British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 2
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Don't panic too much - it's a pause in recruitment not a stop. It's just a breather whilst a few things become clearer - I suspect bmi training capacity being one of them. In the long term the bmi deal is good for jobs as it will lead to Long Haul expansion and a LH a/c needs more pilots than a SH one. In the short term it's my understanding that those with an assessment date in March or who have already passed day 1 are being allowed to continue in order to join the hold pool. It was considered unfair to cancel interviews that people have already made days off / travel plans for. BA wouldn't be doing this if they didn't expect to need DEPs again before long.
I wouldn't be surprised if the plan changes and DEPs are taken on again at the end of this year. I would expect early next year at the latest. BAs latest results are good but they await approval of the bmi deal, plus with fuel price increasing at the eurozone uncertain then nothing is concrete as ever. On the other side no-one knows if people may start retiring soon (finally), or more part time in light of the big tax increases around final salary pensions.
I wouldn't be surprised if the plan changes and DEPs are taken on again at the end of this year. I would expect early next year at the latest. BAs latest results are good but they await approval of the bmi deal, plus with fuel price increasing at the eurozone uncertain then nothing is concrete as ever. On the other side no-one knows if people may start retiring soon (finally), or more part time in light of the big tax increases around final salary pensions.
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There's a bit of reluctance for people to post how they got on during the assessments of two weeks ago, but here goes - I didn't make it through, and it appears everyone on my day didn't either, and nor did the people I know that went on the subsequent days. If only I wasn't available for the dates they gave me then I'd still be in the system. Were we chopped because of the change of plans between our assessment days and our results? Or were we simply not good enough? Oh well. 
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There's a bit of reluctance for people to post how they got on during the assessments of two weeks ago, but here goes - I didn't make it through, and it appears everyone on my day didn't either, and nor did the people I know that went on the subsequent days. If only I wasn't available for the dates they gave me then I'd still be in the system. Were we chopped because of the change of plans between our assessment days and our results? Or were we simply not good enough? Oh well.
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I also got the two e-mails, one in the morning with the bad news and a second in the evening with some good news (invite to assessment). However I was flying so all the slots were taken allready. Has anybody got some info about upcoming slots? In the first mail they said that there weren't any in 2012 hower in the second mail they did suggest there were a couple of slots in oncoming months. Has anybody got an idea of what to expect?
I have been following this thread for some time. I had a professional career in aviation lasting about 46 years. I feel desperately sorry for all of you who are either swimming or waiting for interview or assessment.
I have been particularly interested by some of the postings from folk who claim to know what is actually happening in BA. I am sure that they post with some confidence and with the best will in the world that they really DO have a handle on what is going on but the aviation business is such that their superiors themselves have very little idea about what is actually going to happen.
Aviation recruitment is very simple. Who was there when the phone rang? Believe me, it is the ultimate form of crisis management. Nobody knows what is going to happen next. You might as well get used to that idea.
I will give you a small example of what happened to me.
I was at home on standby on a Friday afternoon when the phone rang. It was the chief pilot. "Is there any reason why you can't be in DFW on Monday morning?"
"Why" said I.
"We need you to do a PLC" said he.
"But I did one two months ago" said I.
"Not in the left seat" said he.
"Just as well I didn't tell you that I was off for the weekend" said I.
"Indeed", said he "I have a little list, I have a little list".
So, make sure that YOU are there when the BA phone rings, otherwise you will be left behind.
Good luck to all of you.
I have been particularly interested by some of the postings from folk who claim to know what is actually happening in BA. I am sure that they post with some confidence and with the best will in the world that they really DO have a handle on what is going on but the aviation business is such that their superiors themselves have very little idea about what is actually going to happen.
Aviation recruitment is very simple. Who was there when the phone rang? Believe me, it is the ultimate form of crisis management. Nobody knows what is going to happen next. You might as well get used to that idea.
I will give you a small example of what happened to me.
I was at home on standby on a Friday afternoon when the phone rang. It was the chief pilot. "Is there any reason why you can't be in DFW on Monday morning?"
"Why" said I.
"We need you to do a PLC" said he.
"But I did one two months ago" said I.
"Not in the left seat" said he.
"Just as well I didn't tell you that I was off for the weekend" said I.
"Indeed", said he "I have a little list, I have a little list".
So, make sure that YOU are there when the BA phone rings, otherwise you will be left behind.
Good luck to all of you.
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Recruitment paused, email sent out:
We hope this finds you well. We are writing with an update from us here at the BA Pilot Recruitment Team.
Over the last 18 months or so we have been working hard, as you know, with several pilot recruitment campaigns being opened. We are very appreciative of the effort you have put into the recruitment process, and are pleased to have been able to offer 239 contracts of employment for new pilots to join our team.
Recently, however, a number of issues have arisen which mean we are going to pause our recruitment programme at the end of March. This is to allow us time to see how a variety of issues both within and outside BA develop, and to prevent our Hold Pool growing to a size that could become unhelpful. Our target is therefore to assess how things develop in the coming weeks and months, and to start running down the Hold Pool as soon as more vacancies become available. We know that, depending on previous type and/or experience, waits in the Hold Pool have been extremely variable, and for that we can only share any frustration. With as broad and diverse a fleet and network structure as we have you can imagine that challenges and opportunities are always arising, and as such pilot opportunities and the fleets they appear on, are always in flux.
What does this mean for me?
We are going to continue with the recruitment days and simulator assessments booked for March. However, beyond that we are not in a position to offer any more slots. We will do so when we feel it's right and appropriate to do so. If you have a day booked in March, and you decide you do not wish to attend then please let us know in advance. This will allow us to backfill your vacancy and allow another candidate to attend in your place. We will keep all applications on file, and are aware through our recruitment database who is at which stage of the process. Please note that if you decide not to attend, and don't let us know in advance, our fairness policy will permit us the right to withdraw your application at our discretion.
I am a Service Pilot who has only just applied - what should I do?
Given the unique circumstances and timings involved in service pilot recruitment our service recruitment stream will remain open for applications. Those who apply, and are successful at screening, will join the group of candidates awaiting a Day 1 assessment date.
I am in the Hold Pool already - what happens to me?
We are going to extend Hold Pool validities to 18 months, until further notice, for anyone who reaches the 12 month point since their simulator assessment. We have detailed records for everybody in the Hold Pool, and will continue to assume that you wish to be contacted about the first available opportunity in BA. If you should decide to withdraw from the process, as ever please just let us know.
How long is this break going to last?
That's a question we cannot answer at the moment, as guessing would be of little help. We know that a number of issues are out there that could lead to recruitment being required again, and we also know that 2013 is a big year for BA with new aircraft arriving from Airbus and Boeing. Rest assured that we'll be in touch the moment more vacancies arise that need to be filled.
I am in the BA Managed Path process - what does this mean for me?
If you are within the BA Managed Path process you are of course welcome to contact us directly by email to discuss your individual circumstances.
Thank you for taking the time to read this far, and while I am sure this kind of news is not welcome we will be recruiting again before too long and will come back to you as soon as we have more news. As ever please do get in touch with us if you have any questions.
We hope this finds you well. We are writing with an update from us here at the BA Pilot Recruitment Team.
Over the last 18 months or so we have been working hard, as you know, with several pilot recruitment campaigns being opened. We are very appreciative of the effort you have put into the recruitment process, and are pleased to have been able to offer 239 contracts of employment for new pilots to join our team.
Recently, however, a number of issues have arisen which mean we are going to pause our recruitment programme at the end of March. This is to allow us time to see how a variety of issues both within and outside BA develop, and to prevent our Hold Pool growing to a size that could become unhelpful. Our target is therefore to assess how things develop in the coming weeks and months, and to start running down the Hold Pool as soon as more vacancies become available. We know that, depending on previous type and/or experience, waits in the Hold Pool have been extremely variable, and for that we can only share any frustration. With as broad and diverse a fleet and network structure as we have you can imagine that challenges and opportunities are always arising, and as such pilot opportunities and the fleets they appear on, are always in flux.
What does this mean for me?
We are going to continue with the recruitment days and simulator assessments booked for March. However, beyond that we are not in a position to offer any more slots. We will do so when we feel it's right and appropriate to do so. If you have a day booked in March, and you decide you do not wish to attend then please let us know in advance. This will allow us to backfill your vacancy and allow another candidate to attend in your place. We will keep all applications on file, and are aware through our recruitment database who is at which stage of the process. Please note that if you decide not to attend, and don't let us know in advance, our fairness policy will permit us the right to withdraw your application at our discretion.
I am a Service Pilot who has only just applied - what should I do?
Given the unique circumstances and timings involved in service pilot recruitment our service recruitment stream will remain open for applications. Those who apply, and are successful at screening, will join the group of candidates awaiting a Day 1 assessment date.
I am in the Hold Pool already - what happens to me?
We are going to extend Hold Pool validities to 18 months, until further notice, for anyone who reaches the 12 month point since their simulator assessment. We have detailed records for everybody in the Hold Pool, and will continue to assume that you wish to be contacted about the first available opportunity in BA. If you should decide to withdraw from the process, as ever please just let us know.
How long is this break going to last?
That's a question we cannot answer at the moment, as guessing would be of little help. We know that a number of issues are out there that could lead to recruitment being required again, and we also know that 2013 is a big year for BA with new aircraft arriving from Airbus and Boeing. Rest assured that we'll be in touch the moment more vacancies arise that need to be filled.
I am in the BA Managed Path process - what does this mean for me?
If you are within the BA Managed Path process you are of course welcome to contact us directly by email to discuss your individual circumstances.
Thank you for taking the time to read this far, and while I am sure this kind of news is not welcome we will be recruiting again before too long and will come back to you as soon as we have more news. As ever please do get in touch with us if you have any questions.
Last edited by fruitbat; 5th Mar 2012 at 14:55.
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Because the names Lindsay, Louise and Phil and a generic e mail gives loads away. You've been living in Tony and Cherie Blairs Britain too long. Maybe Doha will bring you around.
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Nothing like feeding the BA recruitment email to the plethora of Spam Bots that trawl the internet.
Brilliant.
At least you will all know why it takes so long to trawl through the spam when responding to e-mails!
Perhaps you would like to remove the email 'link' as that is specifically what the bots search for.
Brilliant.
At least you will all know why it takes so long to trawl through the spam when responding to e-mails!
Perhaps you would like to remove the email 'link' as that is specifically what the bots search for.
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Sorry, done in haste from an ipad. Didn't check, now edited.
Wirbelsturm, no need to come over so condescending and supercilious dear chap. I don't remember them teaching that in our last sim check.
Wirbelsturm, no need to come over so condescending and supercilious dear chap. I don't remember them teaching that in our last sim check.
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Wirbelsturm, no need to come over so condescending and supercilious dear chap. I don't remember them teaching that in our last sim check.
If you don't know how the internet works and the reason why direct email addresses are generally kept out of public web pages, especially forums, then don't blanket copy and paste.
Neither supercilious nor condescending, what you did just wasn't very clever.
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