Problem is whilst there might be a basis in fact ( usually starting with somebody running a feasibility) I think those rumours can become circular...the extra 380 rumour also has been running eslewhere, not just on pprune or flyertalk but there's still nothing concrete. On an in house forum it started last week but in that varient it was triggered by someone claiming he had heard a story from a senior cabin crew member who had served Mr XXX who had told him that , etc etc...

As for specifically the 777W rumour, all I can say is that in all honesty that one wasn't circulating even amongst the BA 777/77W community in the last 24 hours so forgive me if I for one take it with a pinch of salt, at least for now...

That said over the years rumours have always been that BA would take more 777Ws if they could get them, much more so than 380's.... so if you want to go with a rumour I'd go with the 77W one.

( Tin hat on, retires to safe distance........................, and add's rider that with it being BA anything could happen tomorrow..))

Edit to add: ETOPS that belatedly rings a bell and would make a bit more sense - unlike fleet expansion I doubt a one for one (or three for three swap) would raise much comment if/when that happened..

I’ve heard TAM 77Ws to replace our old 200s, so no new extra frames, just replacements for the old originals.

Is it possible they might pushback retirement of the 777-200's and some of the A319/320's that are due to go soon....even for 1-2yrs to source newer aircraft for the LGW expansion?

Pay attention WonderBus I just said that two posts up :ugh:

Any comments on the webinar chat of Wednesday?

I forgot to dial in- probably tells you all you need to know

Probably only good news if you are rated.

Or you have zero experience and a £120k debt with a licence still hot off the printer

we shall have to wait and see what mid January brings.....

According to what they said I am estimating about 250 holdpoolers currently floating

I think there will be quite a few LH aircraft rated in the pool also looking to join from ME and HK airlines.

That’s a “given” across the entire operation, not just pilot recruitment.....

That would be some serious pay cut and reduction in benefits!

Would it really? What benefits are they losing? Last time I was in Dubai everything was astronomical. The cost of living out there must be huge and HK isn't any better.

In any case, there's more to life than money. Home vs Sandpit.....no competition whatsoever. Unless it's purely out of necessity, I can't imagine many people making the decision to stay or go based on money.

From HK its about a 60% cut but you have to look at the bigger picture, cost of housing, standard of living and pollution. Personally for me its an easy decision to return home, money is not everything.

What about BA's part in the purchase of Niki by IAG? Does anyone think it is going to be a positive aspect for recruitment?

Well they have committed to hire Niki pilots as part of the deal, I doubt that will affect BA recruitment much.

Plus the conditions at Niki were beyond awful, and I do not expect them to improve.

It is reported that Niki is to operate as a Veuling subsiduary so it is highly unlikely to have any effect on BA recruitment.

Looks like BA are wet leasing Qatar aircraft...but at least its only for a short time...possibly just to get the ex monarch slots expansion going....

"British Airways Plc applied on 4 December 2017 to wet lease six Qatar registered Airbus A320 aircraft, registrations A7-LAA, A7-LAB, A7-LAC, A7-LAD, A7-LAE, and A7-LAF, between 9 February and 9 April 2017 inclusive.
The application has been made on the grounds that the lease is justified on the basis of exceptional needs (Article 13(3)(b)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008) to enable British Airways to support passenger operations due to late delivery of aircraft."

http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/2258.pdf

About a 50% pay cut in my case.

As for 'benefits', let's put it this way. I now have union protection and no longer fly to war zones, or have to endure 45 degree heat and dust, infuriating bureaucracy, mad locals razzing their Ferraris at 3am, 'wasta', the call to prayer, punitive company culture, etc etc.

BA ain't perfect, but it's a lot better than most alternatives, and a different world compared to what's on offer in the Middle East. Wild horses couldn't drag me back to the pit.