Theres a joke here somewhere about a Virgin skipper seeing two strippers.

:O

40 or so apparently.

Cheers Rex.

CAA thing I think. Seems a common rule. They would probably be required to give more sectors to someone who hasn’t operated a large aircraft in the last 6 months?

What are the opportunities for moving between fleets?

not great , but guys tend to stick to what they are on . The best fleet at the moment is the 787 (lifestyle) .
If you like the Caribbean and NY them the Bus is for you

I’d be interested in the chances of a MAN base too if anyone can help?

Thx

I applied during the Boeing rated campaign in Oct, haven’t heard anything yet. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

For those that have asked the chances of going straight to MAN are slim to zero. Everybody joins at LHR and on day one you put your name on the waiting list. The base is full of F/O’s so dead mans shoes. With the 330 operation scaled back from MAN for the winter, most crews are back at LHR but most will get back for the summer.

And PS part time is not being discontinued. However with the entry of the 350 this year there is a requirement that to go on it early you need to be full time for a year, and then limited to 85% thereafter to fly both the 330/350.

Naturally there are many on 75% who have politely declined to go to the new shiny jet !

Thanks for the info. I was under the impression MAN became a permanent year-round base last year, is that not the case?

He might want to check that....

Out of interest is the aim to still retire all of Virgins 747 fleet by the end of this year?

Think 2 years-ish and no more (or very little) recruitment onto it. All Boeing recruits apparently going 787

Nothing yet...

I know 3 guys that have had PFOs. All very experienced airbus guys so not sure what they’re after.

An internal sponsor is key from what I hear.

Its certainly commutable, train, drive or fly. For early starts best to book a night at a hotel before. Landing day normally back up north on a train and home by 1ish typically. Not ideal but not having to move the family outweighs the hassle. Depends on how the month looks 4 trips fine, 5/6 difficult.

it’s a lifestyle job. It’s about the life down route. If you are someone who will be an Olympic torch down route (never goes out) locking yourself in the room and not socialising, it would be miserable.

Plenty to do in the cruise. You are travelling much longer distances with remote alternates, so keeping on top of where is suitable, ETPs and how you would fly the approach in the conditions does take some time. You will be flying a lot of older people to cruises (not a stereotype, it’s a fact) who can get very ill very quickly. You also get rest periods to chill away from the flight deck or sleep. Or just watch the IFE. Most of my time in the seat is spent chewing the fat with the bloke in the other seat, getting down route tips or seeing where to invest the pension fund, thinking what will catch me out on the approach at the far end, where I want to hold, how much fuel I’m willing to hold down to, diversion routing, mentally rehearsing go-around. There is plenty to do, if you aren’t gashing it.

Depends which airline as to “ life down route “. There are plenty that aren’t party central like virgin. Personally I don’t do longhaul for the life downroute, that would be a bit sad as 90% of people are colleagues not friends ( found that out the hard way ) but increasing my lifestyle at home.

miserable git!

I can assure you it’s not all “party central” in Virgin!
A friend of mine, he is with VS on the Airbus, sometimes does 5 Atlantic crossings, mostly night-stops a month. Occasionally with a Sim detail thrown in. ( if he’s lucky gets a Lagos, but hasn’t been to the Caribbean for a year or so)
Lots of last minute roster changes, some after check in at LHr., with subsequent family disruption.
He certainly is not party central, continually knackered!!