BA Direct Entry Pilot.
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There's lots of information on stage 1 in this thread and the previous one, but it's the numerical and verbal reasoning, and the 2 current aptitude tests (crosshairs/numbers/shapes, and the multitasking/capacity exercise where you take radio calls/program the fmc/monitor systems/action an "ecam").
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I think a major contributor to Longhaul SFO's not bidding for Shorthaul command has to be the NAPS pension issues (and thats not BA's doing it's the Government's).....
Why would you become a shorthaul captain to create a ~£300,000-350,000 pension liability (i.e. you OWE THE GOVERNMENT).... BA Pensions pay this to the Gov but then charge you MPF rate (currently around 9-9.5% interest PER ANNUM) on this figure.....
If you've got 20+ years to retirement that could virtually WIPE OUT your entire pension!
And no I'm not being melodramatic... the figures are out there!
Why would you become a shorthaul captain to create a ~£300,000-350,000 pension liability (i.e. you OWE THE GOVERNMENT).... BA Pensions pay this to the Gov but then charge you MPF rate (currently around 9-9.5% interest PER ANNUM) on this figure.....
If you've got 20+ years to retirement that could virtually WIPE OUT your entire pension!
And no I'm not being melodramatic... the figures are out there!
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The problem will disappear when NAPS gets closed to future accrual in the next couple of years and those LH FOs will be kicking themselves for not bidding for a SH command. Then there will be an unholy rush for those same SH commands as the BARP pension is dependent on the money you put into the pot - command allows more money in from both you and the company. This is a short term problem. Remember though that "direction" is a tool the company can also use to fill empty C32 slots!
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I think a major contributor to Longhaul SFO's not bidding for Shorthaul command has to be the NAPS pension issues (and thats not BA's doing it's the Government's).....
Why would you become a shorthaul captain to create a ~£300,000-350,000 pension liability (i.e. you OWE THE GOVERNMENT).... BA Pensions pay this to the Gov but then charge you MPF rate (currently around 9-9.5% interest PER ANNUM) on this figure.....
If you've got 20+ years to retirement that could virtually WIPE OUT your entire pension!
And no I'm not being melodramatic... the figures are out there!
Dave is offline Report Post
Dave is correct. I flew with a SFO who is in Naps and was not taking command for those tax liabilities. It was going to cost him a staggering amount of money so why would you go for a command in his situation?
I can't wait for the next Budget when Mr Osborne will probably end tax relief for those of us in a money purchase scheme.
Why would you become a shorthaul captain to create a ~£300,000-350,000 pension liability (i.e. you OWE THE GOVERNMENT).... BA Pensions pay this to the Gov but then charge you MPF rate (currently around 9-9.5% interest PER ANNUM) on this figure.....
If you've got 20+ years to retirement that could virtually WIPE OUT your entire pension!
And no I'm not being melodramatic... the figures are out there!
Dave is offline Report Post
Dave is correct. I flew with a SFO who is in Naps and was not taking command for those tax liabilities. It was going to cost him a staggering amount of money so why would you go for a command in his situation?
I can't wait for the next Budget when Mr Osborne will probably end tax relief for those of us in a money purchase scheme.
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Juan
You don't understand the NAPS tax problem if you think that closure of the scheme to future accrual will remove the tax liability and make SFOs wish they had already taken a command. The number of Captains who've told me "It's OK. You can tick scheme pays and the problem is removed." They don't understand the situation either, so you are not alone. In fact, the only people who are not too concerned by the situation are those who do not actually understand it.
Looking on the bright side though; at least if the company closes future accrual into NAPS, they'll have to pay their full employer's national insurance contributions rather than making NAPS employees pay it!
You don't understand the NAPS tax problem if you think that closure of the scheme to future accrual will remove the tax liability and make SFOs wish they had already taken a command. The number of Captains who've told me "It's OK. You can tick scheme pays and the problem is removed." They don't understand the situation either, so you are not alone. In fact, the only people who are not too concerned by the situation are those who do not actually understand it.
Looking on the bright side though; at least if the company closes future accrual into NAPS, they'll have to pay their full employer's national insurance contributions rather than making NAPS employees pay it!
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GS - as one already paying the darn bill I understand the issue fully. It is only a concern to those in NAPS and, I agree, it is concerning.
It is academic to new joiners except the effect on command opportunities. If it means some SFOs will stay there and never bid for a command I'm sure the new joiners will be very happy, as will I as it increases my opportunities.
It is academic to new joiners except the effect on command opportunities. If it means some SFOs will stay there and never bid for a command I'm sure the new joiners will be very happy, as will I as it increases my opportunities.
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The problem will disappear when NAPS gets closed to future accrual in the next couple of years and those LH FOs will be kicking themselves for not bidding for a SH command.
Anyway, as you say, we digress from the main subject. I agree with you that the current NAPS tax problem is indeed good for BARP pilots (new entrants) and their command prospects. I've been saying this to BARP guys I fly with for years, in an attempt to cheer them up.
Join Date: Dec 2015
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7 days after for the sim (December).
Last edited by P0tt3r; 16th Jan 2016 at 14:50.
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Time...?
Anyone got any ideas as to how long they had to wait roughly from finding out they were in the hold pool to fleet allocation? I appreciate it is a bit more individual specific - but got the good news last week after successfully applying for the Long Haul DEP, currently 737 rated, and trying to quench my thirst for information!!
Also any numbers for the hold pool?
Rgds!
Also any numbers for the hold pool?
Rgds!
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Fly4more,
After attending a past roadshow one of the BA recruiters made a point of saying they can afford to be fussy when we reached the selection process section on the presentation.
One person asked why the place so much emphasis on the computer test, and there response was it shows that you make it as a pilot and manage a conversion course without failing, which too me doesn't make sense if you are experienced pilots and have been flying for 'X' amount of years does that mean you are likely to fail at BA?
It seems a waste of resource from the BA team to be going on all these roadshow abroad when really they need to maybe evaluate there selection process to be tailored to experienced pilots and not zero hours cadet.
After attending a past roadshow one of the BA recruiters made a point of saying they can afford to be fussy when we reached the selection process section on the presentation.
One person asked why the place so much emphasis on the computer test, and there response was it shows that you make it as a pilot and manage a conversion course without failing, which too me doesn't make sense if you are experienced pilots and have been flying for 'X' amount of years does that mean you are likely to fail at BA?
It seems a waste of resource from the BA team to be going on all these roadshow abroad when really they need to maybe evaluate there selection process to be tailored to experienced pilots and not zero hours cadet.
Fly4more,
After attending a past roadshow one of the BA recruiters made a point of saying they can afford to be fussy when we reached the selection process section on the presentation.
One person asked why the place so much emphasis on the computer test, and there response was it shows that you make it as a pilot and manage a conversion course without failing, which too me doesn't make sense if you are experienced pilots and have been flying for 'X' amount of years does that mean you are likely to fail at BA?
It seems a waste of resource from the BA team to be going on all these roadshow abroad when really they need to maybe evaluate there selection process to be tailored to experienced pilots and not zero hours cadet.
After attending a past roadshow one of the BA recruiters made a point of saying they can afford to be fussy when we reached the selection process section on the presentation.
One person asked why the place so much emphasis on the computer test, and there response was it shows that you make it as a pilot and manage a conversion course without failing, which too me doesn't make sense if you are experienced pilots and have been flying for 'X' amount of years does that mean you are likely to fail at BA?
It seems a waste of resource from the BA team to be going on all these roadshow abroad when really they need to maybe evaluate there selection process to be tailored to experienced pilots and not zero hours cadet.
You could spend several years letting your skills fade (NOTECHS as well as handling skill) so they probably want to assess that you've still got the skills. Makes perfect sense to me.
Having that stage there doesn't make a difference to those competent enough to pass it. But if you didn't have it, you'd lose one stage of filtering that weeds out the less competent applicants.
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Agreed , i dont BA are concerned about it and yes its a hoop to jump through. And a stage that would certainly count against those more mature types who may find the reversal of the joystick polarity on the cross hairs a real challenge.
You can apply , but your chances of passing the aptitude will be decrese exponentially with age, and that suits BA.
In the old day they just said bog off, you are too old!
You can apply , but your chances of passing the aptitude will be decrese exponentially with age, and that suits BA.
In the old day they just said bog off, you are too old!
Last edited by fly4more; 18th Jan 2016 at 07:26.
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Agreed , i dont BA are concerned about it and yes its a hoop to jump through. And a stage that would certainly count against those more mature types who may find the reversal of the joystick polarity on the cross hairs a real challenge.
You can apply , but your chances of passing the aptitude will be decrese exponentially with age, and that suits BA.
In the old day they just said bog off, you are too old!
You can apply , but your chances of passing the aptitude will be decrese exponentially with age, and that suits BA.
In the old day they just said bog off, you are too old!
So when I hear or read comments about how BA only wants youngsters it just reveals the prejudices and anxieties of those making them. BA wants good pilots (admittedly as determined by own peculiar system) but it doesn't give a stuff about age, sex, colour, creed or religion. They don't look for an old school tie or a secret handshake. You either pass selection or you don't, then if you are in the right place at the right time and they need swimmers from the pool you get a job offer.
And a stage that would certainly count against those more mature types who may find the reversal of the joystick polarity on the cross hairs a real challenge.
You can apply , but your chances of passing the aptitude will be decrese exponentially with age, and that suits BA.
You can apply , but your chances of passing the aptitude will be decrese exponentially with age, and that suits BA.
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Mate of mine involved with sim assesment with large British airline. He is amazed at the number of ex Airbus candidates from other UK airlines, who have lost the skills of trimming, and controlling speed maunually with the thrust levers, big part of the assesment.
It's not just AF and some Asian carriers, but it appears the basic flying skills deficiency is now becoming a UK problem too.
It's not just AF and some Asian carriers, but it appears the basic flying skills deficiency is now becoming a UK problem too.
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He is amazed that people who don't use a skill forget how to use it? You don't trim an airbus and a lot of carriers forbid use of manual thrust. Five years of doing that and you soon get used to that and that alone unless you can afford to keep a single engine rating up. It's not amazing, it's expected. However, a couple of hours in a fixed based 737 sim and most people would regain the skill fairly quickly, in preparation for the big even,t £300 for a future career is not a lot.
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You'll find the tests are looking at capacity. Can you fly ok and have the ability to do other things at the same time? If you're using 100% of your capacity to just handle the aircraft you're not what they're looking for. NOTECHs are your ability to be able to recognise the big picture, including yourself, and be effective. Get the hang of that and you've cracked it for the Sim.
