Old news and thankfully as we have learned, well wide of the mark

Does anybody know roughly the current time to command for a new-joiner at Virgin Atlantic?

Eight to nine years is what new-joiners can currently expect..

Scroggs

Scroggs mate, any news as to whether recrutiment will begin again soon?

Thanks.

Not sure whether they have started again but someone I know has been given a date of joining in March.

Although they could have applied a long time ago before Virgin stopped recruiting.

The word a month or two ago was that recruiting would re-open in March 07. I can't vouch for the accuracy of that, but it would seem to make sense. Part of the reason for the current hiatus seems to be to allow space in the training programme for the conversion and command upgrade of B744 pilots to the A340. The revised delivery schedule of the A346 has now only 2 being delivered in 2007 (to give a total of 19 A346s plus 5 A343s), which should ease the load on the training department somewhat. Though, with NBO and ORD starting by June, with probably a second HKG to come, they may find themselves short of aircraft again...!

Scroggs

RESULT!! :ok:

A bit of the current discussion but...

I have read through most(?) of the old thread and I'm missing one bit of info. I understand you get roughly 12days of a month but how long are those bits (I'm sure there are good and bad ones but...) minimum three or maybe even four at a time?

With Longhaul is there a general rythm as to when you depart and arrive back ie can you expect to get some extra time to commute on the day before or after the flight?

Very good thread!

Kilo-club,
all you can expect is the minimum time off, the day off pattern varies depending on the length of trip. 4 day trip normally has a minimum of 3 days off, 3 day trip normally has a minimum of 2 days off. These are minimum times off, with a 750 hr limit for the year you can normally expect more. This month 5 trips, 3 of them with 2 days off in between and I commute. No extra time is given to facilitate travel it is up to you to be there on time and suitably rested. The minimum time off between trips is not the norm, unless you are well behind on hours or there is a rostering cock-up!!

Virgin Recruitment
 

Information on PPJN dated 18th Jan 2007 states that Virgin are "Currently recruiting", however, on contacting the Company I was advised that this is not in fact the case; I must continue to monitor the website for future developements.

Slightly confused I'm afraid - can anyone shed some light on the matter?

:confused:

Thanks

PPJN, good as they are, are not updated by Virgin (or any other company) about the latest recruiting situation. They can only reflect what people report to them.

As you have found this thread, it really shouldn't be beyond you to read what has been written here. If you had, you would have discovered that your question had already been answered...

As a new starter at VS, I can add this:

I know of someone in the hold pool who starts in March and someone starting in May. Now obviously they will be joined by others on their courses.

I also know that 2 new FO's joined in January.

However, I know not of any outside recruitment having begun. Or indeed when it may begin.

It's bluddy good once you get in though :p Good Luck.

Thanks very much for the info, Stansdead.

I, like countless others I'm sure, are very keen for recruitment to recommence and even keener still to fly for VS.

Will keep watching and waiting...

Cheers now,

autoscan

Autoscan, you seem to have decided not to read through the thread!? As I have said in an earlier post, recruiting is likely to restart in March. The numbers needed in '07 will be considerably less than in '05/'06, as some aircraft deliveries have been deferred. The company is in something of a period of consolidation just now, though traditionally such periods have never lasted long!

Scroggs

And, as if to illustrate the point, as I was writing the above post it was decided at VS HQ that one of the A343s sublet to Virgin Nigeria would return to VS instead of to the lessor. Therefore, add one aircraft (and about 8.5 crews) to the tally for 2007!

Scroggs

I remeber one period of consolidation which went on for quite some time. It happened just after September 2001.

Joining VS soon and very excited! :D :D

Can anyone let me know in greater detail about the staff travel system, like how many tickets per year you get and who you can take with you. I also heard that in order to list you have to ring a premium number - is this correct?

Cheers

Coded

Coded
You can have for VS flights:
A - Spouse/Partner
B - 10 Immediate family (not uncles/aunts)
C - 1 nominated companion (can travel unaccompanied)
D - 3 accompanied companions (must travel with you or someone from A or B)
You can also take anyone away on a VS Flight on a Z fare if you are working the trip.
You get 7 free of charge tickets (still pay taxes). Unlimited Z tickets. Various J upgrades depending on how long in the company (starts with 2).
Yes you can ring the premium number and wait an hour or you can Fax or e mail it in.
Overall a damn good system - Hope that helps. :ok:

Many thanks for the info Humbug :)

Sorry Humbug, but do these benefits begin immediately, or is there a period before they kick in?

Also, could you please explain, (for the benefit of us uninitiated people) what the various fare codes mean, i.e. Z fares and J ? Thanks.