BA Direct Entry Pilot.

[Banana Joe]

Thanks for the explanation!

[RexBanner]

Originally Posted by thetimesreader84

The trainers have been told (at least according to the one I was in the sim with, before PRIAM day) to “expect about 250 Airbus recruits over the year”

Take that with a pinch of salt. There aren’t that many pilots on the Airbus ahead of me and I’m not getting a move in 2020. Having said that we are short in the RHS of the Airbus, more so Heathrow than Gatwick. I would guess from my time up the road that the compliment in LHR is at least 40 pilots shy if not more.

[WonderBus]

Originally Posted by RexBanner

Take that with a pinch of salt. There aren’t that many pilots on the Airbus ahead of me and I’m not getting a move in 2020. Having said that we are short in the RHS of the Airbus, more so Heathrow than Gatwick. I would guess from my time up the road that the compliment in LHR is at least 40 pilots shy if not more.

I think there’ll be a fair few new 320 pilots needed at LHR, I think almost every unfrozen pilot got their bid. I’m 40% and I’ve got a course for next year, so there’ll need to be a fair few pilot to fill in. BA are opening up 320 specific recruitment this year as well I believe.

[GS-Alpha]

Originally Posted by RexBanner

Take that with a pinch of salt. There aren’t that many pilots on the Airbus ahead of me and I’m not getting a move in 2020. Having said that we are short in the RHS of the Airbus, more so Heathrow than Gatwick. I would guess from my time up the road that the compliment in LHR is at least 40 pilots shy if not more.

I count just over 100 successful internal moves away from A320 FO positions, either to long haul fleets or commands on type. Then there will be age and ill health retirements, resignations due to people realising BA is not for them, people wanting part time, and you yourself say they are at least 40 FO positions short at Heathrow. A minimum requirement of 200 new A320 FOs would be very easy to reach. 250 is therefore probably not a bad estimate for trainers to have been told.

[RexBanner]

Yeah but that makes 250 total positions, not 250 Airbus positions, surely? If 100 Airbus FOs move then that’s 100 to replace (or 140 if you include the 40 they are short of) or am I missing something?

[RexBanner]

Originally Posted by WonderBus

I’m 40% and I’ve got a course for next year

Im 45% and haven’t

Not too much longer now though hopefully, especially as there’s more LH hulls arriving in 2021.

[midnight cruiser]

Will the recruits all be from flying school? I can't see even experienced turboprop FOs being attracted to a move to London to have years of the dregs of the roster and not even have the prospect of quick command. A few from cityflyer LCY I guess.

[RexBanner]

The upside is it moves quickly (well at the moment anyway) on the Airbus P2 List and roster satisfaction will improve faster (if it’s indeed possible to be satisfied by a JSS roster). Not anywhere near as fast moving at the bottom of the Long Haul fleets.

[GS-Alpha]

140 would require nobody leaving due sickness on short haul, nobody retiring before 65 on short haul (yes they will most likely retire from the LHS, but they will need replacing in addition to the planned for figures), nobody resigning from short haul because BA was not for them. It also requires that BA do not tend to need more pilots in the Summer than they need in the Winter. Typically we have low CAPs in the Winter and high in the Summer. If you are saying we are 40 FOs short now, then we are likely 100 short for the peak Summer period.

[GS-Alpha]

I presume you are still within your engagement freeze Rex? I know you were hoping for the 787, but unfortunately long haul is popular so there is no need to release people from a freeze.

[RexBanner]

GS-Alpha I know what you’re saying but that just relates to an overall volume of pilots to be replaced company wide. The post I was replying to said 250 Airbus FOs to be trained this year. If you’re talking about an individual fleet then surely the replacements will be on a one for one basis (seeing as virtually no one bids for P32L/X internally) so if 100 pilots move seat from the Airbus this year, plus we’re 40 pilots shy then that’s a total of 140 Airbus Pilots to replace whilst the overall requirement for pilots company wide remains at around 250.

Anyway all this is a moot point for prospective joiners because the fundamental crux of it is that if you’re looking to join BA on the Airbus your chances are good right now.

Yes to the engagement freeze, I started right at the beginning of 2016. A couple of months earlier I could have been in luck.

[GS-Alpha]

Except that the overall need for pilots company wide has been published by the department, as just under 300 pilots. I personally think 250 is probably a rounded up figure by trainers who know that the company often changes the plan and demands more of them. I can easily see the figure being above 200, and 250 should not be taken with a pinch of salt.

[GS-Alpha]

Originally Posted by RexBanner

Yes to the engagement freeze, I started right at the beginning of 2016. A couple of months earlier I could have been in luck.

I know it is disappointing not to get that move you were hoping for, and some lucky people do occasionally get released from their freeze when needs must, but unfortunately it is not the norm. With a super high training requirement on short haul already, it is unsurprising that they are not adding to it by releasing more A320 FOs than the agreements dictate.

[A320LGW]

What are the actual chances of being successful without having 500hrs? Based on my current roster I will just about make the 100 sector requirement around about the time of the application closing date

[bex88]

Play the game. Bang in the application and pic up some overtime if you can

[A320LGW]

Originally Posted by bex88

Play the game. Bang in the application and pic up some overtime if you can

cheers and do you reckon i'm ok to apply right now or is it best to wait until i've reached the 100 sectors before sending it in?

[byrondaf]

apply and then by the time you get to interview etc you'll have the hours. bingo.

[A320LGW]

fair enough, just wondered to what extent they may have reflected back as to what i had at the precise moment i filed the application because i'm required to sign off that i have the 100 sectors right this moment, will send it so!

[The Blu Riband]

PRIAM - an explanation of the name

The previous software system was named CASSANDRA. In Greek mythology she was able to foresee the future (but no-one ever believed her) so was an aptly named program for BA's fleet bidding and moves. PRIAM was her father and is the successor.

[Banana Joe]

Originally Posted by A320LGW

What are the actual chances of being successful without having 500hrs? Based on my current roster I will just about make the 100 sector requirement around about the time of the application closing date

Just apply. I fly cargo and have about 350 hours on the 737, but way in excess of 100 sectors. It's worth a try and free of charge!