BA / Virgin new recruits
 

Would anyone recently hired by BA or Virgin be good enough to give some details like their age, qualifications / type ratings held and flight experience at time of interview.
If anyone knows the age limits for new hires this would also help.

Thanks, AL

Joined Virgin Atlantic last year, spent 6 months in the pool before that phone call.

31yrs young, 3800hrs when I joined of which 3400hrs were on the Fokker 100.

Now on the B747-400 and love it. (simple as that!!!!!)

Don't know how well it compares to BA but who cares.

best of luck

cheers

fc

Joined B.A. this year:

27 years old, 2300 hours, 1000 turboprop, 1000 instructional.

Hey Fast Cruiser,

Great job on the 744 position! That is exactly what I would have chosen. Were you given the choice between 744 and A340?

Artificial Horizon

what turboprops were you flying?

Having trouble with BA site - says:

"If you do not hold a type rating on a British Airways Aircraft type: To be considered for shorthaul the minimum requirements are: ATPL(F) with 500 hours or 100 sectors recent experience on a turbojet/turboprop transport category aeroplane with a MTOM greater that 10 tonnes or an approved passenger seating configuration of not less than 20 passengers."

Have over 700 hours and been to 60+ airports round europe - Trouble is the King Air B200 (flown Multi Crew) is 5,700 kg and to quote Raytheon: "has a comfortable and roomy "squared-oval" pressurised cabin. The air-conditioned cabin can be fitted with seven or nine seats."

Any ideas?

I was flying turboprops that were 29ish tonnes at all up wieght so more than satisfied the requirements.

No I did'nt get a choice, I would have flown either type without any prejudice but I have to admit getting the B744 was very satisfying and also it's probably fair to say that most guys a VS on the B744 may well end up flying the A340 eventually anyway. or maybe the A380!!!!!

Hey, fast cruiser:
How many of the 3400 were PIC/Left seat?

Great job you landed, congrats :ok:

37 Young, 3700 hours heavy, multi engined, multi crew helicopters!!!( 3000 PIC)

Fed up waiting for my eyeballs to stop shaking after 2 days into a rest period :p

Jumped ship to the airlines, better pay and a comfier seat!

I start my course next month at BA.

Age: 29 (started at 20 as FO)

At time of interview:
5000+ hrs total of which:
4000+ on jets (B737 and A320) and 750 hrs on F50 (turboprop).
1000 hrs as captain on A320 (my current aircraft.)

I asked and received the B777 as my start type in BA.

I had people of over 40 in my assessment group, do not know if they passed though...

Started with Virgin at 26 after 12 months in the hold pool.
4100 hours of which 2900 were on the A320/330. I asked for the A340 but don`t think i actually had any chance of the -400 with my type ratings.

6000 hrs jet time
1000 hrs PIC A319/320
JAA licence but not a UK licence (as is required, at least according their website)

I am not British

What are my actual chances of getting into Virgin? Anybody can help me out on this?

Cheers,

320op

Wobble,

Did you get on with BA or Virgin aged 37 and if so, do you know if that is common ?

I'm in the left seat of a CRJ 200 in the USA but getting homesick.

Thanks, AL

ALV2500,

I don't think age is really a factor with BA/Virgin. If you have the required experience and fit into one of the companies molds ;-) then they will take you.

One problem facing us 'oldies' is the time to captaincy. Obviously with up to 20 years to LHS I will be pushing retirement age by then! However, after 15 years of decision making as captain behind me, I don't personally see that as a great problem. As I say, that's my personal opinion, there are those that absolutley have to have that LHS power ;).

Have a look for both companies on PPJN.COM and you will see that the FO scale far outweighs the captaincy scale for most budget operators, so the money issue is not there.

There were three mid thirty pilots taken from the twelve in my interview. The others, not taken, ranged from early 20's to mid 40's. Read in to that what you will.

Hope that helps

:ok:

320operator

You just need the right to live and work in the UK as with all (most) UK airlines.
We have plenty of non-British pilots.

Good Luck

Thanks Wobble,

Flying the RJ here in the US isn't bad but the industry is pretty much on it's knees here. I am looking at all options and would return home to the right seat of a Boeing or Airbus with the right Airline.

regards, AL

Al,

After being in the states last month and chatting to a couple of people from Embry Riddle about the state of State side aviation I can only say 'Go East' and come home. In comparison to the US market the aviation industry over here is positivily bouyant, IF you meet the minimum criteria.
With a large amount of low cost and charter airlines picking up and nobody swimming in the BA or Virgin pools now is a good time for employment.

p.s. BA are really pushing the 777 hard at the moment as the rostering is extremely busy. If you have the experience then expect ZFT on the 777.

Thanks AFA!

320op

Thanks Wobble,

I need to get info on BA or Virgin. I need to know about the number of pilots retiring and how many pilots are to be hired over the next few years.
I still have to convert my FAA ATP to a UK ATPL but I am confident I can do that in a matter of months.

I have 6000hrs total time.
1000 is in cessnas.
200 is in a TP and 4800 is in a Canadair regional Jet ( 1700 as pic )
I'm 37 so I guess it's now or never and nothing to lose.

Are you in the 777 now and if so how is it ?

Regards , AL

Al,

I'm not eligible yet for ZFT as an ex wobblehead so its A320's for me!

There is an excellent thread on the BA interview process in the Wannabees section.

To qualify for ZFT I think (not certain!!!) the aircraft needs a max take off weight in excess of 17 tonnes (please don't quote me!)

The interviewing and recruitment is rumoured (it is a rumour network !) to continue well into next year.

If you want a good place to convert your FAA licence I can recommend airways flight training at Exeter, excellent instructors, all ex-airline guys and also the ex Rolls Royce chief test pilot!!!!

Good luck