BA cadet lifestyle & working conditions
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BA cadet lifestyle & working conditions
Hello
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum - hopefully those of you with BA can shed some light for me. I'm intending on applying for the BA FPP scheme that will hopefully be re-opening this year and would like some info on living/working conditions in the company.
Firstly, where do cadets tend to be based during their first few years of flying? I understand that it is most likely to Gatwick, but is it possible to live away from base? Would a 2/3 hour commute be do-able?
Also, what is life really like as a BA pilot? I love flying, and would love to fly as a career instead of a hobby, but I'm also a very keen sportsperson. Does your job completely take over your life or are you able to lead a well balanced and active lifestyle if you so wish?
I presume with more seniority and years under your belt you have more of a say over leave/routes etc than what cadets/FOs do? I'm just afraid that as a cadet on this scheme, BA will effectively have me tied in for the first 7 years due to bond re-payment, and will thus treat me and my fellow cadets as cannon fodder. Pessimistic I know but many Ppruners seem to paint a black picture of the airline industry at the moment and I want to be certain I'm making the right decision.
One final question that I hope will get some positive responses:
Is it all worth it?
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum - hopefully those of you with BA can shed some light for me. I'm intending on applying for the BA FPP scheme that will hopefully be re-opening this year and would like some info on living/working conditions in the company.
Firstly, where do cadets tend to be based during their first few years of flying? I understand that it is most likely to Gatwick, but is it possible to live away from base? Would a 2/3 hour commute be do-able?
Also, what is life really like as a BA pilot? I love flying, and would love to fly as a career instead of a hobby, but I'm also a very keen sportsperson. Does your job completely take over your life or are you able to lead a well balanced and active lifestyle if you so wish?
I presume with more seniority and years under your belt you have more of a say over leave/routes etc than what cadets/FOs do? I'm just afraid that as a cadet on this scheme, BA will effectively have me tied in for the first 7 years due to bond re-payment, and will thus treat me and my fellow cadets as cannon fodder. Pessimistic I know but many Ppruners seem to paint a black picture of the airline industry at the moment and I want to be certain I'm making the right decision.
One final question that I hope will get some positive responses:
Is it all worth it?
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The BA FPP is the best in the industry. As for a 2\3 hour commute most airlines expect you to be able to report for duty within 1 1/2 hours. At ba its a 2 hour response time to the car park. The caa frown on anything more and it is your responsibility to ensure you are properly rested for your duty. Bidding in ba is based on seniority so at the bottom you have little or no choice to your work pattern. New cadet pilots would be euro fleet so you would be driving a lot and in honesty it would be prudent to move closer to your base or arrange hotels around your duty.
So what is life as a pilot like? Generally I think its pretty good. I work hard and there are usually two 3 o'clocks in my day. I feel valued as a employee and have the pleasure of working with some great people. Its a rewarding job if you take pride in your work and always stride to improve your operation. Some may disagree but the pay is reasonable and in some airlines you get some nice perks. Roster patterns are changeable as are the routes you fly but its not unusual to do 5 or 6 days on then have 2-3 off. There is a common belief that pilots don't work that much but I can assure you thats not true. Bad points? Well there is the usual problem with fatigue and going from early duties to late duties. Being away at times can be a problem and affect relationships, roster instability affects some (ba is not known for this problem) sometimes to be honest a flight can seem to drag and you need to dig deep to ensure you continue to do your job in a vigilant and professional manner during periods of low work load. For me the worst bit is feeling like a old shoe in the morning after doing a all night flight and the commute to the airport.
Is it worth it? For me yes but don't under estimate how much work, luck and good fortune is required. Getting your first job is the hardest part and just getting good results from flight school is not enough. The one thing I would say is do not bet the house (yours or anyone else's) on getting a job as a airline pilot. You must have a way to repay your training debt if you cant get a flying job. First officers earn from a range of about £21k to 45-50k year one depending on the airline and aircraft type.
Its a long road but the BA FPP or similar ones which open up periodically with airlines such as flybe, Thomas Cook etc is the best chance of a successful outcome.
So what is life as a pilot like? Generally I think its pretty good. I work hard and there are usually two 3 o'clocks in my day. I feel valued as a employee and have the pleasure of working with some great people. Its a rewarding job if you take pride in your work and always stride to improve your operation. Some may disagree but the pay is reasonable and in some airlines you get some nice perks. Roster patterns are changeable as are the routes you fly but its not unusual to do 5 or 6 days on then have 2-3 off. There is a common belief that pilots don't work that much but I can assure you thats not true. Bad points? Well there is the usual problem with fatigue and going from early duties to late duties. Being away at times can be a problem and affect relationships, roster instability affects some (ba is not known for this problem) sometimes to be honest a flight can seem to drag and you need to dig deep to ensure you continue to do your job in a vigilant and professional manner during periods of low work load. For me the worst bit is feeling like a old shoe in the morning after doing a all night flight and the commute to the airport.
Is it worth it? For me yes but don't under estimate how much work, luck and good fortune is required. Getting your first job is the hardest part and just getting good results from flight school is not enough. The one thing I would say is do not bet the house (yours or anyone else's) on getting a job as a airline pilot. You must have a way to repay your training debt if you cant get a flying job. First officers earn from a range of about £21k to 45-50k year one depending on the airline and aircraft type.
Its a long road but the BA FPP or similar ones which open up periodically with airlines such as flybe, Thomas Cook etc is the best chance of a successful outcome.
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Last year during the final stage of selection we were given about an hour or so to chat with current BA pilots, the head of training and others. Very informative and they really know their stuff.
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Hello northern monkey
A lot has changed at BA within the last year, however many still regard it as a benchmark. A large portion of BA pilots refer to 'lifestyle' as being important and regard their employer as being the best seat in the house to have within the UK aviation sector. Those same pilots also suggest 'seniority is everything,' so the higher the seniority, the better the lifestyle so to speak. Seniority seems to dictate everything in BA, it may effectively mould the path of your career within the airline. However it is not to say that if you sit down at the bottom of the MSL then you are, as you put it, cannon fodder.' I know plenty of guys who have joined as DEPs within the last year or more. They all argue against such a suggestion.
In order to maintain a balance, I am more than certain that being a pilot within BA isn't without it's challenges. Sceptics will often make a point that potential new joiners often come to the airline with rose tinted glasses; however I see this type of behaviour across most organisations. The important thing is that you are aware of the pros and cons before you commit to joining. For one, you mention a two to three hour commute. That's completely impractical in any airline if you plan to do it on daily basis. The other is keeping your life balanced; many would argue that this is a prime reason to be in BA.
From my own personal experience, if the FPP scheme were to reopen this year, there would have to be some pretty strong assurances given to the recruitment department. Recruitment is currently suspended for the foreseeable and is rumoured to unlikely recommence until March 2013 at the earliest. There is still a lot of uncertainty about future requirements (just ask anyone within the present DEP holdpool!
) and with all the challenges facing the aviation industry at the present time, I expect BA management to take a prudent approach on the future. As I say, much has changed in the last year.
One things for certain, when things get going again, I would expect the process to be oversubscribed. In that time it would probably be wise to think clearly about why you wish to join. BA's selectors will need convincing that you want to come for the right reasons.
A lot has changed at BA within the last year, however many still regard it as a benchmark. A large portion of BA pilots refer to 'lifestyle' as being important and regard their employer as being the best seat in the house to have within the UK aviation sector. Those same pilots also suggest 'seniority is everything,' so the higher the seniority, the better the lifestyle so to speak. Seniority seems to dictate everything in BA, it may effectively mould the path of your career within the airline. However it is not to say that if you sit down at the bottom of the MSL then you are, as you put it, cannon fodder.' I know plenty of guys who have joined as DEPs within the last year or more. They all argue against such a suggestion.
In order to maintain a balance, I am more than certain that being a pilot within BA isn't without it's challenges. Sceptics will often make a point that potential new joiners often come to the airline with rose tinted glasses; however I see this type of behaviour across most organisations. The important thing is that you are aware of the pros and cons before you commit to joining. For one, you mention a two to three hour commute. That's completely impractical in any airline if you plan to do it on daily basis. The other is keeping your life balanced; many would argue that this is a prime reason to be in BA.
From my own personal experience, if the FPP scheme were to reopen this year, there would have to be some pretty strong assurances given to the recruitment department. Recruitment is currently suspended for the foreseeable and is rumoured to unlikely recommence until March 2013 at the earliest. There is still a lot of uncertainty about future requirements (just ask anyone within the present DEP holdpool!
) and with all the challenges facing the aviation industry at the present time, I expect BA management to take a prudent approach on the future. As I say, much has changed in the last year.One things for certain, when things get going again, I would expect the process to be oversubscribed. In that time it would probably be wise to think clearly about why you wish to join. BA's selectors will need convincing that you want to come for the right reasons.
Last edited by Callsign Kilo; 7th Jun 2012 at 14:45.
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1. You will have to move, but you may have to for other careers you're looking at.
2. Flying gives a good work-life balance compared to many careers, BUT you can't guarantee weekends off for matches etc.
3. If you want to be an airline pilot, BA is the best place to do it (in the UK at least). Joining the BA FPP scheme will give you a superb start and can save decades off your career, i.e. your seniority starts in your early 20s compared to those working in GA - other airlines - then joining BA at 40.
4. Do you want to be an airline pilot? An entirely separate question and one that I will leave for now.
2. Flying gives a good work-life balance compared to many careers, BUT you can't guarantee weekends off for matches etc.
3. If you want to be an airline pilot, BA is the best place to do it (in the UK at least). Joining the BA FPP scheme will give you a superb start and can save decades off your career, i.e. your seniority starts in your early 20s compared to those working in GA - other airlines - then joining BA at 40.
4. Do you want to be an airline pilot? An entirely separate question and one that I will leave for now.
