Virgin recruiting soon...
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 114
From: UK
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 42
From: UK
Why is that? As a non rated DEC to EZY I had to shut an engine down due to a fuel leak on my A320 interview sim...?! They aren't expecting immaculate flying skills (luckily). If that concerns you too much I’d advise that you’re probably focusing too much on the wrong skills for a sim assessment.
As important as it is, this industry’s focus on SE work is a bit crazy at times.
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 93
Likes: 2
From: Europe
+1. I wish they had told us that before I sweated blood preparing for the telephone interviews and psychometric tests - including buying new computer equipment in order to 'fly' down the rotating well !
One has to wonder what VAA want. On the one hand, many years' experience flying the same aircraft, same routes and same destinations does not seem to interest them, but on the other hand they only want pilots who will have flown within the previous 6 months at the time of joining - (May this year). Since TCX went under at the end of September last year, that excludes us.
One has to wonder what VAA want. On the one hand, many years' experience flying the same aircraft, same routes and same destinations does not seem to interest them, but on the other hand they only want pilots who will have flown within the previous 6 months at the time of joining - (May this year). Since TCX went under at the end of September last year, that excludes us.
Has anybody actually got any idea of what the recency requirements are within the 6 months - Will 3 TO and landings in the sim be enough ?
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 114
From: UK
Lots of things you can do in the sim to test a candidate’s pilot competencies in a non-technical way... medical emergencies, disruptive passenger; bomb onboard, weather deterioration, diversions, pilot incap, severe turbulence, blocked runway etc etc etc.
As important as it is, this industry’s focus on SE work is a bit crazy at times.
As important as it is, this industry’s focus on SE work is a bit crazy at times.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 42
From: UK
You’ll get drilled to death on SE procedures in the TR anyway, so why not give the guys and girls the chance to show some basic handling skills and pilot competencies in a more general way.
If they’re going into the 787 they’ll barely touch the rudder again anyway...
Joined: Nov 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,148
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From: UK
Edit: Save your money; I've asked the question and SIM flying does not count.
Ironic, given that my qualifying take-offs and landings for my A330 CCQ were all done in the SIM !
Last edited by Uplinker; 21st February 2020 at 09:24.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: SE England
dylanhk,
If you haven’t yet got your frozen ATPL, I would recommend you invest your money in a more secure career. Aviation is going to take years to recover from COVID and there is going to be a very large supply pool of unemployed, highly qualified pilots all ready to fill any vacancies that become available in that time period. Unless you already have the licences put your money elsewhere. With hindsight, medicine, law or computer science would have been far more secure!
If you haven’t yet got your frozen ATPL, I would recommend you invest your money in a more secure career. Aviation is going to take years to recover from COVID and there is going to be a very large supply pool of unemployed, highly qualified pilots all ready to fill any vacancies that become available in that time period. Unless you already have the licences put your money elsewhere. With hindsight, medicine, law or computer science would have been far more secure!
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
dylanhk,
If you haven’t yet got your frozen ATPL, I would recommend you invest your money in a more secure career. Aviation is going to take years to recover from COVID and there is going to be a very large supply pool of unemployed, highly qualified pilots all ready to fill any vacancies that become available in that time period. Unless you already have the licences put your money elsewhere. With hindsight, medicine, law or computer science would have been far more secure!
If you haven’t yet got your frozen ATPL, I would recommend you invest your money in a more secure career. Aviation is going to take years to recover from COVID and there is going to be a very large supply pool of unemployed, highly qualified pilots all ready to fill any vacancies that become available in that time period. Unless you already have the licences put your money elsewhere. With hindsight, medicine, law or computer science would have been far more secure!
Of course I don’t plan to look for jobs in the UK atm until this situation clears up. Few months or a few years maybe, I just like to plan ahead.
Last edited by dylanhk; 16th April 2020 at 01:39.
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: London
I appreciate the advice. I currently have an ATPL (ATP Certificate Holder officially) however I have yet to convert my licenses to EASA. Aviation is really going downhill right now but I believe converting licenses while keeping my job is possible? That’s why I’m asking I guess; whether it would be better to stay at a US regional and eventually go to a US major, or stay at the US regional, convert my licenses, and come to the UK.
Of course I don’t plan to look for jobs in the UK atm until this situation clears up. Few months or a few years maybe, I just like to plan ahead.
Of course I don’t plan to look for jobs in the UK atm until this situation clears up. Few months or a few years maybe, I just like to plan ahead.
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: London
Well I’m going to admit it , wish I stayed at BA now . Been at Virgin for around 2.5 years now on the 787 and yes the lifestyle is the best . But now we will probably face redundancies due to the current situation , nothing in stone yet but I reckon it’s a 98% chance 20% of us will go .....
so much for the “Virgin Family” that really cares for its staff .......
at least at BA yes you may get treated like dog !!!! but you will still have a job at the end of this
just my little rant
so much for the “Virgin Family” that really cares for its staff .......
at least at BA yes you may get treated like dog !!!! but you will still have a job at the end of this
just my little rant
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Uk
Not so confident about BA. I think we will keep all our pilots in employment but it will come down to us the pilots to make it happen. You know the score, BA “we don’t care how you do it, just make it cost neutral”. In this case it will be deliver savings of x.
The appetite seems to be to spread the pain to carry everyone through the next few years. Will 20% go? I hope not, we would be looking at 900 to 1000 pilots.
The appetite seems to be to spread the pain to carry everyone through the next few years. Will 20% go? I hope not, we would be looking at 900 to 1000 pilots.
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: London
Not so confident about BA. I think we will keep all our pilots in employment but it will come down to us the pilots to make it happen. You know the score, BA “we don’t care how you do it, just make it cost neutral”. In this case it will be deliver savings of x.
The appetite seems to be to spread the pain to carry everyone through the next few years. Will 20% go? I hope not, we would be looking at 900 to 1000 pilots.
The appetite seems to be to spread the pain to carry everyone through the next few years. Will 20% go? I hope not, we would be looking at 900 to 1000 pilots.
to be honest I would prefer to be in employment at a heavy financial cost than to be redundant in this climate .
lots of rumours spreading about reduction in workforce , had a rather sobering update from the CEO yesterday which had a few hints that backed up the rumours .
Virgin has around 1000 pilots so I reckon 200ish will go , guess that’s the problem being a small fish in a big pond .......
feeling regret is a large understatement
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Morning bex
Drifting off topic but since we are into compare v contrast how UK carriers will handle this..
Given "previous" I think your scenario is exactly how it will be played play out at BA, the worry is (IMHO) how long the appetite to spread the pain around will last, especially when you consider that it does look like some of BA's airframes are going to be on the ground for a very long time...if not longer..
.
Apologies for the thread drift off Virgin.
Riskybis - Good Luck, hope it works out OK for you.
Drifting off topic but since we are into compare v contrast how UK carriers will handle this..
Given "previous" I think your scenario is exactly how it will be played play out at BA, the worry is (IMHO) how long the appetite to spread the pain around will last, especially when you consider that it does look like some of BA's airframes are going to be on the ground for a very long time...if not longer..
.Apologies for the thread drift off Virgin.
Riskybis - Good Luck, hope it works out OK for you.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 103
From: Botswana
Riskybis if it makes you feel any better I slightly disagree with Bex I think job losses at BA are inevitable at this point. The gravity of the situation facing us as an industry right now and the unknown of when and how this can “recover” I think strongly implies that, despite us not wanting to contemplate it. The whole question is by how much it can be mitigated by part time and retirements and how much the stop on recruitment this year will also help the situation. They’re (Jason Mahoney anyway) talking about being back up at 80% capacity by Christmas but I think that’s completely living in fantasyland right now. I’ve got my own thoughts and worries about the number and how it would be done but I’m not going to share them because it’s completely without any foundation at this point and would only be adding to what a stressful time it already is.
Last edited by RexBanner; 18th April 2020 at 09:11.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 473
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From: Uk
Rex.....I was trying to be positive 
but honestly I don’t see how we will keep everyone in the short term. If we do have some CR let’s just hope it can be a career break with a option to return. I have said it before and I’ll repeat myself. I’ll take some pain so we don’t see some completely screwed. I don’t think anyone can say they are safe through seniority.
Now the skill bite session, attendance was good........
Hopefully Virgin guys can come together to protect their jobs, if not future career prospects
but honestly I don’t see how we will keep everyone in the short term. If we do have some CR let’s just hope it can be a career break with a option to return. I have said it before and I’ll repeat myself. I’ll take some pain so we don’t see some completely screwed. I don’t think anyone can say they are safe through seniority.Now the skill bite session, attendance was good........
Hopefully Virgin guys can come together to protect their jobs, if not future career prospects
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: London
Rex.....I was trying to be positive but honestly I don’t see how we will keep everyone in the short term. If we do have some CR let’s just hope it can be a career break with a option to return. I have said it before and I’ll repeat myself. I’ll take some pain so we don’t see some completely screwed. I don’t think anyone can say they are safe through seniority.
Now the skill bite session, attendance was good........
Hopefully Virgin guys can come together to protect their jobs, if not future career prospects
but honestly I don’t see how we will keep everyone in the short term. If we do have some CR let’s just hope it can be a career break with a option to return. I have said it before and I’ll repeat myself. I’ll take some pain so we don’t see some completely screwed. I don’t think anyone can say they are safe through seniority.Now the skill bite session, attendance was good........
Hopefully Virgin guys can come together to protect their jobs, if not future career prospects
I would happily take a sabbatical and be a HGV driver or whatever, just be nice to have something to return to in the future
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: UK
You can't really regret something that you couldn't foresee.
Certainly focuses the mind somewhat for future "chasing the dream" airline package. Cargo and Air Ambulance looks pretty safe right now....despite the perceived lack of glamour.
Certainly focuses the mind somewhat for future "chasing the dream" airline package. Cargo and Air Ambulance looks pretty safe right now....despite the perceived lack of glamour.