British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
Joined: Apr 2025
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: UK
Hopefully that means that you can take a bit more time to find something you really like. Speaking with colleagues once you start will be invaluable as well.
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Lahore
Start Dates
Has anyone done a sim assessment for long haul recently and got a contract/start date? I’ve heard a waiting period of 7-8 months for a start date (sim assessment was mid January), and just wanted to know if there are others in the same boat.
Joined: Oct 2023
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 76
Likes: 61
From: UK
I have heard that also.
Obviously the master seniority list flew straight over their heads…
Some of the insistances I’ve heard have been quite remarkable. They should consider how lucky their position is and grow up.
Obviously the master seniority list flew straight over their heads…
Some of the insistances I’ve heard have been quite remarkable. They should consider how lucky their position is and grow up.
Joined: Apr 2012
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 400
Likes: 18
From: UK
I'd have loved a place on that programme, unfortunately I never received an offer from my multiple applications, maybe they should have picked me?!
The only way I'd understand them being upset about it is if there isn't any transparency about how preferences are assigned. Would I be correct in guessing those with the earliest start dates were more likely to get first preference due to seniority and those on later courses less so or does the airline have some other method?
As an outsider looking in I get the impression that Gatwick for a couple of years would be quite useful for roster stability even if it means working a bit harder. 5/4/5/3 with lots of day trips looks pretty decent and at least it's possible to plan days off much further in advance.
The only way I'd understand them being upset about it is if there isn't any transparency about how preferences are assigned. Would I be correct in guessing those with the earliest start dates were more likely to get first preference due to seniority and those on later courses less so or does the airline have some other method?
As an outsider looking in I get the impression that Gatwick for a couple of years would be quite useful for roster stability even if it means working a bit harder. 5/4/5/3 with lots of day trips looks pretty decent and at least it's possible to plan days off much further in advance.
Last edited by Chris the Robot; 17th February 2026 at 00:26. Reason: Originally thought roster was 5/4, a second look made me realise it's 5/4/5/3.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
I’m going to sound like a right grumpy old git typing this and in many ways I am but the sense of entitlement to these people is astonishing and a further sign that the standard of new entrants into BA is slipping. Four Yorkshiremen time now but my first job was on a 78 seat turboprop not a shinyish A320 and was bloody grateful for it at the time then add in the fact that they’ve had their training paid for into the bargain and it really sticks in the craw.
Not at all looking forward to having these twunts sat next to me in the RHS in a few years although hopefully they’ll have grown up a bit by then.
Not at all looking forward to having these twunts sat next to me in the RHS in a few years although hopefully they’ll have grown up a bit by then.
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 574
Likes: 429
From: Outbush
I’m going to sound like a right grumpy old git typing this and in many ways I am but the sense of entitlement to these people is astonishing and a further sign that the standard of new entrants into BA is slipping. Four Yorkshiremen time now but my first job was on a 78 seat turboprop not a shinyish A320 and was bloody grateful for it at the time then add in the fact that they’ve had their training paid for into the bargain and it really sticks in the craw.
Not at all looking forward to having these twunts sat next to me in the RHS in a few years although hopefully they’ll have grown up a bit by then.
Not at all looking forward to having these twunts sat next to me in the RHS in a few years although hopefully they’ll have grown up a bit by then.
Very fair infact. Well said
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 18
From: London
Devils advocate - and maybe the following is factually wrong. But if they'd been promised LHR (mainline Ts and Cs) and are now getting a large pay cut to go to EF on a different set, I can see why one would be annoyed. It is a job after all.
Joined: Jan 2025
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 166
Likes: 137
From: Mars
Except they weren't. BA in fact could, contractually speaking, not even offer them a job at all and they wouldn't have a leg to stand on. They could also have sent them to BA Cityflyer to fly the Embraer, as per contract.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 25
From: uk
I think many of us have seen some individuals become somewhat agitated and start kicking off over the years but to attack the hand that feeds them as a pack was unwise and may tarnish their brand.Respect is earned not God given.
Joined: Oct 2023
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 76
Likes: 61
From: UK
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 18
From: London
Fair enough. Like I say, I've got no specific knowledge of this. If that was made clear from the start and this is what they were told to expect, I see zero grounds for upset.
Joined: Jan 2025
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 166
Likes: 137
From: Mars
It's all quite disappointing. I was never lucky enough to get any sort of job promised training, nevermind funded. It took over 100k, 4 countries and no less than 12 yrs from leaving school to even be in a position where I could apply for a BA direct entry role. That was working and saving, university, flight training, delays, 2 previous pilot jobs with a Covid bankruptcy.
We all faced our challenges in getting the job and mine are no more important than the next guy's. My point is I just hope these guys will be clever enough to distance themselves from all this when they eventually do come to LHR. Lest they find themselves torn to shreds by some of our more "direct" colleagues, it won't be pretty.
The bit that got me the most was that they genuinely saw themselves as some sort of heroes taking a stand against big bad BA. They also thought they would have the backing of the wider BA pilot body. BA did put them firmly back in their box and they were given an ultimatum to retract their demands and issue an apology. That's what i was told at least by what I would consider to be a credible source. There were 2 or 3 ringleaders and they seem to have led (misled?) a much larger group.
We all faced our challenges in getting the job and mine are no more important than the next guy's. My point is I just hope these guys will be clever enough to distance themselves from all this when they eventually do come to LHR. Lest they find themselves torn to shreds by some of our more "direct" colleagues, it won't be pretty.
The bit that got me the most was that they genuinely saw themselves as some sort of heroes taking a stand against big bad BA. They also thought they would have the backing of the wider BA pilot body. BA did put them firmly back in their box and they were given an ultimatum to retract their demands and issue an apology. That's what i was told at least by what I would consider to be a credible source. There were 2 or 3 ringleaders and they seem to have led (misled?) a much larger group.