I would think this would qualify as ‘Force majeure’, BA are likely to be able to alleviate all contractural obligations to the new joiners whilst the effects of Corona Virus are impacting the business. Of course can only be applicable if the BA contract includes a clause allowing the application of Force Majeure but I would be shocked if they don’t have it in the wording. Corona Virus is clearly an event outside of the control of both parties.

A friend of mine was due to start next month and he asked about hold pool validity and if there would be any ramifications of lack of currency, for those who have already resigned from their current position.

He said that he was assured that in a worst case scenario, there would be indefinite validity for those entering the hold pool again. There would also be no problem for those that may have a gap in flying activity, prior to eventual employment with BA.

The current situation is unlike any before. This is expected to be a very significant but relatively short time frame event. What does the company do? In this situation it needs to minimise losses in the short term without affecting the medium term plans. If there were to be a panicked mass redundancy of hundreds of pilots, it would then prove very difficult to get them all back into work quickly enough when we see recovery.

We see offers for unpaid leave (up to one month), part time options and recruitment freezes (although did we not only two days ago recruit a load of new managers?). What’s the next step? Voluntary retirement package? Part time working across all pilots? As a group what we need to do is all take some of the pain and not see our more junior colleagues out of work. We all complain about workload, lack of time off and tax, this maybe a opportunity to address those issues and save jobs.

Yes I am full time, yes I would go 75% for a fixed period and no I am probably senior enough to not have to do that. I have been at risk a number of times and I was saved by the good will of more senior pilots and I am prepared to do the same for my colleagues.

All speculation of course, hopefully we don’t get to that point.

Bex88
 

Great post, well said.

Do not resign!
 

First I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the pilots here that resigned from current job after getting a contract and a start date with BA.
I have had the great joy to listen to probably 100s of FOs being on the way out of my outfit for greener grass.
It always strike me as odd how obsessed they are with " honoring" the present contract with regards to notice.
In bad times as we have had lately,there is no points for being a Gentleman. It is survival, for individuals and companies alike.
It is brutal but do NOT hand in resignation before course start at the new company. Burn that bridge if You have to.
Regards
Cpt B

Surely they can have you for breach of contract if you do that?

If you have a notice period of 3 months, you have to give notice.
You can't just walk out the door. They will sue you for breach of contract, which you will lose. And it will cost lots.

If you've been given a start date then that constitutes an employment contract and it does not have to be verbal.
Unless there is a force majeur clause in any BA contract or agreement you sign, then they have to honour it.

I’m sure I’ve heard worse advice in my life, but I certainly can’t think of it right now.

Not a clever comment from Blu.Aviation has big ears and recruiters all know each other.
Besides if they hear you have left without notice,are you going to do it again.
Most airlines would ask for reference from previous employer,won’t end well with Blu advice.

Remarkable. There's all sorts of integrity issues with his sort of behaviour and this is no industry for having your integrity questioned. I have nothing but sympathy for anyone who finds themsevles in hard times at the moment, through job loss or loss of potential employment, however taking this sort of advice will leave you as the biggest sitting duck on the lake.

My thoughts exactly!

No they won’t. They can take you to the high court to seek an injunction to stop you working but why an earth would they bother for a pilot. Yes if you’re a board member who is a genuine threat to the business by going elsewhere, just a pilot though? Absolutely not.

Sorry to say it but if you think you are that important that Ezy/Ryanair will fight that hard to keep you (particularly at the moment) then you’re nuts.

Integrity argument... kind of. Again... do you think your new employer actually gives a damn? There is no blacklist of people that have jumped ship, you forget you’re just a number (not always a bad thing!)

Not to say that people should run out and start doing this (ideally you’d always want to honour your employment obligations obviously!) but there has to come a point where you put yourself first if the circumstances demand it. Imagine you’re working in an office with a three month notice period waiting for your first airline job and your dream job phones you up and wants you in the very next day, of course you’d be there, as would everyone reading this. It’s really not that different.

Not that I’m advocating this but I remember a few years ago TAP were offering positions at very short notice and were actively encouraging pilots to leave their previous company without notice, saying they were happy for them to join without a reference etc.

At an airline where recruitment/movement up the MSL is slower than BA, the DOJ was even more important and I know FR for example lost a not insignificant number almost overnight!

Mythbusting time!
 

" All recruiters know each other!" NO!
" He might need a reference,," For what , he just started in BA, Only leaving for the Oldfolks Home!
A company I know of does not even give reference!! So arrange with a " friendly" Cpt or Trainer to give You a letter!
" You will get sued " NO! FOR WHAT! Two of my friends left with no notice , never heard a thing!
" Aviation has big ears" NO! It used to , when it was the CP or Head of Training doing the culling of CVs on his table. HR is a different beast.

I am afraid we have quite a few pilots presently working the last days of notice. To be available for a course that might not start until next February.
This is the context I issue this advice to be considered for anyone in similar position in these uncertain times.
I would not advice this for normal procedure, not even Non Normal , we are talking Recall Item Emergency here!

I have been way to many places in my 32 years in Aviation and this crisis has the potential to unhinge the market for us pilots like nothing I have ever seen.
But by all means question my integrity for coming with tough advice.
I am not going anywhere.
For now!
Good Luck to All
Cpt B

Great post

Key takeaway here is the HR point. References really don’t exist anymore. All you will EVER get is a ‘confirmation of employment dates’ or something similarly titled. Reason is no one wants to be sued for giving a bad reference so are scared of them, quite reasonably. And absolutely right about the chief pilot point, modern airlines are not old boys clubs where if daddy wore the right squadron tie you got in, everyone is equal and you’re based purely on the application, nothing else.

I expect that once this crisis is over, BA won’t be able to get new pilots in fast enough. They have acquired the Flybe slots and I’d be very surprised if they sell any of those.

Plenty of people have left Ryanair without serving their notice period. I flew with a captain who received a job offer on a turnaround down route, handed his ID and iPad in on return to base and was never seen again. It’s not the worst advice in the world in the current climate, and airlines have bigger fish to fry right now than chasing an FO for not serving their notice.

The best advice though is don’t go to BA. Their true colours have been shown in their treatment of pilots and cabin crew with signed contracts to join. From what I gather, the goodwill doesn’t improve after joining either.

i don’t think they are any different to any other company.

Out of interest, where's this no course until next February coming from?

bex88, I don’t know you nor have I ever met you, but I would gladly buy you a beer if and when we ever crossed paths.