BA Direct Entry Pilot.
StopStart as I've just demonstrated there are major factors at work outside of simply being "good enough for the job" that can throw a major spanner in the works, it's not quite as simple as making it happen. If life were that simple I'd be nowhere near this career, right now I'd be sitting poolside in Malibu on the mobile phone organising funding and getting together the cast and director for my next action motion picture blockbuster ;-)
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Plastic787 the reality is this will be completely over subscribed with applicants. If a minority can't complete the process why should they care?
Personally I would prefer if BA had a chat with me for 20 minutes before sticking me in the sim for 45 minutes instead of a day of "psychobabble". However I don't see how any outsider is in a position to moan about the hoops any operator elects to setup for Pilots to jump through. Do not like the hoops or can't jump them then do not apply.
On a positive note BA in the past are very good with regards to interview schedules. If successfully achieving an invitation you will be forwarded a link with a list of dates and slot times allowing you to select which time suits you best. The joys of a proper airline
Personally I would prefer if BA had a chat with me for 20 minutes before sticking me in the sim for 45 minutes instead of a day of "psychobabble". However I don't see how any outsider is in a position to moan about the hoops any operator elects to setup for Pilots to jump through. Do not like the hoops or can't jump them then do not apply.
On a positive note BA in the past are very good with regards to interview schedules. If successfully achieving an invitation you will be forwarded a link with a list of dates and slot times allowing you to select which time suits you best. The joys of a proper airline
Yeah but to get the full benefit of that you need to be at a proper airline to start with, not one that regularly leaves it until less than a week to go until the next month when they finally deign to issue you with a roster.
I take the points though and I'm not arguing them at all. Just pointing out that running assessment centres on non consecutive days in the summer is going to make it enormously difficult for some people and possibly not just a minority.
I take the points though and I'm not arguing them at all. Just pointing out that running assessment centres on non consecutive days in the summer is going to make it enormously difficult for some people and possibly not just a minority.
The joys of a proper airline
BA have just kicked a lot of us "oldies" out of the promise of access to rebate travel for the duration of our retirement, a bunch long retired, slowly dying off so that we will soon be out of their hair altogether, with pensions earned on salaries set many moons ago, not present day rates, so travel costs are now very significant as a result and beyond the reach of many.
( Please don't tell me that Staff Travel in retirement was always only "concessional" not "contractual", we know that, but "promises" mean nothing to them.
Be careful what you wish for. The present BA Management are a bunch of ......... ( you fill in the blanks) BOAC ( used) To Take Good Care Of You. Not any more.
AFAIK the DEP tranche will have no impact on FPP recruitment (i.e. it's in addition to FPP, not instead of).
Had a bit of a smile at the promise of a "industry leading roster bidding system", seeing as that's all up for grabs at the moment and at best will be less leading than it was.
Nevertheless good luck to those who apply.
Had a bit of a smile at the promise of a "industry leading roster bidding system", seeing as that's all up for grabs at the moment and at best will be less leading than it was.
Nevertheless good luck to those who apply.
Join Date: May 2008
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BA short haul without bidline is just easyjet with a different uniform & a significantly longer time to command.
And if you are 30 plus and choose the longhaul route there is a real possibility you will retire as an FO. Nothing wrong with that of course, but as an FO myself with a command spot in sight I'll take the command first then join BA as a career FO.
This post does come across as bias, but I don't work for easy and I've passed the BA selection twice before drowning both times.
Just my 2 cents
And if you are 30 plus and choose the longhaul route there is a real possibility you will retire as an FO. Nothing wrong with that of course, but as an FO myself with a command spot in sight I'll take the command first then join BA as a career FO.
This post does come across as bias, but I don't work for easy and I've passed the BA selection twice before drowning both times.
Just my 2 cents
FTC
Just to avoid any confusion AFAIK the new DEPs will not have any choosing to do now or for the foreseeable future - long haul vacancies are being filled by internal transfer. Given the seniority list, the rate of movement within the same 
and the fact that the very first FPP graduates are already propping that list up any prospective new joiners must base their expectations on staying on short haul (and probably the RHS) for quite some time (think decade(s) rather than months...).
Not to me, seems to be fair comment.
.... if you are 30 plus and choose the longhaul route there is a real possibility......
and the fact that the very first FPP graduates are already propping that list up any prospective new joiners must base their expectations on staying on short haul (and probably the RHS) for quite some time (think decade(s) rather than months...).
This post does come across as bias
Last edited by wiggy; 30th May 2014 at 11:47.
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Candidates who are successful at all stages of the selection process will be contacted and placed into our DEP Hold Pool until a suitable vacancy becomes available, at which time they will be offered a first officer’s position with the airline. Candidates are normally offered a maximum of 12 months in the hold pool, during which we will endeavour to match successful candidates with a vacancy.
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Wiggy,
It may be that bidline 2014 is still market leading but with a less steep seniority gradient. I.e. The most senior bidders on each list may have to help cover the work on weekends and bank holidays. As it is at the moment, it is the more senior pilots who are the ones getting force drafted as the junior filth are already working most of the unsociable days.
All
I get the feeling that the management have finally realised that they need more 320 pilots as soon as. Those of you first through all the hoops may well find yourselves being asked, How soon can you start?
Best of luck to all
Regards
Had a bit of a smile at the promise of a "industry leading roster bidding system", seeing as that's all up for grabs at the moment and at best will be less leading than it was.
All
I get the feeling that the management have finally realised that they need more 320 pilots as soon as. Those of you first through all the hoops may well find yourselves being asked, How soon can you start?
Best of luck to all
Regards
Join Date: May 2008
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Just to avoid any confusion AFAIK the new DEPs will not have any choosing to do now or for the foreseeable future - long haul vacancies are being filled by internal transfer.
binsleepen
If BA are that desperate they could ring the guys that were in the last hold pool, we are still flying, we haven't developed Schizophrenia, and they still have our contact details....
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Haven't posted in here for years...thought I'd add some advice for the aspiring DEP's...
My advice, and it is only my opinion so please hold fire on it and don't burn me at the stake just yet... join BA because it's something that you WANT to do. If money is your thing then yeah, as we know, you'll find that else in the world or perhaps with another airline that gave you free shares. Time to command? Stick with where you are now possibly?
Motivation will come in all different types and forms... and yes, they have recruited directly onto long haul, it happened last time they recruited and roughly 20/30 pilots went onto the 747... even though they weren't even rated on it. They are looking for Airbus pilots this time around though and me thinks they will go straight onto the Airbus right now...
My advice, and it is only my opinion so please hold fire on it and don't burn me at the stake just yet... join BA because it's something that you WANT to do. If money is your thing then yeah, as we know, you'll find that else in the world or perhaps with another airline that gave you free shares. Time to command? Stick with where you are now possibly?
Motivation will come in all different types and forms... and yes, they have recruited directly onto long haul, it happened last time they recruited and roughly 20/30 pilots went onto the 747... even though they weren't even rated on it. They are looking for Airbus pilots this time around though and me thinks they will go straight onto the Airbus right now...
keeno
Funnily enough one of the managers involved in recruiting said pretty much exactly that earlier today in "another place".....(I guess there's a hint there as to one question to expect when going for interview...and how not to answer
)
They have indeed.......as you probably know that only happens when there aren't enough pilots who meet the criteria for an internal transfer via the annual bid process, and/or if there aren't sufficient people bidding to leave short haul (yes, in the dim and distant past it used to happened....blimey, those were the days.....
).
Yep.
join BA because it's something that you WANT to do. If money is your thing then yeah, as we know, you'll find that else in the world or perhaps with another airline that gave you free shares. Time to command? Stick with where you are now possibly?
)
yes, they have recruited directly onto long haul
).
me thinks they will go straight onto the Airbus right now...
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Hi Wiggy,
Haha "another place".. I like that touch
Whether to join BA or not will ALWAYS be a topic up for discussion, it always has been... even without the current changes in situation and the vice versa's going on between a career at easyJet or at BA. This thread always crops up at time for recruitment and as well all know it can only boil down to the individuals desire and/or preference for their own career.
I was one of them and consider myself highly fortunate to not be in the position that some of my friends are in on the Airbus right now....
Interesting times lay head and it will be genuinely interesting to see if the level of applications is as high this time around as it was back in October 2010 when the doors were last opened!
Haha "another place".. I like that touch
Whether to join BA or not will ALWAYS be a topic up for discussion, it always has been... even without the current changes in situation and the vice versa's going on between a career at easyJet or at BA. This thread always crops up at time for recruitment and as well all know it can only boil down to the individuals desire and/or preference for their own career.
They have indeed.......as you probably know that only happens when there aren't enough pilots who meet the criteria for an internal transfer via the annual bid process, and/or if there aren't sufficient people bidding to leave short haul (yes, in the dim and distant past it used to happened....blimey, those were the days.....).
Interesting times lay head and it will be genuinely interesting to see if the level of applications is as high this time around as it was back in October 2010 when the doors were last opened!
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BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Okay, can't keep quiet any longer.
I was recruited onto the airbus last time round, and I for one, seriously doubt wether coming to BA was the right move for me.
Having worked both in the Middle East and in the UK before, I think I have some idea of how other airlines are to work for.
And although BA is excellent in so many ways, it lacks in so many others.
I think, as it's been said before, unless career progression is far down on your wish list for a new job, and security and stability is the only 2 things you wish for, then I wouldn't apply.
You'll join SH which is a nightmare at the moment. You'll not see LH for years, and when you finally do, you won't have a weekend off again for a decade!
And then there is the whole command issue.
Commuting even from within the UK is no longer a desirable lifestyle. I would advice people to think very carefully before considering even a short commute 2-3 hours drive..
Having said that, the flying is pretty good, although busy. There is a very shallow gradient in the FD even more so than many other airlines.
The pilots normally tend to meet up down route - just a shame that you'll forget all about that person before you see him/her again.
Good hotels down route, but layovers are getting shorter, and increased pressure on SH might mean new hotels in the future...
If I was to sum up BA, I'd say the following.
- lonely place to work
- being senior means everything, if you're not then, well...
- Getting days off for important birthdays/weddings etc, is very difficult when junior. And if you're lucky enough to get the time off, you are in risk of being force drafted, as it's happened to me this weekend.
- management do not care, if you don't like it, leave. This is obviously the same most places, but people do think BA is different, which it isn't.
One guy was recently told when asking a manager about career progression, and what the company thought about it? To which the reply was. 'Guys have already left for EK recently, so if that's what people want to do, that's what people should do' ...
What ever your decision, good luck
I was recruited onto the airbus last time round, and I for one, seriously doubt wether coming to BA was the right move for me.
Having worked both in the Middle East and in the UK before, I think I have some idea of how other airlines are to work for.
And although BA is excellent in so many ways, it lacks in so many others.
I think, as it's been said before, unless career progression is far down on your wish list for a new job, and security and stability is the only 2 things you wish for, then I wouldn't apply.
You'll join SH which is a nightmare at the moment. You'll not see LH for years, and when you finally do, you won't have a weekend off again for a decade!
And then there is the whole command issue.
Commuting even from within the UK is no longer a desirable lifestyle. I would advice people to think very carefully before considering even a short commute 2-3 hours drive..
Having said that, the flying is pretty good, although busy. There is a very shallow gradient in the FD even more so than many other airlines.
The pilots normally tend to meet up down route - just a shame that you'll forget all about that person before you see him/her again.
Good hotels down route, but layovers are getting shorter, and increased pressure on SH might mean new hotels in the future...
If I was to sum up BA, I'd say the following.
- lonely place to work
- being senior means everything, if you're not then, well...
- Getting days off for important birthdays/weddings etc, is very difficult when junior. And if you're lucky enough to get the time off, you are in risk of being force drafted, as it's happened to me this weekend.
- management do not care, if you don't like it, leave. This is obviously the same most places, but people do think BA is different, which it isn't.
One guy was recently told when asking a manager about career progression, and what the company thought about it? To which the reply was. 'Guys have already left for EK recently, so if that's what people want to do, that's what people should do' ...
What ever your decision, good luck
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Hi Daneflyer,
If I'm honest, as very junior pilot on one of the most senior fleets, even I'm able to get a weekend off here and there... and no, that's not from (seeded)blind lines or leave, that's from a trip line. Yes, sure, I work weekends but again this comes down to what you want for lifestyle... it suits me down to the ground to be at home during the week to see my wife (she works 9-5 in an office)... going away at the weekends is actually not too bad.
Everything else you mention though... spot on. People need to know all the facts before they apply so that they don't feel disillusioned in any way, shape or form. I know this much for sure... I wouldn't want to go back working for easyJet, it just wouldn't suit my lifestyle... and there in lies the rub.
You'll not see LH for years, and when you finally do, you won't have a weekend off again for a decade!
Everything else you mention though... spot on. People need to know all the facts before they apply so that they don't feel disillusioned in any way, shape or form. I know this much for sure... I wouldn't want to go back working for easyJet, it just wouldn't suit my lifestyle... and there in lies the rub.
Last edited by keeno; 30th May 2014 at 18:32. Reason: possible misinterpretation of an opening sentence, didn't want to sound like a muppet!
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Requirements
Application states A320 500hr minimum; I won't have this at the time of applying however will do by the start date of Jan '15, possibly by the sim assessment if this summer proves to be as busy as last.
Is it worth applying? Don't want to put a black mark for any future applications because "the candidate can't read the requirements". Thanks!
Is it worth applying? Don't want to put a black mark for any future applications because "the candidate can't read the requirements". Thanks!