Virgin Roster (and other stuff)

[Basic T]

Virgin Roster

I've used the search option (before you start to attack me) but could not find the answer to my question;

Could a Virgin A340 F/O please publish a months roster.
I have always been commuting and I would like to see if that would work with Virgin as well.

Cheers!

[scroggs]

This month's roster:

to 2nd RTB from Los Angeles

06 - 10: San Juan/JFK

13 - 17 Lagos

20 - 23 Shanghai

28 - 30: Boston

77 hours, 11 days off. This is fairly busy as it has a couple of low-hour trips with extended stopovers. Last month I had more hours yet 15 days off having flown SYD, DEL and LAX.

[Joe le Taxi]

Do you still run this sytem where one month you get first dibs on choice of routes, down to the fourth where you get last choice?

And if so, is this a month where you're in the bottom group?

Looks like even in your worst months, you have more days off than I have in my best months, (G S S 744)

[Basic T]

Scroggs,

So you basically work 5 on 2 off, 5 on 2 off, 4 on 4 off, 3 on... and then I presume something like 3 off again?

Thanks for that!

[scroggs]

Basic, no that's not right. We do not have any kind of '5 on 3 off' kind of thing; that's a short-haul concept and is irrelevant to our operation. There are mimimum times at home between trips, which vary depending on the length of the trip and the time zone changes, but remember we are on a 750-hour contract. As I said in my previous post, you can have months with 90 hours and 15 days off - and yet only two or three trips.

We do have a rotating group system for roster bidding, but I don't generally bid for trips (though I occasionally bid for specific days off), so that's not a factor in the rosters I've quoted. The fact that it may be a month where your group is top doesn't alter the fact that your roster will contain around three or four trips and 75-80 hours unless you have leave.

[Basic T]

Scroggs,

Yes, sorry I know that Virgin crews aren't on a fixed roster pattern like I am now with my short haul operator. As I am commuting back and forth between UK and continent I was just curious how many days you would have as a minimum between trips, I understand that is never the same due to e.g. the timezone changes.

Thanks anyway.

[scroggs]

The minimum you will have is two clear days, unless you have accepted less to achive a specific aim, like back-to-back flights in order to get longer at home after the second flight.

Many, many Virgin pilots commute from all over the place. Our furthest-flung come from Canada and South Africa. Europe shouldn't be a problem, as long as there's a decent air or rail service to where you live.

[Donkey Duke]

scroggs,

Are there any layovers that you prefer? How about the ones you do not prefer?

Thank you so much. Cheers!

[srjumbo]

Joe le Taxi
For what its worth unfortunately VS don't take anyone from GSS. It was agreed by both sides' management a few years ago.

[scroggs]

srjumbo is entirely wrong in his assertion that there is some kind of 'agreement' between GSS and Virgin, as a senior captain from GSS who recently spoke to a senior manager at Virgin can confirm.

Donkey Duke All destinations have their individual pros and cons. What appeals to me might not appeal to you, so it would be a waste of time to laud some over others. In any case, the crew is a far greater factor than where you are in whether or not you have an enjoyable time.

[honey737]

Hi Scroggs.
First of all many thanks for all infor about Virgin.

As you said the outcome of the trip depends on the crew. How often you have bad trips vs good ones and who could be the worst part to spoil it cabin or flight deck crew.
Many thanks

[scroggs]

honey737. All my trips are great, of course! I'm not going to start (or get involved with) a petty argument about whether cabin crew or flight deck are more likely to spoil a trip; it would be invidious and ridiculous.

Each trip has its own pleasures. Some, for reasons of fatigue, time zone changes, lack of ground time, local customs, or whatever, are unlikely to ever be 'party' trips. That's part of the job. Sometimes it's just nice to get your head down for 12 hours!

[AIRWAY]

Hello Scroggs,

Another 2 questions if you don't mind.

Since you mentioned SYD, do you know how well that operation is going in terms of passenger loads? I read that VS wants to use the B744 on that route, will it be both, the A340-600 and the B744 flying to Sydney or at some stage it will be just the B744?

And finally how many days is crew rest at Syd?

Oops i just noticed it's more than 2 question Sorry

Thank You

[cactus-airbus]

Is 11 days off in a month considered average? That must be hard to maintain a family life. No disrespect intended I'm just curious what life is like for an airline pilot in the UK.

[srjumbo]

Sorry Scroggs but you are not always right. I inquired last year and there is an unofficial agreement between GSS and VS.
If you are so confident that you are right then WHO from GSS has been employed by VS?

[scroggs]

Airway I have no information about the overall loads on the SYD route, nor what loads were expected at this stage in the route's development. The B744 has not been proposed for use on this route, but I understand that it is envisaged that in the long term the A380 will take it. That may be several years away. The B744 is likely to specialize more and more on Caribbean and Florida 'beach' routes, and is unlikely to be used for any Asian routes.

The stopover at Sydney is about 28 hours. There are likely to be some changes to the crewing plot for this route shortly.

srjumbo as far as I'm aware, no GSS people have been employed by Virgin. I believe that 4 have applied. I can categorically confirm that there is no agreement of 'non employment' of GSS people between Virgin and GSS - such a policy would have no benefit to Virgin. If you wish to PM me, I can give you some further information.

[Dan Winterland]

When Virgin were shedding 744 rated pilots - at about the time GSS started recruiting, several of us were interviewed and offered jobs - and had start dates. However, time went by, G-GSSA took far longer to get on the UK register than anticipated and it looked like those being made redundant from the 744 were likely to keep their jobs with Virgin. During this period, we were convinced a 'no poach' policy was in place as other non-rated pilots were joining GSS ahead of us. A few did join GSS later, but these were our ex BA contract guys who were going to leave Virgin anyway, and knew Elliot from BA days.

[scroggs]

Dan, I've heard that story before (I was fortunate not to be in that situation myself) but I suspect that the truth is less conspiratorial. However, whatever may have happened then, it's not now! The list of airlines not represented among Virgin's recruits over the last year is long and distinguished; GSS is one of very many airlines who haven't lost anyone to us - yet!

[hoofhearted]

Hi srjumbo,
isn't your profile a bit out of date?

[The Big Easy]

Scroggs,

I've heard a rumour that due to poor rostering, VS have started to cancel one or two flights due lack of available flightdeck. Which fleet has the most stable rosters?

Thanks
TBE.