Whilst anonymity does increase the snarkiness on here, what the majority of ordinary BALPA members are struggling to understand is how, in this period of such unrivalled profitability, with a quite evident shortfall in the supply of experienced pilots globally, there has been such a downward trend in T's & C's?
They are also confused by the fact that should any member dare mention this 'disconnect' on the Union forum, they are publicly vilified for it by both reps and a small handful of supporters. The resignations are many. BALPA is in disarray.

Nicely put 'Right Engine'

I get why so many feel disenchanted, but what exactly does resigning from the union achieve?

Apart from the predictable response of a "1% pay rise" :hmm:

Admittedly very little, but those who did, often say it is the only way of making the Reps appreciate the level of dismay. BALPA appears to represent the demographic that most matches the BACC. In other words, if you're on long haul and you commute, your opinion is most valid and your lifestyle, most protected.

It is also not helped by reps who fail to get re-elected yet are continuing in their role (when their low-vote was a consequence of their perceived failings)

After reading the recent posts with a sneak peek of the BA SH lifestyle, I'm still happy I'm applying. I'm with a low cost right now, and moving to BA for a similar lifestyle with some better benefits is a win-win for me.

I'm not fussed about getting a command quickly, I just enjoy flying planes, and to do so from a London based base is an excellent opportunity for me. Especially when I grew up only a few miles from Heathrow.

I've made it through stage 1 and have an interview lined up for early August, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Glip ; I think you will succeed. I would hire you tomorrow. Good luck.

...with an upcoming BA assessment looming, is the consensus regardless of your test results, subject to having a current rating equal to BA fleet?

I have neither yet qualify for DEP due to having the Jet/Multi crew time. Studying hard for the assessment - but to peril as neither Boeing or Airbus TR?

Have they dropped the grammar assessment? ;)

I'm practising maths right now ;-)

Glipglop, good luck.

despite the anger at BALPA, BA is still a great company to work for, it has its's challenges but so do all companies.

there is plenty of advice out there about the interview. It is an evidence based interview - give me an example of when xxxxx. Be aware of BA as a company and its position within IAG. How it is doing financially and what challenges it faces. and all the normal stuff too,

Balpa hq have lost the plot. They think they are a more political machine now.
No, negotiate the terms the pilot workforce require them to say and call the strike if needed. Balpa is the legal framework to make this happen.

Get with the program Balpa or stop taking the money.

(Continued thread drift)

re- BALPA and

..If you're following the debate in the "other place" you'll know that there have been pleas by some line pilots for the community to make a point to the company by not volunteering to help the company out by picking up uncovered work or selling back summer leave, etc. Following such pleas there then follows howls of protest by other line pilots who demand their free market right to do whatever they want with their time in return for cash......:oh:. Given that what do you think the chances are of IA of any sort being solidly supported across the line community?

I think some of the things that has been agreed by BA BALPA's are shall we say somewhat puzzling, such as the change to the short haul duty rig, but organising BA pilots, each with their own agenda is a bit like herding cats.....

Hopefully, now, back to DEP recruitment.....

I was told recently that any new Pilots joining BA will be signing a contract to join IAG rather than BA Specifically. A worrying turn of events if true! Anyone care to shed light? :sad:

I'm sure that's been both asked and answered here or on one of the parallel threads before. That said I'm darned if I can remember what the definitive conclusion was.

No doubt probably somebody with superior search skills to me (which is most of you) can find the answer...

737 Jockey...

I've received my start date within the last few days. There was no mention of any IAG contract during the phone call or the subsequent email confirmation from BA resourcing. They've been very pleasant, professional and open from the outset so I'd be surprised if it arrives with IAG all over it. That being said, until it arrives on the door mat I couldn't say for certain.

ATB

2W2R

The previous "conversation" I recalled was from about a year back when it seemed that some were somehow under the impression their contract meant that they could be redeployed to other fleets within IAG, AFAIK that was and is incorrect. Not sure what the letterhead is on the current contract but AFAIK the deal is that BA are the employer.

As mentioned above, I've had nothing to give me any inclination that I'll be receiving anything other than a BA contract. The BA recruitment / resourcing dept have been a pleasure to deal with throughout the process so I'd be surprised if it does arrive with IAG on it. Either way, my resignation is already in and it wouldn't stop me joining anyway having received both the base and fleet I was hoping for.

Whatever happens, I'm a VERY happy chappy.

"Which name on the contract?" was asked at the LGW roadshow.

We were told that it will be a BA contract, however IAG owns BA so "make of that what you will"...

My contract (which I received in April) makes no mention of IAG, only BA.

There was some internal comms the other day to indicate the recruitment and manpower depts were looking into the numbers required next year. It certainly sounded as if recruitment would be opening up later again for next years need, in addition to the FPP and managed path route.

Have all this years posts been successfully filled?

Harry, stated above. No where near.

Next years drives going to be a struggle then.

At a recent Stage 2 assessment day presentation it was mentioned that approx 350 new pilots need to be hired between now and end of 2016. So 50% of recruitment is complete. They are also considering re-opening the application for non-rated who applied but failed the assessment process under one year ago.

There is also a steady trickle out of the door at the moment that has the potential to be more of a gush; EASA hasn't kicked in yet fully, especially on long haul, senior bods facing huge tax bills with their pensions since the budget, and there is a strong rumour that 700+ have applied for part-time....

Sorry guys if this as been mentioned in this topic already. What are the 767 rosters like. I know this fleet are retiring but maybe not for 3 or so years. How many sector per day would you get? Like SH fleet would you get 2,3,4-5 day trips.

Very much hope non rated recall goes ahead.

Speedbirdie,

All that follows is yesterdays plan, I am not aware of todays plan and I have no inckling of tomorrows plan.

The long haul 767s retire finally at the end of summer '16 and the long haul trips are either 3, 4, or 5 days long. Almost all short haul days are 2 sector (there and back) trips. very occasionally there is a 4 sector glasgow trip and we have a strange 3 day trip with 3 sectors on day 1, day 2 off down route and 1 sector early on day 3.

Come winter '16 we will be down to just 7 SH aircraft so everyone is hoping that it will become very inefficient in the last 2 years but I doubt we will be so lucky.

Also be aware that when the 767 finally retires you might not have sufficient seniority to bid for a long haul fleet and you may be directed to the airbus. That said the 767 fleet is a very friendly and happy fleet with very reasonable rosters at the moment compared to the A320 and 747.

Regards

If you're unlucky enough to be directed from say 767 or 747 to A320, are you refrozen for 4/5 years on SH or are you only locked for the hiring freeze?

coalencanth,

Only for the remainder of your 5 years hiring freeze.

Regards

Thanks binsleepin'

coalencanth,

Are you heading to the 767 fleet?

Thank you binsleepen

how many hours a month can you expect to fly and would it be mixed SH and LH or do BA roster you LH 1 month and SH the other?

Thanks again

I know I'm being lazy and not reading back, but what is life like at LGW? Is the contract the same? I understand the rostering is different. The hold pool email said today that the remaining positions for 2015 are based out of LGW for experienced 320 DEPs. Is there a transfer list for LHR? Personally commuting to LGW would make life a lot harder. Thanks in advance for any info.

2 whites 2 reds:


No sorry - Had an option on the table, decided to stay where I am.


cheers

All quiet on the western front hey? I guess because the application window has been closed for now.

Apparently its so they can process A320 rated people who missed out within the last year.

They are working through the people who applied. No sim slots available for those who get that far until mid September. At the presentation I was given on my Day 2, they have courses filled to November and around 40 openings to be filled the remainder of this year by A320 rated OCCs and around 300-350 to be filled next year.

When is the 2016 drive likely to start, must be soon if they require such a large number of people.

If it's anything like last year expect non-TR'd recruitment to start at the end of October.