Virgin recruiting soon...

[billybuds]

Considering they ran a recruitment drive towards the end of last year, and have guys sitting in the holding pool. I wouldn't hold your breath about anything happening anytime soon.

[Iver]

First 787-9 service announced... Will hiring pick up soon?

Announcing first 787-9 will serve BOS starting in October with subsequent near-term 787-9s serving IAD, EWR and JFK. See this article:

Virgin Atlantic to fly B787-9 Dreamliner to Boston - Business Traveller

I know that several VS pilots will be returning from their training at Norwegian Long Haul on the 787, but I hope this leads to some in the pool being called up.

I presume most newhires will be heading to the A330. Are all early 787-9 pilots being pulled from the A340/330 or will some be sourced from the 400 as well?

[Blighty Pilot]

An Entry Into Service team of pilots is being established from both fleets. Training has been conducted on the 777 at BA and KLM along with 787 training at Norwegian. These pilots will be ready to go as soon as the first 787-9 arrives.
With the 340 and 747 (LHR) retirement plans training and conversions onto the confirmed 21 787-900's will continue for the foreseeable future.

Just standing by for the 747 fleet replacement announcement! Here's hoping for the 777x

[Iver]

Thank you Blighty for your response. Is 21 the confirmed number of 787-9 orders (not options)? I thought the firm order number was in the teens.


Cheers

[Blighty Pilot]

16 plus the 5 options exersized!

[Busbar]

First 787-9 flight for Virgin is next month on the 26th October from LHR to Boston (BOS).

Aircraft are gradually retiring from the fleet over the next four to five years so these aircraft are effectively replacements rather than additions.

[Manual Reversion]

First Flight now Heathrow-Atlanta

[3wings]

First scheduled flight and service is Boston, the Atlanta flight is a PR flight. Atlanta is Delta base, they own 49% of VAA so keen to showcase new toy. Major expansion is restricted due to slot availability at LHR, although Manchester to Atlanta service next year could herald a slight change in strategy to combat this.
Here's hoping

[Smokie]

Update?

Any update on likely recruitment? This year or next?

[Iver]

Not sure if this was already discussed:

Virgin Atlantic Close to Decision on Boosting Dreamliner Order - Bloomberg

[The African Dude]

How is the morale in VAA at the moment?

[tonker]

How hot are they on your weight being in proportion to your height?

Just asking

[Case One]

Morale is better but . . .

For new joiners time to command is very long (I'd guess 15+ years, others may disagree).
Those expecting five night mini-holidays in CPT etc should think again. More like 5 East coast "bullets" a month for the unlucky ones.
We appear to be becoming "de-virginised" and more "Virgin Atlanta", not clear what the job really holds in store. Certainly not sure it will be the long haul lifestyle many of us want. But at least it looks like we'll have jobs regardless of the cr@p WW is spouting.

Enough about that, let's talk about the new uniform.

Just my personal opinion.

[The African Dude]

Thanks Case One.
Anybody else? It seems to be a gamble with the changes going on at the moment but I'm hoping to win a slightly more sustainable lifestyle for the remainder of my career.
How many FO currently in Virgin would chuck out an A320 S/H command for their current lot?

All disclaimers about personal circumstances etc. implied.

[Brian Fantana]

MPLs

Heard a rumour about MPL cadets. Low experience on widebody long haul ETOPS...??
Or would they start with a (partner/different) airline gaining experience before joining VS.
Is this the start of a downward spiral in T&C's ?

[Stage5]

Well CX have done it. Albeit CPL/IR and operating as a heavy above FL200 to start with. I hear it involves regular inspections on Bunk bed boxes being made by the RSM with a high standard required in this discipline before being allowed to handle the paperwork.

[MCDU2]

And the sandwich tray must be laid out with reference to true north. Must be really fun leaving a European loco with thousands of jet hours to go and "fly" the bigjets down in Cathay....

[The African Dude]

Must be really fun leaving a European loco with thousands of jet hours to go and "fly" the bigjets down in Cathay....

It eventually comes down to the lifestyle you want I think. Which brings us back to my question above, if anybody working for VS here has any input

[RTO]

A friend of mine applied to Virgin with about 3000hrs heavy jet, 2000 medium jet. He promptly received the "go fornicate yourself with a blunt object" letter. I guess they do have very good applicants despite the shoddy pay.

[AFA]

Just out of interest what are you basing your 'shoddy pay' comment on RTO??

I believe it's approx 92K for First officers and 141k for Captains at around the 15yr scale. Add around 10k allowances to each if you're looking for a BA comparison and count that sort of thing. Medical,LOL, PHI, staff travel, pension etc etc are a given of course.
I agree the pay could be better but how many airlines in the UK pay more for 750hrs per year these days?

Case Ones post is spot on, the days of paid 'holidays' are over. Changes from the pilots perspective are far from ideal. The airline now appears to be run like an actual business rather than an extension of someone's ego. At the end of the day though, I'm alright with that.