BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 24
From: England
Oh come on OBK! let us display our bitterness just a little. I spent 3 weeks preparing for the assessment and used every damn spare hour of the day. I spent over £200 on books, practice tests and software. Despite this I failed stage 1. Statistically speaking, I've passed most of the assessments I've attended. It's just that the jobs end up being in god forsaken parts of the world that I end up running away from. Happy where I am now (first time at home in 4 years of flying commercially), though BA would've been better! 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 739
Likes: 6
From: York
Sick
I thought BA simply moved their business to another provider?
Are you saying your previous company couldn't drum up any business other than BA's?
No wonder BA moved their business!
More fool them for pulling the rug from under GSS, and all its pilots
Are you saying your previous company couldn't drum up any business other than BA's?
No wonder BA moved their business!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hey Buzz
Best to get the bus, i turned up in the car thinking i am at BA HQ of course i can park! Managed to talk my way in eventually but no there is no parking although surprisingly there were loads of spaces when i went to the car park!!
Best to get the bus, i turned up in the car thinking i am at BA HQ of course i can park! Managed to talk my way in eventually but no there is no parking although surprisingly there were loads of spaces when i went to the car park!!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: UK
Over-prepping for stage 1 may be counter-productive, for the aptitude tests at least. I'm pretty sure part of the aptitude testing looks at improvement/learning curve - if you've overprepared on similar (or identical) tests you might be very good at them but show no trend in improvement. Maths/verbal is obviously different and preparation helps a lot.
On the subject of the BA assessment as a whole - there is enough info out there, all relatively easy to access, about the format and even quite a bit of the detail. Combine this with a reasonable dose of the character traits BA want and a bit of luck (like with any assessment process) and you should do well. Yes, there's a bit of game playing (I see this more as proper preparation) but where isn't there? I didn't get in a few years ago - it was lack of proper prep (for the sim stage mostly) and a bit of bad luck. This time I prepped properly and got in. If writing a couple of essay answers to questions and doing a bit of research in preparation is too much effort, why should BA give you a job? I don't think BA is for everyone but after putting in a lot of thought I came to the conclusion that BA would be a good move for me...so prepared accordingly. There's no guarantees of course but you can very much weight the chances of success in your favour with the right homework.
I wasn't bitter last time when it didn't work out because (a) I could have prepared better and (b) it's BA's train set - they can recruit who they like and are obviously happy with the end results of selection or it would be changed.
In all honesty this thread could have no more contributions and be closed now - applicants would still have everything they needed to properly prepare and do well. It's all already here (and in other threads). It just involves sitting down with a beer or cuppa and putting the time in to read it rather than repeat the same questions - the assessment hasn't essentially changed in years.
Good luck!
On the subject of the BA assessment as a whole - there is enough info out there, all relatively easy to access, about the format and even quite a bit of the detail. Combine this with a reasonable dose of the character traits BA want and a bit of luck (like with any assessment process) and you should do well. Yes, there's a bit of game playing (I see this more as proper preparation) but where isn't there? I didn't get in a few years ago - it was lack of proper prep (for the sim stage mostly) and a bit of bad luck. This time I prepped properly and got in. If writing a couple of essay answers to questions and doing a bit of research in preparation is too much effort, why should BA give you a job? I don't think BA is for everyone but after putting in a lot of thought I came to the conclusion that BA would be a good move for me...so prepared accordingly. There's no guarantees of course but you can very much weight the chances of success in your favour with the right homework.
I wasn't bitter last time when it didn't work out because (a) I could have prepared better and (b) it's BA's train set - they can recruit who they like and are obviously happy with the end results of selection or it would be changed.
In all honesty this thread could have no more contributions and be closed now - applicants would still have everything they needed to properly prepare and do well. It's all already here (and in other threads). It just involves sitting down with a beer or cuppa and putting the time in to read it rather than repeat the same questions - the assessment hasn't essentially changed in years.
Good luck!
Last edited by bucket_and_spade; 9th January 2015 at 08:01. Reason: Typos.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: LONDON
Yes in the same boat: there were two adjacent days but were not compatable with my roster so was waiting to see if more would be released, as my next roster had not been released. Those dates quickly disappeared! Contemplating contacting them but might just sit patiently and see if more become available online soon.
PPRuNe Person
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 13
From: see roster
The first 747 DEPs are battling with ground school this week, they'll be on the line in late Feb.
I would advise taking whatever measures you can to make a sim slot, I took a view on it when I got my date and (ahem) made sure I was there. BA is all about getting your seniority number. Delay now could cost you dear in years to come.
I would advise taking whatever measures you can to make a sim slot, I took a view on it when I got my date and (ahem) made sure I was there. BA is all about getting your seniority number. Delay now could cost you dear in years to come.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: LONDON
Thanks itsnotwhoyouknow, I've been checking like a neurotic!
Overstress thanks for the advice, that was in the back of my mind but I just wanted a tad bit more time as well to prepare. Next slot released I'll jump at!!
Overstress thanks for the advice, that was in the back of my mind but I just wanted a tad bit more time as well to prepare. Next slot released I'll jump at!!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: UK
Part year/Part Time working
Apologies if this has come up in another thread but I've been through most of them about BA and could only find a little info.
I know part time working is available within BA, but is part year working available? Essentially unpaid leave during winters etc.
I know BA's operation is much less seasonal than some of the charter operators, but I was just wondering if its an option?
Any help appreciated.
I know part time working is available within BA, but is part year working available? Essentially unpaid leave during winters etc.
I know BA's operation is much less seasonal than some of the charter operators, but I was just wondering if its an option?
Any help appreciated.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Wot stocious said.
They have never offered part year work. If "they" realise at some point the program will support standing people down on unpaid leave on an ad hoc basis they will do it, on a month by month basis, but don't plan on it or rely on it because it is not contractural. OTOH the part time contracts have a more rigid rule set.
They have never offered part year work. If "they" realise at some point the program will support standing people down on unpaid leave on an ad hoc basis they will do it, on a month by month basis, but don't plan on it or rely on it because it is not contractural. OTOH the part time contracts have a more rigid rule set.
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 0
From: UK
I think you've got to bid for part time working, so it's done in seniority order, if it's available. There's probably some basic experience requirements too.
Practice area calculations in shapes, fractions, addition, multiplication, subtraction, division. If I remember correctly, there quite a lot of working out areas in shapes, quick divisions, etc but I did it 4 + years ago. There are some really time consuming questions, and I left those well alone.
Practice area calculations in shapes, fractions, addition, multiplication, subtraction, division. If I remember correctly, there quite a lot of working out areas in shapes, quick divisions, etc but I did it 4 + years ago. There are some really time consuming questions, and I left those well alone.
