British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 147
From: FL390
but do you guys think the Middle East disruptions are going to have much of an impact on the LH recruitment process or any fleet in particular?
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 31
Likes: 39
From: London
I would not be at all concerned about being at the bottom of the BA MSL in the current environment. Yes, fuel rationing may become a thing if this insanity continues, but I believe our main premium customer-base doesn’t care about another 10 or 20% on ticket prices. Nor do they care much about recessions. They do not want to be ripped off, but as long as all airlines are increasing ticket prices, I am confident we will retain our huge number of premium leisure customers.
I think this is a wildly optimistic take. Of course the worst case scenario may not materialise but there’s a good enough chance that I would be very nervous about changing company any time soon.
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 193
Likes: 113
From: South Park
I would not be at all concerned about being at the bottom of the BA MSL in the current environment. Yes, fuel rationing may become a thing if this insanity continues, but I believe our main premium customer-base doesn’t care about another 10 or 20% on ticket prices. Nor do they care much about recessions. They do not want to be ripped off, but as long as all airlines are increasing ticket prices, I am confident we will retain our huge number of premium leisure customers.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,726
Likes: 103
From: The Winchester
TBF to GS-ALPHA I saw several downturns in my multiple years at BA (first being the results of Iraq v Kuwait) and the company along with BALPA were pretty good at protecting those at the bottom of the MSL…..
Last time around (Covid) things didn’t go so well and some of the new joiners were let go in - there was a lot of debate about how that was done.
If there’s a major slump this time around I’d not like to speculate on how BA will handle it.
Last time around (Covid) things didn’t go so well and some of the new joiners were let go in - there was a lot of debate about how that was done.
If there’s a major slump this time around I’d not like to speculate on how BA will handle it.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
The COVID redundancies were down to one man’s (rhymes with baloney) pathological hatred of pilots and willingness to cut his nose off to spite his face in a revenge mission because of the 2019 strike. That POS has exited the building since but his toxic legacy remains because now BA no longer has the reputation it did of being the one safe harbour during a storm and has led directly to debate during conversations like this.
For what it’s worth it appears BA are doing very well indeed out of this crisis at the moment bookings wise as they are picking up many passengers who simply cannot or will not route via the gulf carriers. It will however remain to be seen how that can offset the fuel price increase and its wider impact on disposable income should this last months.
For what it’s worth it appears BA are doing very well indeed out of this crisis at the moment bookings wise as they are picking up many passengers who simply cannot or will not route via the gulf carriers. It will however remain to be seen how that can offset the fuel price increase and its wider impact on disposable income should this last months.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 898
Likes: 73
From: UK
BA has spent the years since Covid, wishing it had considerably more long haul aircraft. There is no doubt in my mind that we would have made more money since 2019, had we retained the 747 and its associated staff. I would be highly surprised if this isn’t also recognised by upper management, so I think the chances of that mistake being repeated are slim.
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 332
Likes: 75
From: Oxford
BA has spent the years since Covid, wishing it had considerably more long haul aircraft. There is no doubt in my mind that we would have made more money since 2019, had we retained the 747 and its associated staff. I would be highly surprised if this isn’t also recognised by upper management, so I think the chances of that mistake being repeated are slim.
But history is littered with airline management, repeatedly making the same mistakes
No one knows what the future will bring, but hopefully given how tough the pilot recruitment market is now for airlines. One would hope that would mitigate the need/reduce any redundancies.
I don’t think Trump will be able to justify a prolonged campaign, especially if it starts to really effect oil prices & thus cost of living.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
The problem is the orange idiot doesn’t get to just walk away from this one. He’s opened a can of worms. Qatar has just lost 15% of its natural gas production for up to 5 years. Israel doesn’t stop from here and neither does Iran.
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 332
Likes: 75
From: Oxford
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: EDI
This might be about to change. I’ve just been told that the offerings later this year would be BA(LHR) BACF(LCY) or BAEF(LGW). I raised a query about this and was told that we signed up for British Airways and the base will be decided depending on where the need is at the time.
Anyone know what BACF is like?
Anyone know what BACF is like?
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 31
Likes: 39
From: London
Kenton Jarvis, the chief executive of easyJet, said on Thursday that while he had no immediate concerns about fuel access, that could change if the conflict continued.
He said the airline’s suppliers were talking about weeks of supply rather than months.
He said: “I’m confident for a week or two that we’re all good. I’m probably confident that we’re good for three weeks.
“Am I confident over four weeks? Nobody’s telling me don’t worry about it halfway into May.”
Good luck everyone
He said the airline’s suppliers were talking about weeks of supply rather than months.
He said: “I’m confident for a week or two that we’re all good. I’m probably confident that we’re good for three weeks.
“Am I confident over four weeks? Nobody’s telling me don’t worry about it halfway into May.”
Good luck everyone
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 353
Likes: 39
From: s england
Ver5pen,
You’ve been given some sound advice.
You do come across as conducting due diligence but there is a statement of I want x y and z from BA or I’m not interested. Fair enough.
The recruiters at interview will be looking at what you bring to BA and how you will fit in. You have to be in keeping with the matrix they have.
Some people here look at the now,
Dare I suggest you think of where you want to be at 60 and work backwards from that?
It sounds as if you’re at Easy ( maybe not) but picture yourself in 30 years time at BA and Easy
Look at the rosters of 777 captains with 30 years seniority look where they live on a part time contract and look at the bottom right hand corner of their payslip after an overtime trip in the month.
Early 30s is probably the cut off to jump or not especially as the music may stop in the not too distant future.
It’s about lifestyle not just the type and salary.
Good luck with your decision please post again in 30 years and let us know how it went.
You’ve been given some sound advice.
You do come across as conducting due diligence but there is a statement of I want x y and z from BA or I’m not interested. Fair enough.
The recruiters at interview will be looking at what you bring to BA and how you will fit in. You have to be in keeping with the matrix they have.
Some people here look at the now,
Dare I suggest you think of where you want to be at 60 and work backwards from that?
It sounds as if you’re at Easy ( maybe not) but picture yourself in 30 years time at BA and Easy
Look at the rosters of 777 captains with 30 years seniority look where they live on a part time contract and look at the bottom right hand corner of their payslip after an overtime trip in the month.
Early 30s is probably the cut off to jump or not especially as the music may stop in the not too distant future.
It’s about lifestyle not just the type and salary.
Good luck with your decision please post again in 30 years and let us know how it went.
Last edited by sudden twang; 21st March 2026 at 14:43.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 7
From: Neverland
I too, do not see three days off after every trip surviving beyond the trial. I think there will be a compromise watering down such as two days off being allowed in some circumstances. ie no return to trip two days off on repeat, but also not three days off at all times either. At the moment, it is too easy for people to be stuck having all weekends off, or no weekends off at all. Similarly, the levels of uncovered work, and the seniority being affected by global constraints, is unsustainable beyond the end of this trial.
BA needs to up headcount that’s the only way to fix GC.
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Within the realms of the Earth
Hi all, just messaging to enquire about anyone who has a sim assessment coming up with BA? Trying to find a company anyone would recommend to familiarise myself with the sim too and anyone who'd like to pair up for it?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 21
Likes: 7
From: Mordor
The COVID redundancies were down to one man’s (rhymes with baloney) pathological hatred of pilots and willingness to cut his nose off to spite his face in a revenge mission because of the 2019 strike. That POS has exited the building since but his toxic legacy remains because now BA no longer has the reputation it did of being the one safe harbour during a storm and has led directly to debate during conversations like this.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 648
Likes: 74
From: uk
So far the pay restructure for those on the existing 24pp pay scale: More basic, less pensionable pay. More tax bill, results in minimal change.
On the 34pp: transitioning to a 29 year scale closing the gap with the 24 scale.
So far a lot of disappointment. Watch the space for cost savings with any changes(restrictions) to the postings and promotions (fleet moves).
For new entrants with experience and a good performance some positive pay changes towards the SFO pay.
On the 34pp: transitioning to a 29 year scale closing the gap with the 24 scale.
So far a lot of disappointment. Watch the space for cost savings with any changes(restrictions) to the postings and promotions (fleet moves).
For new entrants with experience and a good performance some positive pay changes towards the SFO pay.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 898
Likes: 73
From: UK