British Airways Direct Entry Pilot

[Standby98]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has some information about what to expect on the first assessment day for BA or has been to one recently? From some research online I can see it usually consists of a group exercise, interview, numerical and verbal reasoning and some pilot aptitude tests, but im not sure how up to date this information is. Apologies if there is already a thread discussing this but I could not find an up to date one. Thanks

[mnask]

Hi,

Looking for the same info as Standby98 got upcoming interview any help would be much appreciated.

[thetimesreader84]

So my info may be out of date, but when I interviewed in 2018 the group exercise was 8 candidates around a table with a pack of info (each subtly different) given 30 mins to make a decision on what to do with a BA route to a fictional carribean island - change aircraft, add frequency, pull out all together etc. 5 mins before time there's a. "Urgent email just come in". Obviously it's not about the decision (although its a good idea to decide something!) its about how you work together.

Interview was with a BA pilot & HR person. 50/50 split between "give an example of a time when..." questions and CV walk through and company knowledge.

The rest of the aptitude tests etc I think have changed so I doubt I could give any useful information.

Hopefully this might get you started until someone else can give you more accurate info.

[swervin'mervin]

I too interviewed quite a while ago, sounded like the above example. Not sure if they still do it but there was a capacity test, computer based with headset - frequency changes, dct to's, altitudes, headings, descent level by ### using v/s and groundspeed, ecam type actions, systems management, routine monitoring, priority tasks getting busier and busier and busier (was quite fun tbh!), try and zone out from the other candidates master warnings going off! I'm sure they tell you what to expect on the invite?

[flyflyfly2009]

Another one here looking for any current information on what to expect from the computer based aptitude tests. Thanks in advance and good luck to all.

[Ancient Observer]

For the "give an example of a time when...." type of question, these are called Behavioural Event Interviews.
Google is your friend.

One google search revealed...............

https://www.themartec.com/insidelook...view-questions

[matt_wizz]

Same here - following!

Thanks

[Byrne11]

Has anyone heard of friends/colleagues thus far being offered anything other than the 320?

[Busdriver01]

There are an awful lot of unfrozen FOs on the 320, with valid bids to long haul, so I doubt there will be many long haul offers any time soon. (obviously maybe a few due to training capacity on short haul but i wouldn't hold your breath for it).

[A320LGW]

Originally Posted by Busdriver01

There are an awful lot of unfrozen FOs on the 320, with valid bids to long haul, so I doubt there will be many long haul offers any time soon. (obviously maybe a few due to training capacity on short haul but i wouldn't hold your breath for it).

So even if boeing rated either x000 hrs they'll still put you on the 320?

[Busdriver01]

Originally Posted by A320LGW

So even if boeing rated either x000 hrs they'll still put you on the 320?

yep - posting and promotions is done initially on the internal bid which is seniority based, and only when there are no valid internal bids (ie everyone who is unfrozen and who bid for a different seat has been given a course) will they recruit on longhaul.

(in reality its a bit more nuanced than that but thats the general aim, at least. previous type matters not at BA - seniority is king).

[A320LGW]

Originally Posted by Busdriver01

yep - posting and promotions is done initially on the internal bid which is seniority based, and only when there are no valid internal bids (ie everyone who is unfrozen and who bid for a different seat has been given a course) will they recruit on longhaul. (in reality its a bit more nuanced than that but thats the general aim, at least. previous type matters not at BA - seniority is king).

OK cheers, it does make it less appealing for any potential joiner who's built a lot of boeing hrs, especially on a widebody

[wiggy]

Originally Posted by A320LGW

So even if boeing rated either x000 hrs they'll still put you on the 320?

Agreements may have changed since I left but historically if all long haul vacancies could be filled by (unfrozen) internal bidders from short haul then BA would convert those pilots and fill the resulting gaps in the short haul ranks by recruiting externally, which by definition ATM means onto Airbus. So yes, somebody very Boeing rated could end up being offered the 320.

Direct Boeing/Long Haul from external sources only tended to be offered when the training system couldn't cope with a large number of internal transfers and new joiners.

All the above open to correction by those more in the know.

[thetimesreader84]

I heard a rumour from a 320 trainer they're expecting "about 50" DEP onto the 777 as if they "backfill all the 320 FOs who should leave this year, the CAA could ground us as the experience levels (on the 320) would be too low". I'd be surprised but you never know.

Fortunately there aren't any 320 FOs in BALPA any more so that's one less thing for them to worry about!

[Busdriver01]

Originally Posted by A320LGW

OK cheers, it does make it less appealing for any potential joiner who's built a lot of boeing hrs, especially on a widebody

Less appealing in your current situation, perhaps, but with BA you have to accept (preferably before joining) that it's a seniority based airline and that everything is done that way. When you get passed over for your valid 777 to 787 bid because they decided to hire someone already current on the 787, you'll not be best pleased. etc. Seems archaic or frustrating at first, but moving from a non-seniority airline to a seniority airline, its the only fair way to do it.

[Byrne11]

Originally Posted by Busdriver01

Less appealing in your current situation, perhaps, but with BA you have to accept (preferably before joining) that it's a seniority based airline and that everything is done that way. When you get passed over for your valid 777 to 787 bid because they decided to hire someone already current on the 787, you'll not be best pleased. etc. Seems archaic or frustrating at first, but moving from a non-seniority airline to a seniority airline, its the only fair way to do it.

I must say this isn’t news to me. I guess this is the unanswerable questions as it’s quite fluid but how long would you expect to wait on average to progress on to any widebody Airbus or Boeing? im a TRI on a Boeing, albeit I’ll fly a C172 to leave my current company. Just curious how long before I would get to try LH.

[Busdriver01]

Originally Posted by Byrne11

I must say this isn’t news to me. I guess this is the unanswerable questions as it’s quite fluid but how long would you expect to wait on average to progress on to any widebody Airbus or Boeing? im a TRI on a Boeing, albeit I’ll fly a C172 to leave my current company. Just curious how long before I would get to try LH.

The freeze onto a new type is either 5 or 6 years now (used to be 5, may have gone up to 6, i'm not actually sure), so don't expect any move within that time. Exception is if BA need you on a different fleet, they'll waive the freeze and move you.

[balpalover69]

Originally Posted by Byrne11

I must say this isn’t news to me. I guess this is the unanswerable questions as it’s quite fluid but how long would you expect to wait on average to progress on to any widebody Airbus or Boeing? im a TRI on a Boeing, albeit I’ll fly a C172 to leave my current company. Just curious how long before I would get to try LH.

Anyone who attends an assessment and listens is told to expect 5-6 years...

[New_Pilot]

Update from most recent interview

Hi All,

Are there any updates from those who had their most recent interview with BA? I have an assessment coming up and any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance

[Phantom4]

There is a box on sim assessment paperwork to be ticked if the candidate has requisite hours and the assessors deems him/her suitable for long haul.