BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 898
Likes: 73
From: UK
There is always a whole lot of chopping and changing of the coming year’s flying plan at this time of year. They tend to need to have a clear idea of the plan for internal movements before they can finalise plans for new recruits, and as a result there is always a lack of information and then a sudden mad rush to train up new recruits. I am sure the Brexit shenanigans, constantly changing ongoing 787 engine issues, pilot strikes, general global economic outlook, and plenty of other variables are causing real headaches for the planners just at the moment.
With regards to who is spending ages in the hold pool and who is not, and what those reasons are, if indeed it is even happening; there really is no point in even asking the question, never mind worrying about it. BA will do as they please and you would have a job on your hands changing the process from within, never mind as an aspiring employee. For what it is worth, the latest figure I have heard is 300 new recruits for next year, so you will all be in soon enough.
With regards to who is spending ages in the hold pool and who is not, and what those reasons are, if indeed it is even happening; there really is no point in even asking the question, never mind worrying about it. BA will do as they please and you would have a job on your hands changing the process from within, never mind as an aspiring employee. For what it is worth, the latest figure I have heard is 300 new recruits for next year, so you will all be in soon enough.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 114
From: UK
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
From: UK
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.
Joined: Sep 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 940
Likes: 57
From: Scotland
Those of you swimming have my sympathy. I spent 6 months swimming as I was not Airbus rated at this time of year a few years back. My sim partner who was got in very quickly and is now around 120 places senior to me, which equates to a good year or two difference achieving a long haul command. As frustrating as it is, no point getting fussed about it as it is simply out of your control.
The information flow doesn’t get any better within the company, as those waiting for annual bid results and course dates will testify. The 2020 plan changes pretty much daily for reasons well outside recruitment’s control, but I think GS Alpha is right in that there will be jobs for all in the pool soon enough.
The information flow doesn’t get any better within the company, as those waiting for annual bid results and course dates will testify. The 2020 plan changes pretty much daily for reasons well outside recruitment’s control, but I think GS Alpha is right in that there will be jobs for all in the pool soon enough.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 180
From: USA
The right to live and work in the UK?
A CAA (f)ATPL?
ICAO Level 6 English, spoken and written?
MPA type rating on over 10 Tonnes Acft?
(and I don't think a rating on a JAA license is transferable to a CAA license)
If so, you can apply with City-Flyer, and after 2 years apply to transfer to BA.....
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Mcdu
Do you have:
The right to live and work in the UK?
A CAA (f)ATPL?
ICAO Level 6 English, spoken and written?
MPA type rating on over 10 Tonnes Acft?
(and I don't think a rating on a JAA license is transferable to a CAA license)
If so, you can apply with City-Flyer, and after 2 years apply to transfer to BA.....
The right to live and work in the UK?
A CAA (f)ATPL?
ICAO Level 6 English, spoken and written?
MPA type rating on over 10 Tonnes Acft?
(and I don't think a rating on a JAA license is transferable to a CAA license)
If so, you can apply with City-Flyer, and after 2 years apply to transfer to BA.....
I would like to know if they like profiles like mine, foreign pilot with not so much experience
Thank to everyone that will answer.
BA it’s my dream
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: London
Hi Xavier999,
There are lots of non UK nationals flying for BA. The experience they had when they joined ranged from straight out of flight school to training captains elsewhere before they joined and everything in between.
I would personally strongly advise against joining Cityflyer in order to join BA. You waste 2 years at least while there is absolutely not advantage of applying from Cityflyer to BA. The only benefit is that from Cityflyer you get a guaranteed invitation if you apply vs you have to put in some effort to answer the application (give an example of...) questions properly, but other then that it doesn't really increase your changes of getting in dramatically.
There are lots of non UK nationals flying for BA. The experience they had when they joined ranged from straight out of flight school to training captains elsewhere before they joined and everything in between.
I would personally strongly advise against joining Cityflyer in order to join BA. You waste 2 years at least while there is absolutely not advantage of applying from Cityflyer to BA. The only benefit is that from Cityflyer you get a guaranteed invitation if you apply vs you have to put in some effort to answer the application (give an example of...) questions properly, but other then that it doesn't really increase your changes of getting in dramatically.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 180
From: USA
Good for you, sorry, shouldn't have assumed you didn't know basic requirements. Go for it, hope it works (I will stay at NK).
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hello guys,
From the latest rumour (which I am sure would be discussed here)...
Maybe start dates for the 1st quarter of 2020 for people in the pool
I don't know if this means starting in Q1 or physically getting a date to turn up in Q1...
Any insight on how these last few months work at BA before the sudden rush to hunt Pilots would be nice?
Cheers!
From the latest rumour (which I am sure would be discussed here)...
Maybe start dates for the 1st quarter of 2020 for people in the pool
I don't know if this means starting in Q1 or physically getting a date to turn up in Q1...
Any insight on how these last few months work at BA before the sudden rush to hunt Pilots would be nice?
Cheers!
Joined: Sep 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 940
Likes: 57
From: Scotland
Every year they run a number of antiquated and tetchy computer programs to determine how many pilots each fleet and seat needs, and process expected retirements, and internal bids for fleet and seat moves. Every time they think they have a solution, somebody changes the flying plan for next year. This requires a complete re-run, re-plan &c. Once the plan is complete, it needs approval. Finance may elect to trim the plan again, requiring another cycle or two of the above.
Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 241
Likes: 47
From: Runcorn,Cheshire,England
Every year they run a number of antiquated and tetchy computer programs to determine how many pilots each fleet and seat needs, and process expected retirements, and internal bids for fleet and seat moves. Every time they think they have a solution, somebody changes the flying plan for next year. This requires a complete re-run, re-plan &c. Once the plan is complete, it needs approval. Finance may elect to trim the plan again, requiring another cycle or two of the above.
Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: UK
Every year they run a number of antiquated and tetchy computer programs to determine how many pilots each fleet and seat needs, and process expected retirements, and internal bids for fleet and seat moves. Every time they think they have a solution, somebody changes the flying plan for next year. This requires a complete re-run, re-plan &c. Once the plan is complete, it needs approval. Finance may elect to trim the plan again, requiring another cycle or two of the above.
Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
Thanks for the Info!
So I guess Pilots finding out results of their Bidding approvals is an indication that there will be some movement in the Pool? I presume they must give at least 3 months notice (or whichever one is required)... Nov end info would make it... March end start? Or am I wrong to say that? Any insight as to how many Pilots they need? (Similar to last year?)
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Centre of Universe
Every year they run a number of antiquated and tetchy computer programs to determine how many pilots each fleet and seat needs, and process expected retirements, and internal bids for fleet and seat moves. Every time they think they have a solution, somebody changes the flying plan for next year. This requires a complete re-run, re-plan &c. Once the plan is complete, it needs approval. Finance may elect to trim the plan again, requiring another cycle or two of the above.
Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
You missed the final and most important ingredient - the finger in the air to see which the wind is blowing.....I last got budgeted crew numbers in 1992. You Nigel's are an expensive commodity so any tweaks that can be done will be done - probably not in 1992 - but these days - unlucky
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: London
Anyone through to Stage 3 and hoping to get in a bit of sim practice, preferably South of England, but happy to travel if needed?
Still waiting for release of slot dates, but hoping to get some prep in sooner than later.
Please PM me. Looking to share the cost, as well as buddy up with someone on this.
Still waiting for release of slot dates, but hoping to get some prep in sooner than later.
Please PM me. Looking to share the cost, as well as buddy up with someone on this.
