Well to show you how appealing the T&C's are at BACF, even for the contract pilots.... This weeks course of Capts failed to show up! They all found better jobs or contracts elsewhere. This is the start of the spiral we have been warning about for the past few years. As an idea of the severity other than those EDI based crews who want to live in EDI, I can honestly say that I don't know a single Capt or FO who isn't applying elsewhere!! Even recent upgrades within the past year are handing in notice and leaving. The first comment out of anyone's mouth on seeing colleagues is "what's your escape plan, where are applying?" Rats abandoning a sinking ship comes to mind.
It's a shame as the people we work with on a day to day basis are fabulous...... It's just the people who they still allow to run this sinking ship that are ruining a once good company.

Sorry guys, I do not mean to start a discussion here but it is more out of curiosity.

- Some (insider, I guess) mention crap pay and bad rosters(and yes, 5 or 6 and then 1 or 2 is bad) - why then not going for RYR? I mean it seems the pay is better, good TR and getting hours on that frame, then, let's see....
Rosters over there are much better, especially for me I like the idea of NO nightstop at all at daily ops(except AOG of course).

So better pay, more off, holidays on top, most likely the same bad(in terms of pilot hater) management. Why would you go for Cityflier?

And last comment - suggesting Korean - that is not a nice thing to do. If I believe this forum and some comments from some friends flying(or not flying over there and deciding instead to stay with their current chinese company(!!)) over there - not a nice place to be. You think Turkish does not really like foreign pilots, have a go at Korean and enjoy.

Just to put you right RJ, galley FM has gone mental. It was actually the assessment days where 7 didn't show up. 9 have signed binding contracts to start in the next few weeks. I had heard this myself about the vanishing 7, but have been corrected by a very reliable source!!!

Dear All,

I recently applied for the DEC at BACF, application has been accepted. I booked for the first assessment day but did have a lot of questions before undertaking a quite long trip (Europe Mainland) to Southampton for 1/2 day or a Full day, TBC.
As for now, I haven't seen any extra costs yet....anyone who can tell me if the Interview is charged? The Sim session cost??.
As for the roster..... doesn't look promising as my intention was to eventually do this commuting....

Thanks for the info

According to CTC

"Apart from any costs you may incur, there are no costs to attend any part of the selection process."

JetsetWilly,
I don't have to be set straight by anyone, least of all a newbie to BACF!!
If what you say is true why did the company initially delay April roster publication?
Because people didn't turn up for an assessment day? Even our Company isn't silly enough to roster people before assessing them!
If you choose to believe the company spin then feel free. I have spoken to at least two very reliable sources who confirm that people didn't show for the course be it contract pilots or new hires, that is the part that's open for debate.

If BACF need good pilot retention and want to attract quality applicants they need to up the anti, the pay and conditions are simply way below expectations.

Simples really

Could anyone give me any details on what happens at CTC? Lots of talk about people not showing up to class dates and also heard people are canceling their assessment days also. Does this mean BACF is in dire need of pilots to the point that there will be flight cancelations?

I applied DEC and got invited but when I discovered the:

1) pay below industry standard
2) have to pay for assessment
3) pay for flight to get to at least london
4) accomodation with no word for discounts
and it is a BA Logo company

perhaps I should hold on to my current job.

No charge for the assessment for DECs...or that was the case when I applied.

How is it that some agencies say BACF will accept an ICAO licence, not that I mind but I know in EU you can not go anywhere on an ICAO licence. ...any ideas?

Just a thought. Why would CTC put any outside person through to BACF if they are in the business of promising their students job placements? Seems like a conflict of interest to me. Just seems like BACF could have used a more neutral recruiter!!

Kgn6 - That would appear to be an active policy! BACF must know this so there must be a compelling reason why they continue to use CTC.

Agreed... huge conflict of interest

CTC isn't just a pilot training organisation... it looks like it's become a pilot recruitment and pilot placement organisation.

I think they do recruitment/assessment/selection for a number of airline Direct Entries now.

If the grapevine is anything to go by, it sounds like there are more opportunities than there are pilots finishing their training at CTC anyway.

Anybody know what is up with CTC never having any spaces available for the selection days? I have been asked to part take more than a month and a half ago, check frequently, but I always get the message that there are no spaces available. Emailed to two different email addresses but no response.
This is for an F/O position, I know that captains could still pick dates up to a few weeks ago...

... strange indeed - there is usually no delay in relieving you of £250... got to keep those old boys golf club fees paid up haven't we! :yuk::yuk::yuk:

Charges have gone. Nobody daft enough to pay it!!!!!

Hi all and thanks for all the info. I'm a bizjet pilot and since the airplane is being sold I'm considering all options. I'm not desperate because I'd rather stay a few months without pay rather than accepting very bad T&Cs. I'd like to try the airlines althought most of the people I know complain about the same stuff. !!!! pay, roster, quality of life. I applied in BACF and they invited me for the assessment. No fee to pay but air fare and hotel are on me. The first available date for the assessment was the 23rd of Oct, so it looks like they are busy at CTC. Any feedback from whoever went there would be much appreciated. Just a couple of questions for the insiders. How much does this company have to do with BA? Same seniority or different? Any chance to move to BA in the futures? What about staff travel? Cheers

To answer your qs
Subsidiary of BA, prob looks similar to pax but pay is a lot less. Different seniority. Good chance to move to BA, interview for BA after at least 2 years service. Staff travel exactly the same as BA including your rank (which could help on a stby ticket I guess). Hope that helps!
Btw may I ask when you applied please? I applied a few weeks ago DEC and have heard nada from CTC.
Cheers dash