British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 911
Likes: 31
From: At altitude surviving on bleed air.
A shame the thread has to be hijacked in this way by some thinly-disguised bitterness and/or insecurity.
The fact is BA flightcrew really aren’t that different to those flying elsewhere. I’ve found that the majority of disparaging remarks re BA pilots seem to have come from people that have in fact, never flown for BA….so I tend to take their views with a pinch of salt.
The BA interview that some seem to find issue with is pretty standard in the U.K. - mainly competency based questions and the usual why BA etc.
The assessment process is partly about weeding out folk who waltz into the recruitment centre believing they’re entitled to a job there …BA do not want this kind of person in their flightdecks.
The recruiters I’ve met have been very friendly and professional. That can’t be said for some of the airlines I’ve interviewed for in other countries.
The fact that some people don’t pass the BA assessment is not of course a reflection on the individual - but nor is it necessarily a sign that the assessment process itself is somehow flawed, and that only unpleasant individuals pass the assessment (complete rubbish in my experience). There are unpleasant individuals in every company and no, BA don’t have the monopoly on them.
The fact is BA flightcrew really aren’t that different to those flying elsewhere. I’ve found that the majority of disparaging remarks re BA pilots seem to have come from people that have in fact, never flown for BA….so I tend to take their views with a pinch of salt.
The BA interview that some seem to find issue with is pretty standard in the U.K. - mainly competency based questions and the usual why BA etc.
The assessment process is partly about weeding out folk who waltz into the recruitment centre believing they’re entitled to a job there …BA do not want this kind of person in their flightdecks.
The recruiters I’ve met have been very friendly and professional. That can’t be said for some of the airlines I’ve interviewed for in other countries.
The fact that some people don’t pass the BA assessment is not of course a reflection on the individual - but nor is it necessarily a sign that the assessment process itself is somehow flawed, and that only unpleasant individuals pass the assessment (complete rubbish in my experience). There are unpleasant individuals in every company and no, BA don’t have the monopoly on them.
I know a lot of pilots in BA, some are the nicest you could meet but others sadly fall into the category of being too far up their own backsides.
Nobody has come forward with an honest and logical answer to my question about CityFlyer pilots being allowed to continue flying the brand having been failed the BA selection process.
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 332
Likes: 75
From: Oxford
It's a shame that you are unwilling to accept that people have opinions which may not replicate yours. 'Hijacked' is a prime example of the pompousness that is referred to herein. You don't own this thread and should accept that it's a forum where people express their views.
I know a lot of pilots in BA, some are the nicest you could meet but others sadly fall into the category of being too far up their own backsides.
Nobody has come forward with an honest and logical answer to my question about CityFlyer pilots being allowed to continue flying the brand having been failed the BA selection process.
I know a lot of pilots in BA, some are the nicest you could meet but others sadly fall into the category of being too far up their own backsides.
Nobody has come forward with an honest and logical answer to my question about CityFlyer pilots being allowed to continue flying the brand having been failed the BA selection process.
Nobody owns this thread, but its a thread on BA DEP recruitment, not an evaluation of the selection process.
Not passing the BA selection does not mean that BA think the individuals are not competent or unsafe.
They're not employed by BA either, so i really dont understand your point.
Do you think BA ban all people who failed selection, working for outsourced services such as oustation ground staff?
BA audits Cityflyer to ensure compliance with its required standards
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 911
Likes: 31
From: At altitude surviving on bleed air.
Stating the thread has been highjacked is a statement of fact, not a display of arrogance.
Nobody owns this thread, but its a thread on BA DEP recruitment, not an evaluation of the selection process.
Not passing the BA selection does not mean that BA think the individuals are not competent or unsafe.
They're not employed by BA either, so i really dont understand your point.
Do you think BA ban all people who failed selection, working for outsourced services such as oustation ground staff?
BA audits Cityflyer to ensure compliance with its required standards
Nobody owns this thread, but its a thread on BA DEP recruitment, not an evaluation of the selection process.
Not passing the BA selection does not mean that BA think the individuals are not competent or unsafe.
They're not employed by BA either, so i really dont understand your point.
Do you think BA ban all people who failed selection, working for outsourced services such as oustation ground staff?
BA audits Cityflyer to ensure compliance with its required standards
Threads do drift, some more than others but this is at the very least loosely on piste.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 6
From: Lemonia. Best Greek in the world
I am not a pilot, but I did work in Aviation.
I am a big fan of some properly tested Competency based interviews (CBIs) - when accompanied by appropriate technical interviews/tests.
What a lot of people do not realise is how much information they reveal about themselves in CBIs. Even if a candidate says little, the information is all usable.
CBIs might not be great for every candidate, but the properly tested CBIs are the best predictor of future performance.
I am a big fan of some properly tested Competency based interviews (CBIs) - when accompanied by appropriate technical interviews/tests.
What a lot of people do not realise is how much information they reveal about themselves in CBIs. Even if a candidate says little, the information is all usable.
CBIs might not be great for every candidate, but the properly tested CBIs are the best predictor of future performance.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 3
From: somewhere in the middle
I think someone further up suggested there's about 400 pilots at BACF (200 P1, 200P2). If all at the same base (I think EDI closed in the pandemic?), I reckon you'd not go much more that a year before flying with the same person - maybe 18 months max?
At BA SH theres currentcurrently 1400 pilots (700P1, 700P2), so almost double. I think when I joined it was 2 years before I flew with the same person twice. Even now its a comparative rarity.
Its a strage dynamic disappearing off for a 2-3-4 day multi sector tour with a guy youve just met, knowing youre likely to never see them again. Perhaps being a bad fit for that lifestyle could be a "substandard quality" that means you're not "good enough" for BA but more than acceptable for BACF?
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 911
Likes: 31
From: At altitude surviving on bleed air.
I Really should stop biting, but...
I think someone further up suggested there's about 400 pilots at BACF (200 P1, 200P2). If all at the same base (I think EDI closed in the pandemic?), I reckon you'd not go much more that a year before flying with the same person - maybe 18 months max?
At BA SH theres currentcurrently 1400 pilots (700P1, 700P2), so almost double. I think when I joined it was 2 years before I flew with the same person twice. Even now its a comparative rarity.
Its a strage dynamic disappearing off for a 2-3-4 day multi sector tour with a guy youve just met, knowing youre likely to never see them again. Perhaps being a bad fit for that lifestyle could be a "substandard quality" that means you're not "good enough" for BA but more than acceptable for BACF?
I think someone further up suggested there's about 400 pilots at BACF (200 P1, 200P2). If all at the same base (I think EDI closed in the pandemic?), I reckon you'd not go much more that a year before flying with the same person - maybe 18 months max?
At BA SH theres currentcurrently 1400 pilots (700P1, 700P2), so almost double. I think when I joined it was 2 years before I flew with the same person twice. Even now its a comparative rarity.
Its a strage dynamic disappearing off for a 2-3-4 day multi sector tour with a guy youve just met, knowing youre likely to never see them again. Perhaps being a bad fit for that lifestyle could be a "substandard quality" that means you're not "good enough" for BA but more than acceptable for BACF?
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 587
Likes: 60
From: FLSomething
Presumably BA Mainline have more applicants for spaces than Cityflyer do, so can simply have the bar set higher. Failing the interview doesn’t mean you’re not a good fit by any means. It’s just that, on the day, you didn’t meet the bar, wherever market forces have deemed it to be set.
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 911
Likes: 31
From: At altitude surviving on bleed air.
Presumably BA Mainline have more applicants for spaces than Cityflyer do, so can simply have the bar set higher. Failing the interview doesn’t mean you’re not a good fit by any means. It’s just that, on the day, you didn’t meet the bar, wherever market forces have deemed it to be set.
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
From: Cape Town
Would anybody be able to elaborate on the new assessment process?
As I understand it, an online evaluation before attending Day 1.
What does day 1 consist of, and if successful, are you invited for day 2 the following day, or do you need to book a day 2 assessment online again?
I’ll be traveling from abroad, so I’d just like to get my ducks in a row before booking any assessments and having to change it later on.
Cheers!
As I understand it, an online evaluation before attending Day 1.
What does day 1 consist of, and if successful, are you invited for day 2 the following day, or do you need to book a day 2 assessment online again?
I’ll be traveling from abroad, so I’d just like to get my ducks in a row before booking any assessments and having to change it later on.
Cheers!
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 171
Likes: 31
From: European riviera
Would anybody be able to elaborate on the new assessment process?
As I understand it, an online evaluation before attending Day 1.
What does day 1 consist of, and if successful, are you invited for day 2 the following day, or do you need to book a day 2 assessment online again?
I’ll be traveling from abroad, so I’d just like to get my ducks in a row before booking any assessments and having to change it later on.
Cheers!
As I understand it, an online evaluation before attending Day 1.
What does day 1 consist of, and if successful, are you invited for day 2 the following day, or do you need to book a day 2 assessment online again?
I’ll be traveling from abroad, so I’d just like to get my ducks in a row before booking any assessments and having to change it later on.
Cheers!
If you pass all that you get invited to book a date for the sim, which I guess is the the new Day 2.
The outcome from Day 1 gets sent out via email…i know for some people it has been as soon as the next day and for others it took 2 weeks to get the green light. If sim goes well you’ll be placed in a hold pool or offered a TR or OCC course as appropriate on the A320.
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 182
Likes: 11
From: London
Good afternoon all,
Does anyone know when/if they will reopen recruitment for mainline anytime soon? I would consider BA more seriously at that fleet, have reservations about the low salary at EF.
Advertisement for Euroflyer mentions a salary of up to £65K. What is the basic salary from that? Projections of time to command there for someone potentially joining with 1500hrs jet?
Thank you for your thoughts. 👍🏻
Does anyone know when/if they will reopen recruitment for mainline anytime soon? I would consider BA more seriously at that fleet, have reservations about the low salary at EF.
Advertisement for Euroflyer mentions a salary of up to £65K. What is the basic salary from that? Projections of time to command there for someone potentially joining with 1500hrs jet?
Thank you for your thoughts. 👍🏻
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: London
Good Evening all,
Has anyone who have recently been successful at the assessment get a start date for Euroflyer from the holding pool for Non-Type Rated ? I understand there were dates available for Type rating in February/March, anyone got anything in the months ahead?
Has anyone who have recently been successful at the assessment get a start date for Euroflyer from the holding pool for Non-Type Rated ? I understand there were dates available for Type rating in February/March, anyone got anything in the months ahead?
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
Anyone non type-rated been called out of the pool for LHR recently?
Just wondering how long it is should one be successful at the simulator stage to actually getting the nod for a start date at the moment...
Just wondering how long it is should one be successful at the simulator stage to actually getting the nod for a start date at the moment...
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: London
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 171
Likes: 31
From: European riviera
I suspect if not TR on the A32x, you’d be looking at a TR course no earlier than summer for LHR. Don’t hold me to that though. Once confirmed in the hold pool a kind soul might give you a slightly better idea. My understanding is if you only applied to LHR and didn’t tick yes to LGW, you won’t be offered LGW/EF.
Same advice I’d give to anyone applying for any other airline in the U.K. - don’t be handing in notices or making plans until you have a contract in your hand with a start date; expect a long and drawn out recruitment process with large gaps between applying, assessments and courses.
The only exception I can think of is Ryanair U.K. that want you on the line asap, and will process you very quickly. But this isn’t about them.
Same advice I’d give to anyone applying for any other airline in the U.K. - don’t be handing in notices or making plans until you have a contract in your hand with a start date; expect a long and drawn out recruitment process with large gaps between applying, assessments and courses.
The only exception I can think of is Ryanair U.K. that want you on the line asap, and will process you very quickly. But this isn’t about them.
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 182
Likes: 11
From: London
I wonder how many are swimming and if LHR direct entry will reopen soon…anyone on the inside hear anything?
Considering the T&C’s Jet2 and TUI offer, they definitely need to up the financial package for EF or offer a fast upgrade option there.
Considering the T&C’s Jet2 and TUI offer, they definitely need to up the financial package for EF or offer a fast upgrade option there.