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British Airways Direct Entry Pilot

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Old 3rd Dec 2023, 20:06
  #521 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Phantom4
Am hearing that a number of 320 First Officers en masse have recently resigned and are joining EasyJet citing the brutal BA training departments conduct
Elaborate please?
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Old 4th Dec 2023, 07:09
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Hi, I am going to purchase SkyTest for capacity test. Which modules will be on the actual test? I couldn't book for the test so I do not have any official information ( I assume, once I booked I will get official information about test). Could anyone briefly explain test modules, please?
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Old 4th Dec 2023, 07:15
  #523 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Raph737
Elaborate please?
it seems that EU Flyer attrition running at a very high level as is Long Haul to 320.
Both FTM and his Deputy are LTS,long term sick.
320 Trainers have been invited to observe how 777 fleet conducts sim details.

A very sad state of affairs and some very angry people who do not become bad operators overnight.
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Old 4th Dec 2023, 14:15
  #524 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Phantom4
it seems that EU Flyer attrition running at a very high level as is Long Haul to 320.
Both FTM and his Deputy are LTS,long term sick.
320 Trainers have been invited to observe how 777 fleet conducts sim details.

A very sad state of affairs and some very angry people who do not become bad operators overnight.
Well, I heard that there are a lot of people who should have left a long time ago and make the work environment for others miserable. Also the lovely nickname the A380 fleet got( the w*anker tanker) due to how pilots treat the cabin crew.

Now the idea of mass resignations due to CRM issues, I will take it with a pinch of salt.
I’m aware of a few things that shouldn’t be happening, but that’s a byproduct of a recruitment profile that doesn’t suit our time and age. I believe that there are attempts to change that.


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Old 4th Dec 2023, 15:56
  #525 (permalink)  
 
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It wouldn’t surprise me if euroflyer is having retention issues, it is after all the worst 320 conditions in the country.

However mainline doesn’t seem to have dried up recruitment wise yet 🤷🏻‍♂️
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Old 4th Dec 2023, 17:02
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I don't know about other fleets but on the 320 there are a few trainers that have a bad rep. Personally having flown with a couple of the "names" I've never had a problem with them, but they are probably names for a reason.

There's also the issue of the "games" that are played on the command course - there's what OM D says ("a notice level FO lacking in initiative") and what some trainers allegedly interpret that to mean. ASRs have been put in and reports sent to the CAA (via CHIRP) but i think most are just so relieved to be through the course they put it behind them & move on. This info is anecdotal, I've not seen it first hand.

I've not heard of big numbers of resignations, or trainers being managed though.

Last edited by thetimesreader84; 4th Dec 2023 at 17:25.
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Old 5th Dec 2023, 12:42
  #527 (permalink)  
 
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Before I left the fleet there were a couple of Training FO appointments that almost universally raised eyebrows amongst the captains I flew with. Don't tell me they’re making trouble already.
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Old 5th Dec 2023, 14:22
  #528 (permalink)  
 
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I’m afraid it is like that on most fleets. The idea of going into training in BA horrifies most pilots and so they get a certain type that seem to apply.
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Old 5th Dec 2023, 14:56
  #529 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Plastic787
Before I left the fleet there were a couple of Training FO appointments that almost universally raised eyebrows amongst the captains I flew with. Don't tell me they’re making trouble already.
Recently,one Command exercise left the trainee so distraught he crashed the car on the way home,so I’m told.
I thought those days were long gone.
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Old 5th Dec 2023, 16:09
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Originally Posted by hunterboy
I’m afraid it is like that on most fleets. The idea of going into training in BA horrifies most pilots and so they get a certain type that seem to apply.
This doesn’t remotely describe my interactions with the training department over the last 15 years. If anything I think the training has got much better, with less emphasis on checking and more on training.

There will always be a few bad eggs on every fleet, but that isn’t just limited to trainers.

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Old 5th Dec 2023, 16:28
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Originally Posted by Northern Monkey
This doesn’t remotely describe my interactions with the training department over the last 15 years. If anything I think the training has got much better, with less emphasis on checking and more on training.

There will always be a few bad eggs on every fleet, but that isn’t just limited to trainers.

This is broadly my experience, even having been in the sim or on the line with those who have a rep as a "bad egg".

the only note of caution is some of the stories ive heard from those who've done a SH command course recently, some of the games the trainers play while being a "notice level FO lacking initiative" sound horrendous, and have very little to do with training IMHO.
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Old 5th Dec 2023, 18:30
  #532 (permalink)  
 
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Well, after experiencing a real “ arrival “ at LHR yesterday morning, 777 ex BGI, some sharper training seems necessary !

Why don't some of these “ names etc. “ get the fact that trainers are there to get their candidates to the highest possible level. That is what they are paid to do , not intimidate and try an humiliate people. Totally counterproductive for them and the company.
As an ex RAF standards QFI and training captain I just don’t understand their attitude. I considered that the results and standards of my candidates was a reflection on my training capability and commitment..I wanted my guys, and girls, to a achieve the very best they were capable of.
Bad eggs should have NO place in a well run training establishment.

Last edited by RetiredBA/BY; 5th Dec 2023 at 18:48.
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Old 5th Dec 2023, 18:41
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Originally Posted by RetiredBA/BY
Well, after experiencing a real “ arrival “ at LHR yesterday morning, 777 ex BGI, some sharper training seems necessary !

Why don't some of these “ names etc. “ get the fact that trainers are there to get their candidates to the highest possible level. That is what they are paid to do , not intimidate and try an humiliate people. Totally counterproductive for them and the company.
As an ex RAF standards QFI and training captain I just don’t understand their attitude.
As an Ex pilot you should know how ridiculous it would be to judge the competence of a pilot based solely on the softness of a singular landing.
Even the best of us occasionally bury one
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Old 5th Dec 2023, 18:56
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Originally Posted by SpamCanDriver
As an Ex pilot you should know how ridiculous it would be to judge the competence of a pilot based solely on the softness of a singular landing.
Even the best of us occasionally bury one
Cant recall one as bad as that, and I have a LOT of time, now retired, on several big jets going from the Valiant to the 767 !

…..and as a spamcan driver you may not be aware that these big jets have a rad. alt to advise start of the flare height. (Eg 50 feet plus 2 seconds for the 76, plus 3 for the 75 IIRC correctly) and the 320 even tells you when to close the throttles ! ( OK thrust levers !)

Last edited by RetiredBA/BY; 5th Dec 2023 at 19:12.
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Old 6th Dec 2023, 01:09
  #535 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by RetiredBA/BY
Cant recall one as bad as that, and I have a LOT of time, now retired, on several big jets going from the Valiant to the 767 !

…..and as a spamcan driver you may not be aware that these big jets have a rad. alt to advise start of the flare height. (Eg 50 feet plus 2 seconds for the 76, plus 3 for the 75 IIRC correctly) and the 320 even tells you when to close the throttles ! ( OK thrust levers !)
Im well aware that big jets have rad alts, I have 14.5k hrs on 737/757/767/777 and was also a training Cpt on the 777 in my previous outfit.
Which is why wouldn't question the competency of a pilot based on a single landing especially, when I was sat in the back and had no idea what happened.

I do however completely agree with you about the level of the students being a reflection of their trainers.

Anyway enough thread drift and willy waving from me





Last edited by SpamCanDriver; 6th Dec 2023 at 01:30.
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Old 6th Dec 2023, 09:47
  #536 (permalink)  
 
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Just to set the balance straight I have never observed “brutal” training at BA. It has always been constructive, standards are high (as they are elsewhere).

Don’t let people with an axe to grind influence your decision!

LD
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Old 6th Dec 2023, 16:49
  #537 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Locked door
Just to set the balance straight I have never observed “brutal” training at BA. It has always been constructive, standards are high (as they are elsewhere).

Don’t let people with an axe to grind influence your decision!

LD
Not always !
Usually v good, very occasionally awful.
That was quite a few years ago, Hopefully, everything is better now !
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Old 6th Dec 2023, 18:26
  #538 (permalink)  
 
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Not so Sir,there are new hitmen who brief the stand in to make deliberate mistakes.
The previous mentioned ‘ Names’ include a Mid Eastern sounding name who employs these tactics and kicks the seat when he wishes to employ that tactic.
IMHO as a previous BTC, and STC,he should be reminded of his primary role as a TRAINER not a destructive force.
The Unions should ensure this ‘ Unsavoury Character’ not my words but a recipient of his recent behaviour is not considered for a Trainer Transfer to Long Haul where he can inflict more misery and damage.
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Old 6th Dec 2023, 20:30
  #539 (permalink)  
 
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Any info appreciated on the cityflyer Dec interview, I’ve passed the video questions section; capacity test, interview & tech paper advice would be much welcomed by pm! 😊
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Old 7th Dec 2023, 05:30
  #540 (permalink)  
 
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Re:BA I’m more than happy to speak the truth (as an insider) but whoever is putting out the rumours about training cultures here, is talking nonsense. BA training culture is the last part of our brand that I remain proud of.
Anyone who says otherwise is usually a part of the problem and typically if they are complaining as a new entrant, it is MOST likely they received blunt honesty from their trainers because they had very poor team skills.

However, if you are the sort who struggles in the simulator, but has a healthy sense of persecution, then I guess you’ll start this type of rumour. The psychology of accepting your mistakes and working on them is very much part of the BA training culture. Self improvement. Those who describe it otherwise, are probably the type of pilot who feel their self improvement is not necessary.
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