Torycanyon

WRT my earlier post ( No 97) has anyone else received such a letter?
Am I reading too much into this?
Any advice gratefully appreciated Scroggs. Thanks.

scroggs

TC, I can't really give you any information. I'm not part of recruiting and I have no knowledge currently of what's going on in that part of the company. I was aware that some changes were afoot, but what they were/are/will be, I don't know.

However, I would say that if you've been asked to remake your application online there is probably a good reason for it! As I've recently suggested, I'm pretty sure that all applications have now to be made that way, and it may be helpful to the company to have older applications updated via the website. At the very least, it can't be bad news - at least they still know who and where you are!

All I can say is 'Good luck'!

Scroggs

iBus

Hi TC!

I didnīt receive any letter. As a matter of fact I recently send my updated CV to Janine (roughly two weeks before this online application came into play) and I havenīt received any reply.

I would definitely think that receiving this letter is good news (like Scroggs said: it canīt be bad news!) so all the best to you!

iBus

IRRenewal

• Minimum age of 18
• The ability to swim a minimum of 25 metres unaided.
• Minimum of 2500 flying hours (If your 2500 hours include military flying, you must have at least 1000 fast jet or heavy jet hours).
• JAR ops licence
• Current Class A Medical

Class A medical? Is that a military thing?

Torycanyon

Thanks for the replies. I will keep my fingers crossed then.

THE POINTY END

TC, I received a letter from Gemma as well asking for the same thing. I had been applying for some time with the personal recommendation etc. Many, many calls to Janine got me knowhere, so I pretty much called it a day. I know the recruitment has changed a bit now and Janine is not in her previous role (info via a friend). I just completed a new application to see where it goes. I'm not sure if this is a "We're interested letter," or "if you don't update, we'll take you off our system letter." I have fewer hours than you at a little over 4000, but all boeing.

Jetkopite

I received the same letter from Gemma aswell,guess its a standard letter to everyone on their database.
Anyone know how many pilots will be recruited during this selection?

Jetkopite

carlosair

a lot of pilots for sure

scroggs

No, not a lot. 70 or fewer, I believe.

Scroggs

F2 Driver

Anyone had an interview date yet?

Torycanyon

I had an e-mail from Gemma yesterday saying basically the same as in the letter.

Even though I was given a personal reference number after registering, I'm concerned now that my updated details did not register correctly?

Has anyone else received the same e-mail, after updating the details online and in receipt of gemma's letter?

scroggs

Further to some of the posts above, the current situation is this.

Paper CVs will no longer be accepted or retained. To register for consideration for interview, you must go via the Virgin Atlantic website and use the system called iGrasp (who thought that one up? ). This will also accept updates to previously-registered CVs. Once on the database created by such registration, you will be updated from time to time by the company. I imagine that you will drop off the database if you do not regularly (6-monthly or so) review and update your profile.

It is my interpretation that anyone who has not registered this way will no longer be eligible for interview, so if you've only sent in a paper CV and you haven't yet had notification of anything further happening, go and register!

For reference, the current minimum requirements are 2500 hrs, Airbus or Boeing type rating or 1000hrs on fast jet or military heavy transport. Be aware that our requirements may change from time to time; iGrasp is intended to help us manage these changes effectively.

Scroggs

scroggs

Oh, by the way - anyone looking for the original 'Virgin Master Thread' won't find it at the moment - it has been removed pending the resolution of one or two issues entirely irrelevent to the subject of Virgin, but which peripherally involved that thread. It will be back as soon as I can sort out a few things.

Scroggs

Bad Robot

Thanks for the update Scroggs.
Just a quick question though:

Is that 2500hrs on Boeings or Airbus?
Or 2500 hrs Plus a Boeing or Airbus rating but time on type? Thanks.

BR.

JCB 1

scroggs - I know you have nothing personally to do with deciding the minimum experience requirements at Virgin, but can I ask for your view on the relevance that 1000hrs on fast jet has when compared to someone who, for example, has 1500hrs TT and a CRJ/EMB rating. I just don't see how 1000hrs fast jet experience is relevant in any way to 747/340 passenger ops. Of course it may be to do with the desire to have a strong ex-Mil presence in the airline.

tired

JCB1 - as a current VS pilot I tend to agree with your rant above about mil hours vs civvy hours.

I also agree with your remark that Scroggs has absolutely nothing to do with the setting of minimum standards required for entry to the VS recruiting system. So why not bring the subject up at your interview, I'm sure the interviewers will be happy to enlighten you.

JCB 1

Hi tired, my post wasn't in any way intended as a rant, I'm genuinely interested, so sorry if it appeared negative, I was just trying to 'think' my way around the requirements. I can understand the heavy transport factor, just not the fast jet thing.

I suppose I better clarify also that I'm not in the 1500hrs TT, CRJ/EMB rating bracket, and I haven't got an application in either. I understand it's a very desirable place to be though.

scroggs

Correct. Absolutely nothing whatsoever.
You can ask. As I have nothing to do with the recruiting policy at Virgin, I can't give you an insight into the details of that policy. However, you might like to consider reading the requirements again:

The minimum hours requirement is 2500. Not 1000, not 1500, but 2500 - for all applicants.

The experience required is either a type rating on Boeing or Airbus equipment OR 1000 hours on miltary fast jets or heavy transport equipment.

Happier now?

To the hypothetical 1500hr CRJ pilot, go get another 1500 hours or so and some time on heavier jets, then you might be in with a shot. Be advised, though, that the average successful applicant has 4000 hours or more. Military or civil.

As for time on type, I would imagine that someone with no heavy time, but a B737 or A320 rating, would stand rather less chance than a snowball's in Hell.

Scroggs

JCB 1

Happy - yes, it's in my genes! Satisfied - not really, I was going to ask more, but it appears that Virgin is not the place for those with an enquiring mind.

stansdead

jcb1
That's the most ridiculous thing I have heard. Scroggs has made his point quite clearly. He is not involved in selection, but he has pointed out the selection criteria to you very succinctly. If you don't like it, that's not his fault !

Getting into Virgin is always going to be very competitive and it is not going to change it's policies to suit your logbook or ratings I am afraid.

That said, I got in, therefore there is hope for everyone. GOOD LUCK in your pursuit of joining us. Just don't whinge !