Been invited for an interview.

Sorry to hear other guys haven't.

320/321 3,300 hrs.

Sorry Rusty. :uhoh:

I applied last November, and got an email back in Demember saying that they are only looking for 787 rated people now (then) and that they'd hold onto my application for 12 months. Last month I got an email asking me to update my hours and to resubmit my updated application. I presume I'd have got a PFO last year had my application not been at least of some interest.

I don't remember any specific questions to answer on the original application other than personal details and to upload a CV; possibly a covering letter too. Find it strange if a cover letter wasn't required how they decide who gets an interview and who gets a PFO.

6500 hours (2800 PIC) 737- no reply yet.

VJW

We pretty much have the same hours and type. Be interesting to see if either of us get an interview

Sprinkles - No, I refuse to believe you :=

Good luck with the interview stage then!

Are Virgin still hiring into the 787? Still sourcing 787 pilots from NLH? What about other Boeing pilots from the desert or from the LCCs?

Not recruiting direct onto the 787 but they are recruiting onto the 744 - 744 or other Boeing rated. Applications are closed now though.

VJW - if people can't be bothered to do a cover letter I suppose it's a good way of doing the initial sift. There's no sim check/group exercise/etc so applicants have to stand out from the crowd in some way!

Have any Boeing rated people heard back yet?

Still waiting
 

B777 3500 RHS
Total 11500
Thought I'd hear something by now

They still have guys in the holding pool for airbus so I imagine they will be trying to fill courses with them too.

Just a bystander, thinking of applying to the Future Flyers programme at VS, with a question about something that seems to pop up a lot on these particular threads. What is the great rush to be in the LHS, other than increased pay and, I guess, seniority?

Kind of answered your own question there. Most people other than aspiring pilots generally go to work in order to earn money so that is a big factor. Also as a pilot it's potentially they only promotion you will ever get so it's kind of a big deal.

Plus , a lot of guys applying for these positions would have many thousands of hours already, it would be an important factor for them .

This is exactly how I felt prior to flying and perhaps for the first 4 years as a first officer, I couldn't see what the rush was. Now after 5 years+ I'm getting the itch.

You have to remember that whilst it's a fantastic job it is procedural for 99% of the time and after a few years you'll feel very competent and comfortable in your role (though not complacent of course!). You spend a lot of time sat next to some great captains, see the decisions being made, how the day is run, the responsibility and all that comes with it, and you might wonder if you can do it too. That's where the bug bites and once you start to think about it seriously it becomes a major consideration for some.

For me, looking to command within 18 months, jumping to VS to start at the bottom is a question of whether the lifestyle/LH vs SH is worth giving up a command at my current airline.

Another factor: you have to remember as well that almost all airlines are based on seniority not experience, so lets imagine it's 10 years to command, and on your 9th year the airline goes bust. Where will you end up? Bottom of another airline's seniority list and pay scale (probably).

Once you have your command with a year or two under your belt, you're in a much better position. You have more choice when browsing your pilot jobs websites and your CV has that all important PIC time.

That being said, I'm speaking from the perspective of having been an FO for 5 years and looking at another 10 in the RHS, but if you're coming in fresh from an FTO I don't think it would be a problem for most.

Edit: Yep, what "Jonnyknoxville" said!

Thanks all.. Assumed that might be the case, but good to get it from the horse's mouth - so to speak.

I am reading this post with great interest I have applied for a cadetship with VAA and my wife has been with the airline for over 15 years I am well aware of the down turn in the global market place and you are right the tie in between BA/AA has had a significant impact on the company. I agree that ultimately you want a command but for me the fact that 20 years of trying may hopefully come to pass soon and I will get the opportunity to just get into the right seat and then if it takes 10-15 years so be it. in the mean time if anyone out there can offer me advice and guidance on any aspect of the training to give me a step up that would be fantastic. thanks in advance everyone.

Yep it's definitely a question of perspective. Get in first; get your fATPL, type rating and 500 hours jet time (sounds easy putting it like that doesn't it!? ;) ). Where you start up isn't so important at this initial stage, unless of course you're given a choice of fully sponsored training options up front!

Look to the wannabees forum. Lots has changed since I was in training (i.e. the prices have gone up!).

Is there any news at all about the guys who applied for the B744 slots? Particularly the non type-rated, it's all gone very quiet..

Fingureof8, Nothing heard at all.

Did any A320 rated guys get an interview for 330?

Yes a few 320 rated guys have been invited for interviews in December.

VS029, do you know when the Boeing guys/ girls will get to hear?

Sorry, I have no idea I'm afraid!

Have any 320/321 rated people invited for interview been able to book a slot? Having received the email asking me to arrange a time on line over a month ago no slots have been made available. Can anyone shed any light on when (if) slots will be available?

B777 - 1,500 hours
A320 - 3,000 hours

got an invite.

is the going rate still about 10+ to command?
cheers

Chai Ja, did your get an invite as a Boeing pilot or Airbus pilot?

Have any Boeing guys heard anything this week?

Nothing heard yet

Rumour tells me that there have been more than 1100 applications for less than 10 required seats on the 744.

Sounds about right! They will never struggle to recruit, good companies don't!

they are only taking 8 on the 747 and unless you know someone well in the company who can recommend you, I would forget it.

Sounds a bit harsh. I was in the Airbus pool for a long time (320 rated) even though they could have justifiably closed it. They offered me a course two years after my interview, without asking me to come back for another assessment. I didn't know anyone "on the inside".

I don't doubt it, but with over 1000 applicants and 8 positions its one of the easiest ways to cut the wheat from the chaff. It is harsh indeed.

Of course you can still get in without knowing anyone but a good recommendation helps enormously otherwise you have to impress the hell of out them at interview, which sounds like you did! :)

It's no bad thing to have a recommendation from someone in the company but it isn't like the old days. I imagine it's HR driven and they will select applicants using their criteria. I'm afraid I don't know what that is and if I did I certainly wouldn't post it here.

Maybe flyboy is just trying to dissuade people from applying. Whatever, the reason I'd ignore his post.

why on earth would I want to do that BBK? A ridiculous suggestion.

I'm not trying to put anyone off and apologise if thats yours or anyone else interpretation, it's probably the last airline out there that truly is a fantastic place to work. I'm only passing on what I've been told from those in the company.

If they are incorrect then fair enough. :ok:

If they only need around 8 747 people, why did they bother opening up the floodgates to NTR applicants?

What he said

Worse than a 1:125 chance to get a job earning £4k a month (if that) out of London, with over a decade to command. Boy this industry is rubber-ducked!!!!!

Well who's out there with a 74 rating? Apart from BA (who would come to V/S from there?) I would imagine there aren't many 74 drivers actually out there that V/S are looking for.

I guess by spreading the net wider they get all the types of applicants they are looking for, which includes the longhual drivers from the dessert looking to come home.

What do you think of the video from the PPU. Looks like they are getting their act together

Any B737 guys got the nod yet?

This time last year I'd already had the TBNT email..

I've still not heard anything. A friend of mine (BA 74 FO) did get the nod last week from VS.