British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 2
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Fruitbat,
It all becomes clear! You never said you were on the coal burner!
At least you should be getting CPDLC with the next FMS update!!!
Sorry, I also do web design so I am aware that its a 'no no' but I sometimes lose sight of the fact that others don't know! So, my apologies.
Enjoy your beer!
You're doing it again. I've said it was a mistake, it's now edited. Ok..
I'm on the 744 so obviously I don't understand technology
I'm on the 744 so obviously I don't understand technology
At least you should be getting CPDLC with the next FMS update!!!
Sorry, I also do web design so I am aware that its a 'no no' but I sometimes lose sight of the fact that others don't know! So, my apologies.
Enjoy your beer!
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So what is the speculation?! Anyone got any new new news to share or developments on what is causing the delay and what is the possibility of continuation?
Is it something temporary like potential BMI integration or is it something more long term like the rocketing price of fuel and the effect this will have on increasing ticket prices so reducing demand?
Either way it seems they may have stopped everything because of a suspicion that if us guys that are waiting for a sim check as well as those waiting for an interview, might take longer than 18 months to achieve a job and so fall out the pool. This would be wasted money for BA so PAUSE EVERYTHING! If this is true, the wait will probably be in excess of 18 months. I just want to know what is causing this pause so I can form an educated opinion.
Any thoughts?
Is it something temporary like potential BMI integration or is it something more long term like the rocketing price of fuel and the effect this will have on increasing ticket prices so reducing demand?
Either way it seems they may have stopped everything because of a suspicion that if us guys that are waiting for a sim check as well as those waiting for an interview, might take longer than 18 months to achieve a job and so fall out the pool. This would be wasted money for BA so PAUSE EVERYTHING! If this is true, the wait will probably be in excess of 18 months. I just want to know what is causing this pause so I can form an educated opinion.
Any thoughts?
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Doubt it. Last time we hit 18 months they folded the pool irrespective of the financial argument to extend again.
Been trying since then but the goalposts have moved too far!
Good luck to those in the same situation I hope the outcome is different
Been trying since then but the goalposts have moved too far!
Good luck to those in the same situation I hope the outcome is different
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bigjarv: Think yourself lucky that the clock isn't actually ticking as you've yet to do the sim assessment and aren't in the hold pool. Feel sorry for the people swimming away for 12 months already and have an uncertain 6 left.
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I don't believe that there is anyone in the pool who has exceeded 12 months as of yet. I think the maximum is 9 months, so if anything it may suggest that BA are not anticipating any course dates for the next 3 months +
The last time the hold pool was extended to 18 months, the world was having a wide awake call from one of the worst known global recessions to be experienced in the majority of our lifetimes. BA were soon to post one of their worst recorded set of financial results and were in a position of near meltdown. The company was receding.
Now, as part of IAG, the company is showing positive growth. Now, I'll be first to admitt, the global situation shows it's new set of challenges and really could go either way. However I believe circumstances are largely different than 2008.
The last time the hold pool was extended to 18 months, the world was having a wide awake call from one of the worst known global recessions to be experienced in the majority of our lifetimes. BA were soon to post one of their worst recorded set of financial results and were in a position of near meltdown. The company was receding.
Now, as part of IAG, the company is showing positive growth. Now, I'll be first to admitt, the global situation shows it's new set of challenges and really could go either way. However I believe circumstances are largely different than 2008.
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Anyone in the hold pool been contacted and given a start date recently?
The last courses I heard were planned for April, with the 3 month notice period any future courses will now be June/July earliest.
Although the infamous email stated recruitment was frozen. It did say they were still going to pluck from the pool to drain it.
The last courses I heard were planned for April, with the 3 month notice period any future courses will now be June/July earliest.
Although the infamous email stated recruitment was frozen. It did say they were still going to pluck from the pool to drain it.
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If true will mean no start for plenty currently swimming I'd imagine?
The 2008 hold pool (which I was in) was disbanded in its entriety when it became clear that no recruitment was planned for quite some time, when everyone had been in the hold pool for at least 18 months. (we'll ignore the fact that the current round of recruitment started only 2 months after that!
). before that the pilot rectuitment manager at the time, moved on to another job and wasn't replaced, so it was fairly clear that it was all over quite early on in that processAFAIK at the moment its a 'pause' not an outright panic, crash stop as it was in '08. I'm sure some have been in the pool for alot longer than others, but I'd be surprised if they chuck some out the pool and not others. Theres 300 BMI guys to get through SEPs, intial CRM's etc and a course and OPC, along with fleet moves and the current DEP courses - thats a whole lot of training resource that would tax any airline.
Yes the global economy is suffering and yes we have a government in the UK that is acting like its owned by emirates and lufthansa, but all the signs at the moment are that we are looking at a long, slow and painful recovery, but a recovery nonetheless.
I woudn't turn down another job to wait out the holding pool, but also I wouldn't panic too much either. I reckon it will be up and running soon.
Also there is every chance that the morons in whitehall will make a kneejerk change to pension tax relief next week that will practically force all the senior BA skippers to retire, or face a mamoth tax bill. Theres a whole bunch of stuff coming over the hill that could either harm or improve recruitment overnight.
The fat lady ain't even got out of bed yet, let alone got dressed and waiting in the wings.
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Hi,
Yeah took the offer in the sand pit with the last possible start they could offer. My contract is due to expire this year with everyone's favouite airline and I made the decision that to try for command there wouldn't have been wise as my heart or head wasn't in it for this company.
I have told BA that I do wish to remain in the pool and be called when a place becomes available and when and if that call comes I'll take it from there.
I've been in this position before, funnily enough with bmi. 4yrs I waited on that call. The guys I did my sim check with got the call start of last year and some of them did decide to wait for it.
As 757driver says, a holdpool is just that. Rose tinted glasses or not I'm just trying to be realistic and keep my career going in the meantime!
I've been in the pool since start of June, price of oil is about to sky rocket, the euro is in the placebo of a bailout for Greece with Spain and Portugal still to go.
I've not been in aviation long, only 5yrs. I have noticed one thing that promises are never kept and you are just an expense.
After the Olympics things will hopefully become clearer.
Yeah took the offer in the sand pit with the last possible start they could offer. My contract is due to expire this year with everyone's favouite airline and I made the decision that to try for command there wouldn't have been wise as my heart or head wasn't in it for this company.
I have told BA that I do wish to remain in the pool and be called when a place becomes available and when and if that call comes I'll take it from there.
I've been in this position before, funnily enough with bmi. 4yrs I waited on that call. The guys I did my sim check with got the call start of last year and some of them did decide to wait for it.
As 757driver says, a holdpool is just that. Rose tinted glasses or not I'm just trying to be realistic and keep my career going in the meantime!
I've been in the pool since start of June, price of oil is about to sky rocket, the euro is in the placebo of a bailout for Greece with Spain and Portugal still to go.
I've not been in aviation long, only 5yrs. I have noticed one thing that promises are never kept and you are just an expense.
After the Olympics things will hopefully become clearer.
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Hi Chaps and Lady Pilots,
I would just like to back up 757Driver's points.
I too was in the pool back in 2008 and was mightily hacked off when recruitment started again after two months post closure.
They were indeed different times and things are (should be) slightly different this time.
The reason for the pause IS partially down to the training burden; my place comes to a hault when we have 5 concurrent courses at different stages. The best guess for BA at the moment is about 30 courses at different stages on top of LPC/LOSA. Even for BA thats a big requirement.
I have no rose-tinted glasses whatsoever having been here before. I do however maintain a sense of pragmatism: I have a job, its not the end of the world if it doesnt happen but 12 months is a long time in aviation!
My best advice to all new swimmers would be this:
Stop fretting. This has happened before and it will almost certainly happen again to someone else. You've done all the hard work so just carry on in your own companies now and build your hours. If you arent going to be bonded, take the command/TRI/LTC/other a/c courses as loyalty is not rewarded. When you get to your last 3 months in the pool, give Lima Charlie a call and start to be a bit more concerned. Above all, nobody panic, everyone remain calm.
If any recent additions to the Holdpool want to be on the email list but havent contacted me yet, drop me a PM with your current a/c, airline and day 1 and 2 dates.
I would just like to back up 757Driver's points.
I too was in the pool back in 2008 and was mightily hacked off when recruitment started again after two months post closure.
They were indeed different times and things are (should be) slightly different this time.
The reason for the pause IS partially down to the training burden; my place comes to a hault when we have 5 concurrent courses at different stages. The best guess for BA at the moment is about 30 courses at different stages on top of LPC/LOSA. Even for BA thats a big requirement.
I have no rose-tinted glasses whatsoever having been here before. I do however maintain a sense of pragmatism: I have a job, its not the end of the world if it doesnt happen but 12 months is a long time in aviation!
My best advice to all new swimmers would be this:
Stop fretting. This has happened before and it will almost certainly happen again to someone else. You've done all the hard work so just carry on in your own companies now and build your hours. If you arent going to be bonded, take the command/TRI/LTC/other a/c courses as loyalty is not rewarded. When you get to your last 3 months in the pool, give Lima Charlie a call and start to be a bit more concerned. Above all, nobody panic, everyone remain calm.
If any recent additions to the Holdpool want to be on the email list but havent contacted me yet, drop me a PM with your current a/c, airline and day 1 and 2 dates.
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A simple premise to remember with anything in BA is that the management of BA is, generally speaking, reactive not proactive at the lower eschelons.
What I mean by this is there is a prevalence of 'knee jerk' reactions to changing environmental/economic pressures.
Whilst, in this case, the 'knee jerk' is to the potential detriment of those in the hold pool, a subsequent 'knee jerk' reaction could thump everything back on original track.
The sad fact of life is that even half of those whos job it is to make these decisions don't know what's going on!
Capacity is the current buzz word within the training department. Time will tell where that capacity will be aimed at be it BMI or DEP. My only hope is that they waste neither the applicants time nor the companies money by draining the pool again.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you guys.
What I mean by this is there is a prevalence of 'knee jerk' reactions to changing environmental/economic pressures.
Whilst, in this case, the 'knee jerk' is to the potential detriment of those in the hold pool, a subsequent 'knee jerk' reaction could thump everything back on original track.
The sad fact of life is that even half of those whos job it is to make these decisions don't know what's going on!
Capacity is the current buzz word within the training department. Time will tell where that capacity will be aimed at be it BMI or DEP. My only hope is that they waste neither the applicants time nor the companies money by draining the pool again.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you guys.
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Well done and goodluck for day 2
Although assessments will be suspended from the end of this month, it is positive to see that there is some requirement to add to the existing pool before that time. And from what I hear, the existing pool isn't all that full. Hopefully there is a plan for those remaining, however the wait appears to be a lengthy one. Very lengthy for one or two by all accounts
Fingers crossed for all concerned.
Although assessments will be suspended from the end of this month, it is positive to see that there is some requirement to add to the existing pool before that time. And from what I hear, the existing pool isn't all that full. Hopefully there is a plan for those remaining, however the wait appears to be a lengthy one. Very lengthy for one or two by all accounts
Fingers crossed for all concerned.
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Thanks
We were told on the day we would prob have to wait until the end if the summer to do the sim...
Not that I'm pretending to know what BA's plans are but they said to us that more than likely recruitment would start up towards the end of the year/next year
We were told on the day we would prob have to wait until the end if the summer to do the sim...
Not that I'm pretending to know what BA's plans are but they said to us that more than likely recruitment would start up towards the end of the year/next year
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We were told on the day we would prob have to wait until the end if the summer to do the sim...
Then again the pool could be drained by then. Aviation has a habit of being unpredictable and as the ever helpful guy on the inside (Wirlbelsturm
) suggests, actions can be a little 'knee jerk' at times. Keep thinking positive thoughts!
