I'm not a BA pilot (unfortunately, one day maybe...), but if the 'only' outcome of the SHBR is a change to bidline and increased hours then surely that's not too bad? Is it being completely abolished or are pilot's still going to be able to have input into their rosters? As people have pointed out, EASA FTL's were coming anyway.

What would concern me is the continual downward pressure on T&Cs not letting up. Bidline changes might be enough now, but what if management come calling again in a years time? What do you conceed then? If all the current situation is doing is slowing the gradual slide to a BA Express type system then you might as well do it now and get it over with. Maybe this latest round will be enough, but people thought that after the PP34/BMI efficiencies....

As they say these days: "fixed it for you" :ok:

I think the next give will have to be from Long Haul, I don't think (from what has been posted elsewhere today) Short Haul have anything left....

what about when they come next time?.......as if they would :} they have however already told us and the city it is called project Darwin.

British Airways medical requirements
 

Sorry if this has been answered earlier but I can't find much since 2005! What do BA mean by their "British Airways medical requirements" part of the process - is it a medical, if so what is involved? Many thanks.

All good info from all of the above but any chance the thread can get back to the Direct Entry Recruitment, Rated non Rated etc? I understand there are big changes ahead for BA as the industry is changing but there are many of us who see even the new BA as a step up from our current operators. I had tried to start a thread just relating to recruitment for those interested but it was closed and merged into this one.

I wish everyone at BA and those hopping to join well.

After submitting application
 

Can anyone tell me with a high degree of certainty whether it is a good or bad idea to update one's CV after submitting the application? i.e for hours and subsequent training that has been completed after submitting the application.

Appreciate the info!!

I've always been told by an experienced pilot that updating your CV is a sign of interest in joining them.

By the accounts of many, the more hours you have (experience) the less chance you have. :hmm:

Sorry. I find that very hard to believe. Do you really think BA would deliberately hire less experienced pilots? New joiners all get paid the same regardless of previous experience.

Sounds like nothing more than a straw poll argument to me. There are plenty of very experienced new joiners, as there are plenty of relatively less experienced new joiners. My opinion is that if you fit the mould you get in. Simple as that. Combined of course with needing a healthy slice of luck!

It's like the age old argument in football. If the junior players are stronger than the more experienced ones, they should get picked based on that, not their lack of reputation. The more experienced players should have to earn their spot regardless of experience.

BA Direct Entry Pilot.
 

Is that why it states in the vacancy details training, command, or other longhaul experience would be advantageous...

FLR, whether it is deliberately or otherwise, the fact of the matter is that the BA assessments will always contain an innate bias towards those who are closer to their academic years (in terms of number of years since secondary, college, and university level education).

The verbal reasoning tests written by SHL are used by many top blue chips to hire GRADUATES. They measure skills that one has supposedly just learnt by attending Uni. They are a method of measuring skill when one does not possess the experience. In the same way that you cannot expect a rookie to have the kind of knowledge you would expect from experienced staff, you cannot expect someone who is 25 years post his college/uni years to perform well at paper based tests that bear no resemblance to the job or the lessons life has taught them.

Let's not even discuss the silly and pointless 1980s computer games that we have to play.

The "mould", as defined by the assessment process is therefore something which goes against ones maturity (age) and homes in on ones inexperience.

BA, EZY, FR wouldn't dare publish figures on the average age of new pilot hires (not that they have to), as it would expose their not so very blatant ageism by design.

I see your point that the maths and verbal reasoning tests may favour uni graduates, but I would still argue that that is a subjective opinion. Are the tests actually designed to target uni graduates, or is it simply that most people who take the tests happen to be uni graduates given that that is the natural point in life to sit such tests? Or do the tests simply attempt to find those with the best numerical and verbal reasoning abilities, with the natural result being that younger people are generally a little sharper in these areas? Thus they get offered more of the jobs? I.e. The people who perform best in the tests get the jobs..... What is wrong with that exactly??

Even so, the contrary could be argued for other parts of the selection procedure, in so much that it is easier for someone with lots of flying experience to come up with good answers to the interview questions, given they have more experience to draw from. Likewise, the simulator is much less of a foreign environment to experienced pilots, meaning less stress and more mental capacity.

All utter tosh, I joined at 34, others in their fifties all in the last 4 years!

I was closer to 40 than 30 when I joined as were nearly every one else who joined that day. Furthermore, some of the capacity tests have a direct link to operating aircraft ie the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Future changes LH
 

I am wondering if someone from the inside can write more about future changes to Long Haul...

It has been touched on before in this thread that Back 2 Back trips will prove more difficult to arrange with the implementation of EASA FTL's. Can anyone expand on that aspect please? Why will B2B become more difficult with the arrival of EASA regs?

I'm particularly interested in replies from those currently commuting from abroad....what plans are you making for that lifestyle becoming more difficult in practical terms? Or is it a case of seniority saves the day.

Is it felt that over the longer term people may have to move back to England to be within driving range of LHR?

What other changes should a prospective new joiner consider more deeply before moving from their current position?

Thanks...

Hiace,

AFAIK (I'm not a commuter) the EASA FTL's require you to be 'acclimatised' at the point of destination which means spending (I believe, I'm not 100% sure) 2 local nights withing two time zones of your Long Haul base departure airport.

So, if you reside in Europe within +/- 2 time zones of London you're fine for commuting as time at home constitutes acclimatised.

However, a B2B New York etc. or commuting in 24 hours before a trip from the States would not meet the criteria as there would only be 24 hours in the UK between the trips thus making you not acclimatised.

As I say those are only the rules as have been 'discussed' on the flight deck. I'm sure someone may well be able to amend/fill out on the above as necessary.

Yes there are.

As things currently stand, I believe Wirbelsturm is partly correct. Certainly in as much as crew must report 'acclimatised' for their trip. This alone would certainly cause problems for some of our commuters who have to travel significant distances to LHR. There are of course also tax implications in spending nights in the UK! However some of these same (LH) commuters hold influential positions within BALPA, so I guess watch this space.

As far as Back to Backs are concerned, I believe there is nothing in EASA to explicitly forbid them, however they must be constructed by the company, who must provide 'approved' accommodation between the flights. No such agreement currently exists. Nor can I particularly imagine BA being terribly interested in the subject unless pilots 'buy' such a process?

However as I said, some of our (LH) long distance commuters occupy influential positions within BALPA, so I guess watch this space.

Commuting certainly won't be impossible, but it is likely to get a little more difficult? Nobody yet knows by how much? If this is a deal breaker for you, then you might be better looking elsewhere?

Are you suggesting that something will only happen if it is in the interests of senior BALPA reps? Who on earth could ever believe that could be the case.....

Many thanks for the replies :)

Have people found the tests sent as examples to represent the actual ones in terms of difficulty? How many do you get on the day and is it a set standard to meet or competing with each other?

Maths is 25 questions in 9 minutes. Verbal reasoning is 32 questions in 18 minutes. There is serious time pressure but I think the emphasis is on completing as much as you can CORRECTLY. I think the verbal reasoning is almost impossible to complete in the time period and know of only one person who got to the end. If you are quick with your maths I reckon it is more manageable to finish.
Most people completed about 25/32 in the VR exam. The questions sent out are a good representation. :ok:

You'll be suggesting BALPA Reps don't have to do Reserve or Blind Lines and have unique 'cherry-picking' (TL0) rights of trips under a revised BidLine rule set next! sheesh

Anyone heard anything yet from the assessments conducted recently?

A colleague of mine starts in January, he did assesments a few weeks ago, if that helps.

The examples they provide mention practicing, with or without a calculator for the numerical. I take it the actual tests on the day are without a calculator?

Last time the test was without a calculator.

Just a quick one on the verbal test, a test I'm horrible at. Is it still done using SHL booklets? I'm hoping using SHL online tests are a good way of practicing.

I presume its better to answer yes or no rather then unable to tell, if the statement is clearly logically implied or inferred..

These guys are quite good for practice tests for the verbal reasoning:
Verbal Reasoning, Free Online Practice Tests

No calculators allowed. You need to be fast. I think I did about 20 or so. I completed all the verbal reasoning tests though!

Re Are there significant numbers commuting at BA?
 

It seems that just about ALL our BALPA reps live in USA or Canada - I couldn't possibly comment on the accuracy of the rumour that they mostly commute for free thanks to amazing "luck" with adjacent BALPA duties...

Also couldn't comment on why, since the Open Skies fiasco, they have given everything BA have asked for without even bothering to check with the membership first - something rotten in the State of Denmark...

Really? I think it's 3 or 4 out of around 25 Reps, I don't know them all so I guess there might be one or two others but I very much doubt it's a majority, let alone "ALL". FWIW there are also a few that "commute" from Europe, there's even at least one brave soul who commutes from Manchester ....then again there are a lot of commuters in BA in general .....

Again because you've definitely made that one up.

From memory post Open Skies the entire BA BALPA constituency has been balloted on at least two things: Flying Pay and issues surrounding the BMI merger. I have absolutely no doubt many didn't like the result of either of those - but nevertheless there were ballots....

P.S. In case you are wondering I am not, and never have been a Rep..

Is there any parking at Waterside?

234

You mentioned some online tests you can find to practice e flight director tests. Can you guys recommend any?

Also was there a personality type questionnaire?

Cheers

Latestpilotjobs.com is a decent place to practice flight director stuff. There is no parking at waterside. We parked in short stay at T5 and got the bus (1 stop). It cost about £20 for 6 hours.

Has anyone who applied via the Non-type rated application heard anything yet?

Given the recruitment team have extended the window to midnight of the 18th, you may not hear anything for a while yet.

Someone I know who's non type rated has heard and has an assessment.

In case i get called.

Anyone know where the best place is for help with the verbal/numerical assessments.

Invite to assessments
 

Hi, has anyone else been online and booked a date yet from the ones being offered initially?

Also if anyone has been to assessment day one recently wouldn't mind sharing their experience?? I've read 234's feedback which is helpful.

Is mental arithmetic still part of the numerical reasoning or just the standard SHL format (data from graphs and tables based). SHL ones allow a calculator is this still the case with BA or I'll need some serious prep work before I book a date...

Thanks

Would anyone be kind enough to explain the staff travel perks for new entrants?

Also, how much on average can you expect to receive in Elapsed hourly rate per month and at what rate is this taxed (and FPA)?

FPA depends on your fleet 320 fleet is £590 give or take a few quid. Taxed at your nominal tax rate. Duty pay is £3.19 per hour from check in until you clear on return to LHR. This is taxed at 20%. Depending on your work line you would be between about £600 and 1000 a month if trip heavy.

Staff travel: bit hazy here I am afraid but pilots get a management bookable ticket each year for themselves and nominated travel partners. FO's club world and skippers in first. It is still subject to availability and various rules. It all is done on seniority so if your waiting to get home you can get bumped off by senior cabin crew etc. Personally I think it's a pain in the ass and don't risk using it right now. You also get standby tickets unlimited and a number of hotline tickets.

If you join us on SH the last thing you will be interested in is spending more time in an aeroplane. Anyhow I digress.....all is moderately above average and great at the top :rolleyes: