BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 390
The first time I tried to get into BA, my daily ride was a 737 and I paid a fortune for practice in a full flight 747 sim. Didn't get in.
The second time, my daily ride was a 320 and I paid reasonable money for practice in a fixed base 737 sim. Didn't get in.
The third time, 6 months after the second time, I paid no money to anyone and just showed up. Got in.
Just saying
The second time, my daily ride was a 320 and I paid reasonable money for practice in a fixed base 737 sim. Didn't get in.
The third time, 6 months after the second time, I paid no money to anyone and just showed up. Got in.
Just saying
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Botswana
Posts: 743
I practiced the hell out of the 747 on FSX, got in first time. There's a million different stories from a million different people (not literally). You can't use anything as a guide. Do what you think is necessary and do your best.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Uk
Posts: 142
Can anyone confirm the Numerical and verbal reasoning tests have changed. I have a million practice types for the old style tests. Anyone have knowledge of where examples can be sort for accurate practice for the new style.
much appreciated
much appreciated
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: uk
Posts: 28
Sounds like the verbal has changed (maybe now easier).
Think the numerical is the same (but I went through in October).
Numerical-
*If it's 30secs per question and it's taking longer...move on
*you can eliminate some answers with rough maths
*just practice basic, FAST number crunching.
Good luck
Think the numerical is the same (but I went through in October).
Numerical-
*If it's 30secs per question and it's taking longer...move on
*you can eliminate some answers with rough maths
*just practice basic, FAST number crunching.
Good luck
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,517
What impact would a Brexit have on employment of non-UK residents?
Non-UK nationals, regardless of their country of residency: Nobody knows.
IMVHO and as far as BA is concerned my guess is that if it's "leave", eventually and after negotiations there will be "grandfather rights" for those non-UK nationals already in BA to allow them to remain employed. For new recruits I'd hazard another a guess: based on the demand for employees and the numbers of suitable applicants within the UK and elsewhere BA will try very hard to ensure the UK government issues work permits/visas for those from the EU (and perhaps elsewhere) who want to join BA.
Knowing the way BA work I certainly cannot see them meekly accepting they can only recruit from the UK labour pool..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandfather_clause
Last edited by wiggy; 23rd Jun 2016 at 10:37. Reason: format
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Soon to be out of the EU.
Posts: 0
Well KLM employs almost interest Dutch crews (apart from ex KLMUK crews), Air France recruit almost entirely French people, Iberia entirely Spanish and Alitalia almost entirely Italian. They don't have problems keeping their planes crewed. Neither will BA.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,517
Oh I agree they could in theory, but I rather suspect BA have a different approach to costs, and are less hindered/less limited by legacy agreements with the likes of professional associations, national educational requirements (e.g concours) and language proficiency than some of the airlines you have mentioned. BA sure as heck will want to continue to recruit from the biggest pool possible, to get what they want at a price they are prepared to pay.
Since you mentioned the Dutch..get rid of them from my Fleet's training department and we would be in severe do do, so I rather suspect regardless of the "in" or "out" the demography at BA isn't going to change any time soon.
In the context of this thread I certainly wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a Brits only recruitment policy, we're a heck of a long way from that, if it ever happens.
Since you mentioned the Dutch..get rid of them from my Fleet's training department and we would be in severe do do, so I rather suspect regardless of the "in" or "out" the demography at BA isn't going to change any time soon.
In the context of this thread I certainly wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a Brits only recruitment policy, we're a heck of a long way from that, if it ever happens.
Last edited by wiggy; 23rd Jun 2016 at 14:16.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 75
And all credit to BA for their recruitment policy - it is how it should be done.
From first hand experience KLM (and the VNV) do not follow the same rules.
The way that they treated the, generally, British pilots in the takeover of Air UK/KLMuk some years ago was disgraceful.
Compare the KLM takeover of AirUK to the way that British Airways integrated Cityflyer Express at LGW - no comparison.
One more reason to vote out.
From first hand experience KLM (and the VNV) do not follow the same rules.
The way that they treated the, generally, British pilots in the takeover of Air UK/KLMuk some years ago was disgraceful.
Compare the KLM takeover of AirUK to the way that British Airways integrated Cityflyer Express at LGW - no comparison.
One more reason to vote out.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,517
Just to clarify, BA have plenty of trainers of many nationalities, more than a few of them Brits! I just picked the example of the Dutch nationality because I've worked with a couple of them and if a "no EU nationals" working at BA rule came in overnight that would leave the training department on at least one fleet a bit short, but not out, of trainers.. ..as for:
Not sure I'm on your wavelength and I really don't want to go off at a nasty tangent. Are you asking why BA don't currently give preference to British applicants for training positions?
If so I'd suggest it's because in the UK at the moment that would be very difficult to do easily and pretty much impossible legally. The UK system in general is quite permissive (for example professional organisations such as BALPA have no input into recruiting or selection for promotion/training), we don't really have a competitive national examination system to gate entry specifically into aviation, and we have a language that many europeans are frighteningly good at speaking. I like it the way it is, I think BA is the better for it, I accept others may think differently.
would/could & should they not be english if BA applied the same criteria as other airline mentioned
If so I'd suggest it's because in the UK at the moment that would be very difficult to do easily and pretty much impossible legally. The UK system in general is quite permissive (for example professional organisations such as BALPA have no input into recruiting or selection for promotion/training), we don't really have a competitive national examination system to gate entry specifically into aviation, and we have a language that many europeans are frighteningly good at speaking. I like it the way it is, I think BA is the better for it, I accept others may think differently.
Last edited by wiggy; 23rd Jun 2016 at 17:34.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 837
Kind of a risky strategy to get a BA command though. First get a command at another company and hope IAG buy them. Further hope they are incorporated into BA. Further hope you pass the BA incorporation training. Still think it's easier to apply and do your time in the RHS myself.
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: .
Age: 59
Posts: 99
VJW, you would never get a job with English level 4 at BA. You need to be fluent in the local language as in Af, KLM, LH,....
The foreigners who get a job in BA are almost bilingual, if you, as a Brit, are bilingual you won't have a problem getting a job in AF, KLM, IB,... It has nothing to do with nationality only with (language) skills, so where is the discrimination?
The foreigners who get a job in BA are almost bilingual, if you, as a Brit, are bilingual you won't have a problem getting a job in AF, KLM, IB,... It has nothing to do with nationality only with (language) skills, so where is the discrimination?
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oxford
Posts: 6
Hold pool update
I am currently bobbing along in the holding pool (12 weeks now) for LH. I spoke to them a few days ago regarding a course. They told me at the moment they are having an 'employment review'. This has resulting in the courses being put on hold while they decide on their requirements. Now they are unsure how long this could take, could be a few days, could be a few weeks, it's uncertain. They asked me to call back in another 2 weeks to see if they have an update. Thought I'd just let those fellow bobbers know in case they also had a heart attack when their phone rang with hope of start dates.
