SectorSafe I'm sorry, I don't know how full the hold pool is right now. I suspect that it's kept topped up as people are drawn out for training, as Virgin continues to require a healthy supply of new pilots for the forseeable future.

As for which type, a read of this thread will reveal this question has been answered several times! Virgin is buying 25 or more A340-600s. It isn't buying Boeing 744s. The answer ought to be reasonably obvious! Inevitably, there is some internal movement from the 744 to the A340 as people reach command, and as those 744 skygods (well, they say they are!) who wish to fly the A380 in the future transfer to the A340 to get some Airbus exposure (a company requirement). Therefore there are a limited number of vacancies on the Boeing, but the majority of the requirement is to fill the A340 slots.

Are VA still only taking guys with the Bus or Boeing on their license?
Are you starting to look at guys with say MD-83, BAE146, RJ100, EMB14, types yet?

We always have done. I don't think there was ever a period when we only took Airbus or B744-rated people, though there may have been a preference for people so rated.

I believe VS are currently recruiting onto the A340. With a B747 rating is it likely to be placed onto the 340 or 747 if a job is offered? Also have VS recently had a pay increase? The last basic I heard was £44624, any improvement on that? Also is there any improvement on the flight pay asscoiated with this increase?

sidestick, I take it you chose not to read the thread before you posted - or even the last few posts?

The pay rate you quote is the January 2006 basic salary before productivity pay, which is currently £13.66 per flight hour for FOs. The latest pay deal is currently being balloted, and therefore it would be inappropriate to give details here.

Virgin Company Info
 

Can anyone recommend a good source of company information for those about to go for interview. I mean things such as financial reports and governance. The company website is not candid in such matters. Any help appreciated.

There is masses of corporate info and history on the Virgin website - do some exploring. I can't see any reason why it would be less than candid.

However, I had no questions about this sort of thing. The question 'why do you want to join Virgin?' probably requires a bit more preparation than - 'the girls' though. (Its actually quite a difficult question to answer without seeming like a bull!!!!ter).

If you wish to study Virgin Atlantic's history, structure and network, the information is out there. As Virgin is a private company, financial figures are less easy for an outsider to get hold of than they are for, say, BA, and so you are not expected to know them. In any case, you should receive a briefing on the company on your interview day. [Edit] However, these days there is the occasional need to investigate an applicant's motivation a little deeper, and a working knowledge of Virgin's fleet, bases, routes and ambitions would demonstrate a greater than passing interest!

It is important that you have a good grasp of the issues and difficulties affecting all airlines at the moment, particularly as they relate to the long-haul market. As for why you want to join Virgin, please try to have a thought-through and convincing answer to that one!

The edit is to reflect information newly received!

Is there any truth about VAA getting 10 A330's. ??? What happened to 4 Engines 4 Long Haul !!!

Good questions! There are a host of rumours going around, but (after many false reports) it would finally appear to be true that the '4 Engines 4 Longhaul' straplines are being removed from the A340s (the line never appeared on the Boeings). I suspect that there might be an announcement at Farnborough next month, but B777s, B787s, A350s or A330s.... ?

Thanks Scroggs --

My money is on 330's - speak to the VS engineers!
Next question is, mixed fleet flying?

Operated as seperate fleets is what I have heard...that will be until the bean counters and crewing realise what the advantage of mixed fleet flying offers...

Scroggs (or any other Virgin pilots),

How many points are there on the Virgin pay scale?

10? 24 (like BA)?

Thanks.

:ok:

16 for FOs, 14 for Captains. Captains (unlike BA) go back to year 1 on promotion.

Everyone's money was on the 777 when the 340-600 was ordered.

Might be the other way around this time. There again, since no one wants the 340, they'll be going cheap.

As I understand it, we need something on the smaller side to operate both the long/thin and start-up routes which are unprofitable for longer with the 747 or 340.

Virgin commuting roster
 

hi

does it work out in VS to commute from another country, lets say france or germany. is there enough time off beween the trips?

I understand there is a stby line, what about bigging for trips?

can someone post a sample roster for a typical month, without leave?

and finally, what sort of gross monthly salary can a new FO lets say on the 340 expect?

if you are already 330 rated will you likely go on the 340, or might they put you on the 747?


cheers guys


Mike

I don't work for VS, but I'm sure this topic has been covered before. Try a quick search.

Don't quote me on this, but I'm sure I read a post by Scroggs stating a pilot commuted from South Africa. Although - I could have imagined reading that!

g109 - look at the thread titled "Virgin Atlantic - the master thread" it's on page 5 of this board (ie the "Terms and Endearment board"), last post 30 June. Sorry, I'm not clever enough to post a link to it here. :(

Very briefly - yes it's quite possible to commute from Europe, lots of guys do it.

If you read the thread mentioned above it should answer every question you ever wanted to know.

t

Virgin
 

hi,

does virgin still accept applications.
filled out their online application form and pushed submit. next page indicated that the page is no longer valid. did my application make it through or not?
or did i get the error message, because they no longer accept applications?

quick answer is appreciated.

cheers, trot

More Info
 

I have also done a search on virgin rosters and can only find evidence of 1 posted by scroogs a while back. Any chance of someone of detailing a
typical F/O 's roster on the airbus??????

Thanks

bertie Boy

With the odd detail changed to protect the innocent:

May:

1-6 OFF
7-9 Delhi
10-12 OFF
13-16 Shanghai
17-21 OFF
22-26 Jo'burg
27-30 OFF
31- Narita

Blk hrs 75.20
Days off 18

August:

1-3 OFF
4-6 Washington
7-11 OFF
12-20 Hong Kong/Sydney
21-26 OFF
27-31 Jo'burg

Blk hrs 81.20 (max you can do in a month unless on overtime)
Days off 14

These are the just the two most recent rosters i have without any leave on.
Hope it helps.

well done AFA !
now everyone will want to join in!:D
...and thx for the info .

Many thanks,

Also any chance of seeing a 400 FO's roster ;)

I applied a couple of months ago, got the standard email response and acknowledgement but nothing heard since. Anyone know what's going on?

400 FO roster July

San Fran two night
4 days off
Montego Bay two night
2 days off
Barbados 1 night
5 days off
Orlando 1 night
7 days off
(79.26 hrs)

Thanks Manual reversion and AFA for the replies. Just what i was looking for.
Is there a bidding system in place for you not to do the longer trips or is it just luck of the draw?

Thanks again

Bertie boy

Virgin Rosters

The Virgin rostering system is based on an equitable division of work based on a 750-hour contract. A few pilots have limited-time variations which allow them to work more or less than the standard 750 hours, but they are in the minority.

The roster is allocated to cover the workload that exists. Other than training, all flights are allocated on a more or less random basis, but to fit within the hours limitations. Bidding for particular flights is possible, and bidding for days off is possible. Bidding against particular flights may be possible, but would be frowned upon - after all, why would you join if you don't want to do the longer flights? That said, a 'trip swap' system exists.

The system that capped hours at a certain level per roster month is being scrapped; other than the CAA (CAP371) and union/company agreed limits (minimum time between turnrounds etc.), the only hours limit applied will be your contracted hours. This is intended to give more flexibility, though the average month will still have around 70-80 credit hours.

The rosters given above are fairly typical, but can be altered significantly if training or leave is scheduled in the month. My last month (July) had 5 East Coast flights plus a two-day sim session. That's about as busy as a month can get for a line pilot. This month, I have three trips and 19 days off - a bit more comfortable!

Thanks again for the reply. From what i can see it appears most trips are 3/4 day trips. How often on average at the moment would you do a Sydney trip? T
he wife is happy from me going away for 3/4 days but with 2 little uns, a 9 day trip is not so good?.

Would any of the recently interviewed guys care to share some information?
What was your level of experience when invited? Are you all UK citizens?
I am in the same boat as EK pilot. I have 5700 hours (most of it Airbus-time) with A330 rating and European Passport with right to work in the UK.
I do not want to start a discussion whether or not VS should employ foreigners or not. Just trying to find out if it is worth to reapply (as I did for years) anymore. Or is it true, that you need to know somebody inside?

TKS

It looks so, so nice beforehand, but dont you get bored after a couple of months/years to watch your autopilot fliying well during 12 hours and going to some places you already know by heart ? Away from your home/ family ?
Are there many Virgin Pilots going back to short haul/ regional airlines ?

cheers !

Bertie It varies. I last did a Sydney trip in November, Others do one every couple of months. Sydney is not the only long trip, though it is currently the longest. Some of the Caribbean and Cape Town trips can be up to a week long. Long trips may be the exception, but they are very much part of a long-haul operation. If you are seriously concerned about the effect they'll have on your family life (which is understandable), perhaps you'd be better looking elsewhere?

What Goes Up Your questions have been dealt with earlier on this thread. You might have done us the courtesy of reading it before you asked.

Icing People do not leave Virgin except when forced to by events such as 9/11. In eight years, my seniority has risen by maybe 10 or 12 places. That accounts for deaths, retirements, permanent sickness victims and leavers.

As opposed to what? Watching my autopilot flying for 3 hrs to Alicante and back at stupid o'clock five days a week every week? Now that was tedious.

As for being away from home? Well you can't really complain about that if you've decided to join an airline like Virgin. I certainly get far more days off than when i was short haul and mixed fleet. However if you really care about just getting home, even if its only for the 12hrs inbetween night flights then it isn't for you. Long haul doesn't suit everyone.

LOL!! :} After flying to ALC 9 times in July i can attest to that!!! :ouch:

Cant wait to rack up the hrs so i can apply next year!

Hi all,
This is a great thread so thanks to all who have posted on it.
I have had an application in with Virgin for months now which i update from time to time. I have just short of 4000 hours most of which is jet time. I'm now in that uncomfortable position where i can't impact on my own destiny. Or can i?
Is there anything i can do to secure an assessment day with Virgin?
Should i conclude after all this time that all is not well with my application or does it take an age?
Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks

Essentially, no. As long as you keep your CV up to date (not too often!) you have to basically sit and wait. As I have said before, there are many, many more excellently qualified and motivated pilots that apply to Virgin than there are places at interview, let alone jobs. Luck plays an enormous part, unfortunately.

There seems to be an assumption among many Virgin wannabes that if you have the hours and the type, you will get an interview. Sadly, that is not necessarily the case, and many will have to remain frustrated.

Scroggs

Hi all,

Just to back up what scroggs has posted, i applied to virgin 2 years ago with the required hours, airbus experience etc... and yes, luck does play a massive part in selection for an interview date, friends of mine applied and had interviews within 6 months ! ... I updated regulary (every 4/5 months)

The last i heard, virgin have over 1200 pilots on their database with the required experience, so one just has to be patient ....... as i was, and am now on the 340 ... and i have to say, it was worth the wait !

max

Just to add that EVEN if you are lucky enough to get through the interview stage you may have to hold a fair while in the pool. I have been waiting for months now :(

Is there an average time in the Hold pool for Non & Type rated guys ?

I would not know the answer to that one except that I have been holding now for over 7 months and I am type rated. Maybe they don't like my aftershave? :D