Virgin recruiting soon...
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: UK
Apologies if it's already been asked but gone through quite a lot of the thread, and done some google research, and couldn't find it; Are the new A350 deliveries going to be crewed by the ex 74 guys or is future Airbus hiring expected?
320 typed but a touch short on hours. Should be there Q2 next year.
Hiring process still just an interview or the whole CRM group exercise and electronic testing rigmarole?
Company medical like Nigel or just straight in off the back of your C1?
What sort of transfer list wait is expected/experienced for MAN? Hypothetically MAN based on the 350/330neos as I understood would (could!) be based there following 74 retirement must be one of the best gigs in the country.
Does the private health care ask questions or demand records disclosures on joining? I know this is a huge bone of contention with the crews of my airline looking into signing up to it, along the lines of group private med is better and cheaper than individual private provided by the company as there's no pre-existing declaration malarky.
Cheers.
320 typed but a touch short on hours. Should be there Q2 next year.
Hiring process still just an interview or the whole CRM group exercise and electronic testing rigmarole?
Company medical like Nigel or just straight in off the back of your C1?
What sort of transfer list wait is expected/experienced for MAN? Hypothetically MAN based on the 350/330neos as I understood would (could!) be based there following 74 retirement must be one of the best gigs in the country.
Does the private health care ask questions or demand records disclosures on joining? I know this is a huge bone of contention with the crews of my airline looking into signing up to it, along the lines of group private med is better and cheaper than individual private provided by the company as there's no pre-existing declaration malarky.
Cheers.
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
From: EU
cessnapete you asked the same thing in July a few pages back, and got told the same answer. Axe to grind?
VA_RHS: Fleet is based on seniority, though the 350 EIS has jumped a few pilots stuck on the 340 temporarily, and the 78 issues have dragged out the 340's retirement slightly. All pilots new to the Airbus or VAA fly the 330 first then do the 350 course after min hours/time in seat. So I expect some 744 folks will end up on the 'bus but equally lots will end up on the 78. Not for a couple of years though.
Hiring process straightforward but there is lot of competition, and the recruitment window never needs to stay open for long before they get the people they need. All the requirements will be detailed in the recruitment info when it is next posted. I wouldn't put 100% faith in the 'recruitment is now open' email working, just keep checking the website. Not having the hours will likely be a handicap I'm afraid, but your never know.
757_D & Rex, sorry you've come to your conclusion about BA/VS just slightly too late this time, but if you know anyone on the inside who might put a good word in it's always worth trying the recommend-a-friend route. Good luck!
VA_RHS: Fleet is based on seniority, though the 350 EIS has jumped a few pilots stuck on the 340 temporarily, and the 78 issues have dragged out the 340's retirement slightly. All pilots new to the Airbus or VAA fly the 330 first then do the 350 course after min hours/time in seat. So I expect some 744 folks will end up on the 'bus but equally lots will end up on the 78. Not for a couple of years though.
Hiring process straightforward but there is lot of competition, and the recruitment window never needs to stay open for long before they get the people they need. All the requirements will be detailed in the recruitment info when it is next posted. I wouldn't put 100% faith in the 'recruitment is now open' email working, just keep checking the website. Not having the hours will likely be a handicap I'm afraid, but your never know.
757_D & Rex, sorry you've come to your conclusion about BA/VS just slightly too late this time, but if you know anyone on the inside who might put a good word in it's always worth trying the recommend-a-friend route. Good luck!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: London
work wise I’m on the 787 so do 3 max 4 trips per month . Mainly west coast with the odd JNB . Far East is quite a senior trip but I don’t mind not going
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: In the twilight zone
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: In the twilight zone
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 8
From: UK
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Walmington-on-Sea
Hi all,
sorry for the long list of questions in advance. I’m in a good LH job at the moment but facing a long wait for command (I have no interest in a SH command as LH suits my life far better) and have always been interested in VS.
1) roughly what’s the current time frame to command? Is it fleet dependent or can you move fleets iaw seniority for promotion ?
2) what’s the down route atmosphere like, are people generally up for doing stuff? I’m current LH and do enjoy heading out and doing things
3) what’s the flight deck atmosphere like, is there a pretty flat gradient?
4) how many days off do you get after a trip?
5) how does bidding for trips work and is it as seniority driven as BA?
6) Are most of the trips bullets or do you get a few days?
just trying to weigh up my options,DMs welcome
thanks
sorry for the long list of questions in advance. I’m in a good LH job at the moment but facing a long wait for command (I have no interest in a SH command as LH suits my life far better) and have always been interested in VS.
1) roughly what’s the current time frame to command? Is it fleet dependent or can you move fleets iaw seniority for promotion ?
2) what’s the down route atmosphere like, are people generally up for doing stuff? I’m current LH and do enjoy heading out and doing things
3) what’s the flight deck atmosphere like, is there a pretty flat gradient?
4) how many days off do you get after a trip?
5) how does bidding for trips work and is it as seniority driven as BA?
6) Are most of the trips bullets or do you get a few days?
just trying to weigh up my options,DMs welcome
thanks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: London
Can I add to Corporaljones' questions please...
7.) Is it possible to change fleets e.g. Airbus to Boeing?
8.) Are Virgin's financials about as good as they've ever been (Delta backing, expansion etc)
9.) Any ideas about part time working options?
10.) Is much time spent travelling within U.K. e.g. Up to Edi for a charter flight etc.
11.) Already asked before but important to know, do you get a nice couple of days downroute (esp. West Coast and Caribbean)
Thanks everyone. Another one looking at leaving BA as current atmosphere stinks.
7.) Is it possible to change fleets e.g. Airbus to Boeing?
8.) Are Virgin's financials about as good as they've ever been (Delta backing, expansion etc)
9.) Any ideas about part time working options?
10.) Is much time spent travelling within U.K. e.g. Up to Edi for a charter flight etc.
11.) Already asked before but important to know, do you get a nice couple of days downroute (esp. West Coast and Caribbean)
Thanks everyone. Another one looking at leaving BA as current atmosphere stinks.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: London
1) Around 9 years currently. Some fleet transfers but generally command on type. No particular advantage in terms of command in switching fleets.
2) Reasonable social depending on destination. It’s rare that you’re Billy No-Mates.
3) Generally open atmosphere. As most join with quite a bit of experience, it’s assumed you know your job and you’re respected for that.
4) minimum 2 days off after a short trip (3 day block of work), 3 after something longer.
5) Can request up to 2 trips per month. Pilots are in one of three groups which rotate month by month so even if you’re the most junior, every third month your group will be top bid group so therefore effectively in the top third of seniority,
6) If the block time is on average more than 10 hours outbound then you get minimum 2 local nights downroute.
7) No real process for fleet change until new aircraft types come in: you’ll be matched on joining depending on your experience and where the need is.
8) Feeling is that VS is probably in the best financial position it’s been in for some time, but you never know the whole truth!
9) Part time is currently being rejigged so no comment
10) Depends on fleet but there is a bit of that. Mitigated by some of those trips requested by people who live nearby
11) See 6
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: London
I see Zenon has taken over recruitment process and introduced a rather, dare I say it, Nigel approach to taking guys and girls on. Assuming one ticks all the Human Remain boxes, I guess you then proceed to sit down with actual VS recruitment.