BA City Flyer opens recruitment
How realistic is it for an A320 rated FO to expect an invite for assessments? (>1,500 hours with >1,000 on multi-crew medium jet). Have pilots from this category been hired in the past or are they seen as likely to jump ship because they have another very valuable type rating?
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Planet Claire
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are successful, and have to make a decision between working for BACF or spending the afternoon sticking red hot pins up your own bottom, all I'd say is take your time, and pick the least worse option.
Very thought provoking 
I guess a lot of you current BACF pilots seem stuck? The fact that there is no easy path into mainline though well established must still piss you guys off immensely. I have a friend in BACF who occasionally bickers about lack of career progression, the salary and a certain egos within management. He's been there for around 6 years but family commitments prevent him from leaving for China where he could earn treble the amount.
However, the other side of the coin if I may? I've flown bigger things all over the world, away from family and friends, and have come to hate the reality of being an expat pilot. So have very opposite needs! BACF doesn't sound like the best airline for ones career but I'm not sure if career progression is the holy grail it's made out to be. I'm originally from The City and miss it greatly.
I guess a lot of you current BACF pilots seem stuck? The fact that there is no easy path into mainline though well established must still piss you guys off immensely. I have a friend in BACF who occasionally bickers about lack of career progression, the salary and a certain egos within management. He's been there for around 6 years but family commitments prevent him from leaving for China where he could earn treble the amount.
However, the other side of the coin if I may? I've flown bigger things all over the world, away from family and friends, and have come to hate the reality of being an expat pilot. So have very opposite needs! BACF doesn't sound like the best airline for ones career but I'm not sure if career progression is the holy grail it's made out to be. I'm originally from The City and miss it greatly.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: EDI
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MonarchOrBust,
We've had people with 767 and other rating join our ranks...... none have lasted more than a few years. They have "seen how real airlines are run" (their words not mine) and can't believed what a poor job those in M20 do! It's run like a flying club out of a hut in the corner of a dark airfield...... Best buds with those who have the power, you'll go far........
As for myself.....Like a large number of our flight deck...My finger is on the eject button as we speak. Why would almost 3/4 of the pilot work force have applications in with other companies if it was such a great place to be. Those who haven't applied to BA have applied elsewhere. The Summer Leave for next year has been the final straw for many I know.
We've had people with 767 and other rating join our ranks...... none have lasted more than a few years. They have "seen how real airlines are run" (their words not mine) and can't believed what a poor job those in M20 do! It's run like a flying club out of a hut in the corner of a dark airfield...... Best buds with those who have the power, you'll go far........
As for myself.....Like a large number of our flight deck...My finger is on the eject button as we speak. Why would almost 3/4 of the pilot work force have applications in with other companies if it was such a great place to be. Those who haven't applied to BA have applied elsewhere. The Summer Leave for next year has been the final straw for many I know.
Last edited by RJ100; 17th Dec 2014 at 16:58.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does anyone have an idea how long it is to realise a command? I would join rated with about 5,000hrs. Yes I Know it's subject to passing the relevant command process etc but assume all hurdles are jumped over.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: FL370
Age: 38
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CityFlyer is a job I've desperately been trying to get for about four years now. I've even interviewed for it a couple of times, but I think I stumbled at the interview phase where I wittered on without any proper form or structure to my answers. Nerves and jet lag both got the best of me. I probably blew it by emailing them on too many occasions begging for another chance. Desperation is a sure fire way to be rejected. My last interview was nearly two years ago. I've developed as a pilot and as a person a lot in that time. I'm more composed and focused. I've thrown in another application in the hope that I might get one more chance. I'm currently flying the EJet in the US and I'm desperate to return home.
I understand that a lot of current BACF pilots are frustrated, but can it really be so bad when compared to flying for the regionals here in the US? I've averaged maybe $30k a year over the last five years and I'm away from my wife countless nights on end, but I still love what I do. Surely CityFlyer would be a vast improvement on that? Decent money, the chance to live back in my home country, to be near my family and to be able to support my ill mother. I'd kill for that.
Just for perspective, a first year CityFlyer FO makes more than an E175 Captain where I'm currently flying!
I understand that a lot of current BACF pilots are frustrated, but can it really be so bad when compared to flying for the regionals here in the US? I've averaged maybe $30k a year over the last five years and I'm away from my wife countless nights on end, but I still love what I do. Surely CityFlyer would be a vast improvement on that? Decent money, the chance to live back in my home country, to be near my family and to be able to support my ill mother. I'd kill for that.
Just for perspective, a first year CityFlyer FO makes more than an E175 Captain where I'm currently flying!
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: wherever they send me
Age: 49
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reversethrustset
Although though Command is seniority based, current time to command is pretty quick for new joiners with hours in hand, currently around a year. With 5k hours officially you would only require experience of one winter at BACF.
Jliderpilot
They expect to lose 30ish to BA. They also need to crew an aircraft and others are leaving for Emirates, Norwegian etc etc so let's say 50 plus a hold pool.
EMB145LR
Good Luck
Although though Command is seniority based, current time to command is pretty quick for new joiners with hours in hand, currently around a year. With 5k hours officially you would only require experience of one winter at BACF.
Jliderpilot
They expect to lose 30ish to BA. They also need to crew an aircraft and others are leaving for Emirates, Norwegian etc etc so let's say 50 plus a hold pool.
EMB145LR
Good Luck
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seems that my prediction in September was correct about cancelling flights due to lack of crew... perhaps CF need to have a refresher on the '7P's'!! (proper planning & preparation prevents &@%# poor performance)..
If it's true that flights will be cancelled, then I predict an overhaul internally. What goes around comes around! Imminently ejecting with around 40 others simultaneously soon.... oooops...! (Just a quarter of the crew that's all)
So hello wet lease, goodbye bonuses for all those hard workers there on the front line.. and who's to blame...? No one at the coal face that's for sure.
Remember.. the 7P's!! Lesson one in management school! Plus treat people with decency and resolve the pressing issues primarily to keep your people (anyone at CF care to enlighten everyone about the issues there?).
Even some who climbed the greasy pole quickly are ejecting too... so much for loyalty...
Happy CityFlying if you have no other choice!
If it's true that flights will be cancelled, then I predict an overhaul internally. What goes around comes around! Imminently ejecting with around 40 others simultaneously soon.... oooops...! (Just a quarter of the crew that's all)
So hello wet lease, goodbye bonuses for all those hard workers there on the front line.. and who's to blame...? No one at the coal face that's for sure.
Remember.. the 7P's!! Lesson one in management school! Plus treat people with decency and resolve the pressing issues primarily to keep your people (anyone at CF care to enlighten everyone about the issues there?).
Even some who climbed the greasy pole quickly are ejecting too... so much for loyalty...
Happy CityFlying if you have no other choice!
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Planet Claire
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did someone mention 'Loyalty' and 'BA CityFlyer' in the same sentence?
I've heard it all now!
YOU can be loyal to them, if you like- don't expect anything in return.
I've heard it all now!
YOU can be loyal to them, if you like- don't expect anything in return.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: where ever i wake up!!!!
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Neon Circuits as you are probably aware, there are no managers in Cityflyer just the "Leadership team" Lol!!!! A bunch of indivduals that couldnt lead themselves to a beer in a brewery! The only thing they manage right is keeeping the truth and the facts away from mainline BA, the one job they excel at .