We have hired several expats at Virgin America. I also know of at least one Indian. Of course you need a green card/right to work and the FAA licenses. But if you have that, getting hired as an expat at Virgin America would be no issue.

Really hoping for a pilot exchange program between Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America similar to the flight attendant exchange between Virgin America and Virgin Blue...

I know, wishful thinking.

Hi,

I ve got all the requirements except for the UK issued licence!
Can anyone tell me how serious they are about this? Surely I would have plenty of time to convert it should I be one of the lucky ones to join the holding pool.....Do they ask about a UK issued ATPL during the web application?
How long does this web application take? Do they have open questions like with BA?

Thanks

WAT

3wings, many thanks for your reply, much appreciated. Hadn't even considered the Glasgow Central - Virgin Trains link! Very useful.

Cheers 757

Airline "GIANT". Branding is everything huh. Hats off to their PR team though.

Not sure it was in this thread or a previous one, but someone mentioned that Virgin don't do airport standbys. If so, what's the call out time they expect when on standby? (ie how close would you have to accommodate yourself during a standby duty?)

Standby month of a roughly equal mix of 4 hr and 2 hr callout. "Must be able to report at their nominated base within 120 mins".

Top stuff, thanks freddie

(wasn't a deal clincher, but good to know)

I know it's a touchy subject but....can anyone offer a guide as to take home for an Fo

Cheers

Dont bank on it! :) I think it depends who you work for :{

Can I ask:
When you say '2 night' do you mean 2 nights at the destination plus one night flying back to the UK?
I realise that this depends on the destination, but for most of USA and 'the west' would this be true? Eg:

Monday 1000z Heathrow-Vegas
Tuesday 'layover'
Wednesday 2300z Vegas-Heathrow
Thursday arrive Heathrow 0700

Friday 'Day Off'
Saturday 'Day Off'

Sunday another trip...

I'm keen to get the 'unglorified' view. If you are saying that my Vegas example is a 2 night trip, in my eyes it pretty much equates to 4 days work. I know you can argue that you've got your return day to yourself, but from experience you're pretty much usesless.
How many proper days off do you get a month? I don't mean 'days at home', but actual days when you're not knackered/recovering?
I'm just trying to gauge what the lifestyle is really like.
ALSO if someone is brave enough to publish a 1st yr FO take home pay that would be great (after pension contribution).
Thanks very much

How do they get back then. LOL

Fill her up and keep flying west! You'll get there eventually.
:ok:

Anyone heard anything yet?

Closing date 20th March!

It's also Saturday night Jinkster! You've not had much experience of HR departments have you?!?

Despite the permanent headwind. :ouch:

Out of interest, did everyone upload the cover letter too? Noticed an option for that at the last minute.

Jesus, imagine having to trim an aeroplane! :p Good luck should you get the assessment :ok:

I sent both cover letter and a CV.

Good luck all!

AAIA

I can't answer you question regarding the 1st year FO take home pay but in response to your question regarding 1 night/2night stops rotation.

All rosters commence at LHR as that is your base. The Vegas as an example operates from LGW so on the roster the duty would commence from LHR and 1hr taxi time is allowed for transport to LGW (Company transport is available in the form of a bus but the times aren't always compatible with report times).

In reality most pilots self position to LGW for the report time 90 mins before departure.

You would arrive in Vegas that day 4pm ish.. local. Have 2 nights there (approx 48hrs down route) and then fly home on the 3rd. So a trip beginning on Monday a.m will have you home on Thursday a.m.

A 1 nighter would start for example on the Monday (then approx 24 hrs down route) and you would be home on Wednesday... or more realistically start on Friday and home on Sunday but you get the drift.

For West coast trips the minimum days off will be 3 and the East coast trips the minimum days off is 2. Days off per month vary but I have only had the minimum of 10 days off perhaps twice in 7 years. Usually I average around 12 - 14 but on occasions 20 without leave. It can be a bit of a lottery.

Everyone will handle the fatigue issue differently and it can be tough particularly if you have a long commute. Generally though I am unbearable the day I get home but can be approached by mid morning the following day.

Hope that helps.

Well you obviously don't work in the UK then. You won't get a housing allowance from a UK airline. If you want to earn big money then you have 2 options:

1. Change career
2. Keep working abroad tax free

Good luck :ok: