Life in BA as a new, low-houred FO.

[Lost For Words]

Commuting

Buttline,

Excuse the obvious but if you fancy living in Dubai, wouldn't you prefer to fly for a Gulf airline? It would save you a lot of time and money...

By the way I'm not trying to put you off BA. I happen to be a big fan of working for them too.

[buttline]

Thanks for replies guys. Basically the gulf airlines are looking for a lot of hours - 4000 for Emirates or Airbus hours for Ethiad. T&C's seem to be on the way down also - I've heard 1200 flight hours now allowed with in-flight rest and recruitment from lower paid areas such as Malaysia keeps a downward pressure on pay, rents etc. Only 5-7 years to command though on the upside.

I'm suprised you get a 5yr freeze if you join on a type you already hold a rating for. I've been told by several people that this wouldn't be the case. I can't wait 5 more grey english winters for LH that's for sure.. lol

[Human Factor]

I've been told by several people that this wouldn't be the case.

Can confirm the freeze, I'm afraid. It can be waived but only at BA's discretion (ie. not enough people bidding for a fleet). Not to be relied upon.

[4468]

As HF has implied:

Whoever those "several people" are, they don't know what they are talking about I'm afraid. Whichever fleet you join on, you MUST expect to be there 5 years.

Eqyally important to remember is this: Whilst it is called a freeze, actually BA can do WHATEVER they like with you in your first 5 years! Not very long ago, a small group of pilots joined on the 747, only to be directed a very short time later to the 777!

Due to the differing route structure, and trip lenghts, some of them were EXTREMELY distressed!

Buyer beware! You really do have to want to be in BA, and NOT on any specific fleet, base, or routes!

But if you prepared for the interview, you knew that already didn't you!!!

[Holland]

Hello,

I've been searching for any link to the new recruitment at BA. I'am a student from the KLM flight Academy (KFA) and finished the flight school last august. Now 20 of the KFA have been asked to join the selection at BA to fly BA on the 737 and A320.

Is there anyone who knows how many pilots BA want to recruit?
How many days the selection/intervies takes? How to prepare and so..

Greetz

[bluepilot]

Holland;

There is a great deal of recruitment at KLM, (300 pilots in the last year or so) why would you want to go to BA? Is your turn at KLM not due soon?

[Holland]

@bluepilot

300 => not true.. 162 where recruited last year. 34 of them are still waiting to actually join the KLM. There are recruited but waiting for a date to start there TQ. In 2001 the KFA started with a new contract for there student which won't automaticly gives you a job at KLM. Now 74 students (new contract) finished the KFA are waiting to get hired at any airliner. In 2003 KLM stopped recruiting. In 2004, 162 (Annual 50 "2003", annual 50 "2004", and new B777 50) students where recruited. The KLM Flight Academy trains approximately 130 pilots annually, of which an average of 50 pilots go on to be chosen by KLM. The rest have to join another airliner...

I'm half way the 74 of the list... But there is no sign of getting recruited at KLM in the nearby future. BA is a big oppertunity for us (new contract).

[Human Factor]

Holland,

Keep your options open. You can always move to KLM later on. You are in a similar situation to a large number of BA cadets in the early 1990s. As you probably know, there are quite a few of your countrymen flying for us at the moment.

[buttline]

Is true that if BA offer you a position and you decline it, that you can never be considered again?

Consdidering I wouldn't accept 5 years short haul, if this is the case perhaps I should withdraw now to leave options open for later?

Many thanks

[Holland]

As an individual it is really hard to get a job at a big airliner with only the 180 hours that I've got in my logbook. I think this is a one time opportunity for student from outside the UK. Mayny in a few years, but for now....

I don't know if I decline that BA will call me again.

I really don't care if I fly SH or LH. Fact then is that I'm flying at a big airliner. at KLM it is also possible that you will be flying SH for 5 years (2 years co F50/70, 3 years co 737). Most of the student start as a Second officer on the B777, B747 or MD11. No flying at all. Only above 20000ft.

Can anyone tell what the figures are for recruiting pilots each year at BA?

[Artificial Horizon]

Butline- This is not true at all, the policy is that when you get the call and BA offer you employment you can turn it down. If this is the case you then remain in the holding pool for future offers. Beware though that this is conditional on everyone else in the holding pool being offered employment first before they give you a second bite at the cherry. No so bad if the holding pool is only a dozen pilots or so your turn will come around again soon enough. If there are alot though it could be a long wait and at the end of it you may get offered something worse the second time. Only bit of advise I was given is that senority is everything at BA so join as soon as possible.

[Sky_Captain]

Just to revisit a previous question, does anyone know when the DEP page on the BA web-site will be taking applications

Many Thanks,

S.C.