BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Joined: Jun 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: More up than down.
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3
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From: In The Night Garden
I wouldn't say desperate. I think it's as simple as the hold pool being pretty empty and courses need filling in January with most people on 3 months notice. It's certainly a good time to get in so congrats to those about to join and best of luck to those in the process. Not sure what the DEP assessment plan is once the 767 sim is removed.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Not sure “desparate” is the adjective I would use but BA need a lot of new bums on seats for the foreseeable future, certainly on the A320 out of both LHR and LGW.
As for the hours flown, well perhaps the pool of high hour type rated applicants prepared to accept the lifestyle change that goes hand in hand with working out of LHR on BA shorthaul T&Cs has reduced.
Anyhow congratulations to Mansnothot, who will be joining just in time to be one of the first very very junior victims of the new rostering system ....I wish him/her the best of luck.
As for the hours flown, well perhaps the pool of high hour type rated applicants prepared to accept the lifestyle change that goes hand in hand with working out of LHR on BA shorthaul T&Cs has reduced.
Anyhow congratulations to Mansnothot, who will be joining just in time to be one of the first very very junior victims of the new rostering system ....I wish him/her the best of luck.
Last edited by wiggy; 23rd September 2018 at 08:36.
Joined: Apr 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 307
From: In front of a computer
There's an update just out from LC painting a picture of continuing DEP recruitment for 2019 with potentially large numbers required. It was also reported that the number for 2018 joining BA was just under 280 heads. A guess would be a similar number for this coming year.
As ever with BA all this could evaporate overnight if industry circumstances change but this is todays plan.
Good luck if you are applying
As ever with BA all this could evaporate overnight if industry circumstances change but this is todays plan.
Good luck if you are applying
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 35
From: Home
Not sure “desparate” is the adjective I would use but BA need a lot of new bums on seats for the foreseeable future, certainly on the A320 out of both LHR and LGW.
As for the hours flown, well perhaps the pool of high hour type rated applicants prepared to accept the lifestyle change that goes hand in hand with working out of LHR on BA shorthaul T&Cs has reduced.
Anyhow congratulations to Mansnothot, who will be joining just in time to be one of the first very very junior victims of the new rostering system ....I wish him/her the best of luck.
As for the hours flown, well perhaps the pool of high hour type rated applicants prepared to accept the lifestyle change that goes hand in hand with working out of LHR on BA shorthaul T&Cs has reduced.
Anyhow congratulations to Mansnothot, who will be joining just in time to be one of the first very very junior victims of the new rostering system ....I wish him/her the best of luck.
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 239
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From: FL370
SH commands are also expected to go very junior, to the extent that we may not have enough bidders for LGW 320 P1s. Anyone joining in the next few months with the required hours may well have a very short wait for a LHS if you’re prepared to go to Gatwick.
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 146
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From: North London at last
That is a very quick change if absolutely accurate. I came out of the pool a while back for two reasons..... P1 at my current employer and advice that the LHS seat wait at BA would be a long wait even with 8000 jet hours.
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 239
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From: FL370
I don't know who told you that, but Gatwick has been very junior all year. I know of several who joined at the same time as I did in 2015 who are waiting for command courses at the moment. Unofficially I've heard that Gatwick commands could go sub-4000 on the seniority list next year. At the moment we have a little over 4200 pilots. I know of pilots around 3600-3700 who have already done the internal 'Essentials for Command' course and are just waiting for a course date. Now, if you're waiting for a LH command, that's a totally different story. 20 years plus isn't unrealistic!
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
FlipFlapFlop...
I’m possibly looking at a official comment/ document/message that quite possibly EMB has seen and whilst I won’t quote that source verbatim here I would suggest it strongly supports his opinion regarding shorthaul commands, especially at LGW.
I’d also second the comment that the timescale involved in moving to a left hand seat on longhaul is a completely different order of magnitude...
I’m possibly looking at a official comment/ document/message that quite possibly EMB has seen and whilst I won’t quote that source verbatim here I would suggest it strongly supports his opinion regarding shorthaul commands, especially at LGW.
I’d also second the comment that the timescale involved in moving to a left hand seat on longhaul is a completely different order of magnitude...
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 146
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From: North London at last
Thanks EMB. Although I am not unhappy at my decision to stay put (regional base now), a lot of the advice came from within these hallowed halls. I was looking for the post that said it was irrelevant how many hours I had as it would be years before even a SH command opportunity would arise.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
.... I think over the last year or so there has been what I shall call a err..”shift” in an attitude to recruitment, possibly driven the realisation that the irresistible force of “costs flat” actually can’t shift immovable objects such as the reality of FTLs, rostering and 900 hours a year.Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 97
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From: UK
For those of us that may be successful over the next few months and early in to next year, which fleets are most likely? Is it all SH from LGW first and LHR second or are there LH slots available from LHR? I'm particularly interested in the case for experienced Multi Engine Fleet people leaving the RAF....
Joined: Sep 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 940
Likes: 57
From: Scotland
There will certainly be direct recruitment to long haul, for which 2000h on aircraft over 50 t MTOW I believe is required.
Solely going on past practice, if you are Airbus rated, you are going to the bus. Other aircraft experience, it is to an extent the luck of the draw based on when you enter the pool and the slots available at the time. It is suggested that 2019 may be another record breaking year for recruitment.
Solely going on past practice, if you are Airbus rated, you are going to the bus. Other aircraft experience, it is to an extent the luck of the draw based on when you enter the pool and the slots available at the time. It is suggested that 2019 may be another record breaking year for recruitment.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 103
From: Botswana