BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 639
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.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,913
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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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 129
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)?
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,044
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...
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: FL390
Posts: 81
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.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 370
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.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 148
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.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 148
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 Jun 2014 at 11:57.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Age: 49
Posts: 1
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......
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,913
MaxShr
the potential for change in the bidline system AND SH working their socks off it really is an interesting proposition.
Good luck with the assessment but given the state of flux with Bidline at the moment I'd recommend that any successful applicants have a very critical and careful look at what BA's rostering system looks like at the end of this summer before signing on the line - especially if you value having more than a weeks notice of your days off early in a month and/or have ongoing family commitments such as childcare (be aware, if you are not, that generally under current Bidline there isn't an underlying pattern of days on/days off). Under the temporary (?) arrangements announced last week we won't know our confirmed August rosters until 25th July at the earliest, so this patch up of Bidline is a bit of a horror story for anyone who has made plans or is trying to make plans for activities outside work.
it's a long term career which I think will pay off as I wish to go long haul.
in short haul for quite a while because it takes a long time to dig that tunnel that allows you to escape to long haul, if that's what you want (i.e. years at least, decade plus probably). Regardless on where you plan on ending up you really do need to seriously consider the life style issues and problems associated with BA short haul before making any decisions. BTW to give you some idea here's a video of a BA short haul pilot finally making the transition to a long haul fleet - I know regardless of what I say successful applicant will sign on the line regardless, I'd probably do the same....but please don't pop up on the forums in a year or two under another name complaining that rostering was better at Easyair or Ryanjet.....you've been given a heads up....
Last edited by wiggy; 23rd Jun 2014 at 10:12.
