Have any assessment days happened yet? If so how'd people go with it? What can you expect?

I have been told that the format hasn't changed from the accounts previously given. Numerical and verbal reasoning MCQs - time is tight for both. Computer based co-ordination and capacity tests - I don't think you can do a whole lot to prepare for these beyond getting a good night's rest beforehand if possible.

Couldn't disagree more.

The prep is part of the assessment. Unless you're a very clever individual that's naturally gifted at verbal reasoning and computer games with backwards flight directors (I'm certainly not), I would strongly advise putting the leg work in.

With a bit of research and some minor financial investment in some prep software / books (SkyTest and Assessment-day spring to mind) these tests are entirely passable. The capacity test at the end of the first stage is something that can't really be rehearsed but in reality it's only as stressful as dealing with a lengthy non normal in the descent. If you do well in 3 out of 4 then you're probably in with a good chance. (bearing in mind it's an overall score across the 4 different tests on the day)

BA aren't after geniuses or **** hot pilots (if they were I'd still be back flying in LoCo land), just people that will fit in and are prepared to work hard, learn and progress. If you don't want BA enough to do so then you're probably best saving your days off for something more constructive and let someone else have a go.

As for a good nights sleep the night before, absolutely, but cannot be guaranteed. I had an awful nights sleep before 2 out of 3 stages. The hard work prior to attending each stage got me through.

Just my two cents worth.

Evening All

2W2R

Absolute tosh. And I am one of those people that has no fear of sims and a lot of "difficult" tasks come relatively easy to me. I spent on average 30-60 minutes per day for 2-3 months preparing for just stage 1. Research, testing, verbal reasoning etc etc etc. Those former colleagues of mine that didn't put in the work are still at my previous employer. Those that did put in the work now (on the main) work for BA. Ask every DEP and if they're honest 90% of them will say they put in the work.

Those that didn't call the tests a pile of crap and totally unnecessary if you have a type rating "why should I be tested I've proved that I can do a course, I never wanted to work for BA anyway"

Well aren't you just the bloody great big goat's toe.

Never heard such a self preening pious bunch of complete pompous c@@tery in all my life as displayed during your first two sentances. If one didn't know better, aviation would seem to overflow with this attitude these days. Thank God, there's some normal humble (but extremely capable) people still around. Psychopathic tendencies were supposed to be ruled out by aviation testing. Obviously hasn't worked.

Oh good another keyboard hero who completely misses the point. Play the man all you like. Meanwhile the ball has gone sailing straight past you.

Just to clarify: you could of course (and probably should) prepare for the numerical and verbal reasoning tests. What I don't believe you can improve a whole lot is your scoring in the co-ordination and capacity tests; these are more down to your innate ability and I do believe that there is research to support this.

The clue was in the punctuation in my first post.

Although I went through selection as a cadet, I believe the selection proceedure was very similar for DEP and CEP applicants, but without the simulator day. Admittedly I went through a long time ago but I believe the tests are still pretty similar to this day. I did zero preparation as I was incredibly busy with other things at the time and BA was not the be all and end all. I was one of those scribbling down my logical workings in the maths questions, in the way I've always been trained to do - even if I already know the answer in my head. I completed significantly fewer maths questions than the rest of the applicants within my group, but I knew my answers were methodical and correct. I actually really enjoyed the whole selection experience, finding the computer tests challenging and really quite fun. I didn't over think anything. I just followed instructions carefully, read questions carefully, and answered interview questions as honestly as I could. I actually remember upon being asked "So why do you want be an airline pilot?", thinking "Crumbs man! This really is one question you could have prepared for!", but it resulted in my coming out with a completely honest answer.

The point I'm trying to make is that preparation is really just a means to get your mind thinking in the right ways and giving yourself the confidence to perform. I'd have thought these are all the kinds of things that a current pilot should already be able to do? I was a recent university science graduate, working in a very hand eye co-ordinated field at the time (although nothing to do with flying), so I was confident I could complete any tasks thrown at me. Perhaps my everyday skills were my preparation, but I had no idea what was coming on the testing days - only a knowledge that the test couldn't be as demanding as the kinds of things I could already do.

I worked my socks off to prepare. I'm certainly not like GS-Alpha, who is clearly very gifted.

I did a few practice verbal reasoning examples and despite thinking they would be quite easy, realised I needed quite a bit of practice. Same with the maths. All my answers in the interview were honest, but I'd made sure I had my examples sitting in my short term memory. Having cocked up my first interview when my mind just went blank at the most inconvenient time.

As for the sim, I got myself very good at flying raw data again. My capacity bucket was quite large when I turned up for sim day.

Ha! I've certainly never been described as such in the simulator. I'm just your average BA pilot.

Should pay you guys more than 50k based on all that extra curricular effort you've been putting in ;)

It could actually be deemed as cheating the tests, and infact BA may well not be getting the quality of candidates that the results indicate they should employ ?

What happened to stick n rudder ? Oh its now back to front in the assesnent lol

With that in mind practicing raw data could be seen as cheating. ;)

'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail'

As for the "why aptitude testing for DEPs" ..... https://www.iata.org/publications/Do...ting-guide.pdf

It's interesting reading everyone semi-arguing here, forgetting the point that people just prepare differently for these kind of tests. I'm sure there are people who've put enormous amounts of study in who fail and people who just book an assessment on a wing and a prayer and pass.

Personally having been through it twice and not got to day two yet, I'm know I'm weak at the verbal test. For me the maths was easy, however having used lastestpilotjobs for the joystick test preparation I wasn't sure (of course with no feedback how could I be) that my score showed I had been practising this. From the get go I had that FD nailed, on the counting and joystick same again with 8 correct 0 wrong answers, and finally with all three I had 18 hits 3 misses. Again, I know I had to have failed the verbal, but I wonder if by doing the above did I show I was improving or actually getting worse? Personally I won't practise that if I get a chance again and the last computer test you can't really practice anyway. I'd brush up on the maths, and hit the verbal practice hard and keep my fingers crossed that the third times the charm.

As a hold pool swimmer, let me put one concept forward to you all.

As professional pilots, we try and plan for every eventuality. Granted, we don't always get it right, however we try our very best to make sure we're fully briefed before the TOGA button is pressed. We're professionals, it's what makes us, well, us.

So, why would an attempt at the BA selection process be any different? It is professional to understand the situation you are entering. It is professional to want to achieve the highest standard possible. It is professional to make sure you are prepared for what is coming.

Waiting for someone else to give you the answers or tell you how to get to where you are going isn't going to do anyone any favours.

Blueskyrich

An honest and sincere piece of advice. Thank you :ok:

In any industry, if you want a job, you have to prepare for it. Going in 'blind' will not showcase your skills as you will not have prepared. Do we as pilots perform a perfect go around without mentally rehearsing it, practising it and then performing it? Have I cheated if I have practised it before my sim check? Course not!

Selection is exactly the same, in every industry. I do not know anyone, in any professional role, that did not prepare for an interview and selection. Part of devising these tests and interviews is to filter those that want the job and those that don't. Those that do, I would argue will prepare and work hard to understand what is required to pass them, as our day job, bares little resemblance to the selection tests - a fact that can be said in all industries!

Top and bottom - you get out, what you put in and add a slice of luck, it may work out. I say this as someone who went through the process.

Start dates
 

Hi all,

Well I believe the Crystal run is complete and the numbers they have been projecting for next year are confirmed.

Does anyone have any info. regarding when BA might start to call people with courses? Rated, non-rated, SH, LH etc...

Much appreciated.

Wrong I'm afraid John...... the results wait continues

I would be amazed if any DEP's course is being delayed by the running of Crystal. I am pretty sure people have been notified of course dates at least as far as January. How much notice do they give? I would have thought it is three months? As far as I am aware they haven't stopped taking people from the hold pool, so there is nothing to start.

GS-Alpha - only calls of late have been to A320 rated. No non-rated calls have been made for some time, and recruitment advised that non-rated positions will start to be offered again late October.

Some have been waiting in the pool for 3-4 months for a call. Personally I've been swimming for almost 2 months.

The last group to be offered a course were the 16 rated folk starting in January. They were offered I believe late last month. There hasn't been anything since then so I believe.

I believe with the SIM move and the overloaded training dept. they just haven't been able to offer any more dates as yet.

Been swimming for some time now so hoping for the phone call soon 😃

Has anyone ever needed to change the date of their assessment day. I've been asked to attend day 1 and the dates available are all around my simulator renewal with my current airline and those dates are not confirmed 100% yet. I've got a few reminder emails from BA asking me to pick a date and I'm wondering if I do and then cannot make it - are they happy to change? I've emailed them but no response yet, obviously I want to avoid messing them around while not missing out.

VJW, I've changed assessment dates a couples times by calling the number. Never received replies to my email, as they must get a multitude of emails every day.

They were very helpful over the phone.

Yes, call the recruitment number. The guys at pilot recruitment are extremely helpful. Coming from the Middle East I've had to change every single stage so far on several occasions!

For you lads that attended stage one how did you go with the numerical did you get through all the questions? Otherwise how did you go with the last computer test?

Anybody willing to enlight how long will it take for a NEC to bid/take an LGW command?

Thank you
STRANOTIPO

About 5 years at the moment. Maybe less if BA agree to waive engagement freezes.

I suppose if you're 'stuck' on the 'Bus you may as well be 'stuck' in the LHS.

There is always a reason when Commands go so junior. You will be stuck on SH for a very long time and at the bottom of the seniority list! Picking up every poorly constructed blind line going! Consider the fact that a lot of the Captains from Gatwick on the initial run of Airbii there went back to the RHS of LH!

Says something doesn't it!

767
 

Does anyone know if there is likely to be any recruitment onto the B767?

Also, I have been told that the hours requirement to go DEP to long haul is 2000 hours jet. Does this apply to the 767?

When you get the call, is there an initial medical assessment before you start or not? Just pondering what to do with my expiring medical...

Thanks for any help guys and gals!

Jetting I've been told different. My sources say 3000 total, 1000 Jet above 50 Tonnes MTOW and ATPL. Direct Entry Long Haul is going to be scarce though this year by all accounts, although still will happen in small numbers. My guess is those with command experience.

My understanding of long haul hours is the same as jetting's - I think it was mentioned at the roadshows.

They also said they are expecting still to recruit onto the 767 though if the fleet dies inside your engagement freeze you will hopefully get some element of choice in where you go next.

Thanks RexBanner. I don't meet the requirements either way!

My guess would be that LH slots will go to those with a Boeing rating, particularly as it has been mentioned many times that training capacity is stretched.

Any idea if the long haul hours requirement applies to the 76?

Rexbanner,

I've been told completely different. I've been told that DEP on to long haul in 2016 will be at similar levels as in 2015. I guess when the PRIAM results are published everyone will have a better idea of actual numbers.

I think we've all been told completely different as when I did my sim the instructor said it was 3000 Total, PPJN says 2000 Total including 1000 Jet and you guys are saying 2000 Jet!

I think the Boeing type rating is a bit of a moot point unless they have 777 rated guys in the pool who could slot in on the 787. There's no CCQ on the Boeings like Airbus that would reduce the training footprint, 737 to 747/767/777/787 for instance is still a full type rating.

Long haul DEP will continue. No one knows how many until the results come out...

Plenty of EASA rated B777 guys in EK would consider Long Haul. Not much life on SH A320. Thats for your ab initio 200 hour low timers.
But I hear they getting EZ captains applying for RHS, so what do I know..

I've seen plenty of colleagues (including captains) from my current airline join BA on the B747 and A320, even a few on the B767 and B787. I also know several former colleagues who were flying the B777 in the Middle East who all joined on the B747. So you just don't know, all depends on what course is available at the time.

There's plenty of very experienced guys joining on the 320. From rated to non-rated.

Hi all,

Recruitment is continuing for the foreseeable future (although that may only be about 24 hours:E) onto the 767. This is because there is spare training capacity on the fleet and it allows those at the top of the fleet list to bid off.

The discussion of long haul hours for the 767 may be moot as we are down to only 3 long haul hulls as of December. The last LH 767 is planned to retire around Jul/Aug next year so it will become a short haul only fleet.

The 767 fleet is due to be retired entirely in mid to late 2018 although there are always rumours that it may go much sooner or last much longer. Be aware that if you come to the 767 and it folds before your 5 year engagement freeze is up you will be BA's bitch, to do with as they please. In all probability that may well mean being directed to the 320.

regards