BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 16
I’m in the same boat as you Morris Ogg. Been in the hold pool since May...previously told to expect a start in Jan-Feb but not sure if that still holds true. Fingers crossed though!
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 17
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 46
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London
Posts: 103
ATPL required, due requirement for FOs to become acting PIC when in-flight rest facilities are in use.

Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Germany
Posts: 0
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London
Posts: 103
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.
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 17
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.
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Walmington-on-Sea
Posts: 8
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.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: uk
Posts: 87
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
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

Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: South East
Posts: 3
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.
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 16
Any idea whether BA have actually taken on guys/girls from Thomas Cook?
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,915
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.
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Right of the Middle
Posts: 349
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
Last edited by FoxChaRomeo; 19th Oct 2019 at 17:40. Reason: Grammar
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 28
Also keep in mind that they surely want as much flexibility RE: fleet planning as they can get. Given most people have a 3 month notice period, it seems logical that they’d offer people start dates with 3 months and 1 day to go, with 1 day to respond to the offer.
All that to say: for start dates in Feb they don’t need to make the offer until the end of November at the latest.
H
All that to say: for start dates in Feb they don’t need to make the offer until the end of November at the latest.
H