British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: VO
Many thanks. Dunno about the 787 seats being filled up since they have a direct entry 787 opening on the careers page since at least 2 months.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
From: UK
Take the first start date offered. A lot can happen in 6 weeks. Seniority is key and the 787 goes to more places whilst the 350 is, and will be a small fleet for the foreseeable future. A type course is not difficult if you put the work in. (Personally just did 320 to 777 conv within BA). Wouldn't put too much fate into job openings, you go where you are needed in BA. And a lot are needed atm.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 121
Likes: 6
From: London, UK
it could make a huge difference, and again who knows what will happen in six weeks- think 2008/2020.
in addition, movement on the 350 is likely to be very limited for the next few years, aside the odd person leaving for a command. It’s almost fully crewed and no further aircraft are
planned.
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 987
Likes: 197
From: Mexico City
I would stick with airbus. Have friends who went from Boeing to Airbus and said it wasn't to bad. I also know a person who went the other way and they didn't like it at all.
Stick with what you know. It's only 6 weeks.
Stick with what you know. It's only 6 weeks.
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 574
Likes: 429
From: Outbush
As others have already said, date of joining is everything in BA
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 898
Likes: 73
From: UK
Things to consider, followed by my thoughts:
Seniority (date of joining) - The more senior, the better.
Aircraft type - Boeing is in my opinion, far more fun to fly than Airbus, and the 787 is the most modern Boeing.
Fleet route network - 787 is a bigger fleet and therefore will have more variety than the A350.
Future fleet expansion - I think BA is more likely to expand the 787 fleet, and indeed already has expansion hulls, they’re just grounded due Rolls Royce problems.
Future career in BA - If you don’t do Boeing now, when will you? Do you want to limit yourself just to Airbus for the rest of your career?
When I joined BA, I had the option to join when I did, or join a year later. I decided to cut short my plans at the time and join the year earlier. To give an example of how that has benefitted me personally: Had I waited the extra year, I would not have gained my long haul command when I did, 19 years after joining, (which was about one year before Covid hit). Instead I’d have been coming up for long haul command just as Covid popped up, so that would have delayed me by several more years. You never know when the music might suddenly stop during your career, but one thing for sure - additional seniority always helps.
Seniority (date of joining) - The more senior, the better.
Aircraft type - Boeing is in my opinion, far more fun to fly than Airbus, and the 787 is the most modern Boeing.
Fleet route network - 787 is a bigger fleet and therefore will have more variety than the A350.
Future fleet expansion - I think BA is more likely to expand the 787 fleet, and indeed already has expansion hulls, they’re just grounded due Rolls Royce problems.
Future career in BA - If you don’t do Boeing now, when will you? Do you want to limit yourself just to Airbus for the rest of your career?
When I joined BA, I had the option to join when I did, or join a year later. I decided to cut short my plans at the time and join the year earlier. To give an example of how that has benefitted me personally: Had I waited the extra year, I would not have gained my long haul command when I did, 19 years after joining, (which was about one year before Covid hit). Instead I’d have been coming up for long haul command just as Covid popped up, so that would have delayed me by several more years. You never know when the music might suddenly stop during your career, but one thing for sure - additional seniority always helps.
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 8
From: UK
During the recruitment boom in the early 2010’s there were a few folk who turned down offers for short-haul to hold out for an offer on long-haul. During their wait BA bought BMI and introduced a new pay scale so not only did they lose 300+ places of seniority, they also lost out on half a million quid of career earnings.
You never know what’s around the corner so bank the first offer is the most sensible advice.
You never know what’s around the corner so bank the first offer is the most sensible advice.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 14
From: UK
During the recruitment boom in the early 2010’s there were a few folk who turned down offers for short-haul to hold out for an offer on long-haul. During their wait BA bought BMI and introduced a new pay scale so not only did they lose 300+ places of seniority, they also lost out on half a million quid of career earnings.
You never know what’s around the corner so bank the first offer is the most sensible advice.
You never know what’s around the corner so bank the first offer is the most sensible advice.
I joined at the beginning of the wave. I know people who could apply and get SH but they wanted LH.
Ok that’s fine but some are now 400+ places behind me.
Whatever they offer at BA just take it. The sooner you are in the better.
As history shows the music could stop tomorrow.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 122
From: UK
This seems the best place to ask: is anyone at Euroflyer able to confirm or shed any light on the rumoured pay rise? Hearing 114k basic now for yr1 DEC?
A couple of our younger skippers here at ezy in LGW are looking at taking the jump for the future benefits of BA career wise. Late 20s/early 30s. I’m a little older but wondering if makes any sense at all myself…
A couple of our younger skippers here at ezy in LGW are looking at taking the jump for the future benefits of BA career wise. Late 20s/early 30s. I’m a little older but wondering if makes any sense at all myself…
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
The wider point I’m trying to make here is be under no illusions, if you join British Airways you are joining a company that will fall over itself to spite their own pilots, such is the pathological hatred and enmity they have towards them.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: France
Hello all.
Just wondering, but for someone that join as DEC in LGW, how long it takes more or less at the moment to have part time and what part time option are available in British airways?
What sickness protection do you have at BA ? I mean, can you be fired if losing your medical temporary for a long time or if definitely?
Thanks
Just wondering, but for someone that join as DEC in LGW, how long it takes more or less at the moment to have part time and what part time option are available in British airways?
What sickness protection do you have at BA ? I mean, can you be fired if losing your medical temporary for a long time or if definitely?
Thanks
Guest
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 44
From: UK
Precisely. BA were told repeatedly during the COVID consultation that they were better off keeping LGW as it was on mainline Ts and Cs due to the demographic of Low paypoint Captains flying with FPPs and the ability to move aircraft and crew between the two bases with ease. There is no doubt that by removing synergies and having to pay more than LHR to get anyone to go there they now have a higher cost base, the complete opposite of what was intended. So much so that there have been rumblings and rumours of bringing it back into the mainline fold. Why did it get to this point? Simply because the company wanted to stick it to the pilots.
The wider point I’m trying to make here is be under no illusions, if you join British Airways you are joining a company that will fall over itself to spite their own pilots, such is the pathological hatred and enmity they have towards them.
The wider point I’m trying to make here is be under no illusions, if you join British Airways you are joining a company that will fall over itself to spite their own pilots, such is the pathological hatred and enmity they have towards them.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 122
From: UK
The DEC Captain route into Euroflyer seems like a no brainer for a relatively young new easyJet/Wizz Captain based at LGW. Paid more than Mainline LHR skippers per paypoint (which you couldn't become a DEC anyway), fixed pattern roster so low seniority doesn't mean working every weekend and public holiday, MSL place to work towards LH LHS for the latter stages of the career, staff travel etc...
Sure, it is Euroflyer and not Mainline but where is the difference? Same uniform, same MSL, same benefits.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
