BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: U.K.
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nope, it’s true. Although I think it’s quite a new thing.
As it was explained to me at the sim, BA have had some people struggle with a new type and they think it’s partly down to the infrequent nature of LH flying.
So in the sim they will assess how quickly you adapt to an unfamiliar type, the speed at which you learn and take in information, spare capacity, accuracy of flying etc...
At the end end of the sim the instructor will tick a box on your report whether they think you’re suitable for long haul, or whether they think you’ll benefit from some time with more regular sectors.
Also there was the caveat that if you get sent short haul, it doesn’t mean you failed the longhaul assessment, probably just that they need short haul people at the minute!
Its clearly not about flying skills as I got LH!
Its all explained when they go through the power point before the sim. Don’t lose sleep over it!
As it was explained to me at the sim, BA have had some people struggle with a new type and they think it’s partly down to the infrequent nature of LH flying.
So in the sim they will assess how quickly you adapt to an unfamiliar type, the speed at which you learn and take in information, spare capacity, accuracy of flying etc...
At the end end of the sim the instructor will tick a box on your report whether they think you’re suitable for long haul, or whether they think you’ll benefit from some time with more regular sectors.
Also there was the caveat that if you get sent short haul, it doesn’t mean you failed the longhaul assessment, probably just that they need short haul people at the minute!
Its clearly not about flying skills as I got LH!
Its all explained when they go through the power point before the sim. Don’t lose sleep over it!
Wiggy is correct. Ex RAF Voyager Pilots recently DEP on to 777. And previously also direct to the A380.
I stand corrected.
The “suitable for long haul” policy has also been confirmed internally and has, to say the least, generated a bit of controversy. It was supposed to address a few training failures which are now being “solved” through selection rather than squeezing everyone through a minimum footprint course then immediately putting people under all sorts of extra pressure if 6 landings and 8 approaches with bonus jet lag (you probably haven’t mastered controlled rest yet either) isn’t enough for you to get to grips with your first heavy jet in the real world.
The “suitable for long haul” policy has also been confirmed internally and has, to say the least, generated a bit of controversy. It was supposed to address a few training failures which are now being “solved” through selection rather than squeezing everyone through a minimum footprint course then immediately putting people under all sorts of extra pressure if 6 landings and 8 approaches with bonus jet lag (you probably haven’t mastered controlled rest yet either) isn’t enough for you to get to grips with your first heavy jet in the real world.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Uk
Age: 42
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suitable for LH??!!!! I would have liked someone suitable for SH last week. Every approach back into LHR and some up north were all in and around the 25-30kt range gusting up to 39. It’s fine having a policy but if we are sending the weaker candidates to SH it’s not a great idea in my opinion. More junior commands, more junior FO’s. I don’t mind saying it but when it was gusting 35 across it was the most I had had to deal with until now.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suitable for LH??!!!! I would have liked someone suitable for SH last week. Every approach back into LHR and some up north were all in and around the 25-30kt range gusting up to 39. It’s fine having a policy but if we are sending the weaker candidates to SH it’s not a great idea in my opinion. More junior commands, more junior FO’s. I don’t mind saying it but when it was gusting 35 across it was the most I had had to deal with until now.
Personally, I think this is not the real reason. It is just a very convenient way for BA to "force" people to go to SH. They must be fed up with people refusing their SH offer because they know they'll be offered LH if they wait.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only thing I know for sure is it worked. People preferred losing a bit on seniority to start directly on LH. Some rumors say that BA is now by far more strict on that. They clearly say that a "no" will be final (no more offer).
Rumor to be confirmed though.
Rumor to be confirmed though.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Consider it confirmed. You get one email with an offer and 24hrs to reply with a yes. Turn it down or don’t reply and you get kicked out the holding pool.
Getting a ‘recommended for LH’ definitely does not mean that’s what you’re going to get offered
Getting a ‘recommended for LH’ definitely does not mean that’s what you’re going to get offered
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: uk
Age: 55
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Couple of things come out from the company recently, you can only go LH if you have an unfrozen ATPL (and fairly unlikely if no “jet time”) and if you turn down your first job offer you are out the pool, no bargaining anymore.
BA will send you where they want you and make offers depending on what positions need filling at that particular time.
Good luck to everyone swimming the quicker you join the less I work.
BA will send you where they want you and make offers depending on what positions need filling at that particular time.
Good luck to everyone swimming the quicker you join the less I work.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Under the table
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: on your 6
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Under the table
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts