BACX / BMI Regional
 

If you were a low hours pilot and were offered a job as an FO on both BACX (DHC8) and BMI Regional (EMB145), which one would you be tempted to take? I know there is a pay difference, but I am just thinking about future prospects, status of the company, etc?

Any comments or suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Hufty.

Jet experience might be very useful for the future, if all else is in balance.

Having worked there I would take BMIR. Excellent training, nice people, nice atmosphere, not worked too hard. Also a much better chance of moving to BMI Mainline or BMI Baby. Good luck. You are in a very fortunate position.
Eff Oh

FAO: Hufty and Eff Oh
 

Please check your PMs chaps!
Cheers

BACX because:

It's part of BA and has some of the BA benefits; strong BALPA representation, scheduling agreement, generous payment for days off working etc

The DHC8 was on borrowed time when I was there. BA's stated intention was to bin them and although they might have a temporary reprieve due operating costs in the long term BA gets rid of it's prop a/c. You will end up on jets.

Some might argue that an ideal first type is a turbp prop, then to move on to jets. Though many these days only ever fly jets from day one and they seem to do OK with it.

Sooner or later, probably when Easy go the same way as Laker, Air Europe and the rest and BA can once again crank up it's revenues, BA will loose interest in it's regional operation and incorporate it into mainline. History proves this to be the case so far: BKS, Northeast, BEA, Cambrian, Dan Air and Cityflyer. Then you'll be in to mainline and even if you hate it, you can pick up the rating for free and depart to Emirates.

Training standards; BACX's training is a combination of Brymon and BRAL training departments, mostly BRAL. Both airlines had very good training standards having trained pilots for literally decades and now BA have imposed it's standards on the BACX training machine since pilots from both airlines fly the RJ together. Even if you don't stay within the BA organisation, your first job is probably where you'll pick up the 'modus operandi' that will stick with you for the rest of your career and the standards learned there will stand you in good stead sooner or later.

BMI second choice because:

When Sir M gets sick of loosing 2m a year he'll buy Eastern and you'll be out of a job or working the same type for 10K less. History shows this also: Midland's regional SD360 and F27 work all went to what became BRAL and in turn BRAL lost work to Business Air because it's overheads were lower.

From an outsider looking at BMI, BMI mainline seems to impose what it likes on the regional operation, when and if mainline gets 'shrunk', it will be at the expense of Regional. The same is true of BACX of course, but since BACX has stronger BALPA repesentation it's less likely to happen.

Sir M has been dumping on his pilots since Derby Airways. BALPA CC might have tempered him somewhat, but he is quick to 'release' pilots when he considers it necessary.

bat.man
I'm not sure that your ex collegues in BACEX would agree. Knowing several in both camps (and being ex one) I would say BMIR was the best choice. All you need to do is look at the BACEX ATP base in Scotland, and you better look now as it won't be there for long!! It has gone from BA "Highland Division" on the HS748 to the ATP, to the subsideries. First with Loganair then eventually to BRAL/BACEX. Rest assured BA dont lose too much sleep about shafting their pilots!! Now I am not here to criticise BA far from it, not at all in any way shape or form. I just think you have more chance of moving to BMI mainline than to BA mainline. However that is just my tuppence worth. It is nice in these times to be faced with a choice, and good luck to anyone who is. Either company is a great start to your flying career. The training is first class at both and will set you up well for the future.
Eff Oh.
PS I think talk about easyJet going bust and BMIR being "shrunk" at the expense of Mainline is nonsense, and really a bit negative. If we all had your foresight we would be very rich men, and women. :D

I would go for BACX. I joined Brymon on the Dash-8 & now fly the 145 when we were consumed by BA. The turbo props won't be around forever so you will end up on the jet. Better opportunities & less likely to be shafted if you go for a larger base - MAN, BHX, possibly BRS. Despite the whinging you read about here, I think our T&Cs are quite good, not the best, but OK, with many BA benefits, home most nights (I'm BRS based), salary OK as you don't have to live near London.

No experience of BM, so can't comment.

Eff Oh,

You might not agree with what I said but you don't have to belittle yourself with criticism of others postings. It's up to Hufty to decide, he's the one that started the thread and invited other Ppruners opinions or advice.

Besides which, I think your posting is complete boll@ocks!

So Eff Off, Eff Oh..

Hufty,

Well done whichever way you choose to go:ok:

(Can I have whichever job you don'y want:ugh: )

RP

Don't think I am belittling anyone, especially not myself!! Which part of my posting is "complete bollocks"? Don't think I was slagging anyone off. So can't see how your immature, aggresive and offensive post is warented!! I said.......
Is that the part that is bollocks? Or perhaps it is... Nope can't be that either. Away you go and grow up bat.man and stop making schoolboy idiotic comments. So to bring this back on topic.......I SAY AGAIN......Eff Oh (or Eff Off whichever one makes you giggle.):mad:

Thanks to everybody that replied. I am lucky to get ANY job with the hours I have but I know this is a fickle industry and anything can happen!

It has been great to get opinions from people that actually work for both these companies so thanks again!!!

Hufty

So ...... Which did you decide on???

He just started his type rating today so might not respond for a while, but he went for BMI regional. I think the base was more agreeable for him. Hopefully he'll let you know the reasons himself when he's finished.