BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Apr 2003
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If it is your ambition to fly for BA, to fly long haul, or to fly the flag, then BA is the place to be and I wish you all the luck in applying.
Don't leave easyJet because it is such hard work. If you think five earlies are though, then crossing twelve time zones a week will definitely kill you. If you moan about all those night stops in LGW, well...you ain't seen nothing yet!
Don't leave easyJet for a better career. Career wise in BA you'll be in the same position as you are now, only 10-15 years later, flying the same short haul from the same left seat, in the same aircraft, through the same European skies. You'll be much older though.
Don't leave easyJet because it is such hard work. If you think five earlies are though, then crossing twelve time zones a week will definitely kill you. If you moan about all those night stops in LGW, well...you ain't seen nothing yet!
Don't leave easyJet for a better career. Career wise in BA you'll be in the same position as you are now, only 10-15 years later, flying the same short haul from the same left seat, in the same aircraft, through the same European skies. You'll be much older though.
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Don't leave easyJet because it is such hard work. If you think five earlies are though, then crossing twelve time zones a week will definitely kill you. If you moan about all those night stops in LGW, well...you ain't seen nothing yet!
If you don't like night stops then don't bid for them. It will take a year or two to get to a position where you can take only day trips but it does come. As for Gatwick they don't night stop any more. Only 3 on the route structure now as I seem to remember and they are quite popular.
Don't leave easyJet for a better career.
Financial - It wasn't that long ago that everyone at BA was asked to work "for free" because of the financial problems. Its not clear they are quite there yet in regards the deficit and profit targets.
Culture - I might be a victim of the press here, but it seems every month or so you hear about BA pilots in the press. Ie not doing ground checks properly, reading charts, sending inappropriate photos, murdering their wife, rude messages on ecam, suicide. Is this a problem at BA because the culture says your the best of the best and can get away with things? I really hope not and I appreciate that this is a tiny minority.
The ground checks is a tricky one, pressure from managers to reduce turnaround times at Heathrow led to the cowl checks moving from a walkround item ( one that was already and still is done by most flight crew) to a counter signed engineering function. The engineers made a sad mistake that day.
Competition - Emirates has hundreds of wide bodies on order, which can't all go into Dubai. If it decided to buy its way into Heathrow or Gatwick and setup a hub, how long could BA compete given the efficiency of the fleet and other overheads?
Relations with crew - Still can't quite believe that BA asked pilots to fill in for striking crew and some actually did it. This one will take a while to get over!
A long post but summed up by saying that it is always easier to stay where you feel safe and established. Changing employer in our industry is a difficult and time consuming affair. BA is definitely not for everyone but it is a great place to work despite the occasional 'wart'. All companies have them.
BA intends to grow its presence at Heathrow even if only through SH to LH slot transfer. The routes are great, the hotels are lovely, the people are (barring the occasional one or two) fantastic, well trained and competent.
Make your choice but don't only ever read one side of the story.
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
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Quote:
What a very strange comment!
Why? Care to explain? I think I very clearly made my point.
What a very strange comment!
Why? Care to explain? I think I very clearly made my point.
JB0007 meanwhile has not interpreted your quote in the same way and has assumed a very literal meaning. "Don't leave X for a better career" taken in isolation and without the subtext would be a strange comment to make. Why would anyone not want a better career if it was on offer?
If you think five earlies are tough, then crossing twelve time zones a week will definitely kill you.
Join Date: Nov 1999
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It's a personal thing and choice based on personal circumstance, as is this job generally, and just IMHO, BA has so much to offer a UK based pilot, at whatever stage/age, I simply wouldn't blame anyone having a very serious look at it and don't believe UK based pilots can't see that! My only comment with regards to PENKO's statement! Those I know from within, all joiners within the last few years - 1 on the B763 and 1 on the B744 - couldn't be happier.
I have a 1000 hours wide-body, and found my world-wide long haul inspiring, fun and far less tiring than any multi-sector day! Very happy to have experienced it...
As I say, it's personal and whatever drives you, be it money, lifestyle or LHS, but big picture stuff - BA is still a good choice and very best of luck to those who wish to apply.
I have a 1000 hours wide-body, and found my world-wide long haul inspiring, fun and far less tiring than any multi-sector day! Very happy to have experienced it...
As I say, it's personal and whatever drives you, be it money, lifestyle or LHS, but big picture stuff - BA is still a good choice and very best of luck to those who wish to apply.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Top post Wirbelsturm, I agree with everything you say! I feel there is a little justification from those who failed or have never gone for BA selection here, as to why you shouldn't join. It's a little pants at the mo on short haul, was fine a year ago, due to numbers primarily, which is why DEP recruitment is happening! IMHO
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Northern Storm, thanks for pointing out how my comment re careers can be misunderstood. If I was at the start of my career and 15 years younger, I would grasp the opportunity to apply for a FO position within BA with both hands!
For an experienced captain, it is a different proposition, especially one based in one of easyJet's more exotic bases.
For an experienced captain, it is a different proposition, especially one based in one of easyJet's more exotic bases.
Saying your a BA pilot/captain at pub, nightclub, dinner party or golf club is certainly a conversation starter!
Join Date: Mar 2011
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"Just an aside - when it has been demonstrably shown that the likes of paedophiles and murderers can cartwheel through the BA hoops and slip through the net."
"By contrast Monarch still (as I write) do not simcheck or extend the interview past a casual chat on flying history and their motivation to join the company."
I know that my reply is off topic, but please bear with me.
I am defending BA here.
Monarch had an FO, who was jailed for 6 1/2 years in about 2006 for paedophilia and child attempted rape.
How did that interview go? What was his motivation to join Monarch? To be near his home in Northants in order to carry on his filthy predilection.
And, you wonder, how do I finish this reply? Well, I could tell you that before he fooled Monarch, he was a pilot at easyJet. And before that, a cadet at jmc Airlines, via CTC.
So, you see, not everything is as simple as it seems.
Anyone, and I do mean anyone, can slip through several nets.
"By contrast Monarch still (as I write) do not simcheck or extend the interview past a casual chat on flying history and their motivation to join the company."
I know that my reply is off topic, but please bear with me.
I am defending BA here.
Monarch had an FO, who was jailed for 6 1/2 years in about 2006 for paedophilia and child attempted rape.
How did that interview go? What was his motivation to join Monarch? To be near his home in Northants in order to carry on his filthy predilection.
And, you wonder, how do I finish this reply? Well, I could tell you that before he fooled Monarch, he was a pilot at easyJet. And before that, a cadet at jmc Airlines, via CTC.
So, you see, not everything is as simple as it seems.
Anyone, and I do mean anyone, can slip through several nets.
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The merits of BA vs EZY are right for each individual to consider. Certainly if you want to fly from a regional airfield, EZY may be a much better option.
In reality, BA will always attract more candidates than it can deal with, which must reflect that it's still one of the best options, especially for those living in the SE.
In reality, BA will always attract more candidates than it can deal with, which must reflect that it's still one of the best options, especially for those living in the SE.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Don't know about A levels but I do remember once sitting beside a co-pilot who went to a comprehensive school.
When I told Scottish Centre of this "phenomenom" the controller replied that he, too, had been to a comprehensive school.
I let the co-pilot do the comms for the day (and the flying) whilst I sat and sulked!!
Is this derigeur for the National Airline these days!!!
I wouldn't let it stop you applying - it's the least of your worries!!!!
Don't wear brown shoes with a blue suit, as a captain once told me.
When I told Scottish Centre of this "phenomenom" the controller replied that he, too, had been to a comprehensive school.
I let the co-pilot do the comms for the day (and the flying) whilst I sat and sulked!!
Is this derigeur for the National Airline these days!!!
I wouldn't let it stop you applying - it's the least of your worries!!!!
Don't wear brown shoes with a blue suit, as a captain once told me.
Last edited by finncapt; 19th May 2014 at 20:15.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Basil
I'm sure we probably know each other but that is by the by.
I often wondered how it would go down in the pub (I don't play golf) if I say I'm a retired BA captain.
Oh dear we don't really have pubs here in Finland - they are places where vast quantities of alcohol are consumed and people fall over - bit like the six o'clock swill.
But these young whippersnappers wouldn't know aabout that.
Too many red wines, I better stop!!
I'm sure we probably know each other but that is by the by.
I often wondered how it would go down in the pub (I don't play golf) if I say I'm a retired BA captain.
Oh dear we don't really have pubs here in Finland - they are places where vast quantities of alcohol are consumed and people fall over - bit like the six o'clock swill.
But these young whippersnappers wouldn't know aabout that.
Too many red wines, I better stop!!