British Airways Direct Entry Pilot

Joined: Apr 2012
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 400
Likes: 18
From: UK
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!

Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 123
Likes: 9
From: UK
PP34 has become wildly uncompetitive as a salary structure, not least because of the glacial rate at which it increases but also that anyone joining now is likely to be stuck in this painful tax bracket for quite some time - even if you get an early command.
I suspect this is why it’s supposedly being addressed by BALPA and BA, although I doubt the NI hikes in the budget have helped BALPA’s cause much.
Last edited by FACoff; 26th November 2024 at 18:44.

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 321
Likes: 3
From: United Kingdom
The UK tax system is far from perfect but let's not pretend senior BA pilots are some sort of disadvantaged minority. 1000s of people live perfectly well in the South East with salaries of much less than 100k.
Guest
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: Madrid
What gets me is as a Ryanair contractor FO I've taken more than that, net. Of course it's based on me flying and there are no other benefits, but still, as pure salary I think that is quite underwhelming for someone who is a BA captain and with 24 yrs service. It would have to clear 10k net to be considered serious for me at least.
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 574
Likes: 429
From: Outbush
Perhaps not a disadvantaged minority. But with even the most basic of houses pushing £1M and beyond, i think a salary of 7000 to 8000 is quite poor.
What gets me is as a Ryanair contractor FO I've taken more than that, net. Of course it's based on me flying and there are no other benefits, but still, as pure salary I think that is quite underwhelming for someone who is a BA captain and with 24 yrs service. It would have to clear 10k net to be considered serious for me at least.
What gets me is as a Ryanair contractor FO I've taken more than that, net. Of course it's based on me flying and there are no other benefits, but still, as pure salary I think that is quite underwhelming for someone who is a BA captain and with 24 yrs service. It would have to clear 10k net to be considered serious for me at least.
Plenty of people make it work on a much lower salary, with fewer days off and less benefits.
7-8000 is a huge amount. I cannot believe you think it’s “poor”
Sure, the new government is definitely not helping, but there is always a solution. None of the choices are easy, but there are at least choices.
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Between Timezones
Hey there guys,
new to the topic but aware of the content of the previous 78 pages.
Can anyone who has recently done the assessment share some info especially on:
- is the first day really just approx. 1.5h Eagle test and back home to wait for the interview date?
- shirt and suit pants sufficient for the EAGLE test day or do i need to buy a jacket ? (I am coming in straight from a 3 weeks duty tour that’s why)
thanks in advance
new to the topic but aware of the content of the previous 78 pages.
Can anyone who has recently done the assessment share some info especially on:
- is the first day really just approx. 1.5h Eagle test and back home to wait for the interview date?
- shirt and suit pants sufficient for the EAGLE test day or do i need to buy a jacket ? (I am coming in straight from a 3 weeks duty tour that’s why)
thanks in advance
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: UK
Perhaps not a disadvantaged minority. But with even the most basic of houses pushing £1M and beyond, i think a salary of 7000 to 8000 is quite poor.
What gets me is as a Ryanair contractor FO I've taken more than that, net. Of course it's based on me flying and there are no other benefits, but still, as pure salary I think that is quite underwhelming for someone who is a BA captain and with 24 yrs service. It would have to clear 10k net to be considered serious for me at least.
What gets me is as a Ryanair contractor FO I've taken more than that, net. Of course it's based on me flying and there are no other benefits, but still, as pure salary I think that is quite underwhelming for someone who is a BA captain and with 24 yrs service. It would have to clear 10k net to be considered serious for me at least.
Salary at BA at some points/positions on the scale isn’t market leading and we’re aware of that and attempting to address it, but the above is an insulting comparison.
Still taking an unpaid month off in the winter?
Guest
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: Madrid
I clearly mentioned the fact you'd need to fly and lack of other benefits as caveats - so do calm down. And besides, aren't BA pilots also clearing 750hrs/Yr? It's not much different?
I made it clear that as a pure salary figure, the casual observer would expect a BA captain of 24 yrs to be galaxies apart from that of a RYR F/O.
And no, I have had no forced winter unpaid. However I have flown 850+ hrs this year (my choice via swaps) so I'm on an extended holiday in the sun. Floating contracts are currently paying €140/hr (captains €230/hr) with 5/5 roster. Winter 5/13, and still hitting 800 hrs per yr .. some insist it's the best contract around but personally I'd rather be somewhere more stable and serving as a career, as well as try long haul ..
I made it clear that as a pure salary figure, the casual observer would expect a BA captain of 24 yrs to be galaxies apart from that of a RYR F/O.
And no, I have had no forced winter unpaid. However I have flown 850+ hrs this year (my choice via swaps) so I'm on an extended holiday in the sun. Floating contracts are currently paying €140/hr (captains €230/hr) with 5/5 roster. Winter 5/13, and still hitting 800 hrs per yr .. some insist it's the best contract around but personally I'd rather be somewhere more stable and serving as a career, as well as try long haul ..
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: UK
I clearly mentioned the fact you'd need to fly and lack of other benefits as caveats - so do calm down. And besides, aren't BA pilots also clearing 750hrs/Yr? It's not much different?
I made it clear that as a pure salary figure, the casual observer would expect a BA captain of 24 yrs to be galaxies apart from that of a RYR F/O.
And no, I have had no forced winter unpaid. However I have flown 850+ hrs this year (my choice via swaps) so I'm on an extended holiday in the sun. Floating contracts are currently paying €140/hr (captains €230/hr) with 5/5 roster. Winter 5/13, and still hitting 800 hrs per yr .. some insist it's the best contract around but personally I'd rather be somewhere more stable and serving as a career, as well as try long haul ..
I made it clear that as a pure salary figure, the casual observer would expect a BA captain of 24 yrs to be galaxies apart from that of a RYR F/O.
And no, I have had no forced winter unpaid. However I have flown 850+ hrs this year (my choice via swaps) so I'm on an extended holiday in the sun. Floating contracts are currently paying €140/hr (captains €230/hr) with 5/5 roster. Winter 5/13, and still hitting 800 hrs per yr .. some insist it's the best contract around but personally I'd rather be somewhere more stable and serving as a career, as well as try long haul ..

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 10
From: WWW
https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/3855563-post32.html
Read and weep, the American version of pprune is a bit different to ours, but atleast we have the NHS 😩
Read and weep, the American version of pprune is a bit different to ours, but atleast we have the NHS 😩
Guest
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: Madrid
https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/3855563-post32.html
Read and weep, the American version of pprune is a bit different to ours, but atleast we have the NHS 😩
Read and weep, the American version of pprune is a bit different to ours, but atleast we have the NHS 😩

Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: VO
Hey there guys,
new to the topic but aware of the content of the previous 78 pages.
Can anyone who has recently done the assessment share some info especially on:
- is the first day really just approx. 1.5h Eagle test and back home to wait for the interview date?
- shirt and suit pants sufficient for the EAGLE test day or do i need to buy a jacket ? (I am coming in straight from a 3 weeks duty tour that’s why)
thanks in advance
new to the topic but aware of the content of the previous 78 pages.
Can anyone who has recently done the assessment share some info especially on:
- is the first day really just approx. 1.5h Eagle test and back home to wait for the interview date?
- shirt and suit pants sufficient for the EAGLE test day or do i need to buy a jacket ? (I am coming in straight from a 3 weeks duty tour that’s why)
thanks in advance

Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 122
Likes: 27
From: World
Yes. The computer test is a single event now, considering you’re applying to be based about 3 yards from where the head office is they assume getting there won’t be an issue.
Should you wear a suit jacket? Well it’s 1°C in London today, and you’re attending a job interview. What do you reckon?
Should you wear a suit jacket? Well it’s 1°C in London today, and you’re attending a job interview. What do you reckon?
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 6
From: London
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!
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: VO
Yes. The computer test is a single event now, considering you’re applying to be based about 3 yards from where the head office is they assume getting there won’t be an issue.
Should you wear a suit jacket? Well it’s 1°C in London today, and you’re attending a job interview. What do you reckon?
Should you wear a suit jacket? Well it’s 1°C in London today, and you’re attending a job interview. What do you reckon?
Guest
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: Madrid
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: VO

Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: above the cloud
Hi All , I have the eagle test schedule late January for DEP FO LH , the document say its only one hour test ans if successful , Ill be invite for another date for the next step.... What's the best way for preparation ? Skytest or Pilot assesment ?
As well , any suggestion for the hotel stay around ?
Thanks
As well , any suggestion for the hotel stay around ?
Thanks




