BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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As a shorthaul pilot at BA, I got a tripline for June, and every month previous to that for the last 4 years, except 1....I think was through choice. Yes BA have tweaked the ruleset somewhat, but only if you bid low on credited hours on a month. I strategically block all my work up at the beginning of the month so as to avoid a forced assigned trip at the end of the month which seem to be few and far between. Certainly not 100% blind lines on shorthaul. Probably 25% blindlines but for someone getting in now, would only be in that territory for a matter of a few months.
SinBin
Maybe you've been lucky or maybe that's a consequence of Short Haul roster construction.
Those DEPs considering/heading for Long Haul need to be aware that there certainly pilots, most especially the 744, who have been force assigned extra trip(s) having been at or very close to CAP. The "tweak" is more than a "somewhat" and bidding high /blocking the work at the front of the month certainly offers no protection from "Force Assign" (on any fleet).
BA have tweaked the ruleset somewhat, but only if you bid low on credited hours on a month. I strategically block all my work up at the beginning of the month so as to avoid a forced assigned trip at the end of the month
Maybe you've been lucky or maybe that's a consequence of Short Haul roster construction.
Those DEPs considering/heading for Long Haul need to be aware that there certainly pilots, most especially the 744, who have been force assigned extra trip(s) having been at or very close to CAP. The "tweak" is more than a "somewhat" and bidding high /blocking the work at the front of the month certainly offers no protection from "Force Assign" (on any fleet).
Last edited by wiggy; 21st May 2015 at 06:17.
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waiting to hear from BA
My husband had a sim test with BA yesterday and we're waiting to hear from them. Do you know how and when they'll contact him? I'm finding the waiting agony.
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Ba direct entry pilot......second go
I have been asked to re-apply to BA.Has anybody here done this.....did you re-do all the questions.....I figure the only thing that has changed is my total hours on the A320. I only got as far as the first assessment day at LHR last time...I wonder what has changed...BA desperation perhaps?
Anybody got any ideas?
Anybody got any ideas?
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Wiggy, perhaps it is a shorthaul thing, granted it is still a risk, but the lines I go for are the ones with more work at the front, and looking on ibid you will see most RA trips are at the front of the month on shorthaul, as far as long haul especially the 400, it's probably much different. If they had the right numbers in the first place, instead of the constant figure fudge, we wouldn't be talking about this. Anyway sorry for the thread creep!
hunter ace
Yep..just about every pilot in BA knows what's gone on (and it's been mentioned by others in earlier posts), it goes roughly like this:
1. Once upon a time work coverage was getting tight but rather than recruit in large numbers some in management convinced themselves that this shortfall was down to the pilots being lazy or inefficient. They thought they could avoid costly recruitment of costly pilots if they could get rid of significant elements of the scheduling agreement.
2. Management succeeded in getting rid of significant elements of scheduling agreement
....however...
3. Now it seems the cunning plan hasn't fixed things and with an increase in the flying programme, new aircraft deliveries and retirements starting to pick up they're now really really struggling to cover the work and they've got themselves on the back side of the drag curve, so to speak. There's little if any flex left in the system but in any event they start asking for the likes of sell back of leave (but many full timers are ringing the 900 hour bell so that just kicks the can a few months down the road..) ask Part Time pilots to give up days off, and also it seems they are going back into the market place urgently looking for DEPS who they can fast track through the recruitment process because they were needed yesterday - which is where you come in.......
SinBin
Tell you what, if you've genuinely found a solution to FA I'd patent it, bottle it and sell it....
hope it continues to work for you.
I only got as far as the first assessment day at LHR last time...I wonder what has changed...BA desperation perhaps?
Anybody got any ideas?
Anybody got any ideas?
1. Once upon a time work coverage was getting tight but rather than recruit in large numbers some in management convinced themselves that this shortfall was down to the pilots being lazy or inefficient. They thought they could avoid costly recruitment of costly pilots if they could get rid of significant elements of the scheduling agreement.
2. Management succeeded in getting rid of significant elements of scheduling agreement
....however...3. Now it seems the cunning plan hasn't fixed things and with an increase in the flying programme, new aircraft deliveries and retirements starting to pick up they're now really really struggling to cover the work and they've got themselves on the back side of the drag curve, so to speak. There's little if any flex left in the system but in any event they start asking for the likes of sell back of leave (but many full timers are ringing the 900 hour bell so that just kicks the can a few months down the road..) ask Part Time pilots to give up days off, and also it seems they are going back into the market place urgently looking for DEPS who they can fast track through the recruitment process because they were needed yesterday - which is where you come in.......
SinBin
Tell you what, if you've genuinely found a solution to FA I'd patent it, bottle it and sell it....
hope it continues to work for you.
Last edited by wiggy; 22nd May 2015 at 07:39.
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Understand why they are targeting Airbus rated to ease the training capacity issue and get the SH numbers up as quickly as possible. But is it likely enough will be sort? Will this apply soon to us non rated guys who just fell short last time? Very much hope so.
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The fix is easy- return to the old pay scale or at least lose a few steps
Sad to say that there is almost no going back from that, death by a thousand cuts.
On the brighter side there is some constructive work going on on the pre departure sandwiches front. (not for you flat earthers obviously!!!
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Just got the email to say I can re-attend and all that's required of me is to resit the maths. That's exactly what I thought I failed, probably due to burning myself out whilst concentrating so hard on the other tests. As I've now got a serious shot at making Stage 2, I think I will give it another shot after all 
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BA need around 200 Airbus rated DEP's right now. Pilots who can do the abbreviated conversion course with minimum sectors/fuss. So if you're being asked back sooner than you thought, there's your answer in black and white.