Commuting to LGW for BA
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Commuting to LGW for BA
Hello everyone,
Hope I have chosen the right forum to post this in, if not - apologies.
I have just been offered a position with BA on the 737 out of LGW, but I live up near Coventry. I would be interested to hear from any other BA FO's who commute from a similar distance. Are you mainly rostered tours? - if so, I guess the commute is not a problem. Also, how does LGW compare to LHR as a base for BA.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy what is left of the weekend
Regards - modal.
Hope I have chosen the right forum to post this in, if not - apologies.
I have just been offered a position with BA on the 737 out of LGW, but I live up near Coventry. I would be interested to hear from any other BA FO's who commute from a similar distance. Are you mainly rostered tours? - if so, I guess the commute is not a problem. Also, how does LGW compare to LHR as a base for BA.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy what is left of the weekend
Regards - modal.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Commute, well forget the M1, you might arrive as the flight returns back to the UK. Check the Highways Agency web site relating to the works north of the M25.
M40 is okay, but then you hit the M25. Depending upon what time of day, the weather and accidents, you might be lucky.
As it is a new job and arriving on time is of paramount importance, forget commuting, unless you allow a huge contingency period.
I guess it boils down to ensuring you arrive at work unfatigued, only you can make that decision.
Personally, if the job means a lot, commuting should be kept to 60 min or less without in built contingency.
Would I do it? I am M25 worldly wise, so no.
M40 is okay, but then you hit the M25. Depending upon what time of day, the weather and accidents, you might be lucky.
As it is a new job and arriving on time is of paramount importance, forget commuting, unless you allow a huge contingency period.
I guess it boils down to ensuring you arrive at work unfatigued, only you can make that decision.
Personally, if the job means a lot, commuting should be kept to 60 min or less without in built contingency.
Would I do it? I am M25 worldly wise, so no.
Join Date: Feb 2000
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We have a few F/O's that drive down from Leicester, Nottingham, Suffolk, and quite a few (air) commuters that fly from various places (AMS/GLA and USA!)
They seem to get used to it, and bid for the longer tours....
They seem to get used to it, and bid for the longer tours....
Join Date: Jan 2007
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commuting
you are very correct in what you say. What also has to be realised is that most companys FTL schemes stipulate that pilots must be no longer than 1.5 hours commute. If not, that person must make arragements for temporary accommodation nearer to base. Falure to do that would invalidate FTL scheme. To commute from Coventry to Gatwick in a guaranteed 1.5 hours in a non starter plus you would be knackered in a very short time!
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Modal & commute
Congrats on getting yr post with "Imp" at our "Little Airport in the Country".
Most folks in the past have "sust" a share or cheap (not here) rental. Suggest try check the crew board for shares, if not call a few of the scheduling folks for assist. One way to make a few contacts on the way down. Way back when we started BEA Airtours we had folks coming from the West Country, North of the now M25 etc. No probs, everyone shared, partied, grafted, and had fun.
Good luck & enjoy Sussex.
Most folks in the past have "sust" a share or cheap (not here) rental. Suggest try check the crew board for shares, if not call a few of the scheduling folks for assist. One way to make a few contacts on the way down. Way back when we started BEA Airtours we had folks coming from the West Country, North of the now M25 etc. No probs, everyone shared, partied, grafted, and had fun.
Good luck & enjoy Sussex.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Just out of interest, how does a short haul roster look at BA? (I've done a search which proved unfruitful btw) Is it fixed or produced monthly? Is there a good mix of 2 and 4 sector days (or even 6??
) Average number of days off per month etc....
Cheers, MM
) Average number of days off per month etc....Cheers, MM
Join Date: May 2005
Location: stuck on the M25 most days
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M25
Any journey involving the M25 is asking for trouble.
Its an unpredictable mess and long delays are now an everyday occurance.
My advise.....Get a motorbike !!
gx
Its an unpredictable mess and long delays are now an everyday occurance.
My advise.....Get a motorbike !!
gx
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Scheduling LGW style:- (in a nutshell and in no particular order)
11 days off a month min, Longer tours can be up to 6 days long, though they are very rare. Most tours these days have 3 sectors on first and last day with either 0/2/4 in the middle days. 3 day tours are very common. Flip side of the coin is that is carmen (scheduling computer) has day trips left over they you will get those and just because you bid for something doesn't mean that you are going to get it. When you start at Gatwick your target (note not min!) roster satisfaction will be 40% (how you calculate satisfaction is a long story and I have a beer!). This rises to 80% at the top, you will be near to the top of the list in 4 years getting what you pretty much want.
Most pilots that do commute either have their own pad local to the airport, or a place to stay with their mates on the odd night.
11 days off a month min, Longer tours can be up to 6 days long, though they are very rare. Most tours these days have 3 sectors on first and last day with either 0/2/4 in the middle days. 3 day tours are very common. Flip side of the coin is that is carmen (scheduling computer) has day trips left over they you will get those and just because you bid for something doesn't mean that you are going to get it. When you start at Gatwick your target (note not min!) roster satisfaction will be 40% (how you calculate satisfaction is a long story and I have a beer!). This rises to 80% at the top, you will be near to the top of the list in 4 years getting what you pretty much want.
Most pilots that do commute either have their own pad local to the airport, or a place to stay with their mates on the odd night.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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I have a motorbike in HEAR HEAR, ROME! and was going to work everyday for Ryanair Lates (earlies were too damn early in the morning for motorbike) and it worked like a charm!
Honda 900RR, no flight bag but a nice flight backpack.
Honda 900RR, no flight bag but a nice flight backpack.
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Although not a pilot (yet!)...I have around an hour (no traffic) commute to work everyday...I am on the M4 heading out of London so traffic is usually not too much of a problem.
M25 as everyone has said is a right mess...Driving in slow moving traffic can really get to you after a few months, so that is something to bear in mind.
I have been doing this for around 6 months and am usually not too fatigued etc, but I would recommend staying local to begin with, as with any job, airline pilot or not, you can not afford to be getting into work late. You have to almost double the estimated time to begin with, to get a feel of your journey.
I honestly do not think I could do this long (long) term anyway...Was a job I wanted, so have to put up with the commute.
Good luck
M25 as everyone has said is a right mess...Driving in slow moving traffic can really get to you after a few months, so that is something to bear in mind.
I have been doing this for around 6 months and am usually not too fatigued etc, but I would recommend staying local to begin with, as with any job, airline pilot or not, you can not afford to be getting into work late. You have to almost double the estimated time to begin with, to get a feel of your journey.
I honestly do not think I could do this long (long) term anyway...Was a job I wanted, so have to put up with the commute.
Good luck
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Living locally is a must of course, commuting without a bed around gatwick was never my option, but i was wondering, the 12 days off (or 10) are in group of 2 or 3, or always singles?
I am used to both 5-4 at ryanair and 6-1 at turkish, so i can live with average.
I would just have to go see my relatives in Rome 3 times a month, that is a single flight.
opinions?
I am used to both 5-4 at ryanair and 6-1 at turkish, so i can live with average.
I would just have to go see my relatives in Rome 3 times a month, that is a single flight.
opinions?
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At the BA assessment I attended in January, during the Questions and Answers session with about 4 pilots and a rostering manager, we were told by a LGW Captain that the only places they currently night-stop in are Jersey, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We were warned that it was the Airbus guys at LHR who had the European tours more.
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Summer schedule seems to be involving lots of LHR Airbus pilots doing LGW work. Unlike last year or 2, this is doing it with LGW reports, which in turn means we have to do 3+ day "tours" (industrial rulez!) - last year it was largely day trips.
BA in their initial ham fisted manner have managed to largely achieve this with the LHR guys staying in a LGW hotel
They will soon, maybe from May (!), work out it is better to have the LHR pilots do the nightstops (they are paying for a hotel for them anyway).... which would only mean the % nightstops for the LGW crews decreasing IMHO ?
NoD
BA in their initial ham fisted manner have managed to largely achieve this with the LHR guys staying in a LGW hotel
They will soon, maybe from May (!), work out it is better to have the LHR pilots do the nightstops (they are paying for a hotel for them anyway).... which would only mean the % nightstops for the LGW crews decreasing IMHO ?NoD
