BA?
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Cloud Cookoo Land
Considering everyone in the last hold pool will have passed the much debated 18 month, point of no return rule; there has possibly been some change of tune out necessity here? Interesting times. No ones called me though 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 34
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From: United Kingdom
Apparently some ex poolers got called last week and re interviewed this week. I know a few guys who sat at the very top of the expired hold pool and have airbus ratings. They have heard nothing......
I wonder if a bit of "who you know" has been at work here for the chosen few.....
I wonder if a bit of "who you know" has been at work here for the chosen few.....
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 92
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From: uk
The process is as fair as it can be; those only see differently when it doesn't go in their favour. I can state as an absolute incontrovertible fact that nepotism plays no part in the selection process, and it's the continuing excellent work of LC that ensures that. If you tick all the boxes and there is a continuing requirement then job done.
With all due respect, those in the hold pool have no real idea where they sit and as such aren't in the best position to claim otherwise. It is true that those who received the call sat part of the selection process again.
Rest assured that those with minibus TRs will have been treated fairly and equally. That is one aspect of the process you can, with certainty, hang your hat on. Keep the faith.
With all due respect, those in the hold pool have no real idea where they sit and as such aren't in the best position to claim otherwise. It is true that those who received the call sat part of the selection process again.
Rest assured that those with minibus TRs will have been treated fairly and equally. That is one aspect of the process you can, with certainty, hang your hat on. Keep the faith.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
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From: The Winchester
Assuming its true
Sudden rethink/relook/recalculation of the business plan has led to the need for a dozen A320 P2s at LGW with a start date very very early next year.
AFAIK those that needed to be contacted have already had the call, commiserations to those that didn't.
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 332
Likes: 75
From: Oxford
Oh it's true alright Spam.
As someone who drowned in the pool obviously I am disappointed I didn't get the call
But I'm not typed on the Bus
It is true that those who received the call sat part of the selection process again
Surely it's much better to keep the people in the pool and then if its more than 12/18 months you could call them back in again for part of process as happened here!
I do know that the people who run the pilot selection do a great job and I am in no way suggesting foul play. But I'm guessing that if DEP opens up again the rest of us drownees are going to do the whole selection procedure again. So you can't really blame us for feeling a little hard done by
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,275
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From: Planet Moo Moo
I heard these guys were potentially going on the 380, true or not true?
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,373
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From: Home
Wirbelsturm
Exactly how would that work?
The FPP guys will only fly with captains.
New DEPs will also only fly with captains
Thus the influx of DEPs will have no effect on the experience level of the cockpit of a FPPs aircraft.
It takes a long time to be a BA captain, so by the time the FPP becomes a captain, experience is most definitely not a problem.
I think it is more likely that BA is just going to be short of guys early next year on the Airbus so needed some more guys online ASAP.
Exactly how would that work?
The FPP guys will only fly with captains.
New DEPs will also only fly with captains
Thus the influx of DEPs will have no effect on the experience level of the cockpit of a FPPs aircraft.
It takes a long time to be a BA captain, so by the time the FPP becomes a captain, experience is most definitely not a problem.
I think it is more likely that BA is just going to be short of guys early next year on the Airbus so needed some more guys online ASAP.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 343
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From: England
I heard that more hulls are being purchased at short notice for LGW and they need extra crews asap.
Also BA will need to recruit about 1000 pilots upto 2020. 500 to replace retirements and 500 for expansion. This is expected to split 50/50, DEP/ Cadet.
Also BA will need to recruit about 1000 pilots upto 2020. 500 to replace retirements and 500 for expansion. This is expected to split 50/50, DEP/ Cadet.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,275
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From: Planet Moo Moo
Tourist,
BA have always recruited DEP and cadet in the past to enable an even experience 'spread' to prevent the LHS constantly flying with very inexperienced co-pilots too often. It's a high workload for the first few months before the guys get their bearings and some route knowledge.
It's worked well in the past.
What binsleepin alludes to is also probably correct as the lead in time for the FPP guys and girls is long and with various moves afoot at LGW to put commercial pressure on BA they might need to ramp the operation up a bit.
BA have always recruited DEP and cadet in the past to enable an even experience 'spread' to prevent the LHS constantly flying with very inexperienced co-pilots too often. It's a high workload for the first few months before the guys get their bearings and some route knowledge.
It's worked well in the past.
What binsleepin alludes to is also probably correct as the lead in time for the FPP guys and girls is long and with various moves afoot at LGW to put commercial pressure on BA they might need to ramp the operation up a bit.
Last edited by Wirbelsturm; 18th October 2013 at 13:46.
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 20
From: My views - Not my employer!
WBF.
LHR crews can go to LGW. There are a few limitations such as a pay point cap which limits the will of the uber senior to bid for SH at LGW. Still good down there though and a DEP I imagine would be pretty happy...
LHR crews can go to LGW. There are a few limitations such as a pay point cap which limits the will of the uber senior to bid for SH at LGW. Still good down there though and a DEP I imagine would be pretty happy...
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 293
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From: UK
You can't mix LHR / LGW Airbus pilots as they work to different agreements.
As alluded to above, anybody can bid to move to LGW from LHR. However the superior bidding system at LHR is a big draw and also T&Cs are not as good at LGW (Pay cap, reduced Flight Pay Allowance Etc).
So LGW tends to be for those who live locally and enjoy the small base community, guys chasing ever diminishing (currently) command opportunities and new recruits (FPPs).
As alluded to above, anybody can bid to move to LGW from LHR. However the superior bidding system at LHR is a big draw and also T&Cs are not as good at LGW (Pay cap, reduced Flight Pay Allowance Etc).
So LGW tends to be for those who live locally and enjoy the small base community, guys chasing ever diminishing (currently) command opportunities and new recruits (FPPs).
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 3
From: on the golf course (Covid permitting)
Data I have recently seen says that 250 age related retirements expected through end 2020, as everyone seems to be going to 65 now.
Average age of all BA Captains is 50.2 years
Average age of the Captains in the top 1000 seniority places is 51.9 (so, on average 13.1 years before they retire)!
3610 BA pilots on seniority list of which 1700 captains
Do the maths!
Average age of all BA Captains is 50.2 years
Average age of the Captains in the top 1000 seniority places is 51.9 (so, on average 13.1 years before they retire)!
3610 BA pilots on seniority list of which 1700 captains
Do the maths!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 724
Likes: 24
From: UK
The lack of experience they are concerned about at LGW is not just down to FPP cadets but also the 737 captains who are all now gradually converting as the airbus takes over SH down there. Not so much experience in total hours but experience on type, they need to avoid a crewing situation where they are left with newly rated airbus skippers flying with new cadets. Anyway, LGW is great as a hideout from LHR but the future is very uncertain.
Times are changing.
Times are changing.