I read on quite some posts that BA rosters tend to be rock solid. Once you have a roster, it normally does not change, right?

Well, this pilot shortage (it's real: I know a BA guy at my airport and they regularly have to cancel flights due crew shortage indeed) is only TEMPORARY. They are training at full speed, so within a good year the situation should be resolved and back to normal. ;) So let's not get our mood down too much.

About this force drafting thing: I just signed my contract and am wondering where it is stated that on an assigned day off, they can force me to work. I could understand they can ask - and like in my previous company I'd help where I can - but isn't it always possible to refuse if you are unable to do it? Isn't BALPA there to watch this?

:) cheerful greetz

They are training at full speed, but they didn't recruit for three years and they're not going to make up the slack in 12 months. The requirement to accept Draft Assign is in Bidline Rules (BLR). You will need to track down a personal copy when you join. Thats the 'Agreement' to which your contract refers, and by signing the contract you agree to the terms of BLR. It is not possible to refuse it unless you want to be suspended. If you're going to LGW then disregard the above as BLRs don't apply there.

Hi again fly380

Your mate mentions BA regularly cancelling flights due to crew shortage, which could ( and certainly did ) up until recently mean a shortage of Cabin Crew. The current clamour here is about an apparent shortage of pilots - which is something new.

Rosters (apart from reserve, which we have already "discussed" elsewhere) are generally very stable. However "Forced Draft" can happen to anyone, out of the blue and as far as I am aware at present you have no choice but to accept.

Rgds

PS sorry for any typos, I'm still giggling at Carnage M's repost in another thread.

Joining BA 777
 

Hi,

Anyone out there due to start with BA 777 in Oct?

''
I wonder how true this is? There is supposedly a pilot shortage looming at EI also.

I understand that in the last couple of years EI have been offering periods of ''Leave of Absence''; with some guys going off to HKG and a couple going to BA.

Maybe we should try to get this thread back to where Speedrock started it.
Don't know about anybody else but I am quite interested to see who got what fleet and whether LH for over 2000hrs/ SH for under 2000hrs is consistently followed.

Can any of the BA SH or LH DEPs give any details ?

Cheers !

Hypothetically speaking (as I don't fly for BA) I'm just interested to know what if i went down to my local for a couple of lagers (or several!) one lunchtime on a day off, which I presume I would be entitled to do as its not standby duty, how can they force draft you then?

You couldn't fly.

However, they usually draft you at least 24 hours before.

Not any more. BA are just going to have to recruit the correct number of pilots. If the surplus Aer Lingus guys and gals want to apply for BA anyway (the same way as everyone else), they're more than welcome.

HF

Correct.

No Aer Lingus on the horizon.

It was rejected by BALPA anyway.

On days off:

Why don't you guys just get caller display? You could also turn off your answer phones and ignore numbers you aren't familiar with.

How about having a seperate land line or mobile phone which the company does not know about?

I was in a similar situation with my previous company and ended up doing these things. It works;)

Mind you, if they ask during a duty period prior to a day off......................:(

They're starting to, even on longhaul because people are refusing to answer the phone - and they don't ask, they tell.

Certain managers are meeting pilots at the bottom of the aicraft steps to inform them that they are Force Drafted for the next day. This is regardless of the fact that they might have been on a day off, have child care arrangements, long awaited hospital appointment, or even, god forbid - a life outside of work.

Its a shameful situation BA management have got themselves into. Many pilots now dont take any calls from the company whatsoever.
:yuk: