Virgin Recruiting
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Runcorn,Cheshire,England
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The onus is on you to make yourself marketable to virgin and to ensure you meet their entry criteria. Otherwise you will be unlikely to make it past even the first filtering stage I’m afraid.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: London
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The onus is on you to make yourself marketable to virgin and to ensure you meet their entry criteria. Otherwise you will be unlikely to make it past even the first filtering stage I’m afraid.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Rome
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The figure Balvenie quotes for allowances are accurate. For example all 3 day India trips 100-120$. A 4 day South Africa trip $90. A 4 day Pakistan trip $120. A 4-6 day Caribbean trip ( all inclusive hotel ) $30 .
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
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You must be getting preferential treatment or have worked for some pretty awful company’s but Virgin is NO longer one of the best gigs in the UK. It’s now a low cost airline from the employees point of view. In the years I have been here to T&Cs have been going backwards and just recently dropped off a cliff. Morale is the worst I have seen in any airline I’ve worked for and there are people leaving.
The figure Balvenie quotes for allowances are accurate. For example all 3 day India trips 100-120$. A 4 day South Africa trip $90. A 4 day Pakistan trip $120. A 4-6 day Caribbean trip ( all inclusive hotel ) $30 .
The figure Balvenie quotes for allowances are accurate. For example all 3 day India trips 100-120$. A 4 day South Africa trip $90. A 4 day Pakistan trip $120. A 4-6 day Caribbean trip ( all inclusive hotel ) $30 .
looking at my last few trips allowance wise,
$285 $254 (both two night trips) $173 $163 $148 for one night whether it’s good or bad I don’t know, but sounds like you need to get on the Airbus 😉
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Rome
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BA, Tui, Jet2 , Norse, EasyJet, Ryanair for a whole plethora of reasons.
Virgin 2.0 is low cost long haul with all the disadvantages of long haul but none of the pluses of a low cost lifestyle.
I know plenty of guys regretting leaving the Middle East to come here as an FO again , take the big pay cut for the lifestyle. The lifestyle has gone, just a copy of Middle East carriers now but the pay is nothing like it !
But it’s horses for courses, you seem happy with you’re lot so I guess some people think it’s still ok !!!
nah, I’ve already been made redundant before , you’re welcome to it
Virgin 2.0 is low cost long haul with all the disadvantages of long haul but none of the pluses of a low cost lifestyle.
I know plenty of guys regretting leaving the Middle East to come here as an FO again , take the big pay cut for the lifestyle. The lifestyle has gone, just a copy of Middle East carriers now but the pay is nothing like it !
But it’s horses for courses, you seem happy with you’re lot so I guess some people think it’s still ok !!!
sounds like you need to get on the Airbus
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Brexland
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I was shocked when I seen those payscales, I thought Virgin guys were well paid, I was incorrect.
Last edited by Whitemonk Returns; 23rd Jul 2022 at 20:47.
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: London
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Shocked at those payscales to be honest.
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: UK
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it doesn’t work like that. Virgin will be swamped with experienced pilots with thousands of hours; so extremely doubtful they’ll make you an offer with conditions attached.
The onus is on you to make yourself marketable to virgin and to ensure you meet their entry criteria. Otherwise you will be unlikely to make it past even the first filtering stage I’m afraid.
The onus is on you to make yourself marketable to virgin and to ensure you meet their entry criteria. Otherwise you will be unlikely to make it past even the first filtering stage I’m afraid.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: this side of the moon
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Are you joking? A year 1 Jet2 or Easyjet Captain would take 15 years to get back to the same payscale, work harder and have to move to London. If the former stayed put they will be flying to Barbados in the LHS quicker than if they joined Virgin.
I was shocked when I seen those payscales, I thought Virgin guys were well paid, I was incorrect.
I was shocked when I seen those payscales, I thought Virgin guys were well paid, I was incorrect.
you really need to stay in Harry ramsdens land and allow professional pilots to discuss our improved terms and conditions, life style and ……. STAFF TRAVEL, 5 STARR RESORTS.
You get yourself and family down the Leeds ibis, sun yourself in Yorkshire sunshine
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
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BA, Tui, Jet2 , Norse, EasyJet, Ryanair for a whole plethora of reasons.
Virgin 2.0 is low cost long haul with all the disadvantages of long haul but none of the pluses of a low cost lifestyle.
I know plenty of guys regretting leaving the Middle East to come here as an FO again , take the big pay cut for the lifestyle. The lifestyle has gone, just a copy of Middle East carriers now but the pay is nothing like it !
But it’s horses for courses, you seem happy with you’re lot so I guess some people think it’s still ok !!!
nah, I’ve already been made redundant before , you’re welcome to it
Virgin 2.0 is low cost long haul with all the disadvantages of long haul but none of the pluses of a low cost lifestyle.
I know plenty of guys regretting leaving the Middle East to come here as an FO again , take the big pay cut for the lifestyle. The lifestyle has gone, just a copy of Middle East carriers now but the pay is nothing like it !
But it’s horses for courses, you seem happy with you’re lot so I guess some people think it’s still ok !!!
nah, I’ve already been made redundant before , you’re welcome to it
That being said I get your points and stand corrected! It may not be the best gig in the UK but it’s one of the better jobs out there depending on your circumstances.
I was made redundant and soon realised very quickly how difficult it is to earn a fraction of what I was getting at Virgin doing a much harder job.
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Between 0 and 41000 ft
Age: 34
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Much better than being jetlagged and not be able to enjoy your off time with your family at all - all for the same pay. Enjoy your time at 5 star resort while you're away of what matters in life. Like it or not, Virgin pay is poor compared to other LH gigs.
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Airport Hotel
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Different strokes for different folks. Know thyself, what you want from your flying job, what you want from life outside, do the research then apply.
Different people are looking for different things …Virgin might be a great choice for some people, others will be better off at a different gig. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap in these airline-specific threads (I’m seeing it in the BA thread) of thinking everyone thinks like me, is in the same financial situation as me, and is looking for the same things as me.
The good news is in the space of a week, the options for people to look elsewhere have gotten much better.
Different people are looking for different things …Virgin might be a great choice for some people, others will be better off at a different gig. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap in these airline-specific threads (I’m seeing it in the BA thread) of thinking everyone thinks like me, is in the same financial situation as me, and is looking for the same things as me.
The good news is in the space of a week, the options for people to look elsewhere have gotten much better.
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Between 0 and 41000 ft
Age: 34
Posts: 162
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Different strokes for different folks. Know thyself, what you want from your flying job, what you want from life outside, do the research then apply.
Different people are looking for different things …Virgin might be a great choice for some people, others will be better off at a different gig. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap in these airline-specific threads (I’m seeing it in the BA thread) of thinking everyone thinks like me, is in the same financial situation as me, and is looking for the same things as me.
The good news is in the space of a week, the options for people to look elsewhere have gotten much better.
Different people are looking for different things …Virgin might be a great choice for some people, others will be better off at a different gig. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap in these airline-specific threads (I’m seeing it in the BA thread) of thinking everyone thinks like me, is in the same financial situation as me, and is looking for the same things as me.
The good news is in the space of a week, the options for people to look elsewhere have gotten much better.
Last edited by plikee; 24th Jul 2022 at 11:07. Reason: typo
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
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Different strokes for different folks. Know thyself, what you want from your flying job, what you want from life outside, do the research then apply.
Different people are looking for different things …Virgin might be a great choice for some people, others will be better off at a different gig. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap in these airline-specific threads (I’m seeing it in the BA thread) of thinking everyone thinks like me, is in the same financial situation as me, and is looking for the same things as me.
The good news is in the space of a week, the options for people to look elsewhere have gotten much better.
Different people are looking for different things …Virgin might be a great choice for some people, others will be better off at a different gig. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap in these airline-specific threads (I’m seeing it in the BA thread) of thinking everyone thinks like me, is in the same financial situation as me, and is looking for the same things as me.
The good news is in the space of a week, the options for people to look elsewhere have gotten much better.
Join Date: May 2016
Location: The EU
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Different strokes for different folks. Know thyself, what you want from your flying job, what you want from life outside, do the research then apply.
Different people are looking for different things …Virgin might be a great choice for some people, others will be better off at a different gig. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap in these airline-specific threads (I’m seeing it in the BA thread) of thinking everyone thinks like me, is in the same financial situation as me, and is looking for the same things as me.
The good news is in the space of a week, the options for people to look elsewhere have gotten much better.
Different people are looking for different things …Virgin might be a great choice for some people, others will be better off at a different gig. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap in these airline-specific threads (I’m seeing it in the BA thread) of thinking everyone thinks like me, is in the same financial situation as me, and is looking for the same things as me.
The good news is in the space of a week, the options for people to look elsewhere have gotten much better.
Unfortunately every thread about pay and conditions is hijacked by a particular delusional company lapdog who can’t miss an opportunity to come onto an anonymous public forum and attempt to justify his life choices, so these threads just become a phallus waving contest whilst completely ignoring the fact that everybody is different. Given my life experience, I could never go to a short haul only airline (and no, Jet2 won’t be flying to Barbados any time soon), the same way others couldn’t go to a long haul only airline. Horses for courses.
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: UK
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Thanks to the VS folk who have given some info on this thread. I am seeking a bit more info if you have the time.
Trying to find a reason to apply, so looking past the salary scales. Lifestyle is important to me, I live up North and would plan to commute (kids settled in school etc).
If the above post regarding EASA FTL’s and 900hrs is true, is this going to be achievable?
I’m assuming commuters make it work by arriving into LHR night before, trip, then head home on same day after landing.
How many trips are people doing and how are the blocks of days off arranged? (Assuming boeing fleet).
Are the majority of trips bullets? Or is there a good mix even if junior? Do juniors get USA trips regularly on the 787?
How many days leave/year and how many days off a month is typical?
Staff Travel? Anything special or just usual ID90 standby?
Easy to take partner on a trip?
Allowances. Seems to be a bit of uncertainty whether it’s the previous system of a few hundred bucks or the HMRC minimum?
Finally, Overtime. Is there much available? Is it all last minute on the day or could you pick it up as a commuter with a bit of notice?
Thanks.
Trying to find a reason to apply, so looking past the salary scales. Lifestyle is important to me, I live up North and would plan to commute (kids settled in school etc).
If the above post regarding EASA FTL’s and 900hrs is true, is this going to be achievable?
I’m assuming commuters make it work by arriving into LHR night before, trip, then head home on same day after landing.
How many trips are people doing and how are the blocks of days off arranged? (Assuming boeing fleet).
Are the majority of trips bullets? Or is there a good mix even if junior? Do juniors get USA trips regularly on the 787?
How many days leave/year and how many days off a month is typical?
Staff Travel? Anything special or just usual ID90 standby?
Easy to take partner on a trip?
Allowances. Seems to be a bit of uncertainty whether it’s the previous system of a few hundred bucks or the HMRC minimum?
Finally, Overtime. Is there much available? Is it all last minute on the day or could you pick it up as a commuter with a bit of notice?
Thanks.
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: United Kingdom
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Living up north is no problem.
Pilots sometimes come down the day before, especially if its an early check in, otherwise most travel down on the day. Really depends how far north you are.
900hrs is the legal maximum, is it achievable, I don't think so, but I do think 800-850 is achievable.
4-5 trips a month, usually 2-3 days off after a trip depending on length of the trip.
Good mix of trips, west coast the majority are 2 nighters, east coast and florida are mainly bullets, as are India, Pakistan is 2-3 night due to the schedule.
Good mix no matter what your seniority is. Its a rotating bid group system, which is wip but will improve.
35 days leave per annum, with 1 day extra per year up to year 10... I think.
Days off per month minimum 10.
Staff travel is good especially with Virgin, standby fares, zed fares, mates rates etc.... ID90 with all over carriers.
Allowance are HMRC global rates.
Overtime, yes plenty for now, but if your full time and only fancy 1 or 2 days off you might be able to move a trip perhaps a day or 2 forward, but If you have a family and plan your life once the roster is out, I'd forget overtime. Unless you for example have a week of annual leave in the middle of school term, and by chance they need extra working, you might be ok.
Pilots sometimes come down the day before, especially if its an early check in, otherwise most travel down on the day. Really depends how far north you are.
900hrs is the legal maximum, is it achievable, I don't think so, but I do think 800-850 is achievable.
4-5 trips a month, usually 2-3 days off after a trip depending on length of the trip.
Good mix of trips, west coast the majority are 2 nighters, east coast and florida are mainly bullets, as are India, Pakistan is 2-3 night due to the schedule.
Good mix no matter what your seniority is. Its a rotating bid group system, which is wip but will improve.
35 days leave per annum, with 1 day extra per year up to year 10... I think.
Days off per month minimum 10.
Staff travel is good especially with Virgin, standby fares, zed fares, mates rates etc.... ID90 with all over carriers.
Allowance are HMRC global rates.
Overtime, yes plenty for now, but if your full time and only fancy 1 or 2 days off you might be able to move a trip perhaps a day or 2 forward, but If you have a family and plan your life once the roster is out, I'd forget overtime. Unless you for example have a week of annual leave in the middle of school term, and by chance they need extra working, you might be ok.
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: UK
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Well - here I am, 15 years served in VAA and skipper on the A330. Made redundant with no reference to seniority. "Failed" my return interview from the hold pool with an unblemished 15 year record. Used to be a union rep. Probably just coincidence!
.....yeah - great gig.
Think very carefully and do your research diligently.
.....yeah - great gig.
Think very carefully and do your research diligently.