BA Direct Entry Pilot.
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The plan is always, ahem, "fluid" but I think there is cause for optimism if you want to join BA in the next few years.
There are a number of factors combining that will quite likely result in a fair number of senior folk decide to retire a bit earlier than planned or at least go part time. The (slow) demise of the 747 fleet and senior guys who don't wish to do another conversion course, the new dawn of FTL changes and rostering practices, changes to pension laws etc all seem to be having an effect. Retirements of the chaps reaching 65 start again in 2016 (but not in any great number until we get into the next decade). Finally there is some expansion with SH slots slowly being changed into LH with the resultant increase in pilot numbers that requires.
So it is quite possible the next few years will see a constant demand of approx 200 pilots per annum. Good news for anyone who wants to join. And for those who didn't quite get in, lots of space in here if you fancy another go in 6-12 months. There are plenty of BA pilots who had more than one go at selection roulette!
And good luck to all those waiting, fingers crossed for good news
There are a number of factors combining that will quite likely result in a fair number of senior folk decide to retire a bit earlier than planned or at least go part time. The (slow) demise of the 747 fleet and senior guys who don't wish to do another conversion course, the new dawn of FTL changes and rostering practices, changes to pension laws etc all seem to be having an effect. Retirements of the chaps reaching 65 start again in 2016 (but not in any great number until we get into the next decade). Finally there is some expansion with SH slots slowly being changed into LH with the resultant increase in pilot numbers that requires.
So it is quite possible the next few years will see a constant demand of approx 200 pilots per annum. Good news for anyone who wants to join. And for those who didn't quite get in, lots of space in here if you fancy another go in 6-12 months. There are plenty of BA pilots who had more than one go at selection roulette!
And good luck to all those waiting, fingers crossed for good news
B.M.R.R....
I think that's a pretty fair assessment.
You rightly mention "the new dawn of FTL changes and rostering practices".....IMHO that new dawn is a two edged sword for many prospective DEPs. Anyone planning on joining needs to be aware that the consequences of changes to the rostering system "Formerly Known as Bidline"
are only just making themselves apparent to the end users....It's a long and complicated story but Bidline has changed radically from the animal it was even a year back and even the most senior are now finding that it's increasingly difficult to protect time off/lifestyle...I'd certainly caution taking advice about BA rosters from anyone who used to work for BA, even if they left the company relatively recently.
The good news for prospective joiners is that judging by conversations I've had downroute or at LHR quite a few senior'ish pilots are planning on taking part time or leaving if they are financially in a position to do so. The bad news is that many full time short haulers seem to be struggling to maintain any sort of "quality" home life - the introduction of "full EASA" across the board later this year is just going to add to the fun and games across all fleets....
Certainly many colleagues in my peer group ( mostly those who joined in the late 80's/early 90's as DEPs) are now planning on retiring in the next year or two, even those who are already on part time contracts. I think what's going to happen overall is that some of the extremely senior will hang on for the glory in being on page one of a Status list, the juniors will hang on in the hope of being elevated into a more comfortable position/fleet replacing the significant amount of "attrition" that may happen in the main from the middle order seniority in Long Haul........
( P.S. I promise to stop editing now..)
I think that's a pretty fair assessment.
You rightly mention "the new dawn of FTL changes and rostering practices".....IMHO that new dawn is a two edged sword for many prospective DEPs. Anyone planning on joining needs to be aware that the consequences of changes to the rostering system "Formerly Known as Bidline"
are only just making themselves apparent to the end users....It's a long and complicated story but Bidline has changed radically from the animal it was even a year back and even the most senior are now finding that it's increasingly difficult to protect time off/lifestyle...I'd certainly caution taking advice about BA rosters from anyone who used to work for BA, even if they left the company relatively recently. The good news for prospective joiners is that judging by conversations I've had downroute or at LHR quite a few senior'ish pilots are planning on taking part time or leaving if they are financially in a position to do so. The bad news is that many full time short haulers seem to be struggling to maintain any sort of "quality" home life - the introduction of "full EASA" across the board later this year is just going to add to the fun and games across all fleets....
Certainly many colleagues in my peer group ( mostly those who joined in the late 80's/early 90's as DEPs) are now planning on retiring in the next year or two, even those who are already on part time contracts. I think what's going to happen overall is that some of the extremely senior will hang on for the glory in being on page one of a Status list, the juniors will hang on in the hope of being elevated into a more comfortable position/fleet replacing the significant amount of "attrition" that may happen in the main from the middle order seniority in Long Haul........
( P.S. I promise to stop editing now..)
Last edited by wiggy; 20th Mar 2015 at 13:01.
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wiggy, while we all agree that t&cs are on the slide, even if bidline isn't what it was, having even a little influence over rostering is still more than that enjoyed by those of us here in loco-land (nil). 
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having even a little influence over rostering is still more than that enjoyed by those of us here in loco-land (nil).
having even a little influence over rostering is still more than that enjoyed by those of us here in loco-land (nil)
Just to be clear I'm not looking for sympathy (I know where to find that in the dictionary, thanks ) and I accept that's probably what you guys are used to in the LoCos, especially if you don't work to a fixed pattern, I'm just pointing we are all headed for being in the same boat.....don't join BA because of the rostering system...some who can are thinking of leaving because of it.
Last edited by wiggy; 21st Mar 2015 at 13:14.
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The Bidline people are used to is now dead. As wiggy has said the effects of this are still being discovered but it is a game changer. Life at BA is changing significantly, and not for the better.
Still, it seems to suit certain commuters from Canada.
Still, it seems to suit certain commuters from Canada.
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Canada now who could that be? The reality is this for new guys on SH. Blind lines. Working to CAP or above with most if not all weekends on. 5-6 on followed by 2 off and repeat. About 9-10 days off per month. I am spending 90+hrs each week away from home in March.
The good points.........I don't have to worry to much about job security but we are all aware we need to keep working hard to protect this. The salary is competitive and when I have needed time off for sickness or dependency the company has always been good to me. There are many opportunities but patience is a virtue.
I am happy enough but if I won the euro millions I would probably ask for the 50% option......actually not probably but definitely. Given my choices again I may have taken up the big orange offer but all in all its not something you can turn your nose up at.
Most people that won the euro millions, including almost every pilot I know, would retire immediately. The fact that you had to think about whether you would go 50% or not says quite a lot about BA.
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Another option is to try and get an LGW base on SH. No "bidline" to deal with (they use Carmen at Gatwick) and you also get trump days for those all important weekends off, I am not sure how many though, but this can be a lifesaver for junior bods there.
A lot fewer nightstops, but this should mean being in your own bed most nights.
Some other slight differences from LHR in how leave works, as a general rule I think it is easier to take all your leave at LGW as you don't have to worry about making "cap" and thereby having to work wrap days. In the winter at LGW apparently it is easy to get extra days off attached to either side of leave but expect to be worked hard during the rest of the month. Days at work are more efficient with no time wasted in airside cafes (lots of this at LHR... very boring) waiting for your next sector, and turn arounds are short. Reserve blocks at LGW are only 4 or 6 days (28 days at LHR), but this does mean you'll probably do a reserve stint in most months.
I'll caveat that with saying I am not sure if they will offer LGW bases to new joiners as I think DEPs are only being offered LHR, but you can try and bid to move to LGW in the first annual fleet bid (again, no guarantee you'll be allowed to move across).
A lot fewer nightstops, but this should mean being in your own bed most nights.
Some other slight differences from LHR in how leave works, as a general rule I think it is easier to take all your leave at LGW as you don't have to worry about making "cap" and thereby having to work wrap days. In the winter at LGW apparently it is easy to get extra days off attached to either side of leave but expect to be worked hard during the rest of the month. Days at work are more efficient with no time wasted in airside cafes (lots of this at LHR... very boring) waiting for your next sector, and turn arounds are short. Reserve blocks at LGW are only 4 or 6 days (28 days at LHR), but this does mean you'll probably do a reserve stint in most months.
I'll caveat that with saying I am not sure if they will offer LGW bases to new joiners as I think DEPs are only being offered LHR, but you can try and bid to move to LGW in the first annual fleet bid (again, no guarantee you'll be allowed to move across).
Chief W
I think the fact that you've brought LGW and Carmen up as an option speaks volumes about what has happened to the "industry leading roster bidding system" recently..
(...euromillions win...me? Out of the door in an instant, much to the relief of many
)
"....get an LGW base on SH. No "bidline" to deal with (they use Carmen at Gatwick) and you also get trump days for those all important weekends off,
(...euromillions win...me? Out of the door in an instant, much to the relief of many
)
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Hi guys. Some interesting info here.
Can anyone tell me what the B747 roster and lifestyle is like at the moment?
I'll be starting soon so would like to have an idea what to expect.
Thanks for any input, and good luck to you who are still going through the selection process.
Can anyone tell me what the B747 roster and lifestyle is like at the moment?
I'll be starting soon so would like to have an idea what to expect.
Thanks for any input, and good luck to you who are still going through the selection process.
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Just as a little supply of information regarding low cost rostering. Here in orange land, I have not once had a day off changed and the roster for existing bases is still 5 earlies, 3 days off, 5 lates, 4 days off for 17 weeks followed by 4 weeks of random roster with minium 10 days off (have been given 12 the last 4 reserve periods). All new bases and FOs (fixed pattern available in most bases after 1 year as SFO) are random roster, but as far as I am aware, rostering can not touch your days off once they are rostered.
I have flown into a day off maybe a handful of times in just under a decade. Never by more than half an hour.
This is not meant as a pissing contest, but there seems to be some confusion as to how rostering is in the low cost world.
I have flown into a day off maybe a handful of times in just under a decade. Never by more than half an hour.
This is not meant as a pissing contest, but there seems to be some confusion as to how rostering is in the low cost world.
ReallyAnnoyed
Thanks for the input..
That effectively was the intention behind the recent changes to Bidline...once your roster is finally published, for good or bad, the company cannot make any further changes (obviously excluding the likes of down route delays).
As you may have sensed from some comments here there are some who feel too much was thrown under the bus in order to achieve that aim
.
Thanks for the input..
as far as I am aware, rostering can not touch your days off once they are rostered.
As you may have sensed from some comments here there are some who feel too much was thrown under the bus in order to achieve that aim
.
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Just wanted to say thanks for all of the encouragement and advice from many people on these boards. I joined the pool this morning. Very excited. Keep the faith to those of you waiting to hear.