BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Paris
Age: 48
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am thinking of applying next year so I can be closer to the 1700 hrs as opposed to the 1000 hrs I have now. Apparently you can not reapply within a 12 month period and I guess the most experienced candidates will always be in a better position to make it through to the end.
As per what I have read in one post here in 2015 BA may be recruiting again.
If this year's selection of A320 DEP turns out to be the only one in the foreseeable future I may give it a go instead.
Anyone here knows what's more likely to happen? 2014, 2015, or both?
Many thanks in advance.
As per what I have read in one post here in 2015 BA may be recruiting again.
If this year's selection of A320 DEP turns out to be the only one in the foreseeable future I may give it a go instead.
Anyone here knows what's more likely to happen? 2014, 2015, or both?
Many thanks in advance.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would suggest that if BA is the company you want to work for a-Ricky-town and if you meet their minimum requirements then apply as soon as possible. At 31 I wouldn't waste any time and I certainly wouldn't try and second guess their future needs!
The BA recruitment is very black and white. If you tick the right boxes by way of your minimum requirements, essay answers on your application and then the subsequent recruitment process then you'll be given a shot.
My advice to anyone looking to join a large airline would be to apply as soon as possible in order of getting on that seniority list sooner rather than later as seniority is key in the path of your future career within the large airlines.
The BA recruitment is very black and white. If you tick the right boxes by way of your minimum requirements, essay answers on your application and then the subsequent recruitment process then you'll be given a shot.
My advice to anyone looking to join a large airline would be to apply as soon as possible in order of getting on that seniority list sooner rather than later as seniority is key in the path of your future career within the large airlines.
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: In the mines
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LCY 318 pilots don't fly the 321 either, so they are restricted in how much Europe flying they can do, and do very little mid haul. As a result of a small band that are LCY qualified, they are doing the trip fairly regularly.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Blighty
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LCY 318 pilots don't fly the 321 either, so they are restricted in how much Europe flying they can do, and do very little mid haul. As a result of a small band that are LCY qualified, they are doing the trip fairly regularly.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SE UK
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No weekends off in longhaul for a decade? Total balls.
Whole complete consecutive weekends off? Quite hard, go work in an office if you want that.
I can comfortably get landing early sat or departing late Sunday evenings etc, so most of a weekend off and I am 15% off the bottom of my fleet status.
It does mean that sometimes I don't go to the 'glamour' spots but days off at home with family are more important than where I work, single friends of mine work weekends and go to nicer spots because they want to. Lots of choice in BA, and I am steadily marching up the seniority list on my fleet, slowly mind but steadily.
I also haven't met anyone on my fleet who is truly unhappy, my friends still on short haul are getting towards that though unfortunately, but FPP and recruitment hopefully will bring CAPS back down.
Whole complete consecutive weekends off? Quite hard, go work in an office if you want that.
I can comfortably get landing early sat or departing late Sunday evenings etc, so most of a weekend off and I am 15% off the bottom of my fleet status.
It does mean that sometimes I don't go to the 'glamour' spots but days off at home with family are more important than where I work, single friends of mine work weekends and go to nicer spots because they want to. Lots of choice in BA, and I am steadily marching up the seniority list on my fleet, slowly mind but steadily.
I also haven't met anyone on my fleet who is truly unhappy, my friends still on short haul are getting towards that though unfortunately, but FPP and recruitment hopefully will bring CAPS back down.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Weekends and Bidline etc.
Dozza2K
I couldn't agree more.
As far as some other posters are concerned............
I'm quite astonished that so many aspire to work as a pilot for an airline, which by its very nature is a 24/7, 365 day a year operation, only to become fixated on whether or not they may get weekends free of duty.
Days off during the week can be very useful, especially so for those with a family. You will also need to be very circumspect when it comes to your ability to be at home for Christmas, parents' evenings, children's parties, sports days and notable birthdays etc. It's not the end of the World if you can't always be there; of course, as you progress up the seniority list you will begin to be a little more successful in bidding for specific dates, but then (like 'Snakes and Ladders') a command puts you down at the bottom again.
Enjoy the variety and spoil the family when can't always be there. If you think the lifestyle is not for you, perhaps you should seriously consider why you chose this career in the first place.
I couldn't agree more.
As far as some other posters are concerned............
I'm quite astonished that so many aspire to work as a pilot for an airline, which by its very nature is a 24/7, 365 day a year operation, only to become fixated on whether or not they may get weekends free of duty.
Days off during the week can be very useful, especially so for those with a family. You will also need to be very circumspect when it comes to your ability to be at home for Christmas, parents' evenings, children's parties, sports days and notable birthdays etc. It's not the end of the World if you can't always be there; of course, as you progress up the seniority list you will begin to be a little more successful in bidding for specific dates, but then (like 'Snakes and Ladders') a command puts you down at the bottom again.
Enjoy the variety and spoil the family when can't always be there. If you think the lifestyle is not for you, perhaps you should seriously consider why you chose this career in the first place.
Last edited by FullTanks; 2nd Jun 2014 at 16:38. Reason: Addition
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Berlin, DE
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lot's of interesting information on here! Could any of the BA FOs maybe share an example roster? I am quite interested in the kind of trips that are usual, ie. are they 1 day, 3 day, 5 day? I am trying to decide whether it makes sense for me to apply, would enjoy the night stops but it's also important for me to be at home too!
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Uk
Age: 42
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But it speaks volumes when your 8 year old daughter comes home from school with 1 ticket for a school event for mummy. When asked why she did not get daddy one the reply was "its at the weekend and he's never here"
It does get better with improved seniority but in 2 years a movement of 75 places.........
It does get better with improved seniority but in 2 years a movement of 75 places.........
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: York
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jet Set Willie
Complete and utter 
! Who are you?
Largely irrelevant though to anyone thinking of applying, as LCY-JFK won't be available (even for P2s) for 5-10 years after joining.
Anyone (young) thinking there is any better 'gig' than BA, anywhere in the world, should probably think again!
LCY 318 pilots don't fly the 321 either, so they are restricted in how much Europe flying they can do, and do very little mid haul. As a result of a small band that are LCY qualified, they are doing the trip fairly regularly.
! Who are you?Largely irrelevant though to anyone thinking of applying, as LCY-JFK won't be available (even for P2s) for 5-10 years after joining.
Anyone (young) thinking there is any better 'gig' than BA, anywhere in the world, should probably think again!
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let's also consider a SH/LH split. Maybe in the not too distant future ;-).
SH drivers and new joiners on vastly reduced T's and C's and further selection required before getting your "new" position at BA longhaul and back at the bottom of their seniority list also with new T's and C's for new joiners.
Perhaps the new short haul airline could be called "Go" or more inventively "British Airways Shuttle".
Good luck to y'all.
SH drivers and new joiners on vastly reduced T's and C's and further selection required before getting your "new" position at BA longhaul and back at the bottom of their seniority list also with new T's and C's for new joiners.
Perhaps the new short haul airline could be called "Go" or more inventively "British Airways Shuttle".
Good luck to y'all.
Gammon
...agreed on that but:
Er.... Last trip ( and personally I find it happens most trips).
Very bizarre indeed, haven't seen that since the IA days. Last trip we all ( 11'ish) sat together at the bar - a long haul legacy crew on the second part of a back to back. There's no doubt some crews can be hard work but if somebody feels they are being cold shouldered on every trip maybe the problem doesn't lie with everybody else on the crew.....
Is that based on personal observation from working in BA and if so from which side of the flight deck door?
Relentless management attacks
when was the last time a crew member came up to the cockpit for a chat? Offered you an espresso from first? ......Acknowledged your existence if you walk in the galley?
The bizarre situation where the pilots sit at one end of the bar and your crew at the other
Quite a high percentage of knobs and weird characters in the flight deck - very aware of their "status".
Last edited by wiggy; 3rd Jun 2014 at 06:21.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Uk
Age: 42
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You get some rubbish on here.
Last flight I did the skipper bought coffee for all of the crew and we had a chat about stuff before heading off to find our aircraft. Cabin crew bought in snacks and we all helped each other to get the job done. For 99% it's a job and what matters is lifestyle, renumeration and future prospects.
A quote from management about the short haul review "this is a BA pilot issue not a BA SH pilot issue" I doubt we are about to go the days of BEA and BOAC again. Our contracts are as British Airways pilots. That may change for new joiners after the review or if SH was to follow the route of Lufthansa with German wings and mainline.
Sit on the fence or take a chance. For what it's worth the best gig in town is the Thompson, Thomas Cook job out of Bristol
Last flight I did the skipper bought coffee for all of the crew and we had a chat about stuff before heading off to find our aircraft. Cabin crew bought in snacks and we all helped each other to get the job done. For 99% it's a job and what matters is lifestyle, renumeration and future prospects.
A quote from management about the short haul review "this is a BA pilot issue not a BA SH pilot issue" I doubt we are about to go the days of BEA and BOAC again. Our contracts are as British Airways pilots. That may change for new joiners after the review or if SH was to follow the route of Lufthansa with German wings and mainline.
Sit on the fence or take a chance. For what it's worth the best gig in town is the Thompson, Thomas Cook job out of Bristol
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: uk
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would advise anyone reading this thread, to help them decide whether or not to apply to BA, to treat many of the recent negative posts with a generous pinch of salt.
Yes, there is uncertainty at the moment because of the short haul review, bidline review etc. However, making your decision based on wild speculation from anonymous posters would be a little foolhardy. Changes will come to BA, but I don't think many level-headed people seriously believe that bidline will disappear or that there will be any drastic changes to working practices and/or Ts&Cs for BA pilots. Small and probably negative changes yes, but the BA pilot world isn't going to fall into oblivion like some on pprune would like you to believe.
Yes, there is uncertainty at the moment because of the short haul review, bidline review etc. However, making your decision based on wild speculation from anonymous posters would be a little foolhardy. Changes will come to BA, but I don't think many level-headed people seriously believe that bidline will disappear or that there will be any drastic changes to working practices and/or Ts&Cs for BA pilots. Small and probably negative changes yes, but the BA pilot world isn't going to fall into oblivion like some on pprune would like you to believe.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cloud Cookoo Land
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My advice would be apply and try all that you may in order to get an assessment, pass the assessments, wade through the hold pool and then end up with an offer.
BA isn't the airline it once was. Hell, its a different airline than the one that I applied to three years ago. But so is the industry that we work in. This is a reflection on the industry, not BA.
There'll be no shortage in candidates. The majority fall at the first hurdle. Worry if BA is right for you when someone from pilot recruitment rings you with a start date. By then you should know.
BA isn't the airline it once was. Hell, its a different airline than the one that I applied to three years ago. But so is the industry that we work in. This is a reflection on the industry, not BA.
There'll be no shortage in candidates. The majority fall at the first hurdle. Worry if BA is right for you when someone from pilot recruitment rings you with a start date. By then you should know.
GF
Thanks for the further thoughts (and apologies for the grump!!),
Fair cop, yes the layout of the 744 always made "interaction" with most of the crew and access to the fancy bev. maker a challenge....
If prospective joiners take away one just one fact from this thread it should be that one.
Rgds.
Thanks for the further thoughts (and apologies for the grump!!),
the 400 is probably slightly less conducive to harmonious crew relations;
but people need to think long and hard about joining these days - especially anyone over 30.
Rgds.
