British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 55
From: London
If you’ve more than 1000 PIC on type then I think it’s minimum 6 months (1 sim check), no pic time you need 3000 hours and 1 years service. I don’t believe there is a requirement to be a long haul FO before capt.
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 305
Likes: 5
From: earth
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: UK
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
From: UK
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
From: Midlands
I have a question. My son (with our financial help!) worked hard and obtained a helicopter CPL with a local school some time ago. Part of the course was completing and passing a number of ATPL exams which he did quite easily.
Unfortunately, there were few jobs available when he completed this just over 10 years ago and so he moved on to other things.
He has always had an interest in aviation and would like to apply to join the next BA sponsored pilot training course. However, one of the FAQs says that having already completed any ATPL exam (even though the validity of my son's passes may well have expired) appears to preclude one from applying.
This seems very strange. He obviously has the basic skills necessary. Anybody understand the reason? Is that still correct?
Unfortunately, there were few jobs available when he completed this just over 10 years ago and so he moved on to other things.
He has always had an interest in aviation and would like to apply to join the next BA sponsored pilot training course. However, one of the FAQs says that having already completed any ATPL exam (even though the validity of my son's passes may well have expired) appears to preclude one from applying.
This seems very strange. He obviously has the basic skills necessary. Anybody understand the reason? Is that still correct?
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 122
From: UK
I have a question. My son (with our financial help!) worked hard and obtained a helicopter CPL with a local school some time ago. Part of the course was completing and passing a number of ATPL exams which he did quite easily.
Unfortunately, there were few jobs available when he completed this just over 10 years ago and so he moved on to other things.
He has always had an interest in aviation and would like to apply to join the next BA sponsored pilot training course. However, one of the FAQs says that having already completed any ATPL exam (even though the validity of my son's passes may well have expired) appears to preclude one from applying.
This seems very strange. He obviously has the basic skills necessary. Anybody understand the reason? Is that still correct?
Unfortunately, there were few jobs available when he completed this just over 10 years ago and so he moved on to other things.
He has always had an interest in aviation and would like to apply to join the next BA sponsored pilot training course. However, one of the FAQs says that having already completed any ATPL exam (even though the validity of my son's passes may well have expired) appears to preclude one from applying.
This seems very strange. He obviously has the basic skills necessary. Anybody understand the reason? Is that still correct?
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 180
From: USA
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 14
From: England
Also would it be possible to commute from Europe for this Short Haul position
Thanks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
(Its basically why I’ll never bid for a SH Command)
Last edited by RexBanner; 7th September 2025 at 13:50.
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 14
From: England
It is generally possible but bear in mind commuting on SH is a total drag and expensive. Lots of hotels needed on reserve if you’re not used or given day trips (you can express preferences but in my experience they tend to either ignore them or deliberately go against your preferences out of spite). Finishing a tour and having to hang around Heathrow for your report the next day got very tedious very quickly and I did 7 years of it!!
Food for thought 👍
Many thanks for the post, it’s always good to hear positive and negative aspects.
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 14
From: England
Joined: Jan 2025
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 166
Likes: 137
From: Mars
Looking up and down the short haul rosters, I genuinely wouldn't attempt a commute on short haul. It looks like it would be physically possible but you'd have no life. Are they not hiring DEP long haul anymore?
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 14
From: England
What about a commute from the north of England? Is that still unrealistic?
Yes, LH is open but I’d like a command within 5 years or so and actually like the prospect of short haul around Europe.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
Yes but I’ve never been in favour of publicising exact figures here. Premier Inn, Ibis, Hyatt all do them. There’s others. Bear in mind as I’ve pointed out before you might get lots of nights between trips (and before) that try as you might you cant get rid of. In my time on SH I’ve been close to £1000 for the month a couple of times just on hotels. Thank God those days are gone.
Not to mention the financial cost, the cost on your lifestyle and state of mind is utterly disastrous, it’s soul crushingly depressing spending all that time in Heathrow hotels. As others have said, you’ll either need to be part time or crazy to attempt a commute on SH.
Not to mention the financial cost, the cost on your lifestyle and state of mind is utterly disastrous, it’s soul crushingly depressing spending all that time in Heathrow hotels. As others have said, you’ll either need to be part time or crazy to attempt a commute on SH.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 7
From: Neverland