Scroggs,

Well, we hope the figures will be better. Unless VK is going to the Dogs.

As Virgin Atlantic has recently underwritten an $811m order for Embraer aircraft for VK, I very much doubt our bean counters think that VK is at risk. You and I may be less sanguine, but we don't have the Nigerian Government's input. If corruption and over-ambition can be overcome, VK should make a very healthy profit as the major airline in arguably the second-wealthiest economy in Africa. And if they profit, we profit!

Well I'm reasonably new in VS and I hope things do get better, as I left a pretty good position to join.. ;)

Does anybody have a rough idea of the estimated time to command what with the new B787 delays etc.?

Count Von Altibar,

We are not one of the first delivery customers for the 787, therefore it seems that the current delays will not affect VS too badly.

That word came from our Aircraft Integration Manager a few days ago. However, that missive came before the further delays announced earlier this week.

On the Command front, it all depends on whether the 787's are for expansion, or replacements of existing airframes.

Timings wise, I would expect 10 to 12 years (for any new joiners) from now if the airframes are for expansion. 15 or more if the airframes are replacements.

That is only my opinion, but I think it's probably quite accurate.

Perhaps Scroggs can add his experience to the mix on this one?

I would agree with above. There are likely to be 6 or so new commands this year which will go to guys who have been here about 8-9 years. For someone joining now i would tell them to plan on 12-15 years.
That is a long time compared to EZY and some charter carriers but should be taken in context of lifestyle and F/O pay and conditions, and is still a little less than a long haul command at BA currently.
So, if you are a 32 year old pilot joining now, command at 47, then 18 years in the left seat if you choose to work to 65. Overall, not bad but knowing VS, things will prob pick up again as they never stand still for long.

A strange question, have asked some ex-Virgin colleagues, wondering whether there is any SOPs reagrding hand flying.. are there any rigid SOPs similar to what I have heard from ex-Emirates colleagues... and roughly how many PF sectors a month do u guys get bearing in mind ur heavy crew?

Thanks in advance

747,

The answer to your question is that hand flying is encouraged, to a certain degree.

No one will criticise you for wanting to keep your skills together by hand flying, but there are times and places for such things.

A good rule of thumb to start with is perhaps not to overload the PNF. If for example you have just come back into the London TMA after a 2 man, night Chicago it may be better to not hand fly from "top of drop".

In practice, most guys hand fly a bit of the departure and will disconnect the AP and ATHR (if they feel like it), once they are reasonably assured of a landing ahead. After all, a hand flown go around in an A340-600 is rather hurried. I have done one...

So, in essence: No dictator SOP's to say what you can and can't do. Only common sense and airmanship.

And not all our flights are heavy crew. In fact, many of them aren't.

Landings a month? Depends, but I seem to get about 2 or 3.

Many thanks stanstead..

Just what I wanted to hear.. good to see common sense still prevails in many carriers.. as you say picking your time is of the upmost importance.. I must confess still havent flown raw data all the way into LGW even when it's quiet.. CDA's having a lot to do with it along with the other points you made, but nice to see there are no draconian SOPs regarding flight director and autopilot use.. Happy Flying

Most people would always leave the Flight Director on. Me especially, because I am really sh1t.:)

This thread has gone a bit quiet.

Any Virgin flyers know whether there is any truth in the rumour of a possible pilot recruitment drive this summer? Personally, the large order for 787s makes me very excited!

Scroggs, anyone?

Cheers

ST

2 Engines 2 Survive!!.........apparently B777s could be on the cards as an interim from Boeing to fill in for delayed B787s.

I had heard similar rumours! I will be looking for a new job in the early part of next year and would be very interested to know what is on the horizon......

Following up on Solent Trout's post above, is Virgin currently hiring (or will they soon)? If so, will most hiring take place fir A340-600 or will 744 slots be open too?

Are 744 slots highly coveted among current A340 FOs so that newhires don't get the option? Sounds like A340 crews get great route variety.

We have an unplanned A340-300 arriving in early 2009.

This will create some new Commands, so there will be movement.

The company have a plan in place to recruit about 9 new crews for this aircraft.


Command training may start as soon as this Summer, so recruitment might too.

Intersesting! I can hear the flood gates opening now...

Iver,

You'll find little to no desire from 340 F/O's to go across to the Boeing. As you say, the route network at the moment on the airbus is a lot better. The company will place new hires as they see fit depending on the fleet requirements at the time.

Rumour mill suggests that one 340 is entering the fleet this year with another one in 09.

Bleed-on,

"Rumour mill suggests that one 340 is entering the fleet this year with another one in 09".

Just out of interest, will these Aircraft be 300 or 600?

TBE.

-300s apparently

Vk
 

Scroggs,VK could be a jewel, the weak point in VK is not flight ops, ground ops and back office are the spots needing the same attention concerning training and attitude as the 340 crews received and thereafter did a very good job.