Virgin...any recruitment?
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,483
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From: Europe
Not sure how this will impact hiring:
Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) has tentatively scheduled the last Boeing 747-400 revenue flight for an arrival on April 18, 2016 in London. According to Airline Route, the last planned flight is currently flight VS 006 departing Miami at 9:50 pm (2150) on April 17, 2016 and arriving the next day (April 18) at London (Heathrow) at 11:30 am (1130).
I presume newhires will be directed to the A330/340 fleet vs. the 787 fleet as 400 pilots likely get moved to the 787.
Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) has tentatively scheduled the last Boeing 747-400 revenue flight for an arrival on April 18, 2016 in London. According to Airline Route, the last planned flight is currently flight VS 006 departing Miami at 9:50 pm (2150) on April 17, 2016 and arriving the next day (April 18) at London (Heathrow) at 11:30 am (1130).
I presume newhires will be directed to the A330/340 fleet vs. the 787 fleet as 400 pilots likely get moved to the 787.
Champagne anyone...?
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,422
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From: EGDL
Indeed. Given that of about the last 30 odd people recruited approx only 6 had any previous military connection, your statement is clearly spot on. Oh and none were cadets. 
Don't know if and when there will be any new recruitment; early next year has been mooted but then again the same was mooted last year too...
Don't know if and when there will be any new recruitment; early next year has been mooted but then again the same was mooted last year too...
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 5
From: UK
Unless you're a cadet or ex bomber squadron you ain't got a chance in hell.
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 107
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From: UK
The idea that entry into Virgin is dependant on which squadron you were in and required a name like 'Chalky' is about 15yrs+ out of date.
It's all about the ratings and nothing else. The civilian/military crew ratios are the same as any other airline these days and until we order some F35s that won't change.
Last thing I heard was hiring at the beginning of next year then fairly steadily to cover retirements/part time and possible expansion in the future. Who knows though? Could be nonsense.
What I do know is that when it starts it will be in addition to the small number of cadets despite the howls of anguish and hysteria demonstrated on this site.
It's all about the ratings and nothing else. The civilian/military crew ratios are the same as any other airline these days and until we order some F35s that won't change.
Last thing I heard was hiring at the beginning of next year then fairly steadily to cover retirements/part time and possible expansion in the future. Who knows though? Could be nonsense.
What I do know is that when it starts it will be in addition to the small number of cadets despite the howls of anguish and hysteria demonstrated on this site.
Last edited by AFA; 19th May 2015 at 12:22.
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 949
Likes: 0
From: Eu
That's pretty much what I heard too.. Also from the pool.
Mil guys were type rated onto the 74 during the same recruitment that put the minibus guys in a pool. 330 rated guys also went straight in.
Bottom line - it's their big red train set and they can do what they like with it. Since that pool was set up, BA have hired a lot of people direct onto the 74 and 78. I guess those left in the pool backed the wrong horse. That's aviation!
Mil guys were type rated onto the 74 during the same recruitment that put the minibus guys in a pool. 330 rated guys also went straight in.
Bottom line - it's their big red train set and they can do what they like with it. Since that pool was set up, BA have hired a lot of people direct onto the 74 and 78. I guess those left in the pool backed the wrong horse. That's aviation!
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: UK
Cheezyjetty,
Yep fair enough but my post wasn't directed at you. It was to counter the outdated view that if you're ex mil and preferably pointy jet you are somehow fast tracked into VS.
It is all about the ratings you hold and what they require. Unlike previously where the company was run like a flying club it's now on its way to being operated like an actual business and they're being ruthless throughout the company regards to costs.
What that means to potential pilots is, if they require A330 pilots and you hold a A330 rating you're getting first shot above non rated, ex mil or whatever.
If they don't get enough rated applicants that are also suitable at interview they'll open it up until they get the numbers.
I'm not saying that they haven't left A320/B737 pilots swimming whilst rating military guys on the 744 - I'm merely suggesting that it will be because it's the most cost efficient way of recruiting for future requirements rather than because of favouritism or a 'civilian freeze'.
Flight Ops simply can't justify doing it any other way these days.
I'm just a line captain but given recent crewing issues I'd have thought that A320 guys would stand a very good chance next time around.
Yep fair enough but my post wasn't directed at you. It was to counter the outdated view that if you're ex mil and preferably pointy jet you are somehow fast tracked into VS.
It is all about the ratings you hold and what they require. Unlike previously where the company was run like a flying club it's now on its way to being operated like an actual business and they're being ruthless throughout the company regards to costs.
What that means to potential pilots is, if they require A330 pilots and you hold a A330 rating you're getting first shot above non rated, ex mil or whatever.
If they don't get enough rated applicants that are also suitable at interview they'll open it up until they get the numbers.
I'm not saying that they haven't left A320/B737 pilots swimming whilst rating military guys on the 744 - I'm merely suggesting that it will be because it's the most cost efficient way of recruiting for future requirements rather than because of favouritism or a 'civilian freeze'.
Flight Ops simply can't justify doing it any other way these days.
I'm just a line captain but given recent crewing issues I'd have thought that A320 guys would stand a very good chance next time around.
Last edited by AFA; 19th May 2015 at 18:05.
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 2
From: north of barlu
Ex military pilots ?
Recruiting only ex - military pilots is clearly a poor policy...... There are now so few in the British military that the ex- military pilot pool would be exhausted before you got the crews for one new aircraft.
Comments about Virgin only taking ex- military pilots are quite clearly the stock in trade of those who don't make the cut.
Comments about Virgin only taking ex- military pilots are quite clearly the stock in trade of those who don't make the cut.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 11
From: London
Land flap
Much like the very outdated view that only ex mil people are welcome, is the view that we are all in the funny handshake club. In my 18 years here I have only once been offered a certain type of handshake.
Given the large scale dropping of 3 pilot routes such as Capetown, Tokyo, Mumbai etc to start more 2 pilot trips such as extra JFK's, Atlanta, Detroit etc recruitment is not expected to start again until next year. However command training is still going on.
Best regards
Much like the very outdated view that only ex mil people are welcome, is the view that we are all in the funny handshake club. In my 18 years here I have only once been offered a certain type of handshake.
Given the large scale dropping of 3 pilot routes such as Capetown, Tokyo, Mumbai etc to start more 2 pilot trips such as extra JFK's, Atlanta, Detroit etc recruitment is not expected to start again until next year. However command training is still going on.
Best regards
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
From: in my own world
Virgin have not recruited any fast jet pilots (no base training) for a number of years as the priority has been rated pilots and ex mil with heavy time, therefore only ZFT conversions carried out.
With the cadets coming on line in the future, base training will commence again opening up the opportunity for ex fast jet guys and girls. I can tell you from experience, no recommendations from current VAA pilot carry any weight in the recruiting process, not even getting an interview. Like most, we are a HR department with an airline tagged on the side!
With the cadets coming on line in the future, base training will commence again opening up the opportunity for ex fast jet guys and girls. I can tell you from experience, no recommendations from current VAA pilot carry any weight in the recruiting process, not even getting an interview. Like most, we are a HR department with an airline tagged on the side!
