BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: London
4468 - Have you been a Captain at Easy/Jet2/Ryan and BA? Seeing as though it has been mentioned on here that it takes about 13 years inside BA to get the SH command salary close to that of the three LoCo’s you mention, please tell me what the lifestyle is like at BA as a junior Captain that makes it worth it. Bearing in mind two of those LoCo’s have a package worth in excess of £120k a year before bonuses with a fixed roster pattern and home each night - ideal for a having a life outside of work.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
I completely disagree with that! I felt like I was a financial inconvenience to the management at my previous LoCo. I had to flight for everything while there, I couldn’t face another couple of years working there, let alone another 35! Albeit I got a Longhaul position here, I would have taken SH, the majority of my friends did and are very happy. My work life is no longer stressful and therefore my home life has become stress free. I think the majority of this has to do with the attitude and culture at BA, where pilots are still treated like professionals, left to get on with the job!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 724
Likes: 24
From: UK
Its been done to death, on this thread and others. there are pros and cons a plenty.
From my perspective, if you are in your 20s/early 30s and single(ish) then BA is still as good a gig as any. The main reason being you can bid to move around between SH and LH every 5 years. I find that kind of career choice liberating and it helps stoke up enthusiasm for the job.
Realistically, most join and do around 5 years A320 and then move to a LH fleet, then take stock after 5-10 years about a SH command. Many stay LH as the lifestyle is to their liking. Very few actually do a new Type Rating every 5 years/jump around between SH/LH but it is possible if you really love Groundschool.
Joining straight onto LH is a nice move for already experienced guys but you will sit at the bottom of a very long list with hardly any appreciable movement for quite some time.
If you want big money early then forget it. My mates at Locos are all far better off than I am. That said you can be at £100k p.a within 7-8 years as a LH F/O - with overtime and bonus.
Glad to hear the patient swimmers are being rewarded. A350 joins the fold in 2019 for anyone who fancies it.
From my perspective, if you are in your 20s/early 30s and single(ish) then BA is still as good a gig as any. The main reason being you can bid to move around between SH and LH every 5 years. I find that kind of career choice liberating and it helps stoke up enthusiasm for the job.
Realistically, most join and do around 5 years A320 and then move to a LH fleet, then take stock after 5-10 years about a SH command. Many stay LH as the lifestyle is to their liking. Very few actually do a new Type Rating every 5 years/jump around between SH/LH but it is possible if you really love Groundschool.
Joining straight onto LH is a nice move for already experienced guys but you will sit at the bottom of a very long list with hardly any appreciable movement for quite some time.
If you want big money early then forget it. My mates at Locos are all far better off than I am. That said you can be at £100k p.a within 7-8 years as a LH F/O - with overtime and bonus.
Glad to hear the patient swimmers are being rewarded. A350 joins the fold in 2019 for anyone who fancies it.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 7
From: pluto
The main reason being you can bid to move around between SH and LH every 5 years.
And 25% joined in the last 5 years so it's a big bulge.
Jewel in the crown was bidline
Last edited by blimey; 8th February 2018 at 18:04.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 724
Likes: 24
From: UK
Aiminghigh, yeah makes sense. I've got kids and a big mortgage too, and I wouldn't leave a loco command at the age I am now unless I absolutely had to fly LH. That said some people do just that and they make it work so your guess is as good as mine - its all extremely subjective!
Blimey
SHHHHHH! (I heard a year ago that AC and SG had a list of big ticket items they were pointing both barrels at, number 1 was pensions, guess what number 2 was.
Blimey
......at the moment.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 103
From: Botswana
And I’ve heard from others ITK that it’s not even remotely on the radar so depends which rumour you want to believe really. You can drive yourself mad if you worried about everything you heard on the rumour mill.
Not exactly a Nostradamus prediction to say they were looking to address the pension situation, especially as Steve Gunning had said it himself directly in his introductory video almost two years ago!
Not exactly a Nostradamus prediction to say they were looking to address the pension situation, especially as Steve Gunning had said it himself directly in his introductory video almost two years ago!
Last edited by RexBanner; 8th February 2018 at 19:14.
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: London
Just read on !!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Airbus Is in Talks With British Airways on More A380s - Page 7 - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Someone said someone posted on yammer that a new A380 order is imminent, but since posting the post has been removed from yammer.....
Anyone on the inside have any more info?
Someone said someone posted on yammer that a new A380 order is imminent, but since posting the post has been removed from yammer.....
Anyone on the inside have any more info?
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Cutting grass on more unpaid leave
BA has delayed retirement of some of their 747s and expanded their fleet so that now they are 11 aircraft short for completing the replacement. If they want to further expand their fleet then that number would rise further.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 3
From: somewhere in the middle
My understanding from the conference call was that rather than let you know in advance, (“Hey TTR, we’re putting you on a course in October, that ok?”) they are waiting until 90 days before your expected start date to contact you.
In that instance, it may be a flurry of activity followed by periods of radio silence.
In that instance, it may be a flurry of activity followed by periods of radio silence.
Joined: Sep 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 940
Likes: 57
From: Scotland
TTR, I suspect that is simply because nobody in BA has a clue what the course/manning status is like in October. People in the company only get notified 6 weeks ahead of a course (with all planned leave &c being wiped off your roster) so you are actually getting twice the notice we are!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 3
From: somewhere in the middle
Jwscud, I completely understand the reasoning behind why they aren’t giving more than the bare minimum notice for start dates. Doesn’t make it any easier when you’re at the bottom of the (TR) hold pool acutely aware of how quickly things can change. One morning you’re flying to Tenerife, prepping for a command interview, 24 hours later you’re unemployed...
Just putting my spin on why it’s a bit “peaks & troughs” with people getting called for start dates.
Just putting my spin on why it’s a bit “peaks & troughs” with people getting called for start dates.
