Virgin recruiting soon...
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the first 3 rounds are handled remotely, indeed. You'll initially have a phone call, then computer testing (make sure you have a mouse handy, because you need to do an assignment that is hard to do with a trackpad), then the 3rd one is again a phone interview.
After the 3rd round in can take quite a while, but can also be quick. this is because they send all your files, cv and results to VAA to check everything together. Once virgin is happy with that, they'll contact you to make an immediate simulator date. Give or take 3-5 days in between, fairly straight forward on an Fixed Base 737-800. LHR-LGW engine failure, hold, SE approach. second is LGW-LHR engine fire, hold, SE approach.
After this the result gets back to you quite quickly and you are able to make an appointment for the interview.
hope this helps.
good luck
Not everyone has been having engine failures, guys I know just had standard flights with gen handling. Do they give you guidance prior to the S/E? Seems a bit unfair to give someone who hasn't flown a boeing a S/E with no prior knowledge.
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An acquaintance of mine informed me that only rated pilots get the SE-approach.
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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.
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+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 ?
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.
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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...
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 Feb 2020 at 09:24.
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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!
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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 Apr 2020 at 01:39.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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.