Virgin Recruiting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 42
From: UK
Currently yes, but they've been recruiting non stop for close to 3 years. Commands will slow down and then anyone at the back of that seniority list could potentially be in for a longer wait.
if you're prepared for that then by all means go for it, but don't believe the Zenon sales pitch to get bums on seats and go in with your eyes open
if you're prepared for that then by all means go for it, but don't believe the Zenon sales pitch to get bums on seats and go in with your eyes open
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 180
From: USA
Obviously this can get skewed a bit by growth, more captains that are trainers, and more senior people (captains) having more time off, but still. And even more so if you fly long haul with two FOs and one captain.
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 8
From: UK
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 6
From: Hand to Mouth
It’s very similar now to when I joined in 2003/4. There was a period of high recruitment and expansion, which I was at the front end of, and command times were being quoted as 4-5 years IIRC. But then expansion (and retirements) stalled, and it took 12 years until the command process started for me.
Not that I’m complaining mind you. VS back then was amazing fun, and I genuinely loved the job. Also, there was a lot to be said for being a senior SFO under the old bidding system!
Unfortunately that’s not the case anymore. I definitely couldn’t do 12 years under the current conditions….
Not that I’m complaining mind you. VS back then was amazing fun, and I genuinely loved the job. Also, there was a lot to be said for being a senior SFO under the old bidding system!
Unfortunately that’s not the case anymore. I definitely couldn’t do 12 years under the current conditions….
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
From: Rome
In december I flew to ATL with a very tech savy skipper that made an upgrade calculator with Microsoft Excel. He based the F/O’s at 37 yrs average and current skippers at 51 average. He also based it on zero growth(which is factual for the next 10 years) and a reasonable fixed amount of command courses each year and taking in to account fixed retirements at the age of 61. The outcome was quite shocking.
If you joined Virgin around the start of 2023 going up you’re looking at an upgrade time of at least 12/13 years. And that’s WITHOUT any downturn. But if there’s only 1 year of zero command and still no growth it would easily jump to 15/16 years. We tried loads of scenario’s but the only thing that would really move the needle is people retiring around 55 years, anything else is minimum 12/13 years,even slow growth.
I’ve been here a year and a half and I don’t really have anything negative to say about Virgin, in fact it’s been refreshing to see an airline do things differently than a major. At this airline they kind of like leave you alone and leave you be as opposed to a Major I was with before where they’re looking over your shoulder 24/7.
I would strongly recommend joining Virgin if you’re looking for a nice stable airline with great colleagues and a very good training department, however you need to be prepared for command times of 13 years or longer and no growth in the next 10 years.
cheers.
If you joined Virgin around the start of 2023 going up you’re looking at an upgrade time of at least 12/13 years. And that’s WITHOUT any downturn. But if there’s only 1 year of zero command and still no growth it would easily jump to 15/16 years. We tried loads of scenario’s but the only thing that would really move the needle is people retiring around 55 years, anything else is minimum 12/13 years,even slow growth.
I’ve been here a year and a half and I don’t really have anything negative to say about Virgin, in fact it’s been refreshing to see an airline do things differently than a major. At this airline they kind of like leave you alone and leave you be as opposed to a Major I was with before where they’re looking over your shoulder 24/7.
I would strongly recommend joining Virgin if you’re looking for a nice stable airline with great colleagues and a very good training department, however you need to be prepared for command times of 13 years or longer and no growth in the next 10 years.
cheers.
Joined: Mar 2018
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 544
Likes: 110
From: U.K.
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
From: Rome
Wrong reply
If it turns out to be less well then I'm lucky but I'll set my sights on a 13yr wait.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 252
From: SE UK
Planning time to command in Virgin is all well and good, but those that do need their eyes wide open - this is a heavily loss making airline that is being supported by Delta, their minority shareholder.
Command planning is only worthwhile if you consider this arrangement is likely to carry on for the next 8/10/12 years.
Command planning is only worthwhile if you consider this arrangement is likely to carry on for the next 8/10/12 years.
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
From: EU
Planning time to command in Virgin is all well and good, but those that do need their eyes wide open - this is a heavily loss making airline that is being supported by Delta, their minority shareholder.
Command planning is only worthwhile if you consider this arrangement is likely to carry on for the next 8/10/12 years.
Command planning is only worthwhile if you consider this arrangement is likely to carry on for the next 8/10/12 years.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 252
From: SE UK
According to the latest published annual company accounts (Yr ending 31 DEC 23), a 1.8B net debt before the pandemic has grown to 3.5B net debt. Loss for the year was £225.5M. Which debt has since been paid off?
Last edited by 9 minutes to landing; 23rd February 2025 at 06:35.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 252
From: SE UK
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 8
From: UK
VS don't report to the 'city'. They're a limited company. You don't run an airline for 40+ years without knowing how to be discreet with profit and loss. Business 1.01
