BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Bucket and Spade
It's nothing catastrophic, just a strong plea from on high for people to be less free and easy with the release of potentially sensitive information.
As you've been through the BA process and have a contract I wouldn't lose any sleep about my comments.
It's nothing catastrophic, just a strong plea from on high for people to be less free and easy with the release of potentially sensitive information.
As you've been through the BA process and have a contract I wouldn't lose any sleep about my comments.
Last edited by wiggy; 21st Jan 2015 at 16:19.
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Can anyone on the 320 give an idea of their last few rosters? Number of days off? Blank/grey days? Overnights? Total duty/flight hours?
I noticed the overtime working day off payment is pretty low in BA, do you ever get a double payment for early start/late finish if it encroaches on a day off either before or after?
Thanks in advance.
I noticed the overtime working day off payment is pretty low in BA, do you ever get a double payment for early start/late finish if it encroaches on a day off either before or after?
Thanks in advance.
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The overtime rate at LHR ( LGW is different) is not a daily rate but is dependant on your hourly rate multiplied by 1.25 times the credit for the trip. The hourly rate is broadly speaking your annual salary divides by approximately 1050. All this is underpinned by a minimum daily credit of 4.5
All a bit complex but starting overtime rates mean that you get a minimum of appox £280 plus the allowances accrued for the trip.
All a bit complex but starting overtime rates mean that you get a minimum of appox £280 plus the allowances accrued for the trip.
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During the summer we were working 18-21 days a month. It has eased off a bit now but still about 18 days at work. Usual roster looks something like 6 on usually made up of 2 x 3 day tours 2 or 3 days off then back in for 5 days. Again made up of something like a 3 day tour and a 2 day tour. Another few days off possibly 3 then another 4 or 5 days on with perhaps the odd day trip thrown in. And so it repeats. You can bid for what you want but if your in the bottom 30% forget being able to get anything other than a blind line. AKA no choice.
Day off payment.......about £240 before tax....so about £120 in your pocket.
How many hours? I really don't know but flying hours mean bugger all. What I can say is you will spend many more hours away from home
Duty time from a normal line is about 280hrs a month
Day off payment.......about £240 before tax....so about £120 in your pocket.
How many hours? I really don't know but flying hours mean bugger all. What I can say is you will spend many more hours away from home
Duty time from a normal line is about 280hrs a month
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Balpa has agreed to roster SH only to EASA FTL's......the long haul fleets are still covered by the old agreement. I understand there is a bit of an argument between what the company and the union think they agreed to.
The amount of credit per trip in a block of work has been reduced so we can expect to have to work another day a month when CAP is high. I was doing 20-21 days a month last summer and still could not reach CAP because the trip credit was so low. Eg say CAP is 89hrs divide this by minimum day credit of 4.5 and you get 20 days work to meet cap. Now the duty rig has been changed you won't get 4.30 per day in a block of work but more like 4.15 so now you have to work 22 days to achieve the same credit. The FTL are now EASA and the new tables have entered our manuals.
The benefit for the company is in them being able to build in more time between our flights when we turn round at home base. Inefficient you would think? Apparently not as it enables the program to be far more robust during disruption. If you are late inbound with an aircraft swap and a minimum turn around time then your next flight goes late. With this system the flight crew are waiting to take the plane off you as they have had a long turn around. They get out ASAP and you now have what was a long turnaround reduced to something approaching normal so you can now get your program back on time. Thats the theory and it makes no difference to the company in cost if your on duty pay in a comfy hotel or a grotty windowless staff canteen. I don't think our time away from base is going to increase because that would increase the cost base but more time in uniform and less time down route is a given
So I don't sound like a complete arse I would sum it up like this. The company asks a lot of you and in return they offer a good package (maybe not the best but competitive) The company in my experience has been very good when i have needed dependency leave and or injury / illness.
If you don't live near London then you really need to think very carefully about your salary and cost of accommodation. Friends of mine commute and to put it very mildly it has been difficult on them and their families.
Truth of BA in the bottom 3rd I am afraid.
The amount of credit per trip in a block of work has been reduced so we can expect to have to work another day a month when CAP is high. I was doing 20-21 days a month last summer and still could not reach CAP because the trip credit was so low. Eg say CAP is 89hrs divide this by minimum day credit of 4.5 and you get 20 days work to meet cap. Now the duty rig has been changed you won't get 4.30 per day in a block of work but more like 4.15 so now you have to work 22 days to achieve the same credit. The FTL are now EASA and the new tables have entered our manuals.
The benefit for the company is in them being able to build in more time between our flights when we turn round at home base. Inefficient you would think? Apparently not as it enables the program to be far more robust during disruption. If you are late inbound with an aircraft swap and a minimum turn around time then your next flight goes late. With this system the flight crew are waiting to take the plane off you as they have had a long turn around. They get out ASAP and you now have what was a long turnaround reduced to something approaching normal so you can now get your program back on time. Thats the theory and it makes no difference to the company in cost if your on duty pay in a comfy hotel or a grotty windowless staff canteen. I don't think our time away from base is going to increase because that would increase the cost base but more time in uniform and less time down route is a given
So I don't sound like a complete arse I would sum it up like this. The company asks a lot of you and in return they offer a good package (maybe not the best but competitive) The company in my experience has been very good when i have needed dependency leave and or injury / illness.
If you don't live near London then you really need to think very carefully about your salary and cost of accommodation. Friends of mine commute and to put it very mildly it has been difficult on them and their families.
Truth of BA in the bottom 3rd I am afraid.
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Doors Closed
Its over for this years recruitment. I went as a widebody Captain, for the interviews. Was offered long haul FO on the triple. After tax , take home around £5000/ month. It cant bring home the bacon.
Interesting career though, if you are under 30. For me , nah BA but thanks for the good people i got to meet for post interview beers
Interesting career though, if you are under 30. For me , nah BA but thanks for the good people i got to meet for post interview beers
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Thanks for the informative post bex. It's really appreciated. I've been offered a position and I'm trying to weigh my options up leaving a very enjoyable UK position with another airline (we're not loco). When you say package, apart from salary and pension and staff travel. What else do you feel is good from BA?
PHI?
Private health insurance?
LoL?
Tax free share scheme?
PHI?
Private health insurance?
LoL?
Tax free share scheme?
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When I say package I really only think of the pay into my account each month and how I am treated. The pay is not terrible but its not the best. I do however feel looked after by the company and every now and then dare I say I feel valued too. Pension is about market average, maybe slightly above. Health care is good and I hope I never need to call on it but loss of license I don't think is very generous.
Staff travel in my opinion when you first join is close to worthless. It like most things is based on seniority so you can get bumped by pretty much anyone when your new.
Tax free share scheme
yeah brilliant until it comes to paying out. The deal is then modified and the shares are not awarded but a cash payment instead. IAG said no.
BA is hard when you first join and if your unlucky you will spend years at the bottom with no control over your life.
Of all the airlines I have flown for whilst I would say BA is good in the respect of living in the uk and having some security you do have to pay a heavy price for that. It would not be the easiest job I have had but it may well be the one that keeps me in employment until I retire.
If your at Thomson, Easy on a good contract or Virgin I would probably stay put but otherwise its probably a wise move.
Staff travel in my opinion when you first join is close to worthless. It like most things is based on seniority so you can get bumped by pretty much anyone when your new.
Tax free share scheme
yeah brilliant until it comes to paying out. The deal is then modified and the shares are not awarded but a cash payment instead. IAG said no.BA is hard when you first join and if your unlucky you will spend years at the bottom with no control over your life.
Of all the airlines I have flown for whilst I would say BA is good in the respect of living in the uk and having some security you do have to pay a heavy price for that. It would not be the easiest job I have had but it may well be the one that keeps me in employment until I retire.
If your at Thomson, Easy on a good contract or Virgin I would probably stay put but otherwise its probably a wise move.
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Is staff travel really that bad? It's part of the appeal for me - IN THEORY. With wife and two kids, have I basically got no chance to get myself and family on a flight across the pond any time during school holidays? Be brutally honest 
Is it after 5 years that it gets a bit better with "guaranteed" ticket?
Is it after 5 years that it gets a bit better with "guaranteed" ticket?
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BA future recruitment
For those of us that battled hard at this years selection and unfortunately missed a step or two is there going to be a similar number required next year or will FPP cover future intakes.
All the best to those that got through.
All the best to those that got through.
Is it after 5 years that it gets a bit better with "guaranteed" ticket?
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Wiggy seems to know more about this than me but I would not make your move based on being able to hope on staff travel here there and everywhere. Many many times have I had the conversation about the gamble of staff travel. The risk of being stuck, transferring to another airport because loads are less or buying guaranteed tickets for the wife and kids. These are guys with 15 years service! When it works though.....first class JFK and back thank you.
You have the little issue of work getting in the way of all this play time though
Harry: I hear all sorts of rumor on recruitment. Some are saying that since Crystal has been put in charge of establishing the required numbers they have dropped significantly. There had been a lot of talk from ops about how good Crystal was going to be so I do hope her mini skirt is a short as they say.
You have the little issue of work getting in the way of all this play time though
Harry: I hear all sorts of rumor on recruitment. Some are saying that since Crystal has been put in charge of establishing the required numbers they have dropped significantly. There had been a lot of talk from ops about how good Crystal was going to be so I do hope her mini skirt is a short as they say.
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Thanks for straight answer 
What to do, what to do... The money in the Orange left seat is nice... But 45 sectors a month / 5 earlies in a row /etc... I'd never leave for SH, but LH is one tricky choice.
*scratches head*
What to do, what to do... The money in the Orange left seat is nice... But 45 sectors a month / 5 earlies in a row /etc... I'd never leave for SH, but LH is one tricky choice.
*scratches head*