British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: London
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: United Kingdom
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Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: England
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Sim on a 13 Jan, email 17 Jan, phone call 18 Jan with offer of Apr start date iaw current notice period (NTR FO@LHR - declined at interview and sim any potential EF offers)
Join Date: Mar 2019
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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.
Join Date: Jun 2018
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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.
Apologies if I'm wrong, but isn't one of the carrots the possibility to bid into LHR, albeit further down the line?
Join Date: Jun 2018
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The package at EF is poor, should there be shortages at LHR they may be reluctant on transferring from EF as it’s difficult to recruit for EF. It happened the same at BACF so I’m rather sceptical. I could be wrong, but the fact that they needed roadshows at LTN(snatching Wizz and Ezy crew?)and the help from recruitment agencies (not cheap) suggests there aren’t enough applicants for EF.
They should open direct entry at LHR before any consideration in allowing transfers. Speculation I know, but that’s my two cents as an observer.
I think anyone who has the expectation that they are transferring to LHR after the fleet freeze in five years, don’t know what BA is about unfortunately.
You are absolutely right! But I’m not sure how is that going to work having a “parallel” operation and one master seniority list. I don’t know if it will be any different that the BA main + BACF deal. They can make these promises but historically they don’t keep them or there are caveats.
The package at EF is poor, should there be shortages at LHR they may be reluctant on transferring from EF as it’s difficult to recruit for EF. It happened the same at BACF so I’m rather sceptical. I could be wrong, but the fact that they needed roadshows at LTN(snatching Wizz and Ezy crew?)and the help from recruitment agencies (not cheap) suggests there aren’t enough applicants for EF.
They should open direct entry at LHR before any consideration in allowing transfers. Speculation I know, but that’s my two cents as an observer.
I think anyone who has the expectation that they are transferring to LHR after the fleet freeze in five years, don’t know what BA is about unfortunately.
The package at EF is poor, should there be shortages at LHR they may be reluctant on transferring from EF as it’s difficult to recruit for EF. It happened the same at BACF so I’m rather sceptical. I could be wrong, but the fact that they needed roadshows at LTN(snatching Wizz and Ezy crew?)and the help from recruitment agencies (not cheap) suggests there aren’t enough applicants for EF.
They should open direct entry at LHR before any consideration in allowing transfers. Speculation I know, but that’s my two cents as an observer.
I think anyone who has the expectation that they are transferring to LHR after the fleet freeze in five years, don’t know what BA is about unfortunately.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: UK
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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.
Join Date: Mar 2019
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I guess my underlying point was that things can and have changed very quickly at BA (sometimes overnight and with little warning) so this should be borne in mind by anyone applying or about to join.
Other than that, I think they’re a good company to work for provided the arrangements suit. It doesn’t suit all obviously.
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: United Kingdom
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I wonder if they'll start prioritising FlyBe people now? I would have thought to do so would be fairer given they're out a job whereas others can wait it out at their current airlines.
Doubt it very much as they'll still prioritise those who they consider are the best fit. Hope I'm wrong though!
At the end of the day, BA will do whatever suits them, just as VS did in that case. I don't believe the perceived "fairness" to those who don't yet have a contract will come into it.
Join Date: Feb 2019
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this was a contentious issue when virgin did a similar thing in the fallout of Monarch IIRC.
At the end of the day, BA will do whatever suits them, just as VS did in that case. I don't believe the perceived "fairness" to those who don't yet have a contract will come into it.
At the end of the day, BA will do whatever suits them, just as VS did in that case. I don't believe the perceived "fairness" to those who don't yet have a contract will come into it.

Join Date: Feb 2023
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Hey all
I've recently been told I was successful for A320 DEP NTR LHR hold pool... this was perhaps a couple of weeks ago. Just wondered if anyone knows how long it takes these days to get a date? Anyone know anyone who has had a call recently?
Thanks
I've recently been told I was successful for A320 DEP NTR LHR hold pool... this was perhaps a couple of weeks ago. Just wondered if anyone knows how long it takes these days to get a date? Anyone know anyone who has had a call recently?
Thanks
BA Cityflyer to be solf off
Heard a very strong rumour today that KLM are in negotiations with IAG to buy Cityflyer. Anyone else heard of it yet?

Join Date: Feb 2023
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Aren't they supposedly interested in the flybe slots too?
Would this affect BA DEP recruitment or something? Or is this suited to another thread...
Yes, Flybe slots as well.
Not sure about affect on BA recruitment and couldn't find a more suitable thread to post it.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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I've been in the pool since pre-covid (i.e. several years) and still no start date.