British Airways Direct Entry Pilot

Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 987
Likes: 197
From: Mexico City
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: VO
Hello all!
Looking to kick off my assessment for Direct Entry FO long haul, I've just been invited to do the video assessment. I see above there were a few DMs doing the rounds with all the gen, is anyone kind enough to share these?
Anything is helpful. I have bought LPJ etc but honestly they don't seem to match what I've read some of the guys here got.
Cheers!
Looking to kick off my assessment for Direct Entry FO long haul, I've just been invited to do the video assessment. I see above there were a few DMs doing the rounds with all the gen, is anyone kind enough to share these?
Anything is helpful. I have bought LPJ etc but honestly they don't seem to match what I've read some of the guys here got.
Cheers!
If anyone has info on the video assessment and how to prep for the EAGLE test, I'll be grateful.

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
All this pontificating does not obviate the fact that we should not be forced to remain landside on a standby/bookable with seats available (as happens as standard at LGW) and risk a very real further chance of not occupying an empty seat by not being able to make it through security and to the gate in time, thats the bottom line. Other airlines manage it perfectly well, the confirmed/standby status is not the core issue here.
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: U.K.
Depends. For me, there are massive savings to be had, especially as a family. Stress travel doesn't work out sometimes but throughout the majority of my life, I've had it and it's been a real privilege. I think it just depends on circumstances. If you must be somewhere, firm ticket would probably be wiser.

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,726
Likes: 103
From: The Winchester
OTOH if you are traveling to and especially from work then one advantage of a standby,certainly under the BA system when I was there, was the flexibility..
For example if the inbound (you are working on) is late and you miss your planned flight home then you just use that same standby for the next flight home….with a normal ticket you would be out of pocket.

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 14
From: UK
If using for commuting hotline is always an option.
Yes it’s a bit more but you’re getting other benefits.
The shorter commutes eg around the UK price is often not a huge difference, can book cheaper then swap onto other flights as well. Not last minute but know people that do this. You can become gold members from using hotline which helps.
Yes it’s a bit more but you’re getting other benefits.
The shorter commutes eg around the UK price is often not a huge difference, can book cheaper then swap onto other flights as well. Not last minute but know people that do this. You can become gold members from using hotline which helps.
Guest
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: Madrid
Hello tecnamflyer ! Did you manage to find any info on this please? At the same stage and I believe things have changed somewhat from what has been mentioned here before.
If anyone has info on the video assessment and how to prep for the EAGLE test, I'll be grateful.
If anyone has info on the video assessment and how to prep for the EAGLE test, I'll be grateful.
I haven't had any information just yet, will let you know if that changes!
Have you done the video interview yet?
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: VO
Edit: Check PM please.

Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 7
From: Somewhere sunny
Hi folks, after reading this thread I got a few questions. Apologies if repeated or misinterpreted from earlier replies.
1 - Does the company pay for your accommodation during initial training (i.e. ground school, simulator and line training)?
2 - Do you get full pay from day 1?
3 - Do you get full insurance from day 1?
4 - Does seniority count from day 1 or only after simulator / line training?
5 - Do you get part-time options right away or are these based on seniority / somehow limited?
6 - Can you work back to back (i.e.) minimum rest to benefit from longer periods of days off?
7 - Is this payscale still applicable? (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jaidi...ium=member_ios)
8 - Is it possible for a new hire to become instructor during first years after joining? (Simulator as F/O, line training if joining as a DEC)?
9 - How many pilots (ballpark number) does the airline have?
Thank you all
1 - Does the company pay for your accommodation during initial training (i.e. ground school, simulator and line training)?
2 - Do you get full pay from day 1?
3 - Do you get full insurance from day 1?
4 - Does seniority count from day 1 or only after simulator / line training?
5 - Do you get part-time options right away or are these based on seniority / somehow limited?
6 - Can you work back to back (i.e.) minimum rest to benefit from longer periods of days off?
7 - Is this payscale still applicable? (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jaidi...ium=member_ios)
8 - Is it possible for a new hire to become instructor during first years after joining? (Simulator as F/O, line training if joining as a DEC)?
9 - How many pilots (ballpark number) does the airline have?
Thank you all

Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 183
Likes: 41
From: UK
1. No
2. Yes
3.Are you referring to the loss of income scheme? If so i believe it is from joining but I've not tried it out.
4. Seniority is from Day 1
5. You can submit for "right to request" part time at any time. The "aspirational" part time is an annual bid. I would plan on being full time initially but be hopeful that might change.
6. Yes. You will have to waive your right to industrial rest requirements (2 days off after a longhaul trip) and bid for trips that have 0 Local Nights rest requirements afterwards (like ABV LOS ACC NBO RUH BAH DOH DXB) to put another trip right after it. How consistently this works being junior under JSS is anyones guess...
7. Those were correct at end of 2024. They will be very slightly higher now after 2 small pay rises this year, and an increase to FPS (hourly pay).
8. Yes, when they open for applications you can apply. Copilots can be TRI/TRE and captains can be TRI/TRE/LTC.
9. 4500ish.
Hope that helps
2. Yes
3.Are you referring to the loss of income scheme? If so i believe it is from joining but I've not tried it out.
4. Seniority is from Day 1
5. You can submit for "right to request" part time at any time. The "aspirational" part time is an annual bid. I would plan on being full time initially but be hopeful that might change.
6. Yes. You will have to waive your right to industrial rest requirements (2 days off after a longhaul trip) and bid for trips that have 0 Local Nights rest requirements afterwards (like ABV LOS ACC NBO RUH BAH DOH DXB) to put another trip right after it. How consistently this works being junior under JSS is anyones guess...
7. Those were correct at end of 2024. They will be very slightly higher now after 2 small pay rises this year, and an increase to FPS (hourly pay).
8. Yes, when they open for applications you can apply. Copilots can be TRI/TRE and captains can be TRI/TRE/LTC.
9. 4500ish.
Hope that helps
Hi folks, after reading this thread I got a few questions. Apologies if repeated or misinterpreted from earlier replies.
1 - Does the company pay for your accommodation during initial training (i.e. ground school, simulator and line training)?
2 - Do you get full pay from day 1?
3 - Do you get full insurance from day 1?
4 - Does seniority count from day 1 or only after simulator / line training?
5 - Do you get part-time options right away or are these based on seniority / somehow limited?
6 - Can you work back to back (i.e.) minimum rest to benefit from longer periods of days off?
7 - Is this payscale still applicable? (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jaidi...ium=member_ios)
8 - Is it possible for a new hire to become instructor during first years after joining? (Simulator as F/O, line training if joining as a DEC)?
9 - How many pilots (ballpark number) does the airline have?
Thank you all
1 - Does the company pay for your accommodation during initial training (i.e. ground school, simulator and line training)?
2 - Do you get full pay from day 1?
3 - Do you get full insurance from day 1?
4 - Does seniority count from day 1 or only after simulator / line training?
5 - Do you get part-time options right away or are these based on seniority / somehow limited?
6 - Can you work back to back (i.e.) minimum rest to benefit from longer periods of days off?
7 - Is this payscale still applicable? (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jaidi...ium=member_ios)
8 - Is it possible for a new hire to become instructor during first years after joining? (Simulator as F/O, line training if joining as a DEC)?
9 - How many pilots (ballpark number) does the airline have?
Thank you all

Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 7
From: Somewhere sunny
Thank you
White Van Driver Thank you for your time and lovely answers.
This helps with some decisions to be made.
All the best!
This helps with some decisions to be made.
All the best!
1. No
2. Yes
3.Are you referring to the loss of income scheme? If so i believe it is from joining but I've not tried it out.
4. Seniority is from Day 1
5. You can submit for "right to request" part time at any time. The "aspirational" part time is an annual bid. I would plan on being full time initially but be hopeful that might change.
6. Yes. You will have to waive your right to industrial rest requirements (2 days off after a longhaul trip) and bid for trips that have 0 Local Nights rest requirements afterwards (like ABV LOS ACC NBO RUH BAH DOH DXB) to put another trip right after it. How consistently this works being junior under JSS is anyones guess...
7. Those were correct at end of 2024. They will be very slightly higher now after 2 small pay rises this year, and an increase to FPS (hourly pay).
8. Yes, when they open for applications you can apply. Copilots can be TRI/TRE and captains can be TRI/TRE/LTC.
9. 4500ish.
Hope that helps
2. Yes
3.Are you referring to the loss of income scheme? If so i believe it is from joining but I've not tried it out.
4. Seniority is from Day 1
5. You can submit for "right to request" part time at any time. The "aspirational" part time is an annual bid. I would plan on being full time initially but be hopeful that might change.
6. Yes. You will have to waive your right to industrial rest requirements (2 days off after a longhaul trip) and bid for trips that have 0 Local Nights rest requirements afterwards (like ABV LOS ACC NBO RUH BAH DOH DXB) to put another trip right after it. How consistently this works being junior under JSS is anyones guess...
7. Those were correct at end of 2024. They will be very slightly higher now after 2 small pay rises this year, and an increase to FPS (hourly pay).
8. Yes, when they open for applications you can apply. Copilots can be TRI/TRE and captains can be TRI/TRE/LTC.
9. 4500ish.
Hope that helps

Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 7
From: Somewhere sunny
…one more thing
I’m sorry to come back with an additional question.
What would be the take home pay (monthly) after tax, social security, insurance and union dues during training and after training?
Since I pay taxes elsewhere it’s hard to calculate.
Thank you!
What would be the take home pay (monthly) after tax, social security, insurance and union dues during training and after training?
Since I pay taxes elsewhere it’s hard to calculate.
Thank you!

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 14
From: UK
Lowest take home after tax for me has been £3800 after tax. That was a month sat at home waiting for training to start.
Many variables in take home so hard to give a definitive answer.
First year at BA I was clearing around £5k a month.
Second year I have picked up a fair amount of overtime and with the increases throughout the year £6k after tax has been pretty much every month with some months closer to £7k after tax.
LH unsure on take home I will let someone else fill that gap in.

Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 183
Likes: 41
From: UK
Also note that these numbers are based on PAYE deductions for this being your only income... if you have other sources of income this will have a big impact on your tax obligations.
Once your line training starts I'd add on another £1200/month or so for flight pay and allowances. At ba you get full wages from day 1, there is no deduction for being in training. Obviously while you are in ground class and the simulator you're not making flight pay and Allowances because you are not flying. You will make these as soon as you start line training.
Y1 LH and SH have the same basic salary, and you'll fly the same hours. However they do differ in time away from base allowance, I'd guess an average of £400 a month more for LH as you're away that many more hours.
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: London
Year 2 FO SH here.
Lowest take home after tax for me has been £3800 after tax. That was a month sat at home waiting for training to start.
Many variables in take home so hard to give a definitive answer.
First year at BA I was clearing around £5k a month.
Second year I have picked up a fair amount of overtime and with the increases throughout the year £6k after tax has been pretty much every month with some months closer to £7k after tax.
LH unsure on take home I will let someone else fill that gap in.
Lowest take home after tax for me has been £3800 after tax. That was a month sat at home waiting for training to start.
Many variables in take home so hard to give a definitive answer.
First year at BA I was clearing around £5k a month.
Second year I have picked up a fair amount of overtime and with the increases throughout the year £6k after tax has been pretty much every month with some months closer to £7k after tax.
LH unsure on take home I will let someone else fill that gap in.
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
From: UK
Year 2 FO SH here.
Lowest take home after tax for me has been £3800 after tax. That was a month sat at home waiting for training to start.
Many variables in take home so hard to give a definitive answer.
First year at BA I was clearing around £5k a month.
Second year I have picked up a fair amount of overtime and with the increases throughout the year £6k after tax has been pretty much every month with some months closer to £7k after tax.
LH unsure on take home I will let someone else fill that gap in.
Lowest take home after tax for me has been £3800 after tax. That was a month sat at home waiting for training to start.
Many variables in take home so hard to give a definitive answer.
First year at BA I was clearing around £5k a month.
Second year I have picked up a fair amount of overtime and with the increases throughout the year £6k after tax has been pretty much every month with some months closer to £7k after tax.
LH unsure on take home I will let someone else fill that gap in.
I'm paypoint 23 (of 24) shorthaul Captain (full time) and my take home after tax over the last 12 months has been minimum 7700 and max 8800.
That a paypoint 1 first officer can make close to 7000 after tax shows how truly shafted by the UK tax system us "high" earners are!
Guest
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: Madrid
WOW! All i can say is this post highlights the "progressive" nature of UK tax system.
I'm paypoint 23 (of 24) shorthaul Captain (full time) and my take home after tax over the last 12 months has been minimum 7700 and max 8800.
That a paypoint 1 first officer can make close to 7000 after tax shows how truly shafted by the UK tax system us "high" earners are!
I'm paypoint 23 (of 24) shorthaul Captain (full time) and my take home after tax over the last 12 months has been minimum 7700 and max 8800.
That a paypoint 1 first officer can make close to 7000 after tax shows how truly shafted by the UK tax system us "high" earners are!



