British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
C32L being so junior is a Bug, not a feature. That BA are spinning it to prospective new joiners as a bonus is them making the best of a bad hand IMHO.
It's (comparatively) poorly paid, and as others have said the lifestyle below about 60% relative seniority is for the most part atrocious. You can make it work, but is it worth the hassle if you're close to a command at a regional base for J2, easy, whoever?
I've heard they might be re running the (internal) numbers for the boeing fleets, to try and squeeze a few more P32 -> P77/P78, but the problem they have is back filling the P32 numbers, as apparently they havent had quite as successful recruitment campaign as they'd hoped. All just rumour, i must add.
It's (comparatively) poorly paid, and as others have said the lifestyle below about 60% relative seniority is for the most part atrocious. You can make it work, but is it worth the hassle if you're close to a command at a regional base for J2, easy, whoever?
I've heard they might be re running the (internal) numbers for the boeing fleets, to try and squeeze a few more P32 -> P77/P78, but the problem they have is back filling the P32 numbers, as apparently they havent had quite as successful recruitment campaign as they'd hoped. All just rumour, i must add.
Join Date: Dec 2020
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I've heard they might be re running the (internal) numbers for the boeing fleets, to try and squeeze a few more P32 -> P77/P78, but the problem they have is back filling the P32 numbers, as apparently they havent had quite as successful recruitment campaign as they'd hoped. All just rumour, i must add.
There were 10 who attended my assessment day and only 4 of us were "suitable" to BA - ie UK citizens, UK Licence holders, current and with the hours required. The rest were a mix of non-UK resident or licence holders along with folk who hadn't flown since 2020. One or two who attended just for the experience but had already started elsewhere and bonded.
Very slim pickings out there to find the right person for the right job who now has to have the correct passport & licence pus XX amount of experience. One bloke even asked the BA recruitment skipper if BA will be sponsoring Visas
Join Date: Jan 2010
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C32L being so junior is a Bug, not a feature. That BA are spinning it to prospective new joiners as a bonus is them making the best of a bad hand IMHO.
It's (comparatively) poorly paid, and as others have said the lifestyle below about 60% relative seniority is for the most part atrocious. You can make it work, but is it worth the hassle if you're close to a command at a regional base for J2, easy, whoever?
I've heard they might be re running the (internal) numbers for the boeing fleets, to try and squeeze a few more P32 -> P77/P78, but the problem they have is back filling the P32 numbers, as apparently they havent had quite as successful recruitment campaign as they'd hoped. All just rumour, i must add.
It's (comparatively) poorly paid, and as others have said the lifestyle below about 60% relative seniority is for the most part atrocious. You can make it work, but is it worth the hassle if you're close to a command at a regional base for J2, easy, whoever?
I've heard they might be re running the (internal) numbers for the boeing fleets, to try and squeeze a few more P32 -> P77/P78, but the problem they have is back filling the P32 numbers, as apparently they havent had quite as successful recruitment campaign as they'd hoped. All just rumour, i must add.
Timing probably on my side joining wise as there seems to be loads still piling in so moving up the SH FO list quickly.
I heard recently they dropped the if you failed you have to wait 12 months to reapply to 6 months and you can reapply!! Not sure how true that is but if it is they must be really struggling.
Join Date: Feb 2018
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There were 10 who attended my assessment day and only 4 of us were "suitable" to BA - ie UK citizens, UK Licence holders, current and with the hours required. The rest were a mix of non-UK resident or licence holders along with folk who hadn't flown since 2020. One or two who attended just for the experience but had already started elsewhere and bonded.
Very slim pickings out there to find the right person for the right job who now has to have the correct passport & licence pus XX amount of experience. One bloke even asked the BA recruitment skipper if BA will be sponsoring Visas
Very slim pickings out there to find the right person for the right job who now has to have the correct passport & licence pus XX amount of experience. One bloke even asked the BA recruitment skipper if BA will be sponsoring Visas
Join Date: Feb 2013
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I'd be interested to know how easy it would be in practice for BA to sponsor employment visas for pilots. The going rate requirements for skilled workers would probably render low hours pilots/cadets ineligible for a visa under current rules. It might be easier for experienced applicants, but then, are there really hoards of suitably experienced EU pilots just desperate to come and work in the UK at the moment, with all the hassle that goes with it?
Join Date: Dec 2020
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I'd be interested to know how easy it would be in practice for BA to sponsor employment visas for pilots. The going rate requirements for skilled workers would probably render low hours pilots/cadets ineligible for a visa under current rules. It might be easier for experienced applicants, but then, are there really hoards of suitably experienced EU pilots just desperate to come and work in the UK at the moment, with all the hassle that goes with it?
BA or other airlines would have to prove they’ve exhausted all options within the U.K. before the visa process even begins. More likely to see sponsored schemes going on now similar to TUI MPL and having a continuous supply coming in young.
it certainly limits the ability for growth though, as Virgin are also finding out with their crewing issues.
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Hi everyone. Has anyone who passed the recorded video interview been invited not to a full Day 1 assessment but only a 1hr slot for a capacity test at Heathrow? Wondering if I'm missing something or if it's all part of the new process? Thanks
Join Date: Sep 2019
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The new process consists of video interview (3 questions relatively easy).
Next step is to attend Heathrow for the Crew Capacity test (EAGLE test). This is booked as a 8am-4pm session but in the notes it will say it's just the 1 hour slot for the crew capacity test.
Then to attend at a later date following the successful EAGLE test for the group exercise and interview.
Then to attend for the sim as soon as two weeks later.
Time frame for all four steps is about 8 weeks at the moment.
Next step is to attend Heathrow for the Crew Capacity test (EAGLE test). This is booked as a 8am-4pm session but in the notes it will say it's just the 1 hour slot for the crew capacity test.
Then to attend at a later date following the successful EAGLE test for the group exercise and interview.
Then to attend for the sim as soon as two weeks later.
Time frame for all four steps is about 8 weeks at the moment.
Join Date: Jun 2023
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The new process consists of video interview (3 questions relatively easy).
Next step is to attend Heathrow for the Crew Capacity test (EAGLE test). This is booked as a 8am-4pm session but in the notes it will say it's just the 1 hour slot for the crew capacity test.
Then to attend at a later date following the successful EAGLE test for the group exercise and interview.
Then to attend for the sim as soon as two weeks later.
Time frame for all four steps is about 8 weeks at the moment.
Next step is to attend Heathrow for the Crew Capacity test (EAGLE test). This is booked as a 8am-4pm session but in the notes it will say it's just the 1 hour slot for the crew capacity test.
Then to attend at a later date following the successful EAGLE test for the group exercise and interview.
Then to attend for the sim as soon as two weeks later.
Time frame for all four steps is about 8 weeks at the moment.
Join Date: Apr 2010
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I’ve been told this is good for preparing form the capacity test, but have no personal experience of the product.
https://www.skytest.com/VT-MM.htm
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: norway
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I’ve been told this is good for preparing form the capacity test, but have no personal experience of the product.
https://www.skytest.com/VT-MM.htm
https://www.skytest.com/VT-MM.htm
Join Date: May 2023
Location: UK
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Join Date: Aug 2016
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BA 747 Sim Assessment
Hi All,
Information seems quite thin on the ground.
If anybody has recently sat the 747 Sim Assessment, would you mind PM’ing me the details?
Thanks
Information seems quite thin on the ground.
If anybody has recently sat the 747 Sim Assessment, would you mind PM’ing me the details?
Thanks
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: london
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Hi,
Does anyone have any tips for the computer tests? i was unsuccessful so would really appreciate some help for next time! I used sky test but dont feel it accurately reflected the real thing!
Does anyone have any tips for the computer tests? i was unsuccessful so would really appreciate some help for next time! I used sky test but dont feel it accurately reflected the real thing!
Join Date: Feb 2005
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junior C32L demoting themselves to RHS LH, senior C32L not bidding LH, P32L not bidding for RHS LH so as to maintain their high seniority on the status. But you cant blame them - why would a senior P32L actively choose to move to a fleet where they're going to be 98% on the list for the next 5 years, doing 5 or 6 2-crew LH trips per month, with no weekends off?
Last edited by RexBanner; 19th Jul 2023 at 14:08.
Join Date: Apr 2023
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Hi all,
Does anyone know when we can expect the results of the Capacity Test under the newer 3-day staggered assessment, where it’s done on its own?
As you’re marked against the BA-benchmark and not other candidates, would have thought they’d have the result immediately upon completion, and may just delay it for a few days?
Thanks very much! 🤞🏻
P.S. Reading some replies on this thread, can someone explain the acronyms used like C32L/P32L etc? Cheers
Does anyone know when we can expect the results of the Capacity Test under the newer 3-day staggered assessment, where it’s done on its own?
As you’re marked against the BA-benchmark and not other candidates, would have thought they’d have the result immediately upon completion, and may just delay it for a few days?
Thanks very much! 🤞🏻
P.S. Reading some replies on this thread, can someone explain the acronyms used like C32L/P32L etc? Cheers
Was 20% P32L here, now LH. Looking across at iBid I sit outside the bottom 30% on the 777, not far off the same on the A350 and the 787 and - with the potential for Direct Entry Long Haul rumoured to be in the offing - will likely be very comfortably outside the bottom 30% of every Long Haul fleet within 12 months except the A380 where seniority isn’t quite so important due to the inefficiencies of line construction on that fleet. Anybody actually senior P32L is not going to be sliding across at 98% on the LH fleets especially maintaining that position for five years doing only 2 crew weekend work that is a massive misrepresentation of the situation. What I suspect is actually the case is that those top 20% P32L who aren’t going anywhere don’t want to lose the ability to write their own roster, which is basically what they have now.
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You’re obviously a bit more junior to me then which muddies the water a bit. As far as DEP LH goes they’re going to have to, they’re uncomfortably under crewed on all LH fleets and no matter how many P38L-P35L / P77L-P78L secondments they do it’s just a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, they can’t get enough candidates in on SH to backfill quickly enough so it’s a matter of time for sure.