First Choice Applications go online.

[pushapproved]

The recruitment all seems to be handled online. If you are lucky enough to progress to the next stage you will receive an e-mail and then be able to select dates and times yourselves on the internet.

Before anyone asks, no I haven't had an e-mail, only just submitted the application!

Good luck to all

[Kinetic]

Just submitted as well, does anyone else of you have pilot friends in FCA?? believe that helps quite a bit.

[Nearly Man]

How dare you Fade to Gray, sorry Capt!
I did send you congrats note but got wrong Grey
You must like Africaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?

I'd never blow things up airline's bums! Just wanna get back down south

[30W]

The recruitment all seems to be handled online. If you are lucky enough to progress to the next stage you will receive an e-mail and then be able to select dates and times yourselves on the internet.

Yes, this is the first year FCA have used this method. It will hopefully save a lot of admin time in the background, as well as many phone calls. Plan is that those selected for interview will have a much more 'user' friendly option of selecting their own interview date/time from the days offered. By letting the applicant have some choice over the issue, it should at least mean less stress if unable to escape a current work duty, or happen to be on holiday one week for example.

Just submitted as well, does anyone else of you have pilot friends in FCA?? believe that helps quite a bit.

As long as your experience level is considered suitable, it should at least mean you get an interview. From that point on it's up to you! There is no guantee, as some found out this year - if you want the job, ultimately you have to go and get it - you won't be offered a position just on the basis you know somebody.

Internal communication on this indicates that FCA had received about 250 applications in the first couple of days of the process being 'live'.

30W

[endofeng]

Anyone been contacted yet???????

[Kinetic]

Internal communication on this indicates that FCA had received about 250 applications in the first couple of days of the process being 'live'.

so with 20ish vacancies available we are currently on about a 1 in 12 chance and counting.

Oh well good luck to all, advise if anything heard.

[endofeng]

Anyone had an invite yet???

I heard a VERY low houred chap whom bought himself (well mummy and daddy did anyway) a 757 rating was interviewed last week!

--------------
endofeng

[30W]

Good rumour endofeng! Not true though, there have been no interviews yet.

As of lunchtime yesterday there had been 415 on-line applications. Later this week will see the start of the process to shortlist candidates for interview.

Interviews are planned through August, with first courses probably starting November.

30W

[30W]

epsilonmiuraised,

I believe the FO/SFO swop occurs at 1000hrs regardless of what type rating you have. Just because you already have a 757 rating doesn't necessarily make you a more 'experienced' pilot......... or at least that must be the logic.

As with previous years I'm sure recruitment will be broadspread across all experience and age brackets, depending on the applicants of course. With in excess of 400 to choose from, I don't suspect it will be a difficult task......

[Capt's Little Helper]

The criteria agreed with the CC that must be met prior to transferring to the SFO salary scale are as follows:
*Full ATPL
AND *500hrs on jet aircraft or 1000hrs on turboprop aircraft
OR *7 years as a military pilot

Hope this helps,
CLH

[Dan 98]

Hi All,
Are all you guys/girls experienced high hours etc.... I applied the day the application came online, I fall into the 230hrs and was hoping the bit in brackets on what they wanted ( exceptional pilots with lower hours may be considered) !!! Think i probably wasted 3 hours filling it in, or are any of you low houred? It goes without saying i have heard nothing so far, and probably have 2 hopes, one of which is called Bob. Or does anyone know whether they will actually look at low houred. I'm guessing if they get enough qualified people reply the answer is no. Good luck to all though.
Dan

[fade to grey]

Nearly man,

sorry to offend - i thought living up north you would be able to afford a castle (with a moat) !

don't congratulate me yet -still trying to get the thing to go in a straight line on the ground -d'oh!

yes, Africa is great i am starting to go a bit native and considering changing my name to 'colonel kurtz'

[30W]

epsilonmiuraised,

Yes I see your argument, but think it can be equally turned round 'the other way'. Although taking 'low houred' pilots, historically FCA takes only a handful each season, perhaps one course worth. There tends to be no real shortage of experienced turboprop pilots, F/O's and Capts wishing to join from 146 operators etc. These with full ATPL's and several years experience behind them. FCA could fill ALL course places with such pilots quite happily, but chooses to recruit from a wide spectrum, including a few less experienced guys.

I think each applicant has to consider their own reasons for applying. Do they want a move which they believe offers them a better career and future, or are they just after more money. With the number of applications each time I don't think FCA will have any trouble filling it's positions, do you?

Bottom line is, does the applicant really want the job or not. Full ATPL status is never too far away, and the higher pay scale achieved for those low houred, type rated guys. If not, there's plenty who will......and they might even be type rated!

30W

[Capt's Little Helper]

If you were really interested in working for FCA you'd apply and, if offered the job, work your backside off next summer, do max hours, offer to swap your STBYs for everyone's night PFOs, LCAs, DLMs etc, and get that ATPL and the 13k payrise.

It's not rocket science really!

Best of luck.

[endofeng]

30W & CLH,

Well said, I have applied to FCA for a career, not a quick hour building job!
I have 1200hrs total, 1000turbo prop, and if lucky enough to get a job with FCA would certainley 'work my butt off' to attain my full ATPL....

Its good to hear that they will look at all levels of experience, just hope I'm one of the lucky ones!

Best of Luck

endofeng

[Lembrado]

Morning,

Few questions if I may:

Is flying the 767 based on seniority?

I would like to be based at GLA, is it a popular base and how likely would it be to get if requested?


Cheers. L.

[Capt's Little Helper]

767 is pretty much based on seniority. AFAIK you need two years/summer seasons on the 757 before you are put on the 767.
I don't know too much about GLA except that there are at least two FOs on the bid list waiting to go up there.

[Kinetic]

epsilonmiuraised,

I am one of the masses who have applied and I have 1500+ jet time for a well known co. For me, if I am one of the fortunate minority and get through I will be on your coveted SFO paytier. That paytier is a net income monthly drop for me in the region of £500+ (benefits asides). as 30W reiterated you have to look at what are the most important aspects to you as a professional pilot. Is it purely money? or is it a long term structured career path?. is it the short term? or the long term?. It is a balancing act and each person has their own reasons and motivations. if it was money or short term for me, I would stay where I am. Good luck to you epsilonmiuraised as you draw your own conclusions, and just one question to you if I may. All those years when we were outside aviation desperate to do the job, was it ever only about the money?

[Lembrado]

C'sLH,

Thanks mate.


L.

[Kinetic]

yeah you're right EP, touche.... a wise old skip once said to me, pilots all fall into one of 2 categories, those in it purely for money and those in it more for lifestyle. I guess we fall in the same camp. Of course money is an important factor, though a slightly secondary one for me. That said FCA's payscales and benefits seem very competitive against other UK charters. You may as well apply EP you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. there are going to be a lot of us who or end up but you maybe one of the . Good luck to everyone