BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 706
Please try and resist the temptation to join BA to call yourself Speedbird or join because you consider it a 'prestigious' job unless you're absolutely sure it's what you want. Only when 5-7 years in as a LH FO or 25 years in as a LH Capt will you reap the lifestyle rewards. That said, my time at BA was a pleasure in terms of the training and the colleagues I met. Great bunch of guys and girls who treat you as an adult.
Regarding JSS. There is a huge amount of negativity out there. Put simply, if you want to write your own roster and have lots of weekends off then you will perpetually be pissed off with life as an airline pilot. Whoever you work for. Most negative reviews are down to a perceived loss of control over what you are bidding for as we now lack visibility of the actual lines of work that are on offer. The principle of seniority hasn’t changed though, and the simple rule is the lower down you are the less control you will have regardless of how the work is bid for.
In BA if you are junior you will, to some degree, shovel manure for a few years, depending on how quickly recruitment takes place and which fleet you are on. Then you will have a series of choices to make over your career that will affect your seniority. If you choose DEP LH or an early command on SH you will be consigning yourself to being junior for a longer period of time than the “average”.
None of this is news. It’s fairly common knowledge for new recruits if you do your homework.
As Tommytailwind has said be careful with your reasons for joining. I applaud anyone with the wherewithal to quit and go back to ezy etc if they find it really doesn’t work for them. If you find life here isn’t for you, look elsewhere. I agree that it is rubbish at the bottom. BA management don’t think so because people are queuing up to join and not enough vote with their feet when they find the job doesn’t work for them, because when it comes down to it admitting you have stuffed up and going back to an ex-employer cap in hand is difficult.
In summary, I really don’t think, from a new joiners point of view, that a lot has changed. We’ve had one roster under JSS. I do however understand the gripes and confusion from more established pilots. It will take time to figure out if things are better or worse than life under the previous system. My feeling is it won’t make much difference. We still have the same amount of work to cover. The variable will ALWAYS be how many pilots we have to cover that work. How we bid for it and who gets what has always been driven by seniority. It still is.
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Within 3 hours of a suitable alternate
Posts: 63
OK I'll pip in.
What is this "Toxic Atmosphere" that a few post about? Is it the management, the training department, or fellow crew?
Nearly 30 years in I still remember joining with many thousand hours at the bottom of the most senior fleet, twas the way that it is was then and always has been, perhaps because we didn't have the internet there wasn't so much bitching.
Just to add in all those years there is only one guy that I wouldn't shake hands with after a trip.
What is this "Toxic Atmosphere" that a few post about? Is it the management, the training department, or fellow crew?
Nearly 30 years in I still remember joining with many thousand hours at the bottom of the most senior fleet, twas the way that it is was then and always has been, perhaps because we didn't have the internet there wasn't so much bitching.
Just to add in all those years there is only one guy that I wouldn't shake hands with after a trip.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 20
Originally Posted by VOR.DME
At a risk of upsetting people on here and bringing this thread back to what it really is all about (Direct Entry), I’ve just been told I’m in the hold pool for the A320, to be based at LGW or LHR.
Can anyone indicate how long people are staying in the pool for at present? Also, which of the two bases is most likely to be awarded?
Thanks for the help!
Can anyone indicate how long people are staying in the pool for at present? Also, which of the two bases is most likely to be awarded?
Thanks for the help!
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,494
Originally Posted by Capt Ecureuil
OK I'll pip in.
What is this "Toxic Atmosphere" that a few post about? Is it the management, the training department, or fellow crew?
Nearly 30 years in I still remember joining with many thousand hours at the bottom of the most senior fleet, twas the way that it is was then and always has been, perhaps because we didn't have the internet there wasn't so much bitching.
Just to add in all those years there is only one guy that I wouldn't shake hands with after a trip.
What is this "Toxic Atmosphere" that a few post about? Is it the management, the training department, or fellow crew?
Nearly 30 years in I still remember joining with many thousand hours at the bottom of the most senior fleet, twas the way that it is was then and always has been, perhaps because we didn't have the internet there wasn't so much bitching.
Just to add in all those years there is only one guy that I wouldn't shake hands with after a trip.
Seriously....good point about the intergripe.....I think the big irritant ATM is managements never ending bearing down on some aspects of the day job and what some perceive as the hectoring of the line staff whilst they seem OTOH to be ignoring things that really do need fixing but don’t get it done because doing so would cost 10 pence....
As for previous comments about senority and JSS...There seems to several different sides to this and I think the point made about some people expecting every weekend off is very valid. The way I’ve heard it in the last few days is some of the community got their heads around the JSS process early on / got lucky/ constructed bids iaw with their senority and associated expectations and achieved rosters that probably were a match to anything they got under Bidline, if not better. Some of the absolute disasters might have been finger trouble/people being stupidly optimistic and then not having a realistic backstop (if that is not too controversial a term these days) which meant when those didn’t work out they got dumped on, and then there is the issue of those that were previously on Blindlines finding they are now being rostered to a full months flying...I do understand some of the angry reactions I have read elsewhere but I’ve spoken to a lot of people who were happy with the result...I still think it will need until at least Easter until we see how it will work long term.
The really big thing to understand is the senority aspect of working at BA is not going away any time soon.
Last edited by wiggy; 16th Dec 2018 at 18:37.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Age: 40
Posts: 126
Have a few mates who are JSS trainers and got another mate who is a BALPA rep. Both say 9 out of 10 are happy with what they got given in January with their first JSS bid. From the 10% who are not happy around 75% made an error in their bid or simply didn't put in the work to fully understand JSS.
I guess it always the 2.5% who weren't happy who scream the loudest. I for one really appreciate seniority, it makes things fair and transparent. Have seen it in previous airlines who rather took Direct Entry Captains than promoting their own staff. In BA at least loyalty is rewarded and everybody begins at the bottom of the long list and works him/herself up. I still remember we got told on day one "In BA you only have to be junior once" this is so true. With that in mind it makes me laugh some choose to be junior for a prolonged period with their career choices and then start complaining about it. I doubt they will get much empathy from anybody they fly with.
I guess it always the 2.5% who weren't happy who scream the loudest. I for one really appreciate seniority, it makes things fair and transparent. Have seen it in previous airlines who rather took Direct Entry Captains than promoting their own staff. In BA at least loyalty is rewarded and everybody begins at the bottom of the long list and works him/herself up. I still remember we got told on day one "In BA you only have to be junior once" this is so true. With that in mind it makes me laugh some choose to be junior for a prolonged period with their career choices and then start complaining about it. I doubt they will get much empathy from anybody they fly with.
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Dublin
Posts: 45
Originally Posted by Mansnothot
I got word that I passed the sim on the Monday and got called for A320 Heathrow that Thursday. Don’t know if there’s any particular base that you are more likely to get. I have heard of people getting offered one, and after asking for it they got the other. Hope that helps. Take care!
Last edited by The Foss; 17th Mar 2019 at 18:58.
Join Date: Feb 1999
Posts: 34
Originally Posted by Jumbo2
Have a few mates who are JSS trainers and got another mate who is a BALPA rep. Both say 9 out of 10 are happy with what they got given in January with their first JSS bid. From the 10% who are not happy around 75% made an error in their bid or simply didn't put in the work to fully understand JSS.
I guess it always the 2.5% who weren't happy who scream the loudest. I for one really appreciate seniority, it makes things fair and transparent. Have seen it in previous airlines who rather took Direct Entry Captains than promoting their own staff. In BA at least loyalty is rewarded and everybody begins at the bottom of the long list and works him/herself up. I still remember we got told on day one "In BA you only have to be junior once" this is so true. With that in mind it makes me laugh some choose to be junior for a prolonged period with their career choices and then start complaining about it. I doubt they will get much empathy from anybody they fly with.
I guess it always the 2.5% who weren't happy who scream the loudest. I for one really appreciate seniority, it makes things fair and transparent. Have seen it in previous airlines who rather took Direct Entry Captains than promoting their own staff. In BA at least loyalty is rewarded and everybody begins at the bottom of the long list and works him/herself up. I still remember we got told on day one "In BA you only have to be junior once" this is so true. With that in mind it makes me laugh some choose to be junior for a prolonged period with their career choices and then start complaining about it. I doubt they will get much empathy from anybody they fly with.
I believe that your comments about JSS are just as accurate for many of us. It is early days for JSS but I think that in time most of us will bitterly regret giving up BidLine, just as we have regretted so many other changes over the last 10 years.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Age: 40
Posts: 126
Originally Posted by Pickled
You only have to be junior once? I guess that is true if you wish to stay in the same fleet and seat all of your career.
I hear what you say about JSS, it wasn't my choice either, but the majority has voted and unfortunately JSS is reality now. Being a JSS critic myself I have to admit I was impressed with my January roster. But I do think there is still a fair bit of work to do on the inhibitors to make the (mainly LH) seniority gradient similar as what we had with Bidline.
Last edited by Jumbo2; 17th Dec 2018 at 07:27.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Uk
Age: 38
Posts: 403
Jumbo2. I have to agree that the seniority system is about the only one which works. Start at the bottom and work your way up. You earn the opportunity for a seat change or command but you still have to prove you are capable.
What I disagree with is how seniority is used to such a extent that it so negatively affects the day to day lives of a good 20% of any status. Yes there should be a gradient but that gradient is very steep. We have a problem getting people to take commands because of it.
There are simple solutions which could resolve this but the top rules and there is no appetite to do anything.
Some of us would love to “start at the bottom and work our way up” the reality is we stay at the bottom forever unless we give up our command. That is not a fair system at all.
What I disagree with is how seniority is used to such a extent that it so negatively affects the day to day lives of a good 20% of any status. Yes there should be a gradient but that gradient is very steep. We have a problem getting people to take commands because of it.
There are simple solutions which could resolve this but the top rules and there is no appetite to do anything.
Some of us would love to “start at the bottom and work our way up” the reality is we stay at the bottom forever unless we give up our command. That is not a fair system at all.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: WILTSHIRE
Posts: 82
Originally Posted by bex88
Some of us would love to “start at the bottom and work our way up” the reality is we stay at the bottom forever unless we give up our command. That is not a fair system at all.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: The Home of the Gnomes
Posts: 363
Originally Posted by red9
Like all of the ex BMI Boys and Girls who remain at the bottom.........
Join Date: May 2014
Location: England
Posts: 30
Originally Posted by red9
Like all of the ex BMI Boys and Girls who remain at the bottom.........
From day one the ex bmi boys & girls have been able to join RHS LH & therefore leave the bmi bubble... indeed I watched through my 5 year engagement freeze junior pilots do exactly that... & get commands on LH&SH! Frustrating for me yes but that was the deal. Any ex bmi Pilot bidding for a protected command also knew the deal & therefore would enter the bmi bubble, wether that’s fare or not that’s the deal. So to assume there was no choice is frankly wrong, it was their Choice!
However in 2016 Commands went so junior that a group of ex bmi pilots achieved an aspirational position, I along with many feel they should be in the BA list & why BALPA doesn’t correct this I don’t know... I guess because it doesn’t suit them & by them I mean IG. I’ve also been told that it’s to do with MPE , but that’s a load of pony because as people eventually retire it will become impossible to maintain that MPE. Don’t forget it was the ex bmi Pilots that scuppered the last JSS vote too!
Red if you want the bmi bubble to be disbanded then be my guest to complain to BALPA, we’re all BA pilots which means we all adhere to the MOA & all have a MSL position. I respect the negative aspects of the integration deal, so should everyone.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Uk
Age: 38
Posts: 403
BASHLH. The protected command thing is all very grey and mostly not covered in the agreement. 100% spot on with the 2016 commands though.
I just wish it could be sorted. It’s nearly 7 years now and it is still paralysis. The only way out is from the top to take a LH command (< 2 % ) of LH commands or give up your command.
Anyway I repeat myself again and again. I think we agree on the subject.
I just wish it could be sorted. It’s nearly 7 years now and it is still paralysis. The only way out is from the top to take a LH command (< 2 % ) of LH commands or give up your command.
Anyway I repeat myself again and again. I think we agree on the subject.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: united kingdom
Posts: 173
It is true The ex BMI could go right hand seat and go long haul.
Believe it or not not everyone wants long haul despite more money etc etc, so the only choice they have is to go RHS short haul if they want to leave the bubble,
I take my. Hat off to the FO’s who chose to take command and re enter the bubble to forward their career which I believe is what we all probably wanted when we first started out. I do get it as to why so many long haul pilots just stay where they are with many retiring in the RHS.
Believe it or not not everyone wants long haul despite more money etc etc, so the only choice they have is to go RHS short haul if they want to leave the bubble,
I take my. Hat off to the FO’s who chose to take command and re enter the bubble to forward their career which I believe is what we all probably wanted when we first started out. I do get it as to why so many long haul pilots just stay where they are with many retiring in the RHS.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 10
Hi all,
Anyone passed the sim recently knows the time frame from entering the hold pool to getting an offer/start date? And what fleet is currently being offered?
Thanks!
Anyone passed the sim recently knows the time frame from entering the hold pool to getting an offer/start date? And what fleet is currently being offered?
Thanks!
Last edited by cBoxMungo; 20th Dec 2018 at 10:37.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 20
Originally Posted by cBoxMungo
Hi all,
Anyone passed the sim recently knows the time frame from entering the hold pool to getting a offer/start date? And what fleet is currently being offered?
Thanks!
Anyone passed the sim recently knows the time frame from entering the hold pool to getting a offer/start date? And what fleet is currently being offered?
Thanks!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: uk
Posts: 515
By way of an update and for m’2pence worth the latest is command airbus at LHR has now gone senior, Gatwick is off the end of the list, very junior. A friend of mine who is airbus rated has just been given long haul 787, 5 days in the hold pool. I think the lady in charge has now been given the green light to offer courses out. If you’re swimming, expect news very quickly. If you’re applying, expect a very quick application process and gen up on the 767 pitch and power numbers for the assessment. You won’t have to wait long, they’re using the 76 now full time for selection. Good luck
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,494
Originally Posted by OBK!
I think the lady in charge has now been given the green light to offer courses out.
In any event as you say there seems to have been a major reshuffle/rejig of Airbus courses and training.
