BA Direct Entry Pilot.

[clvf88]

Originally Posted by VinRouge

unless you have the hours and just need the type rating to unlock the licence.

Very true. I know people who have done the ATPL check items as part of their initial LST and then applied for the licence. What I should have said is you need an ATPL, or have all required hours to apply for one.

[Jock Trapped]

Originally Posted by corporaljones

Given what’s happened recently and how the workforce has been treated im amazed anyone is still actually considering the move

I take your point, but for those of us having gone through the long process that is BA recruitment, presumably because what may be on offer is still better than where we are, it’d be nice to have some idea of what may be available instead of just treading water waiting to drown. Perhaps for some the future hinges on what fleet (SH/LH) is offered, but would be nice to know.

[corporaljones]

Originally Posted by Jock Trapped

I take your point, but for those of us having gone through the long process that is BA recruitment, presumably because what may be on offer is still better than where we are, it’d be nice to have some idea of what may be available instead of just treading water waiting to drown. Perhaps for some the future hinges on what fleet (SH/LH) is offered, but would be nice to know.

yeh fair enough, all the best and I genuinely hope it works for you 👍

[Phantom4]

Ten years ago the hold pool was drained due financial crisis knock on and swimmers had to reapply two years later if they felt the need.
i don’t think that will repeat and 2020 courses will be available and those in hold pool dovetailed in to courses where required.
Six 787 and further seven 350s to be delivered by end 2020.
Good luck

[Percula]

I've been swimming since April. Still expecting a Q1 2020 start.

[Biggles88]

Same, been swimming since March. Last told a start date Jan/Feb and would be told Sep/poss Oct. It’s all gone very quite recently. I think the T’cook situation is likely to have a big impact on our start dates.

[boeing89]

Originally Posted by Biggles88

Same, been swimming since March. Last told a start date Jan/Feb and would be told Sep/poss Oct. It’s all gone very quite recently. I think the T’cook situation is likely to have a big impact on our start dates.

Any idea whether BA have actually taken on guys/girls from Thomas Cook?

[wiggy]

Originally Posted by boeing89

Any idea whether BA have actually taken on guys/girls from Thomas Cook?

If you mean "taken on," as putting through interview/selection - don't know...if you mean "taken on" as in actually working for BA, I'd suggest very strongly that the answer is no.

Reason being in as some of you will find out BA very works very very much by "process" and personally, IMVHO, I can't see BA side stepping the whole current recruiting system and bypassing those in the DEP hold pool to get ex Thomas Cook pilots on-line...but that's just my take on it..

I think UK/world economic factors are going to have a much bigger effect on uptake from the hold pool than the demise of Thomas Cook.

[wiggy]

Thanks for the update.

[Phantom4]

TC Pilots are of particular attraction if they are A330/350 rated

[PPRuNeUser442803]

Originally Posted by boeing89

Any idea whether BA have actually taken on guys/girls from Thomas Cook?

I was in the hood pool when Monarch went bust, and no one jumped the queue to the best of my knowledge.

As doubtless you know, seniority is king at BA, which essentially starts with your sim assessment date. That is the order in which start date offers are given (fleet/LH/SH specific of course, depending on requirements).

And so I’d expect BA to follow that script this time. They got a bit of stick for not doing what VS did, who made a big noise about offering opportunities to Monarch pilots, but as Wiggy says, the company are very process driven.
And the reality is that Virgin likely made a noise to generate some good PR, and the number of MON pilots they took on ahead of those they had already assessed was probably very very small...

FCR

[boeing89]

Thanks to wiggy, flying11red, phantom4 and FCR...all really interesting insights

[Serenity]

How come people in the hold pool are starting courses before those already in the pool??
As you say, are BA not process driven, therefore we should all be in order. ?
swimming since March.

[Jock Trapped]

Originally Posted by Serenity

How come people in the hold pool are starting courses before those already in the pool??
As you say, are BA not process driven, therefore we should all be in order. ?
swimming since March.

I think (or at least hope) it is based on time in the pool with “all other things being equal” ie if a candidate is eligible for the 350 they may get that LH course ahead of others, or perhaps already rated on the 320 and get a shorter course. Grateful to anyone on the inside for thoughts on this. Swimming since about then also and clearly not in those categories!

[wiggy]

I think that's the underlying query. I can only repeat that I'm highly sceptical, it's not the "BA way"....the only justification for any jumping that does happen might be the sort of scenario Jock Trapped has described.

[Saab0409]

A few TCX pilots have been prioritised, screened, offers made, accepted and have start dates. Mix of 320/350 offers. Not a lot and not a threat to remaining hold poolers. Don’t know exact numbers but this is from a trainer.

For 2020 the numbers vary greatly. Brexit, possible economic downturn, TCX demise, perhaps another airline going bankrupt in LGW, who knows? It all has a massive impact on recruitment. Even the IA going on will influence the bean counters. And that’s the biggest point, we need pilots, desperately. But not a single one has been approved yet by the budget. The airline is run by finances, they approve the budget and then flight OPS will try their best to make it work. Frustrating for all. We on the line feel the beating of the whip and could use the extra ladies and gents!

Before anybody asks, numbers ranging from 0 recruitment (highly unlikely) to 400 (highly unlikely) for next year. So somewhere in the middle? I joined BA 2 years ago on SH, gave up a regional jet command. Is it perfect? No, far from it. But after surviving three struggling airlines, this is a breath of fresh air!

is it hard work? Yes. Am I happy I did it? Yes. Long term vision is key. I couldn’t see myself commuting to a 6-3 pattern regional job on an old jet. 4-5 sectors a day for the rest of my career. Get in, do your thing, have fun on the line (interesting destinations and lovely people to fly with 99 out of a 100).

Just my two cents

[VinRouge]

Originally Posted by Saab0409

is it hard work? Yes. Am I happy I did it? Yes. Long term vision is key. I couldn’t see myself commuting to a 6-3 pattern regional job on an old jet. 4-5 sectors a day for the rest of my career. Get in, do your thing, have fun on the line (interesting destinations and lovely people to fly with 99 out of a 100).

Just my two cents

Fully agree with this. Yes, hard work but a unified work force able to fight for (arguably) te best T and C in the industry. My only regret is not making the move 4 years previous.

[wiggy]

Originally Posted by Saab0409

A few TCX pilots have been prioritised, screened, offers made, accepted and have start dates. Mix of 320/350 offers. Not a lot and not a threat to remaining hold poolers. Don’t know exact numbers but this is from a trainer.

Ah well, sounds unusual but shows even after all this time every day is a school day when it come to understanding the BA way..

TBH I can't see how anybody recently made redundant by TCX having already been given start dates doesn't potentially "threaten" in some way shape or form some of those remaining in the hold pool, but I think I'd best leave that for others better placed to debate.

Thanks for the update.

[VJW]

Originally Posted by VinRouge

Fully agree with this. Yes, hard work but a unified work force able to fight for (arguably) te best T and C in the industry. My only regret is not making the move 4 years previous.

Best T&C’s in the industry? That’ll be a hell of a fight to achieve this- as a new joiner you don’t even have as good a T&C as your slightly longer serving colleagues.

Additionally, if TCX holdpoolers have been prioritised that’s a bit of a joke. It’d definitely jeopardise everyone in the holdpool they’ve leapfrogged, it’s simply has to have done. At the very least it’s put them up the seniority list which in itself is a joke. I wonder if BA called everyone in the hold pool to ask if they’re still in work, or just assumed it’s only TCX crew that aren’t working since applying. I doubt it.

[3Greens]

Originally Posted by VJW

Best T&C’s in the industry? That’ll be a hell of a fight to achieve this- as a new joiner you don’t even have as good a T&C as your slightly longer serving colleagues.

Additionally, if TCX holdpoolers have been prioritised that’s a bit of a joke. It’d definitely jeopardise everyone in the holdpool they’ve leapfrogged, it’s simply has to have done. At the very least it’s put them up the seniority list which in itself is a joke. I wonder if BA called everyone in the hold pool to ask if they’re still in work, or just assumed it’s only TCX crew that aren’t working since applying. I doubt it.

mate, if things like this wind you up to that extent I’d suggest BA may not be for you. You’ll need a much stronger give a “F@@k ‘ometer “ to survive at this outfit.