Virgin Atlantic will be recruiting
Join Date: Feb 2002
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747-400 vs A340
Hi guys, any thoughts on preferences on the 744 vs A340
Pluses and Minuses for both aircraft ?
If you had a choice which one would you go for and why ?
Also, what are the lay-over times like on both fleets, is it min rest, then the Bullet back to ole Blighty ?
I've believe that recruitment is for both fleets at the moment so please treat these as serious questions.
Many Thanks in advance.
Hi guys, any thoughts on preferences on the 744 vs A340
Pluses and Minuses for both aircraft ?
If you had a choice which one would you go for and why ?
Also, what are the lay-over times like on both fleets, is it min rest, then the Bullet back to ole Blighty ?
I've believe that recruitment is for both fleets at the moment so please treat these as serious questions.
Many Thanks in advance.
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Hi Smokie,
In the event of job losses I think that the Airbus rating would be more valuable in the short term, at least until everyone starts flying 400 freighters where it might then even out a little bit. Given the choice now, I would rather be on the Airbus because it is an easier fleet to justify commuting to work on. The Airbus generally does longer trips, thus slightly more days off between work patterns. A possible downside is that heavy crews are often carried, so it might turn into a toss of a coin for a sector. All 400 crews a pleasure to work with, and I am sure the same goes for the 340. Hope this helps a little.
Rgds.
In the event of job losses I think that the Airbus rating would be more valuable in the short term, at least until everyone starts flying 400 freighters where it might then even out a little bit. Given the choice now, I would rather be on the Airbus because it is an easier fleet to justify commuting to work on. The Airbus generally does longer trips, thus slightly more days off between work patterns. A possible downside is that heavy crews are often carried, so it might turn into a toss of a coin for a sector. All 400 crews a pleasure to work with, and I am sure the same goes for the 340. Hope this helps a little.
Rgds.
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Hi Smokie:
Just a quick question, how many hours have you got at the mo? I've got my application in with virgin but have been told to wait until the new year. I've got 3500 hrs most on 757/767.
I've been hearing about interviews taking place recently so was wondering if it was for airbus rated or high time guys only....
Cheers for that, drop me an email if you prefer.
Just a quick question, how many hours have you got at the mo? I've got my application in with virgin but have been told to wait until the new year. I've got 3500 hrs most on 757/767.
I've been hearing about interviews taking place recently so was wondering if it was for airbus rated or high time guys only....
Cheers for that, drop me an email if you prefer.
Join Date: Nov 2002
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I,m 330 rated and seriously considering an application to Virgin Atlantic. Anybody have a sample 340 roster, is it possible to commute from Europe? How long are the various layovers? How is the working environment on the flightdeck? Is it 52 days annual leave?
I'd really appreciate the information guys and gals..
I'd really appreciate the information guys and gals..
744 Vs A340
A 340 has the better routes. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Cape Town and Jo'berg (although the winter schedule has the 744 going to Jo'berg at the weekends). 744 is peretty much USA and a bit of Caribbean - San Fran being the only good destination (IMHO). However, the 340 will be doing Lagos and Port Harcourt when the 340-600 introduction gets properly under way.
340 guys tend to do 3 or 4 trips a month, usually with 3 or 4 crew, so landing recency can be an issue. 744, can be 5 or 6 trips with landing recency not being an issue. 744 has lots of 2 pilot trips.
Lots of VS crew live overseas. Commuting not really an issue, except on a 744 six trip roster, you will be spending a lot of time travelling. Also, expect a 4 day block of standby every 2 rosters. You have to be within 2 hours travelling of LHR.
I'm not going to comment on Airbus vs Boeing issues except that they are both pretty dull to fly. Long haul + glass cockpit = boredom.
But, last I heard, (3 weeks out of the loop now) there may be a requirementfor new hire Classic pilots.
340 guys tend to do 3 or 4 trips a month, usually with 3 or 4 crew, so landing recency can be an issue. 744, can be 5 or 6 trips with landing recency not being an issue. 744 has lots of 2 pilot trips.
Lots of VS crew live overseas. Commuting not really an issue, except on a 744 six trip roster, you will be spending a lot of time travelling. Also, expect a 4 day block of standby every 2 rosters. You have to be within 2 hours travelling of LHR.
I'm not going to comment on Airbus vs Boeing issues except that they are both pretty dull to fly. Long haul + glass cockpit = boredom.
But, last I heard, (3 weeks out of the loop now) there may be a requirementfor new hire Classic pilots.
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Surely everyone is missing the point the point here. Virgin is the ultimate employer and all male pilots aspire to work for them. Why?? Well the lovely cabin crew of course.
I've lost count of the number of times I've nearly crashed my car driving past the south terminal bus stop at LGW, trying to simultaneously drool and drive.
I've lost count of the number of times I've nearly crashed my car driving past the south terminal bus stop at LGW, trying to simultaneously drool and drive.
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Virgin operates MAN-MCO, and has done for many years. From next spring there will also be a couple of MAN-BGIs a week. But all pilots are, and will continue to be, London based.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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If you are on the 747-200, you'll probably be able to bid/swap for just MAN flights.
Pay talks ongoing.
340 = 3/4 trips Good destinations (except LOS/PHC) with best social although you never get a sector as an F/O and you forget how to fly, but are very good at making the bunk in the crewrest and fetching cups of tea.
744 = 5/6 trips a month to more boring destinations although you get a few more landings and feel more tired due to no crewrest on the 2 crew atlantic stuff.
Pay talks ongoing.
340 = 3/4 trips Good destinations (except LOS/PHC) with best social although you never get a sector as an F/O and you forget how to fly, but are very good at making the bunk in the crewrest and fetching cups of tea.
744 = 5/6 trips a month to more boring destinations although you get a few more landings and feel more tired due to no crewrest on the 2 crew atlantic stuff.
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Time to Command
I am with a UK airline fairly close to a command on a 757. Should I apply to Virgin and go to the bottom of the Seniority list?
Whats the approx time to Command now?
Whats the approx time to Command now?
Join Date: Nov 2002
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It says on the online application that Virgin are inviting CVs from people with varying experience and backgrounds.Then elsewhere it is stated that a minimum of 1500hrs commercial jet time is the requirement.
Would it be worth a four and a half thousand hour turboprop Captain sending in an application?Or would the CV end up in the electronic waste paper bin?
Would it be worth a four and a half thousand hour turboprop Captain sending in an application?Or would the CV end up in the electronic waste paper bin?
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For info, here's my fairly typical December roster as an FO on the 744:
02-04 MCO
07-09 JFK
12-14 BOS
17-19 MIA
22-25 BGI
29-01 LAX
Apart from the LAX it's all 2 crew trips so plently of sectors but with only 2 days off between trips I'll be too spaced out to enjoy Christmas. I also commute to France which makes things worse.
02-04 MCO
07-09 JFK
12-14 BOS
17-19 MIA
22-25 BGI
29-01 LAX
Apart from the LAX it's all 2 crew trips so plently of sectors but with only 2 days off between trips I'll be too spaced out to enjoy Christmas. I also commute to France which makes things worse.