BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, England
Airbus Unplugged
The final third of your post,#287, is of particular interest. I'm not suggesting that this is good or bad, but increasing consumer power doesn't come without sacrifice for which employees bear the most of these costs and not owners of capital. Return on labour plunges while return on capital grows which is good for the company.
I do sympathise with your situation but is the proportion of capital in BA that goes to employees in decline even though you put in more hours? I say No.
I think what's happening here is that capital is aligning with power (consumer) and we're seeing a new alliance. Would this alliance be enough to keep/create more jobs & over time in the flight deck? I say yes.
The final third of your post,#287, is of particular interest. I'm not suggesting that this is good or bad, but increasing consumer power doesn't come without sacrifice for which employees bear the most of these costs and not owners of capital. Return on labour plunges while return on capital grows which is good for the company.
I do sympathise with your situation but is the proportion of capital in BA that goes to employees in decline even though you put in more hours? I say No.
I think what's happening here is that capital is aligning with power (consumer) and we're seeing a new alliance. Would this alliance be enough to keep/create more jobs & over time in the flight deck? I say yes.
Last edited by kirungi1; 16th June 2014 at 16:38.
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
It's entirely right to evaluate the pros and cons of BA to you as an individual.
In terms of whether you agree with them or not is unfortunately tough, as BA will have no shortage of candidates regardless of things not being what they once were.
I would assume that things will get slightly worse at BA, but that will probably be the case no matter which airline you're at. Unless you'd rather be at a regional base or time to command is imperative, BA is surely still the best place to be in the UK.
In terms of whether you agree with them or not is unfortunately tough, as BA will have no shortage of candidates regardless of things not being what they once were.
I would assume that things will get slightly worse at BA, but that will probably be the case no matter which airline you're at. Unless you'd rather be at a regional base or time to command is imperative, BA is surely still the best place to be in the UK.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
What more can the SH review do to make the operation more efficient? Are they going to start changing the whole philosophy of aircraft being parked on foreign aprons overnight? Surely this must be one of the biggest controllable expenses associated with the SH operation (parking charges and putting crew up)?
I'm sure my short haul colleagues can give you plenty of examples of how the operation could be made much more cost effective and efficient without trying to force the pilots to work yet more duty hours.....there's a need to think "beyond the flight deck", or even "beyond the aircraft"
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: UK
Are they going to start changing the whole philosophy of aircraft being parked on foreign aprons overnight? Surely this must be one of the biggest controllable expenses associated with the SH operation (parking charges and putting crew up)?
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 0
From: UK
If they took bidline away, would that mean junior trash would get a better rostering experience than they have today? What is the likely outcome of all this and what would that look like for all?
However, under the current arrangements, the "junior trash" (as you call them) tend to work to a "blindline". In essence that means little choice in the work, but due to the vagaries of the system, they work less - by say 10%-15%. So anybody with evening classes on Tues/Wed/Thurs evening is pretty well OK to attend
Unfortunately, this "anomaly" has been noted by the grown-ups, and used as an illustration of how the current system is "not working". It is hard to disagree
One possible outcome might be to leave the current system as far as possible, but find ways to get the Blindlines to near 100% work.Were that to succeed, not only would there be little choice, and working every weekend, but the mid-week evening classes might not be so safe
That is but one possibility / interpretation, it's a big unknown for all right now...
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 351
Likes: 148
From: FL390
Useful reminder jw; if you don't wish to be exposed to cadet "more senior" colleagues, outfits which elect to tap that resource likely won't suit and you'd be better off remaining clear.
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: UK
I've not applied and nor do I have any interest in doing so!
Asking for people to list their experience might be a kick in the gonads for some! I can assure you that your experience is a minute part of the requirement and the main hurdle is answering the essay questions appropriately.
Asking for people to list their experience might be a kick in the gonads for some! I can assure you that your experience is a minute part of the requirement and the main hurdle is answering the essay questions appropriately.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 13
From: Somewhere
With the sheer number of applications even the No's may take a while in coming. It would be interesting to know if they started working on the applications as they were received or whether it is an arbitrary process started on an fixed date.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 13
From: Somewhere
I'd be inclined to question that. Perhaps that's the date they were provisionally given. I'd say with the amount of time that has already gone by they're going to struggle to get everyone to selection days in advance of that. Obviously could be wrong though but you'd think successful candidates would have heard something by now if it were the case.
(Of course you did say "start" so who knows?)
(Of course you did say "start" so who knows?)
Last edited by Plastic787; 19th June 2014 at 10:57.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: UK
I received an email last week inviting me to Day 1. Not my first time applying - the old Day 1 is now spread over 2 days. Tests on Day 1. If you're successful go back on another day for an interview and the group exercise. If you're again successful you'll be called back for a sim check. Quite a frugal process and with forced draft, the potential for change in the bidline system AND SH working their socks off it really is an interesting proposition. Having said that, it's a long term career which I think will pay off as I wish to go long haul. However, it's not for everybody......