Riker

Understanding that most (if not all) aircraft deliveries in the near and medium term will be A340s, what is the possibility that 747-400 slots will open up to newhires when hiring resumes? Or, is it more likely that 400 FO slots will go to A340 FOs?

Cheers

scroggs

There are no deliveries scehduled for anything other than the A346. There is no reason why A340 FOs would move over to the B744; in fact, quite the opposite. As a result of the numbers of pilots moving from the B744 to the A340, there are the occasional courses for new pilots on that type. Whether you get on it is something of a matter of luck - pilots with both Boeing and Airbus histories have gone to the B744, but slots are few and far between.

scroggs

The airline has already announced that it will be resuming recruiting in 2007. It is expecting 4 new aircraft with no losses in 2007 - that means a requirement of about 80 new pilots. There are several people in training right now, with others on the way. Where on earth is the logic for laying pilots off?

Cyprus Manoeuvre

Hey Scroggs. Are you also able to confirm that the rumours about Virgin kissing of the now, somewhat nervous chaps currently in the holding pool as complete bollaux too? Blinking hope so. Got myself booked on a burger flipping course just in case.

scroggs

No, I can't. I assume that all pilots currently in the hold pool will remain there, but I would imagine that being in the hold pool does not imply any commitment on Virgin's behalf to offering you a job. I'm not trying to scaremonger, simply pointing out the fact that until you have a job offer in writing - and sometimes not even then - nothing is guaranteed by any company.

Recruiting policies change in any industry, and this one is more volatile than just about any other. What was a firm plan yesterday is just so much hot air today. A few weeks ago, the Flight Ops department at Virgin was expecting 6 A380s to turn up from 2009 (originally 2007), for another 8 or so A346s to arrive before then and possibly for some twins of some variety to arrive in the same timescale. Recruiting and training plans were made to try and accommodate what they thought the likely fleet structure would be. Then the airline's board announces that the last A346 deliveries would be slipped (though exactly what the new delivery schedule is, no-one seems to be sure), the A380 deferred to 2013, and the rumoured A330 buy is off the table. All of a sudden, the Flight Ops dept has to accommodate the 'new reality' - none of which is communicated to them in advance.

So, recruiting is on hold. Once they have a clearer picture of the manning requirements for the near-ish future, they'll decide when to reopen the taps. What that means for those of you in the hold pool, I can't say - for that you'll have to contact the company. I am not privy to the training or manning plans; I simply try to give you the story from the inside point of view in order to stop inaccurate rumours getting out of hand. Of course, anyone with a close eye on the world's aircraft markets and route developments could do the same - even from outside the company! So, get your ears to the ground and listen out for further developments. ATI, Flight International, and Pprune are all good sources of the kind of information which can help you assess what your chances of a job - in any company - are, along with the company's own recruiting website. In Virgin's case, check the recruiting page at least once a month. If you're in the pool and you've heard nothing for a good while, you should already have the appropriate contact details - use them.

Good luck to all!

Jinkster

How many B737NG hours required ?

Dan Winterland

Sounds like someone who is keep to fly the big Boeing. My advice is that you should go for the lifestyle rather that the aircraft. When it comes to the job, the 'bus has the better route structure. On the 744, you spend most of your time doing one nighters on the east coast of the USA (up to six a month which is totally kn@ckering - believe me) wheras, on the A340, you fly to more interesting places with more time off between. Not to mention you get the chance to get some kip in flight.

Also, if you're spending most of your time in the cruise, one long haul aeroplane is as boring as another. It's better not to have that enormous thing between your legs which is redundant for 99% of the flight taking up valuable eating/newspaper reading space.

I was on the 744 fleet. I took voluntary redundancy after 9/11 partly because I was fed up with the lifestyle. If I had been on the 340, I would have probably stayed.

scroggs

Actually, the B744 fleet is increasingly flying the bucket-and-spade routes from LGW - and was scheduled to be totally LGW-based by 2009 when the A380 was due to take the few remaining B744 LHR routes. That's all slipped sideways somewhat thanks to the A380 postponement, but if you were to get on the -400 by some chance you'd get very familiar with Florida and the Caribbean! A340 drivers can get 5 or 6 East coasts a month too - or a mix of 5 or 6 India/Dubai/Lagos/East coast flights with all that that implies for screwed-up body clocks! The old truism of "B744 = USA and short trips, A340 = Far East and long trips" is now out of date.

Right now, A340 destinations are: IAD (VS21 & (from April) VS55), JFK (VS3, 9 & 25), EWR (VS1 & 17), BOS, MIA (shared with B744), LAX (VS7 & 23), CPT, JNB (to the B744 for Dec/Jan), LOS, DXB, BOM, DEL, PVG, HKG and SYD. And NRT (thank you CHI!).

Scroggs

CarbHeatIn

Scroggs, I don't mean to act the spotter but don't forget the delights of NRT!

Dan Winterland

Ahhh. The truck!

springbok449

Scroggs, forgive me for putting my two pence to the story but I am yet to do more than 4 trips a month since joining Virgin on the 340 and its usually 3 and most of my Bus colleagues seem to have similar rosters to me.

Regards

scroggs

I have 5 trips in December. This is the [edit] fourth month in 2006 I have had 5 trips. That roster includes MIA, CPTx2, DXB, and JFK. Looking through the A340 Master Roster, around 15% of lines are 5 trips. I agree, most are 4, but the increasing number of East coast destinations means that 5-trip rosters will become more common.

[edit] My 2005 roster:

January: 4 trips plus 6 sims (Command training)
February: 4 trips
March: 1 trip plus leave
April: 5 trips
May: 2 trips plus leave
June: 4 trips
July: 5 trips plus 2 sims
August: 3 trips
September: 3 trips plus leave
October: 3 trips
November: 5 trips (standby roster)
December: 5 trips

Total (excluding December) 670 flying hours. I'm not on Extra Working and I don't do overtime!

springbok449

Blimey, thas quite busy but at least you get to go to CPT twice...enjoy.

Manual Reversion

400........ six days leave, two trips

fast cruiser

400.......4 heavy crew Trips and 14 days off

9 minutes to landing

News on the gripevine is that Virgin are talking to DofE with intent to make 50-60 pilots redundant......anyone know any more at this early stage?

scroggs

Have a read further up the thread. This 'Galley FM' rumour has been dealt with.

Scroggs

Shanwick Shanwick

With over 9 years on the 744, I've never done 6 trips in a month, and can't remember the last time I did 5.

Rarely go to the Caribbean but do see a lot of Orlando and California.

xlgboeing

Yep, Me too,
6 years on 400 usually 4 trips these days. I do see a lot of west coast though. On the other hand I look for LHR trips and they are becoming increasingly difficult to get hold of.

Not heard the redundancy rumour before but sounds like bolloux to me

fast cruiser

Why would virgin make redundancies when we have just announced Mauritius and Chicago for 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! utter rubbish to me..