BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Approaching TOMBI
Posts: 9
Hi everyone. Managed to work my way through the last two years of this thread and got a lot of answers but if someone could help me out with just a couple of questions I would be very grateful. I have focused on LH questions as this is all I would be prepared to accept even if that meant not joining at all. Please don't view this as arrogant but as I am sort of happy where I am, it is a case of only taking what would work for me.
Pay:
General Lifestyle on LH fleet:
If anyone could take a stab at answering any or all of these, it would be absolutely invaluable so thank you in advance.
Pay:
- Do the newer pay scales still make it a financially viable move to join BA in your mid 20s with the view to remain on a LH fleet?
- What would a 10-15 year LH FO be expecting to make?
- Do people literally set up shop in London for 21 days of reserve?
- Any hope of getting home between trips while on reserve if on LH?
- Given the apparent crack down, are commuters still finding they can commute and still maintain a sustainable lifestyle?
- Is there a minimum number of days off between trips?
- In terms of practicality, can staff travel be used for commuting?
- Is it still possible to swap duties to get some sort of favourable roster?
- As a commuter would you stand any chance of binning your standbys for a flying duty to save a possible wasted trip?
General Lifestyle on LH fleet:
- Any junior guys who are happy? Commuters in particular?
- Are trips a sense length?
- Do BA have a sensible approach to 3 and 4 person crews on long sectors to at least mitigate some fatigue?
- Is the cockpit gradient reflective of the relatively high experience levels of FO's whether that be those just joining the company or those who have been in the company 15-20 years? Will be given a decent amount of responsibility for your sector and do people find that enough to make up for a long time to command?
- Is the general level of moral as low as it seems on here? Do BALPA run a survey or anything that would provide some numbers on how the workforce is feeling?
- Is the staff travel still as good as it was? Could I plan a holiday months in advance and still get some benefit (Cheaper or premium cabin)?
- Good package for Loss Of License and Income Protection?
If anyone could take a stab at answering any or all of these, it would be absolutely invaluable so thank you in advance.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Holland
Age: 37
Posts: 66
I’ve always found the BA recruitment process a little bit strange tbh. Very set in their ways, I feel there is no scope for example saying “well he didn’t have the best interview, but he seems like a nice guy so lets see how he gets on in the sim”.
I remember running into a guy who was once in the holding pool for them, ended up drowning. Applied again and didn’t get through the interview, seems to make little sense to me.
That said, my initial airline had an incredibly long winded recruitment process and I saw loads of good guys get canned during that process also. I think like most things, if comes down to how you feel on that particular day and a large degree of luck of the draw in relation to interviewers and sim checkers etc.
I remember running into a guy who was once in the holding pool for them, ended up drowning. Applied again and didn’t get through the interview, seems to make little sense to me.
That said, my initial airline had an incredibly long winded recruitment process and I saw loads of good guys get canned during that process also. I think like most things, if comes down to how you feel on that particular day and a large degree of luck of the draw in relation to interviewers and sim checkers etc.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: uk
Posts: 521
Originally Posted by red9
14 leaving to KLM - another 6 awaiting sim assessment
8 this month to Easy
No shows at interviews
`Unable to fill slots......
People are beginning to smell the coffee........
8 this month to Easy
No shows at interviews
`Unable to fill slots......
People are beginning to smell the coffee........
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 10
Speaking from my own personal experience, the T’s & C’s on offer at BA, along with the ‘fringe benefits’ far outweigh that of my previous employer.
So for some of us, the move is definitely a positive.
Just my two cents though.
So for some of us, the move is definitely a positive.
Just my two cents though.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Botswana
Posts: 866
Struggling with the accuracy description of a “mediocre” pension too, tell me where you’re going to find better in the UK now given that pretty much all final salary schemes are now closed in all industries, not just ours? In that context, it’s actually pretty decent.
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 17
Originally Posted by RexBanner
Struggling with the accuracy description of a “mediocre” pension too, tell me where you’re going to find better in the UK now given that pretty much all final salary schemes are now closed in all industries, not just ours? In that context, it’s actually pretty decent.
I do take your point, “mediocre” is perhaps a little flippant but for somebody leaving either of the above, as but two examples, it’s a definite backward step and probably not industry leading if you already have your feet under the table elsewhere. But yes, I would agree fairly decent in this day and age in the context of UK airlines.
Last edited by FRYVA; 15th Mar 2019 at 20:42.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Botswana
Posts: 866
Virgin has exactly the same company contribution as the new BA scheme so its on par not better. Not only that but they (VS) want to remove this benefit to new joiners. Thomas Cook as you said not available any more either, so whatever you think of the BA pension, you’re not going to find anything better as a new joiner anywhere nowadays. I do take your other points though, BA isn’t for everyone, I’ve wrestled with the decision whether to leave myself over the last few months, I’m staying put and the only reason for that is Long Haul. Short Haul (whilst I’ve already said it’s not as bad as many make out on here) there are better options out there nowadays.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by RexBanner
Virgin has exactly the same company contribution as the new BA scheme so its on par not better. Not only that but they (VS) want to remove this benefit to new joiners. Thomas Cook as you said not available any more either, so whatever you think of the BA pension, you’re not going to find anything better as a new joiner anywhere nowadays. I do take your other points though, BA isn’t for everyone, I’ve wrestled with the decision whether to leave myself over the last few months, I’m staying put and the only reason for that is Long Haul. Short Haul (whilst I’ve already said it’s not as bad as many make out on here) there are better options out there nowadays.
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Inglaterra
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by rossbaku
Speaking from my own personal experience, the T’s & C’s on offer at BA, along with the ‘fringe benefits’ far outweigh that of my previous employer.
So for some of us, the move is definitely a positive.
Just my two cents though.
So for some of us, the move is definitely a positive.
Just my two cents though.
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 13
Sorry if this is not strictly on the topic but has anyone any idea how long the swim is in the BACF hold pool? Any chaps or chapesses on here in this pool? The recruitment process was the exact same as the DEP and done at waterside, just thought i'd ask here...
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,935
Originally Posted by Justanothervoice
Hi everyone. Managed to work my way through the last two years of this thread and got a lot of answers but if someone could help me out with just a couple of questions I would be very grateful.....
Commuter Specific:
Commuter Specific:
- Do people literally set up shop in London for 21 days of reserve?
- Any hope of getting home between trips while on reserve if on LH?
- Given the apparent crack down, are commuters still finding they can commute and still maintain a sustainable lifestyle?
- Is there a minimum number of days off between trips?
- In terms of practicality, can staff travel be used for commuting?
- Is it still possible to swap duties to get some sort of favourable roster?
- As a commuter would you stand any chance of binning your standbys for a flying duty to save a possible wasted trip?
Firstly for those that are wondering about the specifics - Reserve period (Long Haul) is a 28 day block, first 7 days clear of work then 21 available days during which you can be assigned a duty, either flying or a "Home Standby" (HSB). You normally get notified of a trip or HSB the evening before the duty and when on HSB the requirement is to be able to get to the Crew car Park at LHR in two hours or less. You can be assigned HSB's on multiple consecutive days...FWIW first 6 days of the period HSB on the trot for me last time around, then, finally, some trips...
Whether you have to live at LHR for the reserve block depends on timings and frequency of commuting flights. The reason for the "depends" is that on Longhaul reserve the general rule is (with the exception of the day of return from a trip) you are "contactable" in an evening for duties the next day ( e.g. flights or a stand-by block)...So you can get a phone call as late as 2000 UK LT informing you of a trip/ standby period the next AM and because of that many Longhaul commuters I know of plan on living around LHR/LGW for the 21 days and grab days off at home as a bonus.
Getting home after a trip on reserve? You are free on the day of arrival back into London (day 1) so you could nip home, but (FTLs allowing) you are then "contactable" the next evening (of day 2) for a duty AM next day (day 3).....it's a personal preference thing.
Plenty still commuting, but the company will still audit. Lifetsyle probably depends on number of trips per-month, gap between trips.
Min time between trips? Driven by bidding and FTLs now, whether you are willing to waive Industrial agreements to pack the work in/get enough work on your line to reach the hours target...You could probably plan on 2 days (3 local nights, longer for some trips with big time zone change elements) but it might suit you to reduce when bidding...
Can staff travel be used for commuting? ATM yes, but watch out trying to commute from somewhere with lots of more senior commuters and not many flights. Other option is slightly (and I means slightly) discounted commercial tickets ("hotlines").
Swapping trips in the general scheme of things when not on reserve is still possible when legal.
Swapping standbys ( when on reserve) with a trip is v tricky...You can tell "crewing" perhaps at the start of the Reserve period that you would prefer trips to standby's, but they are meant to equalise trips and standbys across all those on reserve. Once you actually get nobbled (the evening before) with a standby period for the next day crewing will have run their plan and are unlikely to want to change it...and they do like to keep their standby's intact "just in case".
General Lifestyle on LH fleet:
- Do BA have a sensible approach to 3 and 4 person crews on long sectors to at least mitigate some fatigue?
HTH
Last edited by wiggy; 17th Mar 2019 at 14:45.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Under the table
Posts: 187
It is marginally better because it includes Flying Pay in the 15% calculation. The reduction in joining pension was suggested but soundly rejected by the current workforce, something which would definitely not happen in BA!
I'd suggest that the current BA workforce are pretty united at the moment though, given the most recent ballot!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by Stocious
BA Pension contributions are based on a seperate 'Pensionable pay' payscale however, which for me is nominally £12k higher than my basic pay.
I'd suggest that the current BA workforce are pretty united at the moment though, given the most recent ballot!
I'd suggest that the current BA workforce are pretty united at the moment though, given the most recent ballot!
The fact that there are 3 different pension schemes and 2 different salary scales in the company suggests something other than a united workforce. That’s before we start talking about JSS and the differences that’s created between the most junior and the most senior.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Under the table
Posts: 187
Good for Virgin. I still won't be applying to join.
For every year after PP1, it;s higher than the basic pay, all the way up to £40k more on the P1 payscale.
BARP doesn't exist any more, and only one pension scheme now for us all. In fact the only differing thing for us now is PP24 vs PP34 but that's hardly going to affect new joiners is it?
For every year after PP1, it;s higher than the basic pay, all the way up to £40k more on the P1 payscale.
BARP doesn't exist any more, and only one pension scheme now for us all. In fact the only differing thing for us now is PP24 vs PP34 but that's hardly going to affect new joiners is it?
