Virgin Hiring
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: At Home
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Virgin Hiring
Hello All,
I'm new to PPRUNE and hopefully I'm posting in the correct area. I was wondering if Virgin hires American flight crew members? If so, what are their mins and how does one go about applying? Thanks
IB
I'm new to PPRUNE and hopefully I'm posting in the correct area. I was wondering if Virgin hires American flight crew members? If so, what are their mins and how does one go about applying? Thanks
IB
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stand back, people...
Virgin will consider anyone who has the correct qualifications, a CAA/JAA licence and the right to live and work in the UK. Just like the US, the EU has residency and work restrictions. We don't have a Green Card, but you need to have UK/EU ancestry or passport to work here permanently. If you're not sure about this bit, check with the British Embassy - you might find the info on their website.
As for qualifications, you'll need a minimum of 2500 hours, mainly on commercial jets. Most of our new-hires have at least 4000 hours. Airbus time is preferred, but not essential. An FAA licence is not acceptable; you must have a CAA/JAA licence. If you need to convert your licence, there's lots of information here on how that can be done and how much it costs - it's not cheap!
Applications are via the Virgin website.
If that link doesn't work (and it may well not), go to Virgin Atlantic's website. Follow the link to 'All About Us', then the sub-menu item 'Working For Us', then the sub-sub menu 'Pilot Recruitment'.
Hope this helps.
Scroggs
Virgin will consider anyone who has the correct qualifications, a CAA/JAA licence and the right to live and work in the UK. Just like the US, the EU has residency and work restrictions. We don't have a Green Card, but you need to have UK/EU ancestry or passport to work here permanently. If you're not sure about this bit, check with the British Embassy - you might find the info on their website.
As for qualifications, you'll need a minimum of 2500 hours, mainly on commercial jets. Most of our new-hires have at least 4000 hours. Airbus time is preferred, but not essential. An FAA licence is not acceptable; you must have a CAA/JAA licence. If you need to convert your licence, there's lots of information here on how that can be done and how much it costs - it's not cheap!
Applications are via the Virgin website.
If that link doesn't work (and it may well not), go to Virgin Atlantic's website. Follow the link to 'All About Us', then the sub-menu item 'Working For Us', then the sub-sub menu 'Pilot Recruitment'.
Hope this helps.
Scroggs
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Scroggs,
then how come I have never been invited for an interview?
I am waiting for that slot now since 3 years. I have a full and valid JAA ATPL with a valid TR on 330 and A32F and a UK issued class 1 medical.
4000Hrs TT, 1200 A330, 2500 A320
I am a 100% European citizen so I have the right to live and work in the UK.
Standard reply although very friendly when I call recruitment: problem is ATPL has to be UK issued!!!!
I am getting desperate here....
then how come I have never been invited for an interview?
I am waiting for that slot now since 3 years. I have a full and valid JAA ATPL with a valid TR on 330 and A32F and a UK issued class 1 medical.
4000Hrs TT, 1200 A330, 2500 A320
I am a 100% European citizen so I have the right to live and work in the UK.
Standard reply although very friendly when I call recruitment: problem is ATPL has to be UK issued!!!!
I am getting desperate here....
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well, thats not what the nice people at the UK CAA told me...
According to them, in order to convert your licence to a UK one you need:
1) To have your official residence in the UK
or
2) Be currently hired by a UK operator
To be considered by Virgin nowadays you need to have the UK issued ATPL.....
So if you are living and working abroad, like my case, there is no way you can get your licence converted or to get the interview with VAA....
Its a shame if you ask me, so far for the EU, open skies and a unified licencing system
According to them, in order to convert your licence to a UK one you need:
1) To have your official residence in the UK
or
2) Be currently hired by a UK operator
To be considered by Virgin nowadays you need to have the UK issued ATPL.....
So if you are living and working abroad, like my case, there is no way you can get your licence converted or to get the interview with VAA....
Its a shame if you ask me, so far for the EU, open skies and a unified licencing system
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wasn't aware that Virgin insisted on a UK-issued ATPL. I will try and find out if that is actually the case and, if so, why. I don't guarantee getting an answer - or, at least, one that will help very much. I assume such a restriction, if it exists, is legal; Virgin is not in the habit of using or perpetuating illegal employment practises.
However, it seems to me that the process of converting your licence is straightforward enough, and would be unlikely in itself to prevent employment. If the company liked you enough, it could agree to employ you subject to getting the licence conversion done before you began flying, so I doubt that this is a stopper.
Far more likely, in my opinion (and it is just my opinion!), is that there are sufficient applicants locally (ie within Europe) to not need to look further afield. I can't see any company making things more difficult or expensive for itself than it needs to, and Virgin is way, way oversubscribed for pilot positions. It can take whoever it wants - and that means (among other things) whoever is easiest and cheapest to employ. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear - and please understand that this is purely my speculation, and not some kind of demi-official company statement!
Scroggs
However, it seems to me that the process of converting your licence is straightforward enough, and would be unlikely in itself to prevent employment. If the company liked you enough, it could agree to employ you subject to getting the licence conversion done before you began flying, so I doubt that this is a stopper.
Far more likely, in my opinion (and it is just my opinion!), is that there are sufficient applicants locally (ie within Europe) to not need to look further afield. I can't see any company making things more difficult or expensive for itself than it needs to, and Virgin is way, way oversubscribed for pilot positions. It can take whoever it wants - and that means (among other things) whoever is easiest and cheapest to employ. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear - and please understand that this is purely my speculation, and not some kind of demi-official company statement!
Scroggs
aka Capt PPRuNe
Join Date: May 1995
Location: UK
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It also employs Danny. Obviously, if he can get in, anyone can..
signeti, perhaps you should read Scroggs earlier post where he states that he will try and look into the matter. I am not aware of any requirement for a 'UK' JAA licence and I have never seen it mentioned anywhere.
I don't think that calls of "shame on you Virgin" would make much difference. I mean, are you going to stand on a spectators balcony somewhere and shout at a taxiing VS B747 or A340, shaking your fist in the air shouting "shame on you!"? Perhaps find out where Virgin Group headquarters are and stand outside calling "shame on you!"? I must be fick cos I just don't get it.
Why not wait until Scroggs has looked into it and then if it is indeed a policy, I believe they still have a spectators balcony at LGW and I know there is an area at MAN where the crew would certainly see you waving. Dunno about hearing the calls of "shame" though.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Up north
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are quite a few UK airlines that require you to have a UK issued licence. I know that some airlines have this policy because of having previous problems with other CAA“s (Italy to mention one) that are "JAA" countries.
The problem is that when people had their LPC/OPC and the TRI/TRE signed the form, the foreign CAA (where the licence was issued) refused to accept the TRI/TRE because he/she was not approved by the local CAA. So, instead of getting in to this problem every now and then they require you to have a UK issued licence.
I had no problem converting my licence...but it was £194!!!!
/CP
The problem is that when people had their LPC/OPC and the TRI/TRE signed the form, the foreign CAA (where the licence was issued) refused to accept the TRI/TRE because he/she was not approved by the local CAA. So, instead of getting in to this problem every now and then they require you to have a UK issued licence.
I had no problem converting my licence...but it was £194!!!!
/CP
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks for the civil reply captain prop,
hey danny , maybe you didnt notice this isnt jet blast , its the terms and endearment thread,
may be if you reread my post you would see the disclaimer
" IF THIS IS TRUE "
I wont be flagging down any virgin aircraft anytime soon ,
so get off your high horse, i think i had a valid point ...
nuff said
hey danny , maybe you didnt notice this isnt jet blast , its the terms and endearment thread,
may be if you reread my post you would see the disclaimer
" IF THIS IS TRUE "
I wont be flagging down any virgin aircraft anytime soon ,
so get off your high horse, i think i had a valid point ...
nuff said
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think Captain Prop has it about right, though I've asked the question and we'll see what the company says. On the face of it, it seems a bit of a nonsense if you can just swap your licence for a UK one for a bit of cash. I don't understand how that makes any difference to what might have happened in the past!
When I have an answer, I'll let you know.
When I have an answer, I'll let you know.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Europe
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can confirm that Virgin Atlantic do require a UK issued JAA ATPL. I have been lucky enough to be selected by Virgin and I had to convert my non UK issued JAA ATPL to the UK CAA issued one. For me it was just a big paperwork exercise.
Hope this helps
AD
Hope this helps
AD
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK, as AD says, the requirement is genuine. I understand it may be a CAA requirement rather than a Virgin one, but I'm trying to get clarification on that.
However, it is not necessary to hold a UK-issued ATPL at the time of application. It's perfectly acceptable to obtain one subsequent to success at interview.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion!
However, it is not necessary to hold a UK-issued ATPL at the time of application. It's perfectly acceptable to obtain one subsequent to success at interview.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion!
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Europe
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To further what Scroggs put on his last post I didnt have a UK issued JAA ATPL when I applied or when I attended the assesment/interview day at Manor Royal. The chaps who interviewed me did mention that a job offer would be conditional on obtaining a UK JAA ATPL.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
did i hit nerve there danny ? no let me guess ... we're not supposed to criticise your employer is that it ???
I have deleted my post as its obvious you will try and kill any attemp to discuss the matter realistically.
this may be your website , but that dosnt excuse you being a bully
I have deleted my post as its obvious you will try and kill any attemp to discuss the matter realistically.
this may be your website , but that dosnt excuse you being a bully
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't see any attempt to prevent discussion of the matter, but I do see someone who's made fairly wild assumptions and got on his high horse before he knows the facts of the matter - while knowing that I was in the process of trying to discover and deliver a reasonable, and reasonably authorititive, answer to the question posed by Studebaker.
Signeti, I suggest you go back and read this topic through again (remembering to include your deleted post), and then ask yourself who and what is worthy of criticism here.
Scroggs
Signeti, I suggest you go back and read this topic through again (remembering to include your deleted post), and then ask yourself who and what is worthy of criticism here.
Scroggs