BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: flightlevel2
Good luck to those attending interviews and group exercises. Don't make the same mistake as someone on my day by referring to the head of pilot recruitment as a captain. He wasn't one at the time (not sure if that's changed).
Good and bad news from the air show. 20 neos ordered for short haul but will only be allocated if short haul returns a profit! Until then it's still wizz's cast off's.
IAG - International Airlines Group - News Release
These aircraft are currently intended to replace 21 shorthaul British Airways’ aircraft but will be reallocated if the airline cannot make a profitable return from its shorthaul business.
Good and bad news from the air show. 20 neos ordered for short haul but will only be allocated if short haul returns a profit! Until then it's still wizz's cast off's.
IAG - International Airlines Group - News Release
These aircraft are currently intended to replace 21 shorthaul British Airways’ aircraft but will be reallocated if the airline cannot make a profitable return from its shorthaul business.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 7
From: EU
Callsignkilo, your BA experience mirrors mine. I suspect we went through the process side by side back in 2011 (?). FlyingTinCans' eloquently written summary of the recruitment process is fairly accurate in timescale and content, in my experience, and it has always been thus with BA. Personally, back in 2011 BA 'made sense', but now I find myself closer to 40 than 30 and with a command on a Boeing, so BA's 2011 assessment that I was 'the right sort' for their operation probably no longer applies in 2014.
As for the BMI pilots/sympathisers who vigorously defend the tupe regs, I have some empathy. However, the irony and hypocrisy of a recruitment procedure that places such emphasises on aptitude, verbal reasoning and maths tests, group and individual interviews and then (let's face it) disregards it for 300 pilots is 'curious' to say the least. Of course, I would be equally pleased if I got into BA through the tupe route!
At the end of the day, we all fly very similar aeroplanes to very similar operating procedures. Some of us work far harder for a lot less money, and naturally feel rather jealous!
As for the BMI pilots/sympathisers who vigorously defend the tupe regs, I have some empathy. However, the irony and hypocrisy of a recruitment procedure that places such emphasises on aptitude, verbal reasoning and maths tests, group and individual interviews and then (let's face it) disregards it for 300 pilots is 'curious' to say the least. Of course, I would be equally pleased if I got into BA through the tupe route!
At the end of the day, we all fly very similar aeroplanes to very similar operating procedures. Some of us work far harder for a lot less money, and naturally feel rather jealous!
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 5
From: UK
the irony and hypocrisy of a recruitment procedure that places such emphasises on aptitude, verbal reasoning and maths tests, group and individual interviews and then (let's face it) disregards it for 300 pilots is 'curious' to say the least.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 7
From: EU
Ham Phisted,
Of course I know BA didn't have a choice, which is why I referred to TUPE and said it was ironic that their recruitment process was negated so spectacularly.
When your parent company (IAG) makes a commercial decision you have to bite the bullet... I'm sure there were lots of very good BMI pilots who joined BA's ranks, but there will have been those who joined but would never have passed selection.
Of course I know BA didn't have a choice, which is why I referred to TUPE and said it was ironic that their recruitment process was negated so spectacularly.
When your parent company (IAG) makes a commercial decision you have to bite the bullet... I'm sure there were lots of very good BMI pilots who joined BA's ranks, but there will have been those who joined but would never have passed selection.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 5
From: UK
There's no hypocrisy on BA's part which is what you you said. They had no choice.
You are definitely correct with this assertion and I believe that BA has taken remedial action for those that have perhaps struggled to come to terms with the transition from BMI.
I'm sure there were lots of very good BMI pilots who joined BA's ranks, but there will have been those who joined but would never have passed selection.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 206
Likes: 20
From: DSOTM
Went through the hoops today. I think I speak for everyone when I say that the capacity tests were downright awful. 
I expect nothing but a PFO. Best of luck to all applying, I really did find it very difficult.
I expect nothing but a PFO. Best of luck to all applying, I really did find it very difficult.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Not quite WW, there's no talk of a scheduling system called "Bidline" ceasing, that would be a step too far, but it is morphing at a very rapid rate ......
There's a bit of a long game being played at the moment between the Reps and the company, and it's not a good time for the Short haul community. The union reps are certainly catching some grief at the moment....however if the Reps are right about manning levels, or the lack of, some in management could perhaps find themselves with a "no tea, no biscuits" interview in Madrid if we end up with significant cancellations in August because of a lack of manpower.
That said IMHO BALPA are playing a high risk game, I hope for the membership's sake they've got it right.
There's a bit of a long game being played at the moment between the Reps and the company, and it's not a good time for the Short haul community. The union reps are certainly catching some grief at the moment....however if the Reps are right about manning levels, or the lack of, some in management could perhaps find themselves with a "no tea, no biscuits" interview in Madrid if we end up with significant cancellations in August because of a lack of manpower.
That said IMHO BALPA are playing a high risk game, I hope for the membership's sake they've got it right.
Last edited by wiggy; 23rd July 2014 at 05:53. Reason: Early AM revisions for clarity, syntax
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: House
Fair comment Wiggy I expect quite a few August cancellations with morale dipping by the day this force draft mechanism seems to be counter productive with sickness levels increasing. I can see trouble on the horizon especially with operations being reviewed with regards to cost savings needed.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: House
Anyone considering joining as a pilot at BA should read the following article and decide do they really want to join a company where profits are more important than the safety of it's employees and customers. If BA can't even gets it's cabin crew to turn up for this flight ( delay today ) maybe serious questions must be asked in light of other airlines concerns.
British Airways continues Israel flights despite rocket landing near Ben Gurion Airport | Mail Online
PS sinbin your trolling accusations are totally unfounded with your head buried in the sand once again no wonder your're not seeing the bigger picture.
British Airways continues Israel flights despite rocket landing near Ben Gurion Airport | Mail Online
PS sinbin your trolling accusations are totally unfounded with your head buried in the sand once again no wonder your're not seeing the bigger picture.
Last edited by Watersidewonker; 23rd July 2014 at 12:46.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: Cloud Cookoo Land
..however if the Reps are right about manning levels, or the lack of, some in management could perhaps find themselves with a "no tea, no biscuits" interview in Madrid if we end up with significant cancellations in August because of a lack of manpower.
