The bottom line is, that an airline like Virgin has to ensure it gets the right type of person. Look at PPJN it comes under the heading 'Legacy'. In other words if you get there you cant go any higher really when you think about it. Your at the top of the industry in one of the top airlines.
The hours are there for a reason. They want experience and maturity. Even if you were one of these lucky ones to have been flying from 16, by the time you got your CPL and got anywhere near those sort of hours, your going to be on the upper side of your twenties, if not early thirties. Thats my opinion anyway.

They want maturity and experience, guys and girls who will stay and have a life outside of flying, house wife kids etc. Someone who is stable

Scroggs,

Can I take it as read that, BAe146/ RJ100, DC9, F100, MD 80 series types, have now gone by the way side?

How much of the 2500hr (4000+) do you now need on the Boeings or Airbuses? As I know a fair few Flybe pilots have been taken on in the past with good BAe146 or CRJ time.

I've been trying without any success to get an interview with VA for about 7 years now. 6000hrs, married, kids and 3,500 hrs on BAe146. Seems a few 146 jockeys had problems a while ago and blackened the rest of us. Nevertheless, I'll keep on pestering.....

That certainly does not help but feed back on a very good friend of mine who joined on the 747 in July 2005 assures me that he did not let the side down.

The only problem is, it would appear that he was the last of I46/Flybe guys to join.

Best I go get some A320 or 7 something 7 time.

stansdead - come on man, read things carefully before you start having a go!

Firstly, most of us know that scroggs is not involved in Virgin recruitment and/or the policies thereof. I therefore preempted my original question by clarifying that I knew that, read it again.

Secondly, scroggs did indeed point out the experience requirements succinctly, and if you RTFQ I never said that I didn't like it, I just wanted his educated view, (or anyone else's for that matter) on the relevance of the fast jet thing.

What part of "I'm not in the 1500hrs TT, CRJ/EMB rating bracket, and I haven't got an application in either." do you not understand stansdead???

My second post was just a reaction to scroggs' comment of "Happier now?" which I interpreted (possibly wrongly) as sarcasm.

Guys let's get one thing straight, obviously I am not qualified to comment on whether Virgin's experience requirements are right or wrong, I was simply interested in understanding the reasons behind them. If Virgin wants to attract a certain type of recruit then their requirements will obviously reflect that, and good for them.

I have several friends at Virgin from backgrounds ranging from RAF Hawk to civvy 146, and they are a very happy bunch, unfortunately on here I seem to have rooted out the 'snappier' types.

jcb1

If you have friends in VS with Hawk to 146 time, why don't you ask them as to the theories behind the fast jet thing?

You come over as a hard done by moaner.............. and I am not a snappy type really.

JCB Sorry if it seemed a bit sarcastic - forgot the ;) smiley! My point was that it pays to read the requirements very carefully, and not to make assumptions. Virgin is not a place to make too frivolous an application. That said, if you're close to the minimum requirements, likely to meet them soon, and you have a suspicion that recruiting is about to increase (not the case right now), sometimes it can't hurt to jump the gun a bit. Requirements change...

As for the BAe 146 chaps, I can't comment about any individual histories. The fact is that, for the moment, those are the minimum requirements. They have been 'lower' in the past (in terms of type and hours), and that has occasionally caused problems. The fact is that this airline is longhaul only, and there is no opportunity to brush up on large-aircraft handling skills. If you don't have them when you get here, you certainly won't have them 5 years later! One or two landings a month is the norm for an FO - and you will be one for 8 to 10 years. That's why the company insists you learn your trade elsewhere, get the aircraft enthusiasm bit out of your bloodstream, and come to Virgin when lifestyle means more than how many times a day you get it up...

Scroggs

Scroggs - thanks for that, much appreciated. :ok:

Stansdead - I'm grounded enough to know that although our profession is not what it was when I started in the early 90s, it's still one of the best jobs in the world, so who am I to moan. However, I have a very enquiring mind, and I'm sure many of us have had a good laugh at some of the experience requirements listed in the ads at the back of Flight. I'm not knocking HR departments for rooting out a specific type of candidate, but sometimes it's very amusing, and I'm a sort who likes to understand why, whether it be Insurance, ZFT, lack of knowledge, etc.

With regard to Anotherflapoperator's earlier comment regarding a possible 'rogue' batch of ex-146 drivers, if one compares the flightdecks of the 340/747 and 146 they are a world apart, could this have been a factor?

Totally worlds apart, granted. The problem is that a number of ex 146 pilots do manage the transition well enough, but when a few had problems it appeared to smear the type and give the rest of us poor unfortunate souls no chance of getting anywhere. Such is life. Just a rumour from a couple of years ago though, no concrete evidence either way.

I'm only still on the 146 becuase my company (well until 0800 tomorrow it seems:bored: ) couldn't give a toss about investment or anything other than using us to offload one of their less than profitable parts. I get to live at home rather than commute to work. I should take a deep breath and try a 737 company asap if I ever want to get a chance it seems. Again, that's life. I wouldn't begrudge VS anything in not offering me an interview, it's supply and demand and they've got what a lot of us want, so good luck to anyone that does get in. I'll keep on trying though.

But Flaps
What about that Dash command?

Yes Flaps, looks like an OK office - Q400 Flightdeck.

A bit of time in that and you'd be ripe for the move to Virgin.

If anyone could shed some light.....
 

Dear all,

I was pleased to receive an email from Gemma stating that I should reapply so that their web data base could be updated.
From the above post replies I read that some other fellow pilots had received the same type of email.
Is that a good sign? or is it just a way of clearing up their clogged web data base with unwanted CVs?
And a last one, what's next? do we still wait until the next email ?or is there any chance of seeing some of the rays of the sunshine soon....

Thank you

Err!
 

Why would you want to join Virgin?

This year (as many before) it is going to make less than 1% return on sales. BA is making 7-8% despite the CC strike action, pension defecit, fog, baggage breakdown and legacy costs.

The big question is if BA can do this and Virgin can't, will Virgin still be here in 2 years???? If the EU-US agreement goes ahead I cannot see Virgin surviving and why should they? Despite being a "Virginite" I despair. With their current incompetent management structure how do they propose to make money and beat off untold competition. Unfortunately I think the best advice that can be offered is to look elsewhere.

They have launched IGrasp as a recruitment tool but really they should be launching Igivea***** about the company!

Think very carefully and look at the greats of yesteryear, Dan's, Cally, Air Europe, Novair etc and ask yourself the question will Virgin still be here? Will the UK government protect it?

Vex

working through the online application process you are invited to upload a CV....

Anyone have a good link for a good aviation specific template?

Thank you!

E-mail on line update?
 

So in response to Gemmas recent E-mail I decided to have another look at my Application, entering my reference number etc. It put me back to the original start of the form, up to and including can you swim 25 meters. On clicking the next button it told me that I had already applied for this job; which is fine but how would I update say, hours on type at a later date if it does not let me past this stage?

Would I have to reapply as if this was my very first application?
Would the original ref number given to me, stop this from happening again?
If I do not submit the refrence number, would I still be able to update my application after the cutoff date 12th March?

Scroggs, perhaps you may be able to throw some light on this.
Many Thanks.

Not sure of the answer to this! I suggest you email Gemma directly with the question. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that CV updates weren't catered for when they designed the online application!

Scroggs

very well thank you, but what is Gemma's email, since that in her email it says that it's an auto reply and that no one ever looks in that email account...or am I missing something?

I assume it is the one Janine used to use: [email protected]

Scroggs

thank you very much

Anyone been invited for an interview/assessment day yet?

Stansdead - I bet working on the 340 beats the 330 anyday huh!! :ok:

Likely Training Dates?
 

Hi all - as a newbie I've been trawling this thread reading the very useful info - thanks to all.:ok:

I have submitted my electronic CV on the VS website and will be holding my breath like many others to see if I manage to hook an interview. One of my concerns though is that I'm unlikely to be available to start any new job until Aug (that's the soonest I can shed the military shackles!!).

Anyone out there know when VS would start training for the current batch of FOs they're trying to recruit? Am I likely to be out of the running if for no other reason than my availability? :\

Some colleagues of mine who were successful at interview were put in a holding pool, some were in there for over a year. I don't know if this would still be the case now though.

BR.

Thanks BR. I guess it will vary considerably then, depending on immediacy of the requirement, availability of sim slots, etc, etc. Best I just sit tight like everyone else and keep my fingers crossed. Like so many other things, being in the right place at the right time is essential...

Interview
 

Anyone had any response from Virgin regarding interview? Also whats the current interview process? Heard there was a maths test, what kind of maths test is this and any good ref's to prepare/practice? Cheers!!

Virgin banner advert here on PPRUNE but website says not recruiting?
 

Hi all

Trying to apply to Virgin, they have a banner ad running here right now so I presume they're recruiting - but when you follow the link, and try to submit an application under job type 'pilot' it just says there are no vacancies and thank you for your interest :{

Can anyone shed some light on the correct way to find the online application procedure?

I would guess, that they have enough applicants now.

If I remember rightly, their online applications were only open for a few weeks, I think they closed on the 12th March?
Also, I still could not find a way to update details, of hours etc at a later date:confused: ?
I did send an E-mail to Gemma on the old EM Address that Janine used to have but I only got an automated reply.

Tory

Go http://gs19.globalsuccessor.com/fe/t...p?newms=INFO75
And on the left-hand side you'll find a menu prompt "update my details".
Works fine for me :ok:

W_G_U

W_G_U

Brilliant! thanks for that, the update function works fine.
Not too sure whether it has been available all the time though.
I notice that it's adjacent to the Job alert button which I also signed up to.
I'm sure I would have noticed it earlier?
Thanks again.:ok:

Hello community! Has Virgin screened already? If not: when will they start? What is the procedure: do they call or write a letter? How many are going to be hired? Anyone an invitation yet? Good luck to everyone; I keep my fingers crossed...:ok:

virgin recruitment
 

Hi guys

Anyone have any news with regards to Virgins recruitment ? Has anyone been invited to their selection yet? All gone very quite at the moment.

Virgin Application
 

Do you only get a response from Virgin if you are lucky enough to get called for interview, I have had application in for a long time, updated regularly but no response, I know there must be lots of applications but it would be nice to receive a e-mail.

I’m no expert, but having reasonably recently been through the selection process (Aug 06) this is what I know.
I am lead to believe that, from a couple of months ago, all CVs and applications will be formally replied to (unlike the system that was in place when I was applying). I understand that the HR team wish to reduce the plethora of CVs they have to a manageable pile. Bear in mind it is their intention to reply, whether they have the capacity to do that is anyone’s guess. I was advised to send a letter (on posh paper) accompanying my CV that ‘bigged me up’, now that they have gone to electronic CVs and applications, that may now be unacceptable, but it may be worth a try. I still believe that getting an interview with VA is the most difficult thing so it may pay to be a bit cheeky and ‘in their face’. At least it may get you noticed and get you an interview just to get you off their backs!
The selection day consisted of an interview (reasonably painless, with lots of touchy feely HR type questions) and a verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning test. Both tests were different from anything I have experienced before in the study that I had done to prepare for them. The verbal test was reasonably straight forward; however, the numerical one was an utter nightmare. I only finished half the paper and probably got halt the questions I completed wrong. There is no tech quiz.
Not sure much stock is put on the tests (I got the job), and it’s the interview that counts. Accordingly, the trick is to get yourself invited. As far as I am aware, VA are recruiting to refill the holding pool which is intended to be about 50 pilots strong.
Hope this helps, although things may have changed a bit since I went through the mill. Very worth the hassle though, great company and you will not be disappointed.
Best of luck. :ok:

Any Info grately appreciated
 

Hi everyone, anyone know the type of questions asked etc in the interview for Virgin Pilots?

Any info grately received...

FL:ok:

VAA Interview
 

From what I remember, and in no particular order:
Why do you want to join Virgin? (No surprises there).
What’s going on in Virgin at the moment and is it different from its competitors?
How would you contribute to the profitability of the company?
Have you done anything to improve customer satisfaction in your last company (ie attempted to drop bombs more accurately etc).
Tell us about your best/worst day at work.
Do you need to be told when you have done a good job?
How do you gain job satisfaction?
How do you resolve conflict with a peer of superior?
How do you feel about being an FO for the next 8 or so years?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What is your greatest weakness and what have you done about it?
How would your last boss describe you?
Those are the questions that stick in my mind. Interview was lead by a senior pilot with 2 HR people asking the majority of the questions. Interview followed by an informal buffet lunch.
Good luck. :ok:

But mind your manners during lunch. There's as much selection there as in the interview!

The description Cyrpus gives is very accurate - I had a Course lined up in Virgin for the not too distant future. Due to various reasons I decided not to join the company. :(

What I can tell all of you who wish to join is that from what I experienced everyone I encountered at Virgin were seriously nice people. I have no doubt in my mind that they would have been a great company to work for.

Are you freakin' mad? Turning down one of the top airlines in the UK. :=

It appears that way! and its something I hope I wont regret doing for the rest of my life! Such a nice bunch of guys too!

CM, I didn't know you'd binned it. Command at your current place was the more attractive option, I take it? Shame - good luck!

Scroggs