BA Direct Entry Pilot.

[applecrumble]

My guess is that they are waiting for bid results so they then know exactly what they are up against in terms of manpower?

[Mizar]

When should these bid results be out again?

[applecrumble]

Usually start of Oct if i'm not mistaken.

[wiggy]

I suspect that's a bit optimistic (by about 3-4 weeks).

Last news on yammer from the person responsible for processing all this was results due out (for internal consumption) in November, but they will try for late October publication date if it is possible.

[Mizar]

Well not too long then. Staying optimistic then!

[GOS]

I'm still assuming nobody has heard anything more on this online presentation we were promised back in July?

[thetimesreader84]

Because I have to put a certain number of characters into my reply, this is a long winded way of saying...

...no.

[Hotel Mode]

Flight ops have literally just been presented with the operational plan. The manpower plan is is in its infancy as a result. The training managers literally have no idea what next year holds yet.

The 747 that was going next year now isn't, which may create unexpected demand I guess.

[thetimesreader84]

While that’s all good to know, why am I hearing this stuff on an online rumour network, from someone (with greatest respect) who could be anyone saying anything?

The presentation was supposed to make it easier to answer our questions on things like hold pool time (is it an extra year from our original expiry date, the extra 6 months, what?) the additional interview we have to have before joining (is it just a chat & cv update, or pass / fail interrogation like the initial?) and so on.

Our last contact with BA was July. Before that, May. I’m not expecting hour - by - hour bulletins, but some idea of what to expect and most importantly when might have been nice.

[Northern Monkey]

The only explanation I can think of is that BA do not appreciate the time and effort that people put in to the selection process and the emotional investment involved. Probably because they know that if and when they open up the process again to new applications they will be overwhelmed.

[wiggy]

The only explanation I can think of is that BA do not appreciate the time and effort that people put in to the selection process

Umm, TBH that's pretty unfair on some of the individuals involved at the BA end. I'd guess the likes of the former recruitment manager (pilot) who used to pop up here and many of those involved in the recruitment process, many of them pilots, really do appreciate the time and effort involved.

However (as always) at a company level it's all (and I mean everything) governed by the bean counters and I suspect you are right about the level of future applications.

[Northern Monkey]

Sorry I should have worded my post better. I of course refer to corporate BA and not the individuals involved in selection and especially not the pilot recruiters, many of whom I have flown with and whom I have great respect for - and were it up to them I suspect the comms would be better.

However the evidence remains that there seems to be a lack of communication which does suggest an indifference towards the holdpool coming from somewhere.

[wiggy]

However the evidence remains that there seems to be a lack of communication which does suggest an indifference towards the holdpool coming from somewhere.

No argument with that and it shouldn't be like that.

I don't know how the comms side of the DEP recruitment process is/was established. Given ACs attitude to spending a penny on anything deemed none essential I wonder if the job of communicating with the hold pool has simply slipped through the cracks during some establishment change that happened this year.

[applecrumble]

So, in light of the news at Monarch, do we think that anything will be done to help the Monarch guys in the holdpool at BA? Maybe bring them in a tad earlier to keep them in pay?

[Northern Monkey]

BA’s focus at the moment is very much on getting the remaining FPPs through the door this year. I wouldn’t expect any special favours for the Monarch pilots I’m afraid.

Still no news regarding when or if people from the holdpool will be recruited.

Personally I still believe that given the uptake of part time, the number of retirements which appears to be slightly higher than estimates I’ve seen previously and the new aircraft we have arriving next year, the introduction of JSS etc, I would be surprised if there was no DEP recruitment in 2018.

But that’s based on nothing more than semi-informed speculation.

[Alanrobins01]

It is probably not worth getting peoples hopes up but I wanted to put it out for debate. With Monarch airlines LGW slots now open to a bidding war between easyJet and British Airways as described by the Financial Times, should BA/IAG be awarded slots any time soon, they could need more pilots and whats more, need them fast. I say this only hoping that any of Monarch's rated pilots in the hold pool could be fished out soon!

[wiggy]

Whose aircraft are they going to fly?

[Alanrobins01]

Hi wiggy. I would presume they would lease aircraft, just like Monarch's aircraft were leased. They will find a way to get aircraft otherwise why would they be bidding for slots? I am in no doubt that BA/IAG want to take the slots to stop not only further easyJet but also further Norwegian expansion from LGW.

[wiggy]

Interesting thoughts...obviously having got the slots BA have to use them...Given this all kicked off a few days back I've not heard any rumours....wonder if anyone else has any thoughts?

[Alanrobins01]

I should add that it was none other than media reports to get my mind speculating and I don't want to come across as insensitive given that these slots are only available given the sad situation at Monarch but hope that all those ZB pilots could come in useful at BA.