BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Netherlands
What so you’re saying because I had everything ready for when it opened this is rushed?
Anyone who is in the industry who is interested would have known it was opening.
Last time I missed out, work got in the way and I spent ages getting everything ready then they closed it early!!!
Rushed!! No just had everything prepared.
Anyone who is in the industry who is interested would have known it was opening.
Last time I missed out, work got in the way and I spent ages getting everything ready then they closed it early!!!
Rushed!! No just had everything prepared.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: planet earth
I should not even be on this thread, but, as an early retired and inconsequential Canadian, who flew numerous general aviation aircraft, and numerous airliners, mostly for charter operators (think britannia, monarch, and the like), long haul and short haul, big and narrowbody, and one asian national carrier doing long haul, I must say that being a pilot in the UK sounds awfully complicated. And yes, have flown into the UK numerous times, along with the rest of Europe. Just part of the job.
After a fair amount of outright bankruptcies, mass layoffs, and constant seasonal layoffs, it just so turned out that I had to get many new type ratings with the new employer, and all paid by the employer. So, none of this type rated requirement was going on. At the end of the day, it was just another airplane to learn. People of my ilk actually got fed up by going onto yet another course, just to fulfill employment requirements.
The two main carriers here, and, all of the American carriers, hire non type rated pilots all the time, and they provide all of the training. However, there are no cadet programs, people tend to have at the very least, 2000 to 5000 hours of flying time in anything that flies. Even if you had a type rating on one of their aircraft, it would mean little or nothing, since initial job awards are solely based on seniority driven openings.
I feel for you guys, aviation life in Britain sounds very hard...........
Cheers
After a fair amount of outright bankruptcies, mass layoffs, and constant seasonal layoffs, it just so turned out that I had to get many new type ratings with the new employer, and all paid by the employer. So, none of this type rated requirement was going on. At the end of the day, it was just another airplane to learn. People of my ilk actually got fed up by going onto yet another course, just to fulfill employment requirements.
The two main carriers here, and, all of the American carriers, hire non type rated pilots all the time, and they provide all of the training. However, there are no cadet programs, people tend to have at the very least, 2000 to 5000 hours of flying time in anything that flies. Even if you had a type rating on one of their aircraft, it would mean little or nothing, since initial job awards are solely based on seniority driven openings.
I feel for you guys, aviation life in Britain sounds very hard...........
Cheers
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: planet earth
Nope. Born in Canada and it is the only passport I have. So could never work in Europe in any case, pointless to even pursue an EASA/JAA/UK license or type rating. Do have two european born parents though, so I could have gotten the passport at least, but again, no point since I was installed in a life and a job over here.
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: England
Can any swimmers confirm if there has been any comms to the holdpool of late? I received an email back in Feb informing me that other people had been offered jobs (something about salt and wounds). 2 years of swimming now and no idea if i’ve a gold badge or indeed drowned. Have I missed the most recent Webinar?
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hi guys,
This is my first time getting through to the first assessment. For those that have done it before, it is similar to the way other airlines programme their computer based tests or is it something totally different?
cheers.
This is my first time getting through to the first assessment. For those that have done it before, it is similar to the way other airlines programme their computer based tests or is it something totally different?
cheers.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 35
From: Home
I should not even be on this thread, but, as an early retired and inconsequential Canadian, who flew numerous general aviation aircraft, and numerous airliners, mostly for charter operators (think britannia, monarch, and the like), long haul and short haul, big and narrowbody, and one asian national carrier doing long haul, I must say that being a pilot in the UK sounds awfully complicated. And yes, have flown into the UK numerous times, along with the rest of Europe. Just part of the job.
After a fair amount of outright bankruptcies, mass layoffs, and constant seasonal layoffs, it just so turned out that I had to get many new type ratings with the new employer, and all paid by the employer. So, none of this type rated requirement was going on. At the end of the day, it was just another airplane to learn. People of my ilk actually got fed up by going onto yet another course, just to fulfill employment requirements.
The two main carriers here, and, all of the American carriers, hire non type rated pilots all the time, and they provide all of the training. However, there are no cadet programs, people tend to have at the very least, 2000 to 5000 hours of flying time in anything that flies. Even if you had a type rating on one of their aircraft, it would mean little or nothing, since initial job awards are solely based on seniority driven openings.
I feel for you guys, aviation life in Britain sounds very hard...........
Cheers
After a fair amount of outright bankruptcies, mass layoffs, and constant seasonal layoffs, it just so turned out that I had to get many new type ratings with the new employer, and all paid by the employer. So, none of this type rated requirement was going on. At the end of the day, it was just another airplane to learn. People of my ilk actually got fed up by going onto yet another course, just to fulfill employment requirements.
The two main carriers here, and, all of the American carriers, hire non type rated pilots all the time, and they provide all of the training. However, there are no cadet programs, people tend to have at the very least, 2000 to 5000 hours of flying time in anything that flies. Even if you had a type rating on one of their aircraft, it would mean little or nothing, since initial job awards are solely based on seniority driven openings.
I feel for you guys, aviation life in Britain sounds very hard...........
Cheers
Not complicated at all! It’s a buyers market at the moment lots of recruitment too few pilots. Most Legacy airlines have a well trodden recruitment process to get the best applicants and weed out the weak.
In the UK we even take on non type rated pilots with 250 ish total hours out of reputable training schools and put them straight onto A320/B737 types.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: Germany
J V
Not complicated at all! It’s a buyers market at the moment lots of recruitment too few pilots. Most Legacy airlines have a well trodden recruitment process to get the best applicants and weed out the weak.
In the UK we even take on non type rated pilots with 250 ish total hours out of reputable training schools and put them straight onto A320/B737 types.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 13
From: UK
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 3
From: Room 506
You also need to factor in the lack of lifestyle for the first 5+ years in your mid 30's. Many sell BA as a lifestyle choice. But the reality is far from ideal, with most weekends at work, and 2+ periods of reserve every year. Not great if your past 30, with a family and very little time to reap the rewards at the end of the career, as a JUNIOR LH skipper.
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: London
Day 1 feedback
thank you!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: On the side of the pitch!
I joined at 34, was told I’d not get a even a short haul command at Gatwick for 16 years, but I got that in 4, then a Heathrow one 4 months later. Anything can happen, you never know. Been in 7 years now, checking iBid every month shows between 5-10 leavers per month, most not going to 65.
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Europe
I joined at 34, was told I’d not get a even a short haul command at Gatwick for 16 years, but I got that in 4, then a Heathrow one 4 months later. Anything can happen, you never know. Been in 7 years now, checking iBid every month shows between 5-10 leavers per month, most not going to 65.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Well it certainly is fluid but I’d not like to predict which way.....LH commands used to around the 15 year mark, recently however I’ve flown with several guys who are coming up to 20 years in the RHS and they are not being held back by being particularly selective in what they have bid for.
Logically I suspect you’ll see the time to command slide back down to more normal levels as retirements and a few resignations kick in so those that have already joined might benefit.
Logically I suspect you’ll see the time to command slide back down to more normal levels as retirements and a few resignations kick in so those that have already joined might benefit.
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: The Home of the Gnomes
If you use 18-20 years as a benchmark, you’ll be about right. It may go slightly more junior than that but it’s the holy grail for most people so don’t expect it to go wildly junior. My first opportunity for a LH command was at eighteen and a half years. It’s currently sitting at about 18.
I do do a lot of short (three day, two crew) trips on the 400 but that suits me. The senior mostly seem to head for South Africa.
I do do a lot of short (three day, two crew) trips on the 400 but that suits me. The senior mostly seem to head for South Africa.