How is recent events affecting BMED?
 

So obviously the recent events must be having an affect on BMED and its crew by way of not flying into Beirut, but what is crew moral like? And how would an escalating conflict affect BMEDs routes, and more importantly would it survive?

I was and still am interested in joining but am just a little cautious.

A320 or Bust
 

To try and answer your question as best as possible, moral at Bmed is still prety good at the moment. There are a few crews that have families and friends in BEY that have obviously been effected in a big way and our whole hearted support goes to them and our colleauges in BEY. The airline seems to be dealing with the lastest events quite amicably by increasing freq to AMM and DAM where there is a huge demand. We also will be returning as soon as there is a cease fire and BA and all the sercurity bods agree its safe to go back, but can imagine it will be unfortunately many weeks untill we night stop again. Concerns for our routes are always in our minds while there is conflict but the rumours do seem rather good.....winter program should see the east coast of africa...possibily halifax....and the talk of 340's before xmas!!! more 321's arriving next year. so if your pondering any doubt and fancy working with a decent bunch of guys and girls give it a go and good luck!!!:ok:

A340's? Makes things a little more interesting!

Thanks for the insight. I only hear good things about BMED.

Is anyone waiting for results from BMED? Did anyone hear last week? Should I wait for the dreaded letter to drop through the box?

I too have heard about A340's coming to BMED. Word is going round BA also with the same rumour. I've heard also Bogota in Columbia on the cards, with other routes in central and south America as well as the west coast of Africa. Nepal and India also have been talked about as well as China.

Who knows what these rumours will lead to but I'll see it to beleive it with excitement! :)

BMed Selection
 

Hi,

I'm lucky enough to have an interview with BMed coming up soon. Having done an extensive search of these fora, there's not much info on what to expect but I gather it consists of an interview with the Chief Pilot + 1 other? Can anyone shed any more light, eg. interview content, etc?

Many thanks.

Hi,

I'm lucky enough to have an interview with BMed coming up soon & I've read the above info with interest. I've done a search of all the other BMed stuff & there is some good gen on rosters, lifestyle & flying on PPrune but I would still welcome some detail on the following:

1. Actual pay pa for a F/O joining with no Airbus (or big jet) experience - I've seen quotes between £30k - £42k!!

2. Approx annual value of allowances.

3. Training - where, how long, what's it like?

Many thanks.

can we ask your experience?

Ex-mil, 2500hrs, mainly fast-jet.

ExAdvert

The reason Jinkster would have asked you about your experience is that this is the Wannebes part of the forum and BMED don't take low houred first timers (well, apart from the occasional Oxford Cadet). I've even had a personnel recommendation from a BMED captain and still they won't give me an interview as I don't have multicrew experience.

You'll probably get more luck in the terms and Endearment forum.

However ASFAIK, BMED like ex military pilots, Mick Crosby the chief pilot is also ex military. I believe the interview is very much just a getting to know you type chat, with little technical questioning.

SW

Considering BMed fly to a number of dodgy destinations, what do crews generally do on layovers? Is it safe to go out and about or do you generally stay in the hotels?
Do any BMed pilots commute to work?

Moved from Wannabes.

Scroggs

EXADVERT, had an interview last year, but didn't get the job. When I came away I felt that I simply hadn't prepared enough. My friend was accepted recently, I told him the questions I had been asked and he got pretty much the same deal. Types of questions were as follows:-
Where do we fly?
Flying to Addis today, what type of weather would you expect to find there this time of year?
What considerations enroute?
How many seats A320/A321?
How many classes of cabin?
What engines do A/C have?
Explain the electronic ticketing system
What advantages/disadvantages is there to BA & BMED as a franchise?
Difference between EPR & N1?
What is fly by wire?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of this system?
Do you know anyone in BMED?
Tell me about your current A/C type.
This is about as much as I can remember. Good luck, it really is a happy place to work.

Interview is a sensible exploration of your understanding of their operation; no 'give us an example of when you have.......' type questions. They want to make sure that you understand the type of operation involved, the challenges you may face flying to their destinations (ATC, approach types, weather, de-icing, temperature, etc). They want you to have some idea of how the franchise system works and the benefits to both companies. But above all, they want to make sure that you will fit into the lifestyle on offer. There is the odd tech question, but nothing too grilling, afterall, you are likely to be an experienced commercial pilot if you are sat before them.

They will also ask about your life, your interests and you ambitions. I think the biggest thing for BMED is that prospective pilots must be aware of what they are getting into with respect to lifestyle and destinations, and demonstrate an interest in pursuing said lifestyle.

Good Luck
JB

Exadvert
If you are not straight out of Oxford with little or no experience then the salary starts around £39,000 and the value of allowances is in the order of 4-5k a year depending on how busy you are. The training varies, some have done it at Toulouse, others at Gatwick etc not sure about how long the groundschool is but the line training is a couple of months; as to what is it like I guess it is little different from the rest of the industry. The website http://www.pilotjobsnetwork.com/fact...fr9cjusbgm3h3c
has some useful info about the company.
Sempre
The destinations are no more dangerous than any major city in the world. It would be a fairly sad existance if you stayed in your hotel, most people choose long haul for the chance to travel and see different places. Our destinations are certainly different and many have varied and interesting cultures. None of the pilots that I know live at the airport and consequently all commute to work; I guess you mean from a considerable distance and I do know of a couple that commute from France.

Exadvert ; mmmmmmmmmmm... no multi crew experience or previous airline experience then ?.......

Barcli

mmmmmmmm......Mil background - Surprised they need to interview ;) ;)

Thanks for all your advice & helpful replies - please keep them coming!

help and advice ?

Is commuting that distance from France exceptable to BMED or are they none the wiser?

BR.