BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Botswana
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Finished my tests in the afternoon around 16:00. Had the invitation to interview the next morning around 11 o clock. Don't get too carried away if you haven't heard anything though, I suspect it varies.
GS
Have faith, I know that's easy to say from where I sit but I honestly think there's going to be a lot of movement in the next year or two as factors such as the iFad/EASA/pension and tax rules wear us old ****s down and we decide to head off into the sun set....in short be ready for the unexpected.
BTW when I joined some time in the last century I was "promised" a LH command in about 7 years, it was actually nearer 17, so despite current grumbles in reality not much has changed over the years (I never did bid for a SH command, for all the usual reasons..)
I'm 15 years in and don't anticipate a long haul command any time in the next five years - or ten years for that matter!
BTW when I joined some time in the last century I was "promised" a LH command in about 7 years, it was actually nearer 17, so despite current grumbles in reality not much has changed over the years (I never did bid for a SH command, for all the usual reasons..)
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UK
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Wiggy
I think you are right about expansion, and that a lot of guys over 55 will choose to retire in the near future. (They've been lucky and have enjoyed a windfall of an extra x number of years as a Captain compared to what they were expecting just a few years before the age legislation changes). However, whilst these factors will help out a lot of senior FOs, it won't get down to the likes of my seniority. At that point, things will freeze up again for a very long time. These new Captains have had their commands denied them for x number of years and they'll want to have those x years back. I therefore predict the majority will stay well beyond 55 all over again. All the talk from BALPA during the BMI deal about loads of expansion etc. does indeed help out a certain number of senior FOs. However, after that, it's just waiting for dead mans shoes all over again. A lot of people failed to appreciate that point at the time, and BALPA chose not to point it out because it suited their cause. I'm very confident that I'll not achieve the seniority for a long haul command until over 20 years in, and probably close to 25.
But I appreciate the thought :o)
I think you are right about expansion, and that a lot of guys over 55 will choose to retire in the near future. (They've been lucky and have enjoyed a windfall of an extra x number of years as a Captain compared to what they were expecting just a few years before the age legislation changes). However, whilst these factors will help out a lot of senior FOs, it won't get down to the likes of my seniority. At that point, things will freeze up again for a very long time. These new Captains have had their commands denied them for x number of years and they'll want to have those x years back. I therefore predict the majority will stay well beyond 55 all over again. All the talk from BALPA during the BMI deal about loads of expansion etc. does indeed help out a certain number of senior FOs. However, after that, it's just waiting for dead mans shoes all over again. A lot of people failed to appreciate that point at the time, and BALPA chose not to point it out because it suited their cause. I'm very confident that I'll not achieve the seniority for a long haul command until over 20 years in, and probably close to 25.
But I appreciate the thought :o)
Wiggy,
With the greatest of respect you have totally missed the point. You had 17 years to command. I have done 15 and could perhaps (if I was completely mad) get a short haul command within 17 years. Times have changed. I know that, but so has my attitude. Why should I go the extra mile for a company that has consistently shafted me at every opportunity over the last 7 years? Well done to you fellas in the left hand seat but the company are dreaming if they expect any loyalty from us "right hand seaters".
With the greatest of respect you have totally missed the point. You had 17 years to command. I have done 15 and could perhaps (if I was completely mad) get a short haul command within 17 years. Times have changed. I know that, but so has my attitude. Why should I go the extra mile for a company that has consistently shafted me at every opportunity over the last 7 years? Well done to you fellas in the left hand seat but the company are dreaming if they expect any loyalty from us "right hand seaters".
Join Date: May 2001
Location: England
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PitchPitch, I received a positive response 4 days after re-sitting the assessment very recently. Looking at stage 2 slots, there appears to be nothing for the next month!
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: puteaux
Age: 40
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BA DEP day 1
Hi All,
My selection starts in a few days and they are still ambiguities:
- Numerical reasoning: are there some graph analysis?
Second Computer test: are posts on latestpilotJob correct? about a long test with TCAS...?
Thanks,
My selection starts in a few days and they are still ambiguities:
- Numerical reasoning: are there some graph analysis?
Second Computer test: are posts on latestpilotJob correct? about a long test with TCAS...?
Thanks,
I simply cannot believe that it still takes 17 years to get a command in BA.
Can anyone joining BA right now even begin to understand what BA will look like in 17 years time?
It really is not very encouraging.
Can anyone joining BA right now even begin to understand what BA will look like in 17 years time?
It really is not very encouraging.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: on the golf course (Covid permitting)
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JW411
Why is it surprising?
Someone joining now at 25 will have a 40 year career. Assuming normal P1:P2 ratios, why would you expect to have more than half your career in the LHS, especially on LH?
Re your q about what things will be like in 17 years. I grant you than no one can predict any airline will survive, but if BA does survive (and I hope it does for my pension), I suspect that the conditions will be better/as good there than elsewhere in the UK/Europe.
Far from being discouraging, I would counter that with the growth in pilots within BA (3200 to 4000 in the last 5 years), in comparison to other 'legacy' carriers around Europe, things are looking quite hopeful. Sure, there are 'growing' pains with not enough pilots at present, but would still rather have that problem than the ones at Iberia and Qantas and ... and...
Why is it surprising?
Someone joining now at 25 will have a 40 year career. Assuming normal P1:P2 ratios, why would you expect to have more than half your career in the LHS, especially on LH?
Re your q about what things will be like in 17 years. I grant you than no one can predict any airline will survive, but if BA does survive (and I hope it does for my pension), I suspect that the conditions will be better/as good there than elsewhere in the UK/Europe.
Far from being discouraging, I would counter that with the growth in pilots within BA (3200 to 4000 in the last 5 years), in comparison to other 'legacy' carriers around Europe, things are looking quite hopeful. Sure, there are 'growing' pains with not enough pilots at present, but would still rather have that problem than the ones at Iberia and Qantas and ... and...
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: The Moon
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Hello,
I've had a skim through this thread but couldn't find a current and conclusive answer to my question.
Just wanted to ask if it is still possible and realistic to join on a longhaul fleet, depending on background? I have c.3000hr A330/340. No 320 or Boeing time though. If so, is there any chance you could be offered a start on the 777, for example, and rock up on day one to be given a 320 course? (the old bait and switch...)?
Basically I would really like to join BA but in truth I have already had my fill of abysmal rosters and wouldn't be willing to start again from scratch for a minimum of 5 more years!
Cheers,
I've had a skim through this thread but couldn't find a current and conclusive answer to my question.
Just wanted to ask if it is still possible and realistic to join on a longhaul fleet, depending on background? I have c.3000hr A330/340. No 320 or Boeing time though. If so, is there any chance you could be offered a start on the 777, for example, and rock up on day one to be given a 320 course? (the old bait and switch...)?
Basically I would really like to join BA but in truth I have already had my fill of abysmal rosters and wouldn't be willing to start again from scratch for a minimum of 5 more years!
Cheers,
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Europe
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I simply cannot believe that it still takes 17 years to get a command in BA.
Can anyone joining BA right now even begin to understand what BA will look like in 17 years time?
It really is not very encouraging.
Can anyone joining BA right now even begin to understand what BA will look like in 17 years time?
It really is not very encouraging.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
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I've been given a rough estimate of 5 years for SH from someone within BA already, and as we currently have no ambitions for LH (we're both pilots, 2 young kids etc etc), suits me fine.
Many factors affect the time to command, some internal to BA some external. These factors are very hard to predict and are not necessarily consistent on a year by year basis.
TopBunk made some valid points regarding length of career and time to command. there are c 4000 pilots within BA, there are more FOs than captains as we use heavy FOs on LH.
SH rostering at the moment is changing and becoming more difficult. LH is likely to follow in the next year or so. Those that look to BA and think of BidLine are living in the past, BALPA has effectively allowed that to be destroyed. Consequently, this year there has been much jockeying for position, BA have also introduced new types while reducing old aircraft numbers.
All this has lead to a massive increase in the training burden, the old "truths" are changing, the jumbo is not the best fleet to be on, but a new best fleet is still a matter of opinion. Part time is becoming more desirable, some of the older pilots are now starting to retire earlier, rather than staying to 65.
Pension and tax laws are affecting the situation as will any global events like the global economic crash of 2008. No one know how the possible Grexit will affect the European economy. Life is uncertain and all that affects time to command.
I would take the estimate of 5 years with a pinch of salt. It could easily be right or massively wrong.
Work on 10 years for SH command and hope to be surprised, not disappointed.
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: UK
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Hi,
I've got my sim at Cranebank coming soon and have 2 questions...
- I understand that bidline is going. Does anyone know what it is being replaced with and if there will be any control over rosters in the future. My current airline uses a 'preferences' system which seems to try it's best to not match these preferences. Having some control over my roster is a big attraction for me.
- The job advert mentions an 'income transition scheme' in relation to the pension scheme. Can somebody shed light on this?
Thanks
I've got my sim at Cranebank coming soon and have 2 questions...
- I understand that bidline is going. Does anyone know what it is being replaced with and if there will be any control over rosters in the future. My current airline uses a 'preferences' system which seems to try it's best to not match these preferences. Having some control over my roster is a big attraction for me.
- The job advert mentions an 'income transition scheme' in relation to the pension scheme. Can somebody shed light on this?
Thanks