Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Flight Deck Forums > Terms and Endearment
Reload this Page >

BA Direct Entry Pilot.

Terms and Endearment The forum the bean counters hoped would never happen. Your news on pay, rostering, allowances, extras and negotiations where you work - scheduled, charter or contract.

BA Direct Entry Pilot.

Old 20th Oct 2019, 14:50
  #6481 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is always a whole lot of chopping and changing of the coming year’s flying plan at this time of year. They tend to need to have a clear idea of the plan for internal movements before they can finalise plans for new recruits, and as a result there is always a lack of information and then a sudden mad rush to train up new recruits. I am sure the Brexit shenanigans, constantly changing ongoing 787 engine issues, pilot strikes, general global economic outlook, and plenty of other variables are causing real headaches for the planners just at the moment.

With regards to who is spending ages in the hold pool and who is not, and what those reasons are, if indeed it is even happening; there really is no point in even asking the question, never mind worrying about it. BA will do as they please and you would have a job on your hands changing the process from within, never mind as an aspiring employee. For what it is worth, the latest figure I have heard is 300 new recruits for next year, so you will all be in soon enough.
GS-Alpha is offline  
Old 20th Oct 2019, 14:51
  #6482 (permalink)  
VJW
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1,124
Received 12 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by 3Greens


mate, if things like this wind you up to that extent I’d suggest BA may not be for you. You’ll need a much stronger give a “F@@k ‘ometer “ to survive at this outfit.
I suspected this a few years ago which is why I’m not there mate.
VJW is offline  
Old 20th Oct 2019, 15:37
  #6483 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by VJW

Additionally, if TCX holdpoolers have been prioritised that’s a bit of a joke. It’d definitely jeopardise everyone in the holdpool they’ve leapfrogged, it’s simply has to have done. At the very least it’s put them up the seniority list which in itself is a joke. I wonder if BA called everyone in the hold pool to ask if they’re still in work, or just assumed it’s only TCX crew that aren’t working since applying. I doubt it.
I personally thought it was to be applauded that they’ve finally showed some heart (and of course the fact they have an Airbus rating, but I’d like to think the first) and fast tracked those in desperate need for work. You know, Christmas and mortgages. In these slightly dark times, I welcome this kind of news.
Saab0409 is offline  
Old 20th Oct 2019, 19:33
  #6484 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Mcdu
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Good evening to everyone.
How much chance for a foreign FO tr320f with 1300tt coming from a yellow low cost?
Are they looking for these kind of profiles?
BA it is my dream
Xavier999 is offline  
Old 20th Oct 2019, 19:40
  #6485 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 891
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
Those of you swimming have my sympathy. I spent 6 months swimming as I was not Airbus rated at this time of year a few years back. My sim partner who was got in very quickly and is now around 120 places senior to me, which equates to a good year or two difference achieving a long haul command. As frustrating as it is, no point getting fussed about it as it is simply out of your control.

The information flow doesn’t get any better within the company, as those waiting for annual bid results and course dates will testify. The 2020 plan changes pretty much daily for reasons well outside recruitment’s control, but I think GS Alpha is right in that there will be jobs for all in the pool soon enough.
Jwscud is offline  
Old 20th Oct 2019, 20:33
  #6486 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Age: 56
Posts: 953
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Xavier999
Good evening to everyone.
How much chance for a foreign FO tr320f with 1300tt coming from a yellow low cost?
Are they looking for these kind of profiles?
BA it is my dream
Do you have:
The right to live and work in the UK?
A CAA (f)ATPL?
ICAO Level 6 English, spoken and written?
MPA type rating on over 10 Tonnes Acft?
(and I don't think a rating on a JAA license is transferable to a CAA license)

If so, you can apply with City-Flyer, and after 2 years apply to transfer to BA.....
hans brinker is offline  
Old 20th Oct 2019, 20:50
  #6487 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Mcdu
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by hans brinker
Do you have:
The right to live and work in the UK?
A CAA (f)ATPL?
ICAO Level 6 English, spoken and written?
MPA type rating on over 10 Tonnes Acft?
(and I don't think a rating on a JAA license is transferable to a CAA license)

If so, you can apply with City-Flyer, and after 2 years apply to transfer to BA.....
Yes, all of them. I have an EASA one of course. I have still slots available for the direct entry on the mainline.

I would like to know if they like profiles like mine, foreign pilot with not so much experience

Thank to everyone that will answer.
BA it’s my dream
Xavier999 is offline  
Old 21st Oct 2019, 06:19
  #6488 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Age: 45
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Xavier999,
There are lots of non UK nationals flying for BA. The experience they had when they joined ranged from straight out of flight school to training captains elsewhere before they joined and everything in between.

I would personally strongly advise against joining Cityflyer in order to join BA. You waste 2 years at least while there is absolutely not advantage of applying from Cityflyer to BA. The only benefit is that from Cityflyer you get a guaranteed invitation if you apply vs you have to put in some effort to answer the application (give an example of...) questions properly, but other then that it doesn't really increase your changes of getting in dramatically.
Jumbo2 is offline  
Old 21st Oct 2019, 06:27
  #6489 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Age: 56
Posts: 953
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Xavier999


Yes, all of them. I have an EASA one of course. I have still slots available for the direct entry on the mainline.

I would like to know if they like profiles like mine, foreign pilot with not so much experience

Thank to everyone that will answer.
BA it’s my dream
Good for you, sorry, shouldn't have assumed you didn't know basic requirements. Go for it, hope it works (I will stay at NK).
hans brinker is offline  
Old 22nd Oct 2019, 07:31
  #6490 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BA it’s my dream
Haven’t heard that for a long time.
BitMoreRightRudder is offline  
Old 22nd Oct 2019, 08:00
  #6491 (permalink)  
VJW
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1,124
Received 12 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by BitMoreRightRudder


Haven’t heard that for a long time.
Don’t work in their recruitment I see
VJW is offline  
Old 22nd Oct 2019, 17:11
  #6492 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello guys,

From the latest rumour (which I am sure would be discussed here)...
Maybe start dates for the 1st quarter of 2020 for people in the pool
I don't know if this means starting in Q1 or physically getting a date to turn up in Q1...
Any insight on how these last few months work at BA before the sudden rush to hunt Pilots would be nice?

Cheers!
Granzer291 is offline  
Old 22nd Oct 2019, 20:15
  #6493 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 891
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
Every year they run a number of antiquated and tetchy computer programs to determine how many pilots each fleet and seat needs, and process expected retirements, and internal bids for fleet and seat moves. Every time they think they have a solution, somebody changes the flying plan for next year. This requires a complete re-run, re-plan &c. Once the plan is complete, it needs approval. Finance may elect to trim the plan again, requiring another cycle or two of the above.

Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
Jwscud is offline  
Old 22nd Oct 2019, 21:21
  #6494 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Runcorn,Cheshire,England
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jwscud
Every year they run a number of antiquated and tetchy computer programs to determine how many pilots each fleet and seat needs, and process expected retirements, and internal bids for fleet and seat moves. Every time they think they have a solution, somebody changes the flying plan for next year. This requires a complete re-run, re-plan &c. Once the plan is complete, it needs approval. Finance may elect to trim the plan again, requiring another cycle or two of the above.

Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...
not helped by the constant over promising and under delivering nature of the head of manpower planning. Seems to be a tad out of his depth.
3Greens is offline  
Old 23rd Oct 2019, 09:20
  #6495 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The only surety is the result is never correct/enough
bylgw is offline  
Old 23rd Oct 2019, 09:30
  #6496 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jwscud
Every year they run a number of antiquated and tetchy computer programs to determine how many pilots each fleet and seat needs, and process expected retirements, and internal bids for fleet and seat moves. Every time they think they have a solution, somebody changes the flying plan for next year. This requires a complete re-run, re-plan &c. Once the plan is complete, it needs approval. Finance may elect to trim the plan again, requiring another cycle or two of the above.

Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...

Thanks for the Info!
So I guess Pilots finding out results of their Bidding approvals is an indication that there will be some movement in the Pool? I presume they must give at least 3 months notice (or whichever one is required)... Nov end info would make it... March end start? Or am I wrong to say that? Any insight as to how many Pilots they need? (Similar to last year?)
Safety_ is offline  
Old 23rd Oct 2019, 14:23
  #6497 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Centre of Universe
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jwscud
Every year they run a number of antiquated and tetchy computer programs to determine how many pilots each fleet and seat needs, and process expected retirements, and internal bids for fleet and seat moves. Every time they think they have a solution, somebody changes the flying plan for next year. This requires a complete re-run, re-plan &c. Once the plan is complete, it needs approval. Finance may elect to trim the plan again, requiring another cycle or two of the above.

Only once this merry go round has ended do they have a plan for what is required, and the pilots get annual bid results. They also know how many new recruits they need, and in what fleets. They may have enough of an inkling before this is all over to make some offers for Jan/Feb but the vast majority of offers are likely to be held back until this process is complete. Last year it was late November...


You missed the final and most important ingredient - the finger in the air to see which the wind is blowing.....I last got budgeted crew numbers in 1992. You Nigel's are an expensive commodity so any tweaks that can be done will be done - probably not in 1992 - but these days - unlucky
Twiglet1 is offline  
Old 23rd Oct 2019, 23:45
  #6498 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: London
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anyone through to Stage 3 and hoping to get in a bit of sim practice, preferably South of England, but happy to travel if needed?
Still waiting for release of slot dates, but hoping to get some prep in sooner than later.
Please PM me. Looking to share the cost, as well as buddy up with someone on this.
DelhiBound is offline  
Old 1st Nov 2019, 13:13
  #6499 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Above
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Has anyone in the hold pool been called for a start date yet?
Percula is offline  
Old 4th Nov 2019, 10:24
  #6500 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Percula
Has anyone in the hold pool been called for a start date yet?

Nope and I haven’t heard of anyone else getting one either. All seems very quiet still
SissySkinner is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.