Virgin recruiting soon...
''My research tells me only 2 will arrive with the rest being sub-leased out, due first class seat not being available!''
VS have never had a first class. J (In VS speak - Upper Class) has always been their premier product.
VS have never had a first class. J (In VS speak - Upper Class) has always been their premier product.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Hi guys, anyone hear anything about the interview? Is it any different to the old interview? I hear that there is likely to be some recruitment next year so be good to get some info in advance (if indeed i actually get an interview...).. Good luck to those attending at the moment....
Join Date: Feb 2001
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Are Virgin a long term choice?
With no connections to other big operators I have withdrawn my hat from the Virgin pool. I am not confident that they will be in existance in 10 years. I hope I am wrong and wish you all well in your interviews.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Likewise
I joined in 2006 and left in 2009 under voluntary redundancy. I was asked if I'd like to reapply for my old job (mistakenly, I thought I'd just be told "hi, how are you? how was that management Command you held down whilst you've been away from our stumbling business? Let's not make this chat too quick, HR may be suspicious, have another biscuit etc, OK that's long enough, welcome back")
So, I thought that perhaps I may go back, but then it became obvious that I'd have to undergo a load of psycho babble and touchy feely stuff.
Not for me thanks, I was meant to attend for assessment a day or two ago. I wrote on a day before saying thanks, but no thanks.
Remember, I'd already done the job for them and had an A340 rating, oh I also have an A330 rating too - but I'd better be put through the mill just in case.
I've no idea if they'll be about in 10 years time, but I'm not prepared to be treated like a total novice forever.
There is absolutely NO chance of a quick Command in Virgin Atlantic. If you're happy with that and like the idea of lonely bullet trips and constant jet lag, then I hope you get my place.
Good luck to everyone - but be aware what you're signing up for.
So, I thought that perhaps I may go back, but then it became obvious that I'd have to undergo a load of psycho babble and touchy feely stuff.
Not for me thanks, I was meant to attend for assessment a day or two ago. I wrote on a day before saying thanks, but no thanks.
Remember, I'd already done the job for them and had an A340 rating, oh I also have an A330 rating too - but I'd better be put through the mill just in case.
I've no idea if they'll be about in 10 years time, but I'm not prepared to be treated like a total novice forever.
There is absolutely NO chance of a quick Command in Virgin Atlantic. If you're happy with that and like the idea of lonely bullet trips and constant jet lag, then I hope you get my place.
Good luck to everyone - but be aware what you're signing up for.
Last edited by stansdead; 19th Nov 2010 at 11:00.
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Hey Stan - Ever thought that they might not want you back !!!!
FTR- All Ex VS Pilots who took redundancy and new hires will be required to Pass a SIM check + On line Tech & Psychometric test, before being invited for interview. (An Airbus Rating is a must).
Good luck with your management role at WIZZ.
FTR- All Ex VS Pilots who took redundancy and new hires will be required to Pass a SIM check + On line Tech & Psychometric test, before being invited for interview. (An Airbus Rating is a must).
Good luck with your management role at WIZZ.
Join Date: Feb 2002
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I think I'm with Stan on this one.
Playing Devils Advocate here.
Is taking redundancy fairly recently and then wanting back, any different to
an unpaid sabbatical for 3 years or a career break for 4 years (baby producing for eg).
I'd be extremely ticked off to have to go through all the irrelevant crap that some HR nomark deems relevant from their " manual on how things should be done so VS dont get sued".
Years working for said Co. previously, thousands of hours and a type rating only requires a quick glance at Bloggs training record and a bit of dial-a-mate before a PFO or welcome back letter hits the mat!
Playing Devils Advocate here.

Is taking redundancy fairly recently and then wanting back, any different to
an unpaid sabbatical for 3 years or a career break for 4 years (baby producing for eg).
I'd be extremely ticked off to have to go through all the irrelevant crap that some HR nomark deems relevant from their " manual on how things should be done so VS dont get sued".

Years working for said Co. previously, thousands of hours and a type rating only requires a quick glance at Bloggs training record and a bit of dial-a-mate before a PFO or welcome back letter hits the mat!
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I've always wondered why interviews are held for experienced pilots. We're such a small community in the UK that I would have thought that 3 phone calls would get you all the reliable info you'd want

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Holer Moler:
I don't really think that VAA would go to the bother of inviting people to an extended assessment just to reject them for no reason. If they didn't have any interest, I would have been told no thanks before that waste of time and money.
So, with that in mind it seems irrelevant whether they did or didn't want me back doesn't it? I didn't think it was worth the effort - or the lack of opportunities - or the risk of failing a set of tests that I don't have time to prepare properly for. And make no mistake you should be prepared!!
People can look down their noses at Wizz all you they like. Bottom line: its been good for me; Captain, management role, project work......on it goes. And who says it's my career? It could be for a year or two, then who knows? They, like anyone, could be bust, or world beaters!!
Future at Virgin? RHS for ages.
At least I can pick and choose whether I give up my Command. I can always be an FO again. Any time. But, it's not so easy to go the other way.
Good luck in the future. It just wasn't for me. That's why I left in 2009, I shouldn't have even considered going back. I hated the job, but not the people.
As I say, good luck for the years ahead.
I don't really think that VAA would go to the bother of inviting people to an extended assessment just to reject them for no reason. If they didn't have any interest, I would have been told no thanks before that waste of time and money.
So, with that in mind it seems irrelevant whether they did or didn't want me back doesn't it? I didn't think it was worth the effort - or the lack of opportunities - or the risk of failing a set of tests that I don't have time to prepare properly for. And make no mistake you should be prepared!!
People can look down their noses at Wizz all you they like. Bottom line: its been good for me; Captain, management role, project work......on it goes. And who says it's my career? It could be for a year or two, then who knows? They, like anyone, could be bust, or world beaters!!
Future at Virgin? RHS for ages.
At least I can pick and choose whether I give up my Command. I can always be an FO again. Any time. But, it's not so easy to go the other way.
Good luck in the future. It just wasn't for me. That's why I left in 2009, I shouldn't have even considered going back. I hated the job, but not the people.
As I say, good luck for the years ahead.
Last edited by stansdead; 19th Nov 2010 at 16:31.
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Vsflight
Only by chance. Honestly.
I really do honestly think that for the right person, the job at VAA is hard to beat.
I never felt that I was that person. So, I never really felt happy. I couldn't cope with the anxiety of being 1000's of miles away in Japan for instance.
What's important is that VAA keeps going, keeps offering good terms & conditions and keeps being, on the whole (but not for everyone) an employer of choice. Without such companies our industry is f?cked.
My post isn't aimed at saying VAA is bad. Quite the opposite, just for me it didn't work.
My life was complicated by a couple of unfortunate occurrences whilst there. I don't think I could go back and not forget that unfortunately. But, that's more about me than them..........
Good luck all!!
I really do honestly think that for the right person, the job at VAA is hard to beat.
I never felt that I was that person. So, I never really felt happy. I couldn't cope with the anxiety of being 1000's of miles away in Japan for instance.
What's important is that VAA keeps going, keeps offering good terms & conditions and keeps being, on the whole (but not for everyone) an employer of choice. Without such companies our industry is f?cked.
My post isn't aimed at saying VAA is bad. Quite the opposite, just for me it didn't work.
My life was complicated by a couple of unfortunate occurrences whilst there. I don't think I could go back and not forget that unfortunately. But, that's more about me than them..........
Good luck all!!
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Out of interest.. Can anyone give a breakdown of extra's to Salary? I see that the basic is £48+ but i expect there are a few, substantial, allowances to add to that?.... What would a new F/O expect to take home on an ave month and are there annual increments, etc...? This info isn't really published anywhere...or is it? Thanks in advance, fella's.