less in the pool and someone more deserving who really wants to be there can get the job...
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boys, why bother. sounds like bawhead96 is exactly the type of tit we don't need.
he dosen't like the skippers at lgw! he is going to have a ball in india or with the ek training dept! he is unable to process simple factual statements about the 744 fleet at BA, he dosen't want to work for us unless it's LH and then only because we r the best of a bad bunch.
just to reinforce what EVEYBODY is saying, seniority rules, TAKE FIRST JOB you get offered.
BawJaw69, please join somebody else, please
he dosen't like the skippers at lgw! he is going to have a ball in india or with the ek training dept! he is unable to process simple factual statements about the 744 fleet at BA, he dosen't want to work for us unless it's LH and then only because we r the best of a bad bunch.
just to reinforce what EVEYBODY is saying, seniority rules, TAKE FIRST JOB you get offered.
BawJaw69, please join somebody else, please
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Bahee 96 sounds like a habitual moaner to me. As others have said. Clear off to another continent so we don't have to fly with you!
No doubt you'll be MUCH happier there!
Where you're headed, sounds like you'll have the ideal experience to comment pretty soon! 
No doubt you'll be MUCH happier there!
BA sounds the best of a bad lot.
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Whilst I appreciate why so many of you feel that one should join BA as soon as the first offer comes, you have to bear in mind that some of us may have reasonably valid reasons for being rather choosy. These are perhaps reasons that you may not have thought of.
The opportunity for joining the 747 or 777 fleet will, probably soon turn into a distant memory. However during the recent recruitment spell when long haul fleets were available, BA was having applications from experienced pilots who had specific intentions of targeting long haul and I was included in that group.
I am a Capt on a 146 and I have dragged a suitcase all over Europe and been fortunate enough to visit some fun and obscure places in addition to the usual 'run of the mill' short haul destinations. I applied at the start of this year with the aim of joining a long haul fleet. As an aside I was offered an opportunity to progress into training with my current outfit so I elected to stay and gain training experience before moving on.
Here are my own reasons why I was only keen on joining a long haul fleet:
• On a short haul fleet I would be doing the same type of flying I am doing now and being in the RHS. No problem for my ego before you ask but it would be a repeat in many respects to what I do now!!!
• More commuting to and from LHR! I occasionally need to position in and out of LHR with my current airline and after a long duty then I find LHR is a very tiring experience. Having to do this more regularly than necessary is not appealing.
• The extra commuting would mean that more money would be required to be spent on ID90s and HOTAC which would widen the pay drop that I would face when moving from my current outfit.
On my assessment day I kept my views to myself but I was amazed to hear that most of the other chaps I spoke to that day openly said they were only interested in longhaul. Perhaps understandable when most of them either had extensive short haul Boeing and Airbus or Wide-body experience from respected airlines as well.
I am willing to be shot to pieces if any of you feel that I did not have the right motives for joining BA. However after sitting down and putting some thought into the various possibilities, I would not have changed my own preferences when taking my own circumstances into consideration.
The opportunity for joining the 747 or 777 fleet will, probably soon turn into a distant memory. However during the recent recruitment spell when long haul fleets were available, BA was having applications from experienced pilots who had specific intentions of targeting long haul and I was included in that group.
I am a Capt on a 146 and I have dragged a suitcase all over Europe and been fortunate enough to visit some fun and obscure places in addition to the usual 'run of the mill' short haul destinations. I applied at the start of this year with the aim of joining a long haul fleet. As an aside I was offered an opportunity to progress into training with my current outfit so I elected to stay and gain training experience before moving on.
Here are my own reasons why I was only keen on joining a long haul fleet:
• On a short haul fleet I would be doing the same type of flying I am doing now and being in the RHS. No problem for my ego before you ask but it would be a repeat in many respects to what I do now!!!
• More commuting to and from LHR! I occasionally need to position in and out of LHR with my current airline and after a long duty then I find LHR is a very tiring experience. Having to do this more regularly than necessary is not appealing.
• The extra commuting would mean that more money would be required to be spent on ID90s and HOTAC which would widen the pay drop that I would face when moving from my current outfit.
On my assessment day I kept my views to myself but I was amazed to hear that most of the other chaps I spoke to that day openly said they were only interested in longhaul. Perhaps understandable when most of them either had extensive short haul Boeing and Airbus or Wide-body experience from respected airlines as well.
I am willing to be shot to pieces if any of you feel that I did not have the right motives for joining BA. However after sitting down and putting some thought into the various possibilities, I would not have changed my own preferences when taking my own circumstances into consideration.
Mister Geezer...You are not wrong....and your motives are your own. We are trying to point out that holding off joining BA to wait for your dream fleet is not the way to do it. Seniority is KING. It will cost you in the long run, with several months or years difference at the top pay point of 144K. That pays for an awful lot of ID90 tkts.
We also understand why people don't want to join on a shorthaul fleet, especially the Airbus, unless you live in Hounslow. However, if you plan to join BA, then not joining as soon as possible is going to cost you. You will then fly with Captains , younger than you perhaps , or less experienced, earning a lot more than you, only because they joined before you did. That is all that counts. Sadly, talent, charm and rugged good looks count for nothing!....
To emphasise the point, we have many 777 and 747 Captains under 45, and many under 40. The demographic has been getting younger. Bear in mind that a 45 yr old has potentially got 20 yrs left in the LHS, and the 40 yr old 25 yrs. We are already seeing Captains holding off retirement, with if I recall correctly, 9 Captains retiring last year. (out of 3300 pilots)
As mentioned above, with the new part time working agreements in BA flight ops, I can see most guys keeping their hand in while drawing on their pension with a 50% or 57% contract as they pass their Normal Retirement Age.(NRA)
It also takes about 17/18years to get a 777/747 command at the moment. Only you can do the maths to see if it is going to work out for you.
We also understand why people don't want to join on a shorthaul fleet, especially the Airbus, unless you live in Hounslow. However, if you plan to join BA, then not joining as soon as possible is going to cost you. You will then fly with Captains , younger than you perhaps , or less experienced, earning a lot more than you, only because they joined before you did. That is all that counts. Sadly, talent, charm and rugged good looks count for nothing!....
To emphasise the point, we have many 777 and 747 Captains under 45, and many under 40. The demographic has been getting younger. Bear in mind that a 45 yr old has potentially got 20 yrs left in the LHS, and the 40 yr old 25 yrs. We are already seeing Captains holding off retirement, with if I recall correctly, 9 Captains retiring last year. (out of 3300 pilots)
As mentioned above, with the new part time working agreements in BA flight ops, I can see most guys keeping their hand in while drawing on their pension with a 50% or 57% contract as they pass their Normal Retirement Age.(NRA)
It also takes about 17/18years to get a 777/747 command at the moment. Only you can do the maths to see if it is going to work out for you.
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MG...
Wanting to go LH is fine... it's the other poster's attitude than seems somewhat strange
It must be borne in mind that BA offer you job (or not), and indicate which fleet that position will be on... in the 1st 5 years they can then move you where they feel like
As some recent joiners have discovered 
Who knows what the future now holds... If you did end up starting on a SH fleet, I would not like to say the "5 yrs to LH" is still good. Any contraction in numbers, and combined with negligible retirements, sees no movement into BA, and between fleets. And if they manage to alter our T&Cs it will only mean less pilots, and certainly LHS positions, for the same work
NoD
Wanting to go LH is fine... it's the other poster's attitude than seems somewhat strange
It must be borne in mind that BA offer you job (or not), and indicate which fleet that position will be on... in the 1st 5 years they can then move you where they feel like
As some recent joiners have discovered Who knows what the future now holds... If you did end up starting on a SH fleet, I would not like to say the "5 yrs to LH" is still good. Any contraction in numbers, and combined with negligible retirements, sees no movement into BA, and between fleets. And if they manage to alter our T&Cs it will only mean less pilots, and certainly LHS positions, for the same work
NoD
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WARNING - THREAD CREEP!!!!!!
I think the vast majority of us appreciate that seniority is "king" in BA and those of us who have applied would give their right arm for a job and the T's and C's. At the end of the day if the company have a fleet of C152's and tell you to fly them then that is what you do because you are employed as a "PILOT". If you can't stand the thought of it then leave, if you prefere the fleet that your on with your current company or opportunities that are open to you with other companies then stick with them and for heavens sake give those of us that are keen and willing to join BA a fair shot at it!!
Rant over and now please please please back to the topic of what I interperet the thread to be..... Selection Day/Sim Assessment hints and tips
Might I suggest seperate threads to discuss the Hold Pool, people looking for Sim practice partners and a LH/SH Lifestyle Thread. (It makes it hard work to trawl through non relevant points on ths thread when it comes to finding out info regarding the Selection Procedure)
British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown (merged)
Rant over and now please please please back to the topic of what I interperet the thread to be..... Selection Day/Sim Assessment hints and tips
Might I suggest seperate threads to discuss the Hold Pool, people looking for Sim practice partners and a LH/SH Lifestyle Thread. (It makes it hard work to trawl through non relevant points on ths thread when it comes to finding out info regarding the Selection Procedure)
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In the hold pool since june.
Altough 744 rated and initially aiming for this position, will accept any fleet offered !
No news since the phone call. Have sent back my medical questionaire but have never heard something from BA since then.
Anyone in the same situation (no confirmation recieved from BA after sending in the medical questionaire) ?
Cheers and good luck to all
Altough 744 rated and initially aiming for this position, will accept any fleet offered !
No news since the phone call. Have sent back my medical questionaire but have never heard something from BA since then.
Anyone in the same situation (no confirmation recieved from BA after sending in the medical questionaire) ?
Cheers and good luck to all
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LSGG - nothing from BA since I sent my medical questionnaire back in August. When I got the phone call to say I'd passed the sim I was told that they would get back to me with a start date but most probably I wouldn't hear anything from them until then. I have said I am happy to take any fleet at any base and am hoping things start to happen before next summer.....if they don't, they don't I'm just trying to feel optimistic about it all!
Just before I sign off, I don't think any of us have a right to criticise (spelling?!) any one else's choice of whether or not to take SH or wait for LH. There are probably perfectly valid personal reasons for all of us making our own individual choices which could be commuting from overseas, having a better deal at another airline etc etc. Anyway one less person in the hold pool who will not accept a SH job should shift a lot of us up one place in the seniority list we eventually join!
Just before I sign off, I don't think any of us have a right to criticise (spelling?!) any one else's choice of whether or not to take SH or wait for LH. There are probably perfectly valid personal reasons for all of us making our own individual choices which could be commuting from overseas, having a better deal at another airline etc etc. Anyway one less person in the hold pool who will not accept a SH job should shift a lot of us up one place in the seniority list we eventually join!
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thx Elixir,
just for info my post was made in another topic that has vanished and has been replaced here... Thus no link with the previous msges in this topic...
Apologies for the confusion...
just for info my post was made in another topic that has vanished and has been replaced here... Thus no link with the previous msges in this topic...
Apologies for the confusion...
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The fact that BA can offer scheduled shorthaul, as well as scheduled longhaul positions, is viewed by many as a positive advantage! It makes for a good mix of future career opportunities, to fit in with your future aspirations/domestic circumstances, as they change through life.
If you are ONLY interested in longhaul, then I would suggest you apply to a 'longhaul only' airline. There are plenty about.
I merely suggest that, as much as you think you will love LH, it doesn't suit everybody. (Grass is greener etc.) If you've thrown your lot in with your preferred 'longhaul only' carrier, what options would that leave you with ??
As stated earlier, I'm sure there will be many in the hold pool that will be very grateful to anyone turning down a BA A320 offer. For those accepting the offer, in 5 years time, there's a very good chance they'll be sitting in a 777, 787, A380, or possibly a 747.
Where will those that turn it down be?
If you are ONLY interested in longhaul, then I would suggest you apply to a 'longhaul only' airline. There are plenty about.
I merely suggest that, as much as you think you will love LH, it doesn't suit everybody. (Grass is greener etc.) If you've thrown your lot in with your preferred 'longhaul only' carrier, what options would that leave you with ??
As stated earlier, I'm sure there will be many in the hold pool that will be very grateful to anyone turning down a BA A320 offer. For those accepting the offer, in 5 years time, there's a very good chance they'll be sitting in a 777, 787, A380, or possibly a 747.
Where will those that turn it down be?
Last edited by Tandemrotor; 9th Nov 2008 at 22:34.
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ba is not for everyone
agreed, so why did you bother applying then if it isn't your "cup of tea". As mentioned earlier BA could offer you a 777 position but they can (and often do) change the type/base before you start your type course.
My contract says 737 Manchester and two days before i was due to start the course it was changed to LHR 757!!
They can even move you at their discretion to a SH fleet within the first 5 years if they wish?
I know the written word on internet forums often clouds ones real personality; but honestly Bahee96, you aren't doing yourself any favours on here. Earlier on you mention that at LGW you have problems with the Captains you fly with...have you ever considered that it might not be them that has the problem??
My contract says 737 Manchester and two days before i was due to start the course it was changed to LHR 757!!
They can even move you at their discretion to a SH fleet within the first 5 years if they wish?
I know the written word on internet forums often clouds ones real personality; but honestly Bahee96, you aren't doing yourself any favours on here. Earlier on you mention that at LGW you have problems with the Captains you fly with...have you ever considered that it might not be them that has the problem??
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Thank you 3greens. I do not understand do favours? I am interested in BA but only the long haul as I have spent a long time with easy on short haul.
Most people are friendly but some are not. I am currently doing my upgrade but would really like a change of company.
I ring BA this morning and still no news on the recruitment. I can not wait forever.
I will probably take a 767 offer I have in India. Very good money and I will not have to work till I am 65!!!
Most people are friendly but some are not. I am currently doing my upgrade but would really like a change of company.
I ring BA this morning and still no news on the recruitment. I can not wait forever.
I will probably take a 767 offer I have in India. Very good money and I will not have to work till I am 65!!!
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Bahee 96
As you are probably aware, BA recruiters do read this thread. Assuming you are genuine, and if there is someone fitting your description in the hold pool....
With the information you have already provided, it won't be difficult to identify you.
It is absolutely crystal clear that BA is not for you, and I can only imagine you are not for BA! Had you been more open with your attitudes during your interview, they could have saved you your current uncertainty!!
Enjoy India!
As you are probably aware, BA recruiters do read this thread. Assuming you are genuine, and if there is someone fitting your description in the hold pool....
With the information you have already provided, it won't be difficult to identify you.
It is absolutely crystal clear that BA is not for you, and I can only imagine you are not for BA! Had you been more open with your attitudes during your interview, they could have saved you your current uncertainty!!
Enjoy India!
