a few years back I applied using projected hours. I didn`t make it past the first day.
So I don`t think they appreciated me `lying` on my online application. OR It might be that I was just rubbish during the interview :}

Hi all

Got my interview on 21st Feb.

For all those interested, I can highly recommend a website

www.cockpitweb.com

For £49.99 you can receive (nearly) all the computer based aptitude tests that BA use. Having not got through selection last year, I'm making bit more of an effort this year. The two I'm finding especially helpful are

1 shapes and numbers
2 radar screen

having a bit of trouble getting my joy stick to work properly at the moment (this is not an invitation for any wise cracks). I can't get it to operate in the correct sense i.e. pull back cross should go up.

Delivery took 2 days, sent to your e-mail address.

Having done the assessment last year, I would say LOC's original posting is very helpful and still valid.

Good luck all

gatbusdriver - see you there on the 21st!

FT

BA Allowances
 

Is anyone able to offer me advice about the following allowance questions before I commit:
1. What is the current allowance system for new arrivals.
2. How can I calculate what my BA pension will be worth when I finish my career?
3. Does BA put new arrivals up in a hotel during initial training, or is that at one's own expense?
4. Does BA pay for medicals, immunisations, passports, visas etc?
5. What is the latest starting salary for DEPs?
6. How much does that go up each year?
7. How easy is it to commute for shorthaul from a. Northern England b. Europe.

Thanks
Dogstar

dogstar2

The answers to most of your questions can be supplied by BA. Just give them a ring and they will send you the info. PM me if you want John M's internal number.

Point 2 about pensions is best answered by......... BA Pensions :ok:

Give them a ring at Whitelock house - they are really switched on.

Commuting - seems like about 40% of flight crew are "air" commuters these days (me included) - it's a pain but by planning ahead and having back up plans it's do-able.

Hope you enjoy BA..............

dogstar2

I suspect if you are going to be LHR based, the company don't give you a hotel at LHR ever! That is your base.

As far as commuting from the North of England, ideally you need to be close to an airport with LHR connections. (Preferably BA flights!)

If you're considering commuting by road, I don't think you'll have a great life, though it can be done (depending on uour personal circumstances) I live North of LHR too!

BA does indeed pay for medicals, immunisations, passports, visas, uniforms, licence renewals, and all other costs associated with your work. Your not joining Ryanair!

Work on about a grand a month in allowances, and your salary increments will be around £1500 per year, plus negotiated pay settlements (one already overdue-should be in the pipeline)

As far as your pension is concerned, it just improved dramatically in the most recent agreement, so shouldn't be the problem it was.

Enjoy

Timescales
 

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on the timescales from applying to being offered an interview and if successful how quickly is the sim check? This is for the DEP application for LHR.

Thanks

Hi jet_jockey,

I think the timescales can vary hugely depending on BA's requirements at that particular moment in time.

Personally for me the dates were as follows:

Applied Online: April 2006
Interviewed: July 2006
Sim Ride: September 2006
In Hold Pool Until: January 2007
Start Date: May 2007

However, some people I know who have been through the selection process in the last couple of years were interviewed and had there sim over 2 days and were then called with an immediate start date.

Hope this helps.

Commuting....
 

Hi
Just curious as to the feasibility of actually commuting as a new pilot at BA to either Gatwick or Heathrow from the north near to liverpool.

I realise that starting off on Short haul means regular flights so trips down south will be common.
Is this a possibility??
Is there anyone out there currently on the short haul fleet and commutes from the north?

Would be good to have some replies from people who have actually experienced this for either BA or another airline based out of either LGW or LHR rather than wannabes personal opinions ;)

thanks in advance

adj

Commuting
 

Adj
I've done both in BA from the north of England, and as you would expect its much easier on longhaul... late reports and early finishes being the key difference. Its not impossible on shorthaul, lots of guys do it, and as a junior pilot you will be doing the longer tours (4 - 5 days) as they are less popular!Its not ideal but ok if you get organised, and for me the benefits of being able to live in the north far outweigh the hassles of commuting.

Timescales
 

Jet_jockey,

Applied online Jan 06
Offered interview after 2 weeks
Did interview in Feb 06
Phoned by Virginia same day, offered sim ride that week, couldn't manage it.
Sim ride end of March 06
Phoned 8 days later and offered place in hold pool
In hold pool til Jan 07
Starting March 07

Colleagues have varying experiences- my time in hold pool unusually long compared to others I know about.

Hope this helps.

Adj

I'm on the 757 and live near Liverpool/Chester. Not too much of a problem really. Better than living in the shandy drinkin' south any day. :ooh:

3Greens,
Yeah i live on the wirral - not sure how feasible it really is though!
I know as a new pilot its likely to be all the trips others don;t want and the tours round europe for a few days. Is it really worth the hassle of either driving or flying down to either Heathrow or Gatwick?
Im very unsure as to whats best....

adj

Has anyone who went for selection on 20th or 21st Feb heard any news re. sim check or PFO yet? Not heard anything myself, so pretty pessimistic....

No news is not always good news!
 

I'm afraid I've heard nothing too after day 1, so I can only assume bad news...... at least I'm not the only one hanging on! Good luck.

Flieger Tiger and Projecting GAP,

Don't be too despondant too soon :)

I'm not too sure the 'call after for sim next day' is still running due to the busy 747 sim schedule. There is also a 'wash up' meeting on the Friday to discuss all candidates and I know of quite a few people who haven't had the call for a few days.

Good luck

(p.s. was it fun?, I found it a bit of a laugh!)

timescale-dogstar2
 

hi,

Applied online feb 06
Offered interview after 4 weeks
Did interview in may 06
Sim ride june 06
phonedby Nat 7 days later and offered place in hold pool
start course:) april 07

..like goldcup, unusually long time in hold pool (simmate on 757 til october) due i think to non available slot for A320-full training course before april.

Is somebody on A320 with BA, I have got some questions about the training course and the line training.

Thanks

projecting gap

I heard nothing for well over a week. Got a call on a Tuesday I think for sim ride.

Been on 737 for a year now.

Adj, I'm pretty sure one of our captains commutes from Liverpool, he seems to manage OK.

Got the "Ta but no ta!" email yesterday. Two weeks wait for them to give me the bad news!

Best of luck to everyone else that went for it!! :ok:

:ouch:

No go
 

Just got the standard email too - thanks but no thanks. Shame no feedback; not sure if they are that busy.

Good luck to the rest of the selection guys.