British Airways Hold Pool News

[Propellerhead]

Last time the requirements started the same as this (in fact it was Airbus, 747 and 777 only to start), then they needed 737 pilots. The requirements then gradually reduced as quality type rated people dried up.

Reading between the lines, the main reason for the TR requirement is actually that these pilots are needed for next summer but won't actually join the company until the start of the next financial year (Apr 2011), so it would seem to be a time restriction that is driving this. BA need the shortest conversion course length to get bums on seats asap after April 1st.

I think there is almost certainly going to be a need for more pilots later in the year, and I think BA will want to start recruiting integrated cadets as well, as they come in on a reduced pay scale for the first few years, plus it diversifies the age and experience profile which is a good thing.

As someone said, how many TR people are out there who actually want to join BA on shorthaul, and will pass the selection? Nobody really knows. I can see the requirements being relaxed to other types (including RAF) later in the year.

Don't despair yet if you don't have the right TR!

[wobblyprop]

given the demoralised state of one of the charter carriers, i would imagine quite a few will apply. All 737, 756 or A320 rated with at least 2000 hours each.

It doesn't matter if you're long or short haul if BA is the company you want to be in.

[dashhead]

Wobbly,

Correct indeed! In fact, most will have over 3000 hours on type plus substantial ETOPS / longhaul experience for the 767 operators.

I don't think BA will struggle to attract very experienced candidates.

DH

[PPRuNeUser0204]

I imagine all the flexi/ctc/parc cadets at ezy will have at least 500 hours on type and I've told all that I fly with to apply! They all seem keen to chuck an application in to BA as it offers far better prospects than the Orange Dream.

I see no problem in BA finding 200 type rated applicants. At the end of the day most people will be looking long term and a spell on the shorthaul fleet in BA isn't that bad surely?

[MCDU2]

And don't forget a certain green carrier who has extensive experience at LHR and LGW. 3rd biggest holder of slots at LHR from memory. The LGW and BFS bases could empty overnight of f/o's. Then there are a considerable number of DUB based guys that are sick of the continual shafting and lack of opportunities.

80 pilots, easy.

[JB007]

Agree! Wishfull thinking Prophead sorry mate, just about everyone i've spoken to, most with substantial time on B757/B767 AND B737 will be applying - BA will not have a problem!

And to those FlyBe guys that are upset about the type-rating requirement: there are enough guys/gals who have been through the mill with what present management cultures and this industry as a whole as thrown at them in the past year, with these type ratings, that deserve a shot at the stability BA will offer, most I know will be over the bloody moon to be SH at LGW and LHR! Your time will come...

[wobblyprop]

very true Dash. Be interesting how many apply and from where on the seniority list they are.

What would be even more interesting is to see how many left, on top of the 24 extra pilots that were kept, temporarily, over the summer and then how f****d we'll be next summer

[easyflyer]

The TR requirement is a tactical decision to get bums on seats quickly.

Strategically, BA want the right people aboard for their 30, 40 year careers. Entry TR is therefore largely an irrelevancy.

Billions of hours on the "right" type will mean little once the immediate requirement is met - it'll revert to the BA merit basis, taking the right raw material and leveraging one of the most respected training infrastructures.

Welcome back opportunities for SSP and FlyBe guys.

[Propellerhead]

I agree with that.

[Callsign Kilo]

Probably been done before, anyone know what the short haul roster is like. Heard it was very stable, however have little idea of the pattern?

[NigelOnDraft]

Probably been done before

anyone know what the short haul roster is like.

Anything from a 4.5 hr duty (LHR-MAN-LHR) day trip to a 5 day 12 sector 4 Euro nightstop tour, and all variations between.

In your first couple of years at LHR, you will think the airline only operates Friday-Monday

Generally work pattern is "earlies" or "lates". I heard a rumour that the Airbus fleet does fly through the night (something called a "night Moscow" ) but it has not affected me so far

Heard it was very stable

I would guess, unless you get into swaps / overtime, you will fly 95%+ of the sectors on your roster within an hour of the published times. However, we do liven things up occasionally when Volcanos, Cabin Crew, Caterers, new Terminals and 1mm+ Snow intervenes.

have little idea of the pattern?

There isn't really one... The lines try to stick to 6 day blocks, but have many shorter blocks. By the time you have clashed/dropped some trips at IBS1, then picked up other trips at IBS2, you (try to) make the pattern what you want. In the early days when you get "Blind Lines" a computer throws all the trips nobody else wants across your month, generally in a fashion that just ensures you do not get any of your preferences

NoD

PS Above applies to Airbus/LHR on Bidline. LGW/737 use Carmen of which I know nothing...

[evian]

Just received this email below from BA:

"We will be opening a campaign for pilot recruitment at British Airways on 1 Oct 2010. Our initial requirement is for pilots with a current type rating on either the Airbus A320 series or Boeing 737/757/767 aircraft, with an ATPL(F) and a minimum of 500 hours recent experience on type.

If you meet these requirements and would like to apply, we would welcome your application via www.ba.com/careers"

Now that recruitment is definatley up and running can we please all post on the DEP thread and leave this thread ready for when the next hold pool is established.

Thanks

[169west]

BA already call all the swimmers in the pool? Just for curiosity!