BA Direct Entry Pilot.

[FACoff]

ETOPS - yes, but whether this is in addition to the extra 6 months they gave us previously is still a mystery.

[wiggy]

While I'm here - I haven't seen the bid results, I really have no idea how things are going to end up for those of you in the pool, I am not trying to send a coded signal, but given the emphasis on the "new" L3 scheme I think we can see BA's long term strategy...

So...personally I'd like to apologise for the way you have been kept floating in the pool.. I don't think the individuals doing the comms with you at BA were at fault, I think they have become victims of the constant flux in planning (both airframe and financial) as much as you have.. but I don't think it should have been managed the way it has been, and I know many of my colleagues are of similar sentiment...

And above all I hope at least some of you get some good news in the near future..

[fr666]

Originally Posted by ETOPS

I'm given to understand that BA will extend applicants in the pool for another year.

Is that true? Can any hold poolers confirm it?

I have been extended until November 2018. Or do you mean beyond this?

[basiljet]

Thanks for the kind words wiggy I for one certantly appreciate it. At least they have kept us in the pool which is the least they can do considering the amount of effort they demand we put in for the interviews. I'll be hoping for some better news before the end of the year.

[Dracarys]

As wiggy says, BA’s strategy is becoming clearer. The preference for cadets seems to be driven by the notion that they are “cheaper”.

However, and I must stress that it’s only my personal opinion, I think there will be opportunities for DEPs in 2018. The reason is that the last of the FPP graduates will be joining the ranks fairly soon, but the new cadetship will not start yielding line-ready pilots until (possibly) summer / autumn of 2019 at the earliest. And I really doubt L3’s whitetail candidates will be able to exclusively satisfy BA’s demand for pilots next year without the training department going into overdrive.

[reeko]

Dracarys,

When you say you’re hopeful for DEP next year do you mean for those in the pool or new applications?

[Northern Monkey]

I very much doubt BA will advertise for DEP applications anytime soon with so many people in the hold pool at the moment. That is, not unless they suddenly become worried they may exhaust the hold pool supply which seems unlikely.

Any DEP recruitment in 2018 will almost certainly be from the hold pool I would have thought.

[reeko]

I am of the same opinion

[Mizar]

Bid results out yet?

[wiggy]

They were published earlier today but I must admit that as yet I haven't looked at them in any great detail.

[GS-Alpha]

Where have they been published wiggy? I cannot see them on yammer. Are you sure you are not looking at last year's results? There seems to have been a little confusion on yammer with that recently.

[Northern Monkey]

Think we’re still a few weeks away from the results. Someone dragged up last years results today and it made it look like this years results had been released. They haven’t.

[wiggy]

Oh , that is quite possibly what I saw earlier in passing. Apologies for the false alarm..as for yammer

[Mizar]

Well disappointing news then. Keeping on waiting and hoping for a better one. Cheers.

[GS-Alpha]

2018 PRIAM bid results are now out. I have no idea how it effects recruitment, although there do seem to be a lot of new short haul commands from seats which presumably need replacing with new entrant FOs. I think there are a fair few cadets waiting to come in although again, I don't know numbers.

[RexBanner]

As I have a vested interest (and I'm bored on a domestic nightstop with it teeming down outside) I've had a quick skim over the results directly affecting my status and consequently pilot recruitment. My count shows circa 100 Heathrow Airbus F/O's (including the LCY Fleet) leaving the RHS off to either Long Haul or taking their Command in 2018. This does not include Gatwick F/O's; of which there are also at least 20 or so. So I would hazard a guess of circa 120 F/O's requiring replacement, before you get into the argument of appropriate crewing levels.

Part time will also come into play but, just at a quick glance, I haven't seen all that much aspirational part time being granted. Right to request will push the figures up but obviously we're not party to those figures.

Interestingly, there have been a significant number of Freeze Waivers this year. If the recruitment policy now going forward is to only recruit low hours cadets from CTC (L3) and the rest then that trend will only continue. A glimmer of hope for those of us waiting to escape Short Haul.

[Mizar]

Well Rex, correct me if I am wrong but I guess we should take that as good news. Something seems to be moving creating a vacuum to be replenished with new workforce.

[FoxChaRomeo]

60-odd FPP guys in the pipeline, and a stated intention for BA to further recruit white-tails directly from CTC. Plus easyJet seemingly being very well crewed in the RHS for summer ‘18, so there’ll likely be a surplus of cadets in the market.

If the training department can cope with the volume of sim sessions and line training sectors these guys will generate, sadly even us 320-rated swimmers have no chance. Non rated guys and gals, I’m afraid I think you’ve got more chance of platting fog.

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be proven wrong in the coming months...

[Northern Monkey]

The other unknown currently is what plans IAG have for the Monarch slots they are reportedly acquiring at LGW.

[Snapper5]

I believe LGW slots will be for Level ? Some good competition for NAS