British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 2

[Wirbelsturm]

For some reason, which I've yet to fathom, they had an absurd number of P1s for their operation

Captains were qualified to operate RHS as well as LHS.

For what actual reason they did this I don't know.

[xwindflirt]

It was "to maintain maximum flexibility". In practice it meant allowing pretty much any roster change dreamt up.

[SAR59]

SAR - LHR is the northern base in BA! If you get offered DEP LH commuting from oop north is very do-able, but expect to use local B&Bs on occasion, particularly when junior as back-to-back trips are fairly common.

Commuting on shorthaul is a bigger pain in the backside. As a junior F/O your best bet would be to live reasonably close to the likes of MAN/NEW/LBA/GLA/EDI as the domestic shuttles with a staff ticket are the best way of getting to and from LHR for crews who live up there and commute down. Again you would need a regular crash pad near Heathrow or a good deal with a B&B to make it work. There are plenty of Northern commuters in BA, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Thank you very much BMRR for the considered response.

[toro]

In an attempt to encourage those of you in the pool and wanting to join BA.
After getting in from a Long Haul trip this morning I spoke to a very senior and very genuine Manager about the recruitment situation. In his belief and best knowledge he can forsee a need for approximately a 1000 new pilots in the next 5 years....!!!

Obviously this is entirely dependent on many external factors that most of us don't even know about, however its a hell of a lot more encouraging than most other "Legacy" airlines are considering.

I have no other info but hopefully this (personal) opinion might be a glimmer of hope...???

[toro]

Sawadee,

I am a Long haul Capt for BA & have no agenda to give out the info I was given first hand this morning apart from to encourage those applying to BA.

It makes no difference to me, but the Manager who is a very respected person said he could forsee another 1000 over and above the BMI guys and already recruited pilots in the next 5 years...

Its not my opinion and obviously to be taken with a massive caveat.

[Callsign Kilo]

Thank you toro, we hope there is some truth in your colleague's suggestion. The holdpool is a bit of a precarious place to be at the moment. We all have the 'fear.'

[FLAPS 10-100]

wonder if there is any place in that 1000, for the poor 140 odd Baby pilots who are being cast to scrap heap?

[Flying Wild]

Originally Posted by FLAPS 10-100

wonder if there is any place in that 1000, for the poor 140 odd Baby pilots who are being cast to scrap heap?

Don't hold your breath...

[StopStart]

Jet2 have been holding recruitment "roadshows" aimed at the -300 Baby pilots although I have heard some of them turning their noses up at the idea
There are jobs you have and jobs you don't have.

Interestingly BA have now removed the "Managed Path" scheme for military folk from their recruitment website.

[The Eternal JP]

I wouldn't call 4 open days presentations full to capacity and applications for a job turning noses up. Very good presentation, especially as they didn't have to do anything for Baby.

[StopStart]

You're quite correct. I didn't say those attending had turned their noses up.

[FlyingTinCans]

Considering the email us holdpoolers got yesterday im suprised at the lack of posting.

Are we all too busy crying into our pillows or filling out Monarch applications?

Does anyone know if you have to have your start date with BA or just the phone call giving you a start date before your 'expiry' from the hold pool?

i.e you could be called the day before you expire for a start date in 3 months time?....... yes im clutching at straws of hope!

[Full Left Rudder]

The recruitment team have been asked this question by some other hold poolers. It is the last date they can call you. At least it offers a glimmer of hope!

[Flying Wild]

Originally Posted by FlyingTinCans

Considering the email us holdpoolers got yesterday im suprised at the lack of posting.

Are we all too busy crying into our pillows or filling out Monarch applications?

Does anyone know if you have to have your start date with BA or just the phone call giving you a start date before your 'expiry' from the hold pool?

i.e you could be called the day before you expire for a start date in 3 months time?....... yes im clutching at straws of hope!

Could you enlighten those of us who aren't in the holdpool but are partway through the assessment process, i.e. waiting for a sim date?

[FlyingTinCans]

No DEP recruitment until after 31st March 2013 at the earliest.

Maximum time in the pool wont be extended past 18 Months.

They acknowledge most of the pool will have 'expired' by then, and offer a sorry and if we want to reapply we can but will have to do the whole process again.

And to top it off, the 'future pilot program' cadets will be taking the current planned short haul vacancies at BA from autumn 2013 onwards.

[BlackandBrown]

Are you really surprised? Honestly? No one ever likes to hear the truth. Take a look at the monarch diehards on the monarch thread to see that.

[Full Left Rudder]

I would only add that the email did not physically say that 'most' of the pool would reach the end of the 18 months. Nonetheless, this seems a real possibility.

[Juan Tugoh]

Could you enlighten those of us who aren't in the holdpool but are partway through the assessment process, i.e. waiting for a sim date?

This happened to me a while ago, recruitment was frozen after the first stage of the process but before the sim ride. I never entered the hold pool. When the time passed those in the pool were ejected but because I was not in the hold pool I was not ejected. When recruitment started again I was first in line, those that had been in the hold pool had to reapply and start again.

So in some ways you may be in a fortunate position. Past behaviour is no guarantee that BA will act again in the same fashion but generally they are creatures of habit and will do what they have done before.

[BlackandBrown]

Given they're telling passengers 'DON'T FLY. Support team GB' I wouldn't have thought they'll need MORE pilots. They're so worried about being British they've forgotten the Airways bit.

[prelude01]

Cost effective selection process?

Why would BA instigate an FPP when they have a hold pool of screened, type rated pilots, swimming like crazy?
Why would they then let these people sink, only to invite them to reapply and put them through the whole costly selection process.....AGAIN....while the BMI folk get direct entry, without jumping through all the hoops dreamed up by the HR team?
I know the short answer is "because they can", but at a time when most airlines are looking at ways to cut costs, it makes as much sense as the Millenium Dome!!
(No offense to the BMI guys.....it's the policy of selection I am querying).