BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 103
From: Botswana
That option was made unavailable to me because of my Airbus rating, Wiggy. I know for a fact there were turboprop pilots who went direct entry Long Haul after me despite never having flown a jet. Hours were not the issue, the rating was. Anyway I’m going to stop moaning about it now because there’s nothing that can be done and I’m sounding like a stuck record.
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: London
Those of us in the holdpool have been warned that if we decline the offer made, we will most likely be dropped from the holdpool due to the length of time we have been swimming.... so chances are people will accept anything to get their foot in the door...do the time/5yrs and bid for another fleet if required/desired.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Rex..
I get where you are coming from...I guess the BA POV was they would have to give the turbo-prop pilots a full TR etc, regardless of which fleet they went on. In your case they could save cash by putting you effectively your existing type...but yes I can see how it grates.
I get where you are coming from...I guess the BA POV was they would have to give the turbo-prop pilots a full TR etc, regardless of which fleet they went on. In your case they could save cash by putting you effectively your existing type...but yes I can see how it grates.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: uk
Rex,
I understand why you are peeved, I too was only given the choice of SH and joined almost exactly 3 years ago, 9 months later people from my previous company with no jet experience were streamed straight onto LH.
That said we both knew we were to be frozen SH for 5 years so I have no beef about it.
I am now at 40% seniority, one of my friends who went LH is still in the 90% bracket and my pattern of work as a commuter is far superior to his (note - pattern of work, we most definitely work harder but I get more days at home)
With the implementation of JSS and the ability to request working patterns I believe senior SH will be far better placed than junior LH to create and be awarded rosters that work for the , so much so I am seriously considering not bidding for LH this year (for the same reason will not be bidding for command) so I think it’s wait and see time.
From what I understand (from someone in the know) regarding those who had their freeze waived this year, most if not all will get the move but there may be a small number who are refrozen (by no means a given)
Don’t know anything about the FPP courses but if it means more DEPs then we will be working less...
LH will come if that’s really what you want just need to wait, there’s worse places to be - honest.
I understand why you are peeved, I too was only given the choice of SH and joined almost exactly 3 years ago, 9 months later people from my previous company with no jet experience were streamed straight onto LH.
That said we both knew we were to be frozen SH for 5 years so I have no beef about it.
I am now at 40% seniority, one of my friends who went LH is still in the 90% bracket and my pattern of work as a commuter is far superior to his (note - pattern of work, we most definitely work harder but I get more days at home)
With the implementation of JSS and the ability to request working patterns I believe senior SH will be far better placed than junior LH to create and be awarded rosters that work for the , so much so I am seriously considering not bidding for LH this year (for the same reason will not be bidding for command) so I think it’s wait and see time.
From what I understand (from someone in the know) regarding those who had their freeze waived this year, most if not all will get the move but there may be a small number who are refrozen (by no means a given)
Don’t know anything about the FPP courses but if it means more DEPs then we will be working less...
LH will come if that’s really what you want just need to wait, there’s worse places to be - honest.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 739
Likes: 6
From: York
I don’t think it’s very smart to put pilots with no jet experience straight on to LH. Sorry, but that’s my view! Particularly the case if there’s lots of heavy sectors on the fleet. That kind of decision is driven by accountants. Not pilots!
OTOH. Yes, joining on SH puts you at, what some consider as, the bottom of the pile. But believe it or not, there are actually some advantages. As has been explained by a previous poster, accelerated progression up the status list being one of them. Particularly significant one imagines with JSS? On SH, since most destinations are frankly, much of a muchness, pretty much the only significant differentiator between the upper parts of the list, and the lower, are the days of the week you choose to work, and access to one or two significant days off in a month, such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, night School, sporting fixtures etc. You will get that sort of control FAR earlier on SH! Not to mention Xmas at home!!
Alternatively, join LH at the bottom, and spend your life going to the Middle East in the height of summer, or North America in the winter. West coast of Africa or India. If you’re really lucky, you’ll join a fleet that has decent destinations. But you’ll only get to them when nobody else wants to go. You’ll also work every Xmas and probably New Year, that you can’t protect with leave or duty free week! Oh, and best get used to more people joining your status list above you, than below you!
Those who join BA first will ALWAYS enjoy the advantage of seniority over those who join even the following day. In BA (currently!) Seniority is EVERYTHING! If I was offered SH today, or LH next week. The answer is a no brainer! SH today please!!
Life is full of stepping stones. If you moan about SH, you’re probably the kind of person that will moan about LH! Do your damndest to enjoy wherever you are TODAY. Because that’s where you live your life!
OTOH. Yes, joining on SH puts you at, what some consider as, the bottom of the pile. But believe it or not, there are actually some advantages. As has been explained by a previous poster, accelerated progression up the status list being one of them. Particularly significant one imagines with JSS? On SH, since most destinations are frankly, much of a muchness, pretty much the only significant differentiator between the upper parts of the list, and the lower, are the days of the week you choose to work, and access to one or two significant days off in a month, such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, night School, sporting fixtures etc. You will get that sort of control FAR earlier on SH! Not to mention Xmas at home!!
Alternatively, join LH at the bottom, and spend your life going to the Middle East in the height of summer, or North America in the winter. West coast of Africa or India. If you’re really lucky, you’ll join a fleet that has decent destinations. But you’ll only get to them when nobody else wants to go. You’ll also work every Xmas and probably New Year, that you can’t protect with leave or duty free week! Oh, and best get used to more people joining your status list above you, than below you!
Those who join BA first will ALWAYS enjoy the advantage of seniority over those who join even the following day. In BA (currently!) Seniority is EVERYTHING! If I was offered SH today, or LH next week. The answer is a no brainer! SH today please!!
Life is full of stepping stones. If you moan about SH, you’re probably the kind of person that will moan about LH! Do your damndest to enjoy wherever you are TODAY. Because that’s where you live your life!
Last edited by 4468; 5th February 2018 at 14:04.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 114
From: UK
Well said 4468 - thats why I'll be turning down BA and going DEC to Easy 
Just received an email that mentions BA recruitment to open again for 320 rated guys.
Just received an email that mentions BA recruitment to open again for 320 rated guys.
Last edited by VJW; 5th February 2018 at 16:15.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
Don’t cut your nose to spite your face. Opportunities like this don’t come around everyday, 6 months ago recruitment looked very dull. Fast forward to now, looks like LH DEP is back on the cards, I recon this is only the beginning! I feel I was very lucky to get the LH fleet I did but I would have taken a SH offer time and time again! Having worked at one of the UK’s other big airlines I will never look back. I was in the company less than a day and I suddenly felt valued, appreciated and treated like a professional. Maybe it’s my attitude but I would think very hard about turning down an offer, after all the hard work you must have put in to get in the pool. You won’t get the same opportunities elsewhere. I generally love working for the company, which was a very different story at my previous! Good luck to you all, I hope you get what you’ve waited so patiently for!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 114
From: UK
The email says, 'Initial forecasting shows that the majority of offers for 2018 will be to the A320 with the majority being based at LGW. While we have a number of you in the holdpool who have an A320 rating, the numbers that are being predicted mean we will need more ROT A320 Pilots than there are of you in the holdpool so we will shortly be launching a new A320 recruit on type campaign.'
I understand that to mean that every A320 rated guy in the pool now will get offered a SH position eventually, but as there isn't enough of them and rather than type rate those that have been waiting 12-24 months in the pool, to save time and more importantly money they'll see if they can't get more rated guys externally first.
I understand that to mean that every A320 rated guy in the pool now will get offered a SH position eventually, but as there isn't enough of them and rather than type rate those that have been waiting 12-24 months in the pool, to save time and more importantly money they'll see if they can't get more rated guys externally first.
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: UK
Summer was fairly full on as to be expected. I’d say maybe 12 days off per month on average May-Sep. The winter provides a welcome break with more like 15-17 days off per month. All of the above depends on how you bid of course.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 739
Likes: 6
From: York
VJW
You illustrate my point perfectly. Many like you are delighted to do exactly the same thing, in the same seat, (of the same airframe?) for 30 years or more. Visiting the same strips of tarmac but rarely experiencing those destinations. Working the same fixed rosters, and knowing 10 years in advance whether they’ll be off for anniversaries/ birthdays etc. There’s a lot to be said for that kind of life. As I’ve said BA isn’t for everyone. So why did you bother ever applying?
Should BA make you an offer, you’ll have the ‘pleasure’ of turning them down, and BA will be delighted to show you the door, before shouting, “Next!”
Well said 4468 - thats why I'll be turning down BA and going DEC to Easy
Should BA make you an offer, you’ll have the ‘pleasure’ of turning them down, and BA will be delighted to show you the door, before shouting, “Next!”
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 114
From: UK
I applied before I had kids and my opinion has since changed. No need for all the hostility chaps. I worked hard to pass BA’s assessment and really wanted to join. All I’m saying and I thought I was agreeing with 4468 in that I’ve had to take matters into my own hands and take/be happy with the actual opportunities I’ve been offered.
It’s a shame of course but for 16 months I’ve only ever had emails from BA that ended with, ‘I’m sorry this might be disappointing news.’
Icanseeclearly FWIW, I'm not sure you need to be at or soon to be joining an airline in order to post on 'it's' thread. I note you've been in BA over 3 years yet you have posted on RYR threads within this time. How is it you've been able to do that?
It’s a shame of course but for 16 months I’ve only ever had emails from BA that ended with, ‘I’m sorry this might be disappointing news.’
Icanseeclearly FWIW, I'm not sure you need to be at or soon to be joining an airline in order to post on 'it's' thread. I note you've been in BA over 3 years yet you have posted on RYR threads within this time. How is it you've been able to do that?
Last edited by VJW; 5th February 2018 at 16:21.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: over there
A320 LGW DEP recruitment now open, come on in!
https://jobs.ba.com/jobs/vacancy/dir...2/description/
https://jobs.ba.com/jobs/vacancy/dir...2/description/
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: UK
Re. Commuting to LGW: as mantioned above there are some tours available, but they're generally quite popular in the RHS as guys try and max out their take-home pay. They're generally more popular for FO's than Captains, and you'll see more uncovered ones for the LHS. And who doesn't like an afternoon bike ride pub crawl in Jersey?
I guess you'd definitely need some sort of bolthole. Generally day trips, and you can expect to do one or two trips clearing after midnight each month in the summer. There will be times where it's 6 on, 1 off, 6 on, and no-one will be too far away from 100 hours in 28 days by the time it gets to August/September.
I guess you'd definitely need some sort of bolthole. Generally day trips, and you can expect to do one or two trips clearing after midnight each month in the summer. There will be times where it's 6 on, 1 off, 6 on, and no-one will be too far away from 100 hours in 28 days by the time it gets to August/September.
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: North London at last
I wasn't aware that this thread was for BA or BA pool sitters only. Like myself, VJW's situation has changed considerably since entry to the pool. He has a command at easy to go to and with a young family to feed that is a significant difference in short term finance needs. An easy command salary now or sit in the seniority list waiting for years for the same at BA. Given domestic circumstances it becomes a no brainer.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 3
From: Room 506
Don't blame you one bit VJW. Just to put the finances into perspective, according to PPJN, EZY skipper is on £104k plus £30 per sector straight out of the box. To make the same basic salary at BA would involve 13 years service, plus approx £10ph flying.
In addition you wont be "junior trash" for years, and might see a weekend off occasionally.
No brainer to me...
In addition you wont be "junior trash" for years, and might see a weekend off occasionally.
No brainer to me...