BA Direct Entry Pilot.

[2whites2reds]

Is there hope for ex hold poolers ?

Just wondering when the rest of us ex hold poolers may get another go. Was bad enough to fall out in the first place, without being excluded from current recruitment due lack of airbus type rating ...

[A320.1B]

ex hold poolers did not need the airbus rating. The first set of interviews a few months back were all from the hold pool.. only a few were airbus rated the rest were not.. the opening stated something like ex-hold poolers were to contact directly.. they also only did a 1 day assessment not the full 3 days..

[Threethirty]

It was my understanding that ex hold poolers were personally phoned up to attend the one day assessment, I don't think they had to apply. Does anyone know if this included people who were stuck in between round one and round two back in 2011/12?

[Callsign Kilo]

Ex Hold Pool

I can testify that not all ex poolers were called. I believe a small number were offered a 320 position straight out. Not sure how this fits with others - reapplication, call, 1 day assessment, 3 day assessment?

[oscar2012]

Yeah, I can personally testify that not all ex hold poolers were contacted.

I was one of the last to get in in 2012 and therefore one of the last to drop out so when the Airbus recruitment was announced I, rather frustratingly, emailed the recruitment team as advertised on the application website.

I was trying to put some feelers out as I'm Boeing rated but wanted to update them on my flying hours, company I'm now working for, etc etc and see what the situation at their end was. I received an email straight back saying thanks for the email, however, as I didn't have a 320 rating I wasn't eligible and that they don't keep records on file(!?).

Was a bit of a kick in the teeth a few weeks later to hear through friends that several non-bus rated ex-poolers had been contacted.

[2whites2reds]

The same boat

Oscar and CallsignKilo - I remember you guys (and others in our situation) like you I emailed and had no luck! Just wondering whether they re going to give us Boeing boys (and girls) a go again .... They are recruiting for airbus again (second round), just hoping we are next!

[pile.it]

Hello,

Slightly random question but does anyone know if BA will be contacting current employers before stage 2 (16,17,18 September)? I'm not to keen on letting my current airline know I'm applying elsewhere just yet.

Thanks!

[eaglesnest1972]

I think many are having the same concern, myself included

Have you already been contacted by BA?

[pile.it]

No I haven't even applied yet. Still debating whether or not to, it's a great opportunity, but don't want to bite the hand that feeds me!

[no sponsor]

When I went through the process before, BA only obtain references once you pass selection and get the job offer. They have a team of people whose job is to perform referencing, including your employment checks. I know in other posts today, the process only starts once you get the offer. As people know, passing selection and getting the offer of employment (which is subject to references) can be a significant amount of time, so there's no point doing them until you get the job offer.

[Gordomac]

Nothing much changed then, in half a century of, so called, selection. In 1964, I applied for a Hamble cadetship, I was still at school and was called for "pre-assessment". BOAC/BEA copied the RAF format for Cranwell. You were permitted to go through the selection on the basis that if successful, entry would be dependent on obtaining the necessary educational qualifications. I was a secondary modern (11+ failure), Roman Catholic school, only just doing "0" levels. Off I went to Hamble with me Rail Warrant (yeah p2 fly................they paid for you to get there, accommodate you , feed you & make you feel ever so wanted). I failed part one of a three part selection process. The very basic aptitude , general like-ability tests. The letter from dear ole A H ABBOTT suggested I try for anlternative career. I went on to fly Viscount, trident (for BA mainline ex LHR) Bac 1-11, B737,757, 767 and A340, nost of the 22000 hrs so accrued, in command. Ooooops, mind you, remember the silly essay we had to write - ? "Why I Want To Be An Airline Pilot" ! I opened with :" Well, it is the only job where you get free transport from pub to pub ". Part One Interviewer with no sense of humour didn't find that funny but he was an ex BOAC Nav !

I fought non selection for two years. I asked if one could have a second go as I succeeded in bagging a good crop of "O" levels including, in one sitting, Maths (0) and two A levels. The two A levels were gained in one year (two year course) and in which I had no "0" level background (Economics & GP Law). Nah, sorry, said AH Abbott "We do not permit second attempts, try BUA " !!

I took up the case with BEA who passed me on to BOAC who stated that second attempts WERE permitted and, indeed, many successful applicants had gained entry at the second attempt. AH Abbott reluctantly accepted my second application and invited me back to Hamble. Oh, glorious days as Thunderclapnewman were number one in the charts.

Did all of part one, asked to stay over night (obviously passed) and did that psycho test (500 questions- no time limit) and then faced nasty grilling by the Head of Selection. Yes, dear readers, of course, ex BOAC Nav . Went home expecting to be invited for part three which was 10 free flying hours in a chipmunk. BUT, failed ! Told I didn't possess, "in sufficient strength, ALL of the qualities looked for in a BOAC/BEA ...........................wait for it............CAPTAIN ! Blimey, only wanted to be a Second Officer on VC10 & go from pub to pub !

My point in all this is that BA have lurched from one selection procedure to another. From fully sponsored cadet training to p2 fly. From hold pools (what the hell is that - ? ). Looks like HR has no idea.

Oh, just learned that a mate of mine, years ago when BA were not recruiting, got into BA mainline (737), got a command within 18 months and has been a Training Capt for the last ten years ! WTF !.......................Oh, am I being silly, - ? Right place, right time, member of the favoured Lodge ? One trouser leg half way up, the other down, VERY strange hand-shake......................noooooo, noooooo, noooooo !

All going in the book....................................."Why I want to be an Airline Pilot "............................. !

Good luck to all DEP applicants. Right place, right time, Daddy already on Concorde............Oh, and if your first name really is Nigel.........Yur in !

[JW411]

And that is exactly it. I do not know how many times I have said on pprune that you can do every bit of preparation that is known to man but, in the final analysis, it is all about who was there when the phone rang.

[kirungi1]

...when luck meets opportunity

[Paolo]

lovely post, Gordomac!

[Locked door]

Those reading this thread for genuine hints and tips, I hope you can filter the good stuff from the bitter musings (whatever their motivations).

Remember not everyone can be successful, there is an element of competitiveness in it and BA are looking for so much more than just 'driver airframe'. You will need to be technically competent but the non technical stuff is just as important. You are being recruited as a 'Captain of the future' where full role reversal happens from day one of your career.

There are some genuine tough luck stories out there, the recruiting procedure can't be completely foolproof, after all fools are so inventive! However the correct preparation seasoned with a sprinkling of luck will give you the best chance.

Good luck all.

ps. All the above is just my personal opinion.

[Megaton]

Locked Door has hit the nail on the head. When applying for BA, your ATPL and experience proves you are capable of driving. What the recruiters want to know is if you more about you than simply the ability to fly an aircraft. After all, if successful, BA will train you, at great expense, to operate their aircraft the BA Way (for better or worse).

As for

fools are so inventive!

....well, prior peparation preventing pi55 poor performance worked for me.

[Jet Set Willie]

British Airways - Job Details

The door has just opened a little bit more for some as well!!!!

[time2leave]

Maybe

Unless you had to leave at your exit date to enter the Hold Pool and cannot now apply as you are no longer serving because you left to enter the Hold Pool

[wiggy]

Nothing much changed then, in half a century of, so called, selection. In 1964,

Meanwhile......For the benefit of younger readers a bit of context: In 1964 I was a spotter (who wasn't yet old enough to have spots) at the airport formerly known as Ringway. BOAC were flying the likes of Viscounts and BOAC had 707's, ( I think, I must check my spotters logs).

Since then I've been through one of the iterations of the BA selection process, served over a quarter of a century in BA, and survived routine checks, conversion and command upgrades and am now past the former compulsory retirement age of 55. Like the vast vast majority of my colleagues in BA I have never been in a lodge, indulged in funny handshakes or gone around with a trouser leg rolled up (well, not when sober). As far as I'm aware not being "in the club" hasn't done any lasting harm.

In other words whilst some of the stories about BA selection process "back in the day" are interesting, they are no resemblance to the modern HR driven, computer scored, pier reviewed sausage machine.

[wiggy]

Nothing much changed then, in half a century of, so called, selection. In 1964,

Meanwhile, and if I may, a bit of balance, and for the benefit of younger readers a bit of context: In 1964 I was a spotter (who wasn't yet old enough to have spots) at the airport formerly known as Ringway. BEA were flying the likes of Viscounts and BOAC had 707's, ( I think, I must check my spotters logs).

Since then I've been through one of the iterations of the BA selection process, served over a quarter of a century in BA, and survived routine checks, conversion and command upgrades and am now past the former compulsory retirement age of 55. Like the vast vast majority of my colleagues in BA I have never been in a lodge, indulged in funny handshakes or gone around with a trouser leg rolled up (well, not when sober). As far as I'm aware not being "in the club" hasn't done any lasting harm.

In other words whilst some of the stories about BA selection process "back in the day" are interesting, and if as described a downright disgrace, they bare no resemblance to the modern HR driven, computer scored, peer reviewed sausage machine.