Thanks binsleepen, has the issue of offers/start dates now officially recommenced? (Interested hold pooler who would absolutely love a crack at the 767, short haul or otherwise).

Any DEP on the 380 :}:}

Sigh.

I heard that every day when I was a TLH at LHR. "You won't have any control, Carmen screws everyone" "Gatwick will go under and you'll all be out of a job" etc etc, blah blah. I was just answering the question without adding an opinion, but seeing as you had one...

Personally I quite like being at home every night, with pretty much every weekend off. And I'm not remotely the most senior man there. I was at home before on-blocks time the other day. If you live close and it suits you, it's the best kept secret in BA!

You big-jet boys can keep your toys and your night time atlantic crossings, I'm happy as larry here.

Sim to job offer
 

Hello all,

just wondering how long it took BA to get back to people after completing the sim?

Neither me nor my Sim buddy have heard anything nearly 2 weeks later!

Cheers

Oops, I was talking about LHR, my bad.

Personally I think, for the Junior Captain, that Carmen is far, far better at balancing work/leave than the seniority 'fest' that is Bid Line. Junior skippers at LHR get screwed every time with the 'it'll be your turn soon' mentality when we have a stagnant upper echelon workforce.

The pay point capping is a relic from the past that needs to be addressed but you've got no chance of that with the ivory tower 'everybody must meet their individual cuts' mentality.

I like operating out of Gatwick, shame the management have screwed the crews though.

People joining now will have a pay cap at PP24(ish) at LGW. Plenty of time to get senior on some other fleet if they so desire.

Is BA SH realistically commutable on a full time contract? If not, how amenable are BA to offering part-time options?

It depends on where you want to commute from

Either Edinburgh or Glasgow would work.

Commuting from Scotland can be made to work, though it can be hard work when junior. Many commute from both GLA and EDI for SH but you will spend a fair amount of time in hotels etc down in London while on reserve or for an early start etc. Remember that there is no staff travel for the first 6 months as well. Many pilots rent somewhere local for the first year or so to settle in and see how it could work for them.

hi guys, any rumours doing the rounds if the current intake will extend beyond december 1st ? I know the closing for now is Nov 1st but historically they generally extend...any info anyone ?

SIM Assessments
 

Hello all, is anyone aware of what's happening behind the scenes with regards to SIM assessments? I passed Day 2 back in September and was told to keep an eye on the website for SIM assessment availability but despite checking everyday there has been nothing apart from a couple of cancellations which I was beaten to. When I contacted recruitment (end Sep) I was told Nov slots would be released imminently.
Would I be right in guessing the remainder of us in purgatory will be SIM checked along with the guys and girls going through the latest DEP recruitment campaign?
Any info would be appreciated - the wait is killing me !!:{

Slots were released end of September for November. They went very quickly! I have mine end of November. I'd call the pilot recruitment team and ask for an update, that's what I did! They are very helpful.

Any more inside information on what is going on? We were told by recruitment that allocation of non-rated DEP courses would have started by this week.

Are issues with internal bids holding things up? Any rumours for hold poolers to feed off gratefully received!

Results of internal bids still not released (that's a definite)

Possibility of a problem because of a shortfall of internal bidders for short haul commands....(that's a strong rumour)


You're welcome :ok:

There are certainly issues with internal bids. Or more accurately the system (Crystal) that allocates courses to bidders. Many variables need to be input, such as the network plan, and training capacity, to name but two. Assumptions also need to be made such as rates of sickness, which are not easily predictable as they have grown rapidly recently. EASA rostering!? Retirements 'should' recommence in less than 12 months. Other factors such as part time availability/take up need to be considered. Finally, both type and engagement freezes are currently being waived as there are insufficient internal bidders for certain positions. Some of those positions may surprise you?

It's a pretty complex and fluid picture at the moment, that will definitely mean that in a few years time we will have another pilot surplus.

Is RHS on "the whale" one of those?

Very unlikely.

Commuting
 

I commuted once for 6 years and again I am going back to it early next year.
It is hard work, even if you still have 20 years service like myself.
Also it is expensive at £94 a pop.

Date of entry and also suitability (hours and/or type ratings) bearing in mind quite a few of the hold poolers won't have the hours for long haul. No idea if the rumour is true but funnily enough it was something that was recounted to me also at Gatwick today.