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British Airways 747 pilots... How Young do they get??!!

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British Airways 747 pilots... How Young do they get??!!

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Old 30th Jul 2011, 21:39
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aa73,

Might have been me was in JFK twice in June. Joined BA at 28 on the 747 a few years ago. Was skipper on Airbus before that. Not trying to be cool/bragging etc. In Europe it's not all that unusual. I finished flight school and got my first commercial (turboprop) job at 21. 7 years to short haul command and then with a good bit of luck longhaul f/o the same year.

BA f/o's get 2 stripes for the first 4 years in the company regardless of previous experience, so that seems to confuse some crews downroute...

Edited to add: just looked at the date you posted.. was in your country, but not JFK
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Old 31st Jul 2011, 05:42
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Well, I did all that real flying for 6 years then 19 years in the RHS till I made Captain as there was no progression at my Airline.



If I could have been in a widebody at age 20 I couldn't have been happier. Good for anyone that can !
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Old 2nd Aug 2011, 00:56
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Dutchjock, thanks... the date was 7/26. Kudos to you mate!
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Old 2nd Aug 2011, 06:48
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aa

I joined BA in my late twenties on a wide body. At the time there were skippers on the fleet that had been given their commands at 30ish. In my six years in the carrier we have hired directly on every fleet in the airline including the 747/777.

New hires come from three back grounds. These are cadets, direct entry experienced and of course the military. The cadets can be as young as 20 and after a five years on the 320/737 they are free to move to other fleets. Some of the direct entry pilots may very well have the hours to go directly to long haul as well. This might explain why you are seeing younger looking FOs state side.

Seniority at BA is as important as it is in North America for many things but our pay structure is set up such that time in BA not aircraft type determines income (to a large degree for FOs) as a rule. Status pay to be precise. That being said ask a very young looking BA long haul FO the last Saturday night they had at home and you might get a blank look!

Hope that helps.
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Old 7th Aug 2011, 05:03
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Operated a B777 flight recently at my airline. Both myself and the Captain were 31 and both of us were older than all 15 of the cabin crew.
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Old 7th Aug 2011, 07:36
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Originally Posted by inlak
Operated a B777 flight recently at my airline. Both myself and the Captain were 31 and both of us were older than all 15 of the cabin crew's grandchildren
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Old 7th Aug 2011, 08:43
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Operated a B777 flight recently at my airline. Both myself and the Captain were 31 and both of us were older than all 15 of the cabin crew's grandchildren
I didn't realise 777's operated out of Liverpool Airport??!
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Old 7th Aug 2011, 08:46
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Yes.....Fully agree....

I`ve done and flew all the categories of airplanes you mentioned in your post.

And it was quite good. Including as flight experience.
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Old 8th Aug 2011, 12:30
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In mid/late '90's VS had a TRE on B744 around 30 .. "watching his flock" ..

Indeed many Captains on B744/A340 in their early 30's .. I was 36 ..

Once the land off opportunity ...!!
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Old 8th Aug 2011, 15:22
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Quote:
"BA f/o's get 2 stripes for the first 4 years in the company regardless of previous experience, so that seems to confuse some crews downroute"... When I joined and flew VC10's at 20 we had just one stripe for the 1st 2 years and the "A" girls spoilt us rotton. No PC, no flight deck door, and no holds barred., and the worst STD was a dose of the clap which the Medical Officer sorted out for you back at base.
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Old 10th Aug 2011, 22:56
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Widebody LHS at 24.
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Old 13th Aug 2011, 19:46
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Yeah right, and I'm an astronaut.

Spill, or look like a fool.
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Old 13th Aug 2011, 23:39
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Heavy pilot
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Old 15th Aug 2011, 20:51
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Started on the 757 at 21, 737 at 24 (UK airlines) and 777 at 25 in a ME airline
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Old 15th Aug 2011, 22:12
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777 at 25 in a ME airline
Don't worry. It won't always be that bad! Something better will come along eventually!
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Old 19th Aug 2011, 09:22
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767 LHS at 29 even in an airline where no one leaves, luck of draw on seniority list, no skill involved. Its just an aeroplane!!! Its not rocket science.
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Old 19th Aug 2011, 09:50
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Yes busz,

Give Iberia Regional a shout. 800 pilots needed over the next few years and you might even get to play cabin crew if you're luck is in.

You will also be doing your bit for society as you watch half your salary go to fund the 677 rioters who are being sent to prison today!

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Old 19th Aug 2011, 19:32
  #38 (permalink)  
 
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right this is a pointless thread just people with big egos. the fact of that matter is that generally the younger you are in a big jet the less you have done with your life both outside and inside of aviation.

and before any one asks, i fly a heavy boeing but have done IT!
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Old 20th Aug 2011, 22:21
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Yeah right, and I'm an astronaut.

Spill, or look like a fool.
Really; so how's life now that the shuttle has been retired? Must be a great view from up there.
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Old 21st Aug 2011, 09:19
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This entire industry is nothing more than luck and timing.

Get lucky and the LHS/ widebody/training command/sainthood comes fast.

Be unlucky, get made redundant or join on the wrong day and you can spend your whole life as P2 no matter how good you are.

And the view out the windscreen is the same on a 747 as a A319 or anything else.

Don't know any other business that works like this one. If it did't beat working for a living I would do something else.
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