BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 142
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From: Uk
All good info from all of the above but any chance the thread can get back to the Direct Entry Recruitment, Rated non Rated etc? I understand there are big changes ahead for BA as the industry is changing but there are many of us who see even the new BA as a step up from our current operators. I had tried to start a thread just relating to recruitment for those interested but it was closed and merged into this one.
I wish everyone at BA and those hopping to join well.
I wish everyone at BA and those hopping to join well.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 40
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From: No where near home!
After submitting application
Can anyone tell me with a high degree of certainty whether it is a good or bad idea to update one's CV after submitting the application? i.e for hours and subsequent training that has been completed after submitting the application.
Appreciate the info!!
Appreciate the info!!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,175
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From: -
I've always been told by an experienced pilot that updating your CV is a sign of interest in joining them.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 160
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From: uk
Sorry. I find that very hard to believe. Do you really think BA would deliberately hire less experienced pilots? New joiners all get paid the same regardless of previous experience.
Sounds like nothing more than a straw poll argument to me. There are plenty of very experienced new joiners, as there are plenty of relatively less experienced new joiners. My opinion is that if you fit the mould you get in. Simple as that. Combined of course with needing a healthy slice of luck!
It's like the age old argument in football. If the junior players are stronger than the more experienced ones, they should get picked based on that, not their lack of reputation. The more experienced players should have to earn their spot regardless of experience.
Sounds like nothing more than a straw poll argument to me. There are plenty of very experienced new joiners, as there are plenty of relatively less experienced new joiners. My opinion is that if you fit the mould you get in. Simple as that. Combined of course with needing a healthy slice of luck!
It's like the age old argument in football. If the junior players are stronger than the more experienced ones, they should get picked based on that, not their lack of reputation. The more experienced players should have to earn their spot regardless of experience.
Joined: Apr 2013
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 368
Likes: 88
From: Neither here or there
Do you really think BA would deliberately hire less experienced pilots?
The verbal reasoning tests written by SHL are used by many top blue chips to hire GRADUATES. They measure skills that one has supposedly just learnt by attending Uni. They are a method of measuring skill when one does not possess the experience. In the same way that you cannot expect a rookie to have the kind of knowledge you would expect from experienced staff, you cannot expect someone who is 25 years post his college/uni years to perform well at paper based tests that bear no resemblance to the job or the lessons life has taught them.
Let's not even discuss the silly and pointless 1980s computer games that we have to play.
My opinion is that if you fit the mould you get in.
BA, EZY, FR wouldn't dare publish figures on the average age of new pilot hires (not that they have to), as it would expose their not so very blatant ageism by design.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 160
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From: uk
I see your point that the maths and verbal reasoning tests may favour uni graduates, but I would still argue that that is a subjective opinion. Are the tests actually designed to target uni graduates, or is it simply that most people who take the tests happen to be uni graduates given that that is the natural point in life to sit such tests? Or do the tests simply attempt to find those with the best numerical and verbal reasoning abilities, with the natural result being that younger people are generally a little sharper in these areas? Thus they get offered more of the jobs? I.e. The people who perform best in the tests get the jobs..... What is wrong with that exactly??
Even so, the contrary could be argued for other parts of the selection procedure, in so much that it is easier for someone with lots of flying experience to come up with good answers to the interview questions, given they have more experience to draw from. Likewise, the simulator is much less of a foreign environment to experienced pilots, meaning less stress and more mental capacity.
Even so, the contrary could be argued for other parts of the selection procedure, in so much that it is easier for someone with lots of flying experience to come up with good answers to the interview questions, given they have more experience to draw from. Likewise, the simulator is much less of a foreign environment to experienced pilots, meaning less stress and more mental capacity.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,450
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From: UK
I was closer to 40 than 30 when I joined as were nearly every one else who joined that day. Furthermore, some of the capacity tests have a direct link to operating aircraft ie the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
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From: europe
Future changes LH
I am wondering if someone from the inside can write more about future changes to Long Haul...
It has been touched on before in this thread that Back 2 Back trips will prove more difficult to arrange with the implementation of EASA FTL's. Can anyone expand on that aspect please? Why will B2B become more difficult with the arrival of EASA regs?
I'm particularly interested in replies from those currently commuting from abroad....what plans are you making for that lifestyle becoming more difficult in practical terms? Or is it a case of seniority saves the day.
Is it felt that over the longer term people may have to move back to England to be within driving range of LHR?
What other changes should a prospective new joiner consider more deeply before moving from their current position?
Thanks...
It has been touched on before in this thread that Back 2 Back trips will prove more difficult to arrange with the implementation of EASA FTL's. Can anyone expand on that aspect please? Why will B2B become more difficult with the arrival of EASA regs?
I'm particularly interested in replies from those currently commuting from abroad....what plans are you making for that lifestyle becoming more difficult in practical terms? Or is it a case of seniority saves the day.
Is it felt that over the longer term people may have to move back to England to be within driving range of LHR?
What other changes should a prospective new joiner consider more deeply before moving from their current position?
Thanks...
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,275
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From: Planet Moo Moo
Hiace,
AFAIK (I'm not a commuter) the EASA FTL's require you to be 'acclimatised' at the point of destination which means spending (I believe, I'm not 100% sure) 2 local nights withing two time zones of your Long Haul base departure airport.
So, if you reside in Europe within +/- 2 time zones of London you're fine for commuting as time at home constitutes acclimatised.
However, a B2B New York etc. or commuting in 24 hours before a trip from the States would not meet the criteria as there would only be 24 hours in the UK between the trips thus making you not acclimatised.
As I say those are only the rules as have been 'discussed' on the flight deck. I'm sure someone may well be able to amend/fill out on the above as necessary.
AFAIK (I'm not a commuter) the EASA FTL's require you to be 'acclimatised' at the point of destination which means spending (I believe, I'm not 100% sure) 2 local nights withing two time zones of your Long Haul base departure airport.
So, if you reside in Europe within +/- 2 time zones of London you're fine for commuting as time at home constitutes acclimatised.
However, a B2B New York etc. or commuting in 24 hours before a trip from the States would not meet the criteria as there would only be 24 hours in the UK between the trips thus making you not acclimatised.
As I say those are only the rules as have been 'discussed' on the flight deck. I'm sure someone may well be able to amend/fill out on the above as necessary.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 739
Likes: 6
From: York
As things currently stand, I believe Wirbelsturm is partly correct. Certainly in as much as crew must report 'acclimatised' for their trip. This alone would certainly cause problems for some of our commuters who have to travel significant distances to LHR. There are of course also tax implications in spending nights in the UK! However some of these same (LH) commuters hold influential positions within BALPA, so I guess watch this space.
As far as Back to Backs are concerned, I believe there is nothing in EASA to explicitly forbid them, however they must be constructed by the company, who must provide 'approved' accommodation between the flights. No such agreement currently exists. Nor can I particularly imagine BA being terribly interested in the subject unless pilots 'buy' such a process?
However as I said, some of our (LH) long distance commuters occupy influential positions within BALPA, so I guess watch this space.
Commuting certainly won't be impossible, but it is likely to get a little more difficult? Nobody yet knows by how much? If this is a deal breaker for you, then you might be better looking elsewhere?
As far as Back to Backs are concerned, I believe there is nothing in EASA to explicitly forbid them, however they must be constructed by the company, who must provide 'approved' accommodation between the flights. No such agreement currently exists. Nor can I particularly imagine BA being terribly interested in the subject unless pilots 'buy' such a process?
However as I said, some of our (LH) long distance commuters occupy influential positions within BALPA, so I guess watch this space.
Commuting certainly won't be impossible, but it is likely to get a little more difficult? Nobody yet knows by how much? If this is a deal breaker for you, then you might be better looking elsewhere?
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 685
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From: Northants
However as I said, some of our (LH) long distance commuters occupy influential positions within BALPA, so I guess watch this space.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 142
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From: Uk
Have people found the tests sent as examples to represent the actual ones in terms of difficulty? How many do you get on the day and is it a set standard to meet or competing with each other?
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10
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From: UK
Maths is 25 questions in 9 minutes. Verbal reasoning is 32 questions in 18 minutes. There is serious time pressure but I think the emphasis is on completing as much as you can CORRECTLY. I think the verbal reasoning is almost impossible to complete in the time period and know of only one person who got to the end. If you are quick with your maths I reckon it is more manageable to finish.
Most people completed about 25/32 in the VR exam. The questions sent out are a good representation.
Most people completed about 25/32 in the VR exam. The questions sent out are a good representation.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 13
From: UK
However as I said, some of our (LH) long distance commuters occupy influential positions within BALPA, so I guess watch this space.
Are you suggesting that something will only happen if it is in the interests of senior BALPA reps? Who on earth could ever believe that could be the case?