BA DEP Selection
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Commuting is no problem on the 'bus/777/747. In fact there are several fairly junior FO's who commute from AMS who work on the 'bus and if you are about to join I'm sure the office can point you in their direction for some hints and tips. I've a feeling that 737 LGW is not suitable for commuting unless you are pretty senior.
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Hey 172
Please can you tell my fleet manager that I am a carfully chosen Drone!!! I can hear him cracking ribs laughing.
BA may not have the best pilots, though some of them are (World formation aerobatic champions etc). But apart from the usual 5%, the guys are great to fly with and highly professional. I am sure in your employ ALL the pilots are ace operators, outstanding Teamskills and technical stars. Unfortunatuly ours are a bit more-----Human
Yep BA is a huge company and that has its disadvantages with corporate selection. However we are less likely to suffer from personality clash cultures affecting careers than smaller airlines. I am glad our recruiters take on people who "want it enough", it does make it a better flight deck atmosphere than flying with the whingers.
Yes we have a long way to go commercially, but are better placed than others.
As for your statement
You are so correct brother, and for me especially in BA.
Now must go and email your drone quote to management they are going to sooo love that one
Respect to all
Wide
Please can you tell my fleet manager that I am a carfully chosen Drone!!! I can hear him cracking ribs laughing.
BA may not have the best pilots, though some of them are (World formation aerobatic champions etc). But apart from the usual 5%, the guys are great to fly with and highly professional. I am sure in your employ ALL the pilots are ace operators, outstanding Teamskills and technical stars. Unfortunatuly ours are a bit more-----Human
Yep BA is a huge company and that has its disadvantages with corporate selection. However we are less likely to suffer from personality clash cultures affecting careers than smaller airlines. I am glad our recruiters take on people who "want it enough", it does make it a better flight deck atmosphere than flying with the whingers.
Yes we have a long way to go commercially, but are better placed than others.
As for your statement
i'm happy as when i fly i know i'm truly in command in my Euro-electric-jet
Now must go and email your drone quote to management they are going to sooo love that one
Respect to all
Wide
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Naturally enough,this thread got sidetracked into a us vs. them slanging match.Personally,I thought the overblown nature of BA's(and a lot of other airlines)pilot selection procedure was more interesting to discuss.Being a pilot isnt rocket science,nor is being a BA pilot.In a 20 minute interview,you can learn pretty much what you want to know about someone;if they fit your corporate image,are they a maverick dude pilot or a stuffy stuff-shirt by the book type or somewhere in between, are they a conversationalist(a flightdeck is an awfully small place),are they patient and understanding etc,etc.
Then a 30 minute sim check to check basic flying skills and prioritization and judgement when faced with an emergency.Its really that simple and I cant for the life of me see the need for anything more.
One thing this thread has exposed which is a sign of the times and rather sad;pilot skills are losing out to corporate image.If you're a good pilot and embody the BA corporate image then just great.If you're a good pilot but a touch too maverick and independent,you'd better work contract(better pay anyway).If you embody the BA corporate image but arent a particularly good stick and rudder man with so-so judgement,NOT OKAY.Ok,you dont need any stick and rudder skills if you fly Airbus.But you still need the judgement.How many of these category 3's slip through the net?When all is said and done,doesnt the chief pilot before hiring someone say to himself:"Is he a damn good pilot,one I'd want with me when things go from bad to worse on a lonely moonless night?"
Then a 30 minute sim check to check basic flying skills and prioritization and judgement when faced with an emergency.Its really that simple and I cant for the life of me see the need for anything more.
One thing this thread has exposed which is a sign of the times and rather sad;pilot skills are losing out to corporate image.If you're a good pilot and embody the BA corporate image then just great.If you're a good pilot but a touch too maverick and independent,you'd better work contract(better pay anyway).If you embody the BA corporate image but arent a particularly good stick and rudder man with so-so judgement,NOT OKAY.Ok,you dont need any stick and rudder skills if you fly Airbus.But you still need the judgement.How many of these category 3's slip through the net?When all is said and done,doesnt the chief pilot before hiring someone say to himself:"Is he a damn good pilot,one I'd want with me when things go from bad to worse on a lonely moonless night?"
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Well said 172....comments that are right on the mark IMHO.
Normal Nigel..I hope you had your tounge in your cheek with your last. Otherwise it would seem you dont like honesty..a candid comment..or perhaps your taking yourself far too seriously.
Wide-Body...No BA drivers are not all drones..but then again having sat down with a few current senior BA and Ex BA people, it is certainly an opinion that has some basis based on their experience of Flt Ops..and their current batch of newbies. As for the skills/ability arguement.....thats just opinion, either way.
BA is a business like all others, it has its strong points, and its weak points, its people are human and therefore not perfect. As to whether its a good work place?....thats up to those who choose to work there to comment.
My 10 pence..for what its worth. (probably 2 pence!)
Normal Nigel..I hope you had your tounge in your cheek with your last. Otherwise it would seem you dont like honesty..a candid comment..or perhaps your taking yourself far too seriously.
Wide-Body...No BA drivers are not all drones..but then again having sat down with a few current senior BA and Ex BA people, it is certainly an opinion that has some basis based on their experience of Flt Ops..and their current batch of newbies. As for the skills/ability arguement.....thats just opinion, either way.
BA is a business like all others, it has its strong points, and its weak points, its people are human and therefore not perfect. As to whether its a good work place?....thats up to those who choose to work there to comment.
My 10 pence..for what its worth. (probably 2 pence!)
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Interesting wee thread this. Good points throughout 
Here's my two cents worth from Maple Leaf Land
If anyone out there thinks that the only criteria for a major undertaking flight deck hiring is a psychy test, and flying evaulation/experience/sim check then they have got it ALL wrong...
Before our newbies get to the red and green coloured door, we'll already know they're not looney tunes, been locked up for anything and they can competently operate a metal pressurized tube of some description. Of course, the sim test is a critical part - but not it all.
The last thing you need on an 11 hour hour haul from Toronto to Tel Aviv is being wedged in the pointy end with 2 other arses, who complain about everything, and can't focus on the inevitably mundane, but detail orientated tasks in-cruise.
I had the opportunity to talk to newbies at my bus lines about 18 months ago, and before the job offer gets into their sweaty mits, we need to see: commitment, ability to lead/delegate, good humour, communication skills, ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams (no let's not harp on about CRM), ability to understand customer service. ALL in addition to flight operations...
As I said, it's taken for granted getting off and back on the ground in one piece, along with good operational decision making skills are already there...
Lastly, working for a major is not everyone's cup o' tea. However, if a big bus line extends the invite, you owe it to yourself to do your best and weigh it all up...Could you survive being at the arse's end of the bid lists and the crap schedules ? What about the double digit year wait for a command ? What about the bureaucracy ? If you can survive it all (we've all been there), then welcome to the pointy end...
Did I rant ? Did I ? Oh, probably...
Here's my two cents worth from Maple Leaf Land
If anyone out there thinks that the only criteria for a major undertaking flight deck hiring is a psychy test, and flying evaulation/experience/sim check then they have got it ALL wrong...
Before our newbies get to the red and green coloured door, we'll already know they're not looney tunes, been locked up for anything and they can competently operate a metal pressurized tube of some description. Of course, the sim test is a critical part - but not it all.
The last thing you need on an 11 hour hour haul from Toronto to Tel Aviv is being wedged in the pointy end with 2 other arses, who complain about everything, and can't focus on the inevitably mundane, but detail orientated tasks in-cruise.
I had the opportunity to talk to newbies at my bus lines about 18 months ago, and before the job offer gets into their sweaty mits, we need to see: commitment, ability to lead/delegate, good humour, communication skills, ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams (no let's not harp on about CRM), ability to understand customer service. ALL in addition to flight operations...
As I said, it's taken for granted getting off and back on the ground in one piece, along with good operational decision making skills are already there...
Lastly, working for a major is not everyone's cup o' tea. However, if a big bus line extends the invite, you owe it to yourself to do your best and weigh it all up...Could you survive being at the arse's end of the bid lists and the crap schedules ? What about the double digit year wait for a command ? What about the bureaucracy ? If you can survive it all (we've all been there), then welcome to the pointy end...
Did I rant ? Did I ? Oh, probably...
Join Date: Dec 2002
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My fellow aviators,
It proves my point that those that believe I'm jealous/bitter think they've got it better than everyone else. Another Big Airways standard attitude. Pathetic. Get off ur high horses. BA is for certain people not all. Good, Bad, ugly, whatever, if youre BA's type you are in!!!
Same job, different logo. Never forget that.
I'm a realist, i guess thats hard to understand for some.
With all due respect..
It proves my point that those that believe I'm jealous/bitter think they've got it better than everyone else. Another Big Airways standard attitude. Pathetic. Get off ur high horses. BA is for certain people not all. Good, Bad, ugly, whatever, if youre BA's type you are in!!!
Same job, different logo. Never forget that.
I'm a realist, i guess thats hard to understand for some.
With all due respect..
Last edited by C172s; 4th Apr 2005 at 16:07.
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You're right C172s - Big Airlines dont fit everyone...and certain types fit the work environment...
If it ain't for you, you'll be miserable amongst Nigel and Nigella, or in this case, Lumber and Jack...
Good luck.
If it ain't for you, you'll be miserable amongst Nigel and Nigella, or in this case, Lumber and Jack...
Good luck.
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BA DEP
I just spent a day at the Rivers...and got the word (after knowing in any case) that I had been unsuccessful. As a current 737 driver I can only say that the experience was to my advantage. I learned a lot about the process and the company.
So to the guys who are saying it is so daunting you shouldn't even try...then don't....and you'll simply never be the best! What have you got to lose but a night's hotel and the drive there???
The details on pprune are great....I aced the interview thanks to it...did well on the verbal and numeric...but bombed the RADAR thing of all things...must have missed some serious instructions there!!!
Go for GOLD everyone...give them a shot...I'll be trying again next year!
So to the guys who are saying it is so daunting you shouldn't even try...then don't....and you'll simply never be the best! What have you got to lose but a night's hotel and the drive there???
The details on pprune are great....I aced the interview thanks to it...did well on the verbal and numeric...but bombed the RADAR thing of all things...must have missed some serious instructions there!!!
Go for GOLD everyone...give them a shot...I'll be trying again next year!
atrpilot
You got all this feedback about your day at The Rivers? Or is this YOUR take on how well YOU thought you did. Chances are you may have failed on this occasion for stuff you thought you had cracked. Are you sure you "aced" the interview?
You got all this feedback about your day at The Rivers? Or is this YOUR take on how well YOU thought you did. Chances are you may have failed on this occasion for stuff you thought you had cracked. Are you sure you "aced" the interview?
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I think everyone needs to calm down. It would be daft if everyone who applied to a particular airline got the job, as everyone is different, with different motivations and skills. BA is a large company, doesn't bond its pilots and obviously wants its new guys to fit in, for their sake as much as BA's.
The current mood in the company is excellent. Morale is very good, everyone believes thay are working for a good employer and prospects for the future are excellent. Which is a lot more than I can say for my previous company who would like to think their operation is viewed in the same way by its staff but couldn't be further from the truth.
The current mood in the company is excellent. Morale is very good, everyone believes thay are working for a good employer and prospects for the future are excellent. Which is a lot more than I can say for my previous company who would like to think their operation is viewed in the same way by its staff but couldn't be further from the truth.
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Training
I was just wondering where some of you guys who got in stayed during the initial 6 weeks training, I really dont fancy staying in a hotel for that long and commuting is not an option.
Any ideas??
Any ideas??
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Just going back to the original post subject.
I was wondering whether anyone had any top tips for doing the radar screen test. I have spoken to a couple of people who thought that this is where they might have failed the selection process.
Cheers for any advice.
I was wondering whether anyone had any top tips for doing the radar screen test. I have spoken to a couple of people who thought that this is where they might have failed the selection process.
Cheers for any advice.
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Yes, my top tip....
You get a practice before the real thing so remember how much you have to move the stick to get say 10 west, 20 west etc. When the screen goes blank do it from memory. Don't forget to reverse everything!
Good luck.
You get a practice before the real thing so remember how much you have to move the stick to get say 10 west, 20 west etc. When the screen goes blank do it from memory. Don't forget to reverse everything!
Good luck.
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I chose the mathematical option: I used the X and Y axis.
20 east gave thus: 0, -20 (remember to reverse things)
a further 10 north gives: -10, -20
and so on. I just kept on staring at the spot where my coordinates got me and kept repeating those coordinates to not forget them.
When the SE and NW started, it got more complicated, but using 15 and 25 and rounding down when far from the center did the trick.
It worked for me, but maybe there's a far better system. Then again: we are all different. Who knows what will work for you?
Something else: shouldn't this thread be in the wannabees section?
(And please note: the selection team monitors PPRUNE just as we all do... They know you know all this stuff in advance when deciding on your case.
)
20 east gave thus: 0, -20 (remember to reverse things)
a further 10 north gives: -10, -20
and so on. I just kept on staring at the spot where my coordinates got me and kept repeating those coordinates to not forget them.
When the SE and NW started, it got more complicated, but using 15 and 25 and rounding down when far from the center did the trick.
It worked for me, but maybe there's a far better system. Then again: we are all different. Who knows what will work for you?
Something else: shouldn't this thread be in the wannabees section?
(And please note: the selection team monitors PPRUNE just as we all do... They know you know all this stuff in advance when deciding on your case.
)