Sorry folks didn't mean to get into a Virgin v BA debate.

There were a number of mentions of BA before I wrote my post hence my contribution.

Best of luck in your decision.

I believe that Delta has a fleet of around 850 aircraft that plus Virgin must make it bigger than IAG ?
Surely with just 2 airlines involved instead of IAGs multiple airlines it seems much less of a mess.

It is good but hardly the best in the industry. It doesn't not compare to the pension schemes in Scandinavia for instance.

And are these Scandinavian pensions still open to new joiners and which companies are you referring to? I can't imagine the new "Irish" SAS pension is up to much.

Sorry to ask again...

Is the time to command still around 10 years?

Not having the best rep in the business regarding job security, how do people feel now that Delta are basically running the show? Im guessing a lot more positive? Does anyone worry that they might pull the plug/asset strip the LHR slots etc? Obviously no body can know, but being on the inside you get a feeling of the direct that the business is taking.

Thanks for the answers in advance!:ok:

Can anyone speak from recent experience, how long Virgin take to reply to your initial application?

appreciate it probably depends slightly on if you are in the yes/no/maybe pile of CVs

I have read on previous virgin threads that it can be a considerable wait...

Same question here. Do they always respond, even if it's a no, or are you just left hanging?

Yep, they always respond. Wait time is very variable depending on how many applied, how long it's open for etc.

That's good to know, thank you.

Delta is the most profitable airline in the world. I imagine this is beneficial to the airline in terms of bulk purchasing and best practices. Too bad VS pilots can't match the Delta pilot pay - I met one senior 20-year 767 FO (MAN layover) who made $400K last year!

And why do you think is that?

Because the US pilot unions are by far more united and stronger than us wimpy unions in europe.
Stand up all together, be unionosed all together!
We in Europe only mown p, but do not act!
We just let it happen!

Don,t complain after. Vote, go on strike and stay on strike till greedy management gives in.

Virgin Atlantic schedule B787
 

hi all,
i was wondering what a typical roster is for a Virgin Atlantic FO on 787? how many days away and how many days off.

Are there also flights longer than 4 days?
are there any plans that VS will also add holiday destinations to the 787 devision? such as carribean, which is now on the airbus fleet?

Thanks,.

Any Airbus rated people heard anything?

Non Monarch people that is...

It's been a month and I've not heard a peep.

The recruitment ads always run for a certain time and are then withdrawn. I guess today was the day for airbus to close. No doubt the monarch one will stay for a while longer. The team reads all cvs regardless hence it can take some time to receive an answer positive or negative. No monarch conspiracy I'm afraid, just giving people a chance after their difficult week. It'd be nice if the rest of the airline businesses thought similar.....kudos to the other companies giving monarch crews a lifeline though too.

Edited to add monarch pilots will go through exactly the same process as any other applicant, that's the role of HR to ensure a level playing field

Well said!

Monarch pilots and crew.
 

On Friday, several of us from Titan Airways went to LTN to meet our Monarch colleagues. All of us came away thinking what a great group of people you are.

We enjoyed meeting you and want to thank you for taking the time to talk with us.

Whilst we do not have jobs for all displaced Monarch crews, we are very much looking forward to seeing a good number of you - starting from Thursday - over the coming weeks at our assessment days and simulator sessions along with the other "non Monarch" applicants. All applicants will be treated identically.

Excellent post and excellent ‘nom de plume’, G-DAJB!

Not wishing to drift off the original thread but as money and pension features quite a lot I'd strongly advise that you keep an eye on your annual and lifetime tax allowance or you could get clobbered big time.

There's been good people who have been waiting a long time for Virgin to open up recruitment and now it's been closed to them.
'an exceptional glut of quality supply' There's already a glut of quality supply that have applied already.

The Monarch guys weren't that interested in Virgin before now should get preferential treatment?

I do feel sorry for the Monarch guys but I don't remember anyone offering me any breaks when I was made redundant from GSS, especially not Monarch!

Last week i noticed that on the application overview at virgin jobs... the status was: ...closing...
(While 787 current status is: open.
In other words, they indicated at least 5 days in advance that it was about to close...

Take into account that there are subtantial pilots (eg easyjet) with 320
Ratings... so they prob received an overload on cv's. And therefore closed it so soon.

It's not about altruism, it's all about supply and demand. There's a significant shortage of quality experienced pilots right now. And all of a sudden, 400 become available!

Well, watch this space. There might be more openings for Airbus rated guys and less so for the 787 very soon due to circumstances.

Are they selling their 787's? Or ordering more 'buses?

No and no. 3 more 787 to arrive in the new year. Just a bit of route shifting between types going on at the moment

For all the guys upset about ex Monarch pilots having "jumped the queue" as far as I am aware they are just getting their applications fast tracked because they have no notice period. They are not being guarentee'd jobs you may or may not feel entitled to.

Infact having spoken to a few of my mates from Monarch they would gladly swap someone's secure A320 job for their supposed "enhanced" recruitment opportunities.

I've heard the ex Monarch have start dates with Virgin, any ex Monarch get interviews or PFO emails yet?

Anyone heard anything recently (Non ex-Monarch)?

Secondly, are the Monarch guys being given start dates?

Just got an email saying thanks for being patient, the Monarch guys are being prioritised but we will get to all the applications eventually. C'est la vie

Nothing for me either other than a rejection. Though, I'm probably too old to be of interest to them.

No patience email for me....nothing

All pilots are based at LHR with a crew shuttle provided to/from LGW. MAN base can be requested once in the airline.

VS Part Time
 

Chaps,

As one of the oh-so-lucky ex Monarch pilots to have woken up 3 weeks ago without a job I am very grateful for the support from across our industry. Most fellow pilots have been incredibly sympathetic and supportive.

I have some questions on part time roster with VS -

What part time options are on offer?

Do any of the options give the ability to live remotely and work, say, for the first or last 2 weeks of a period and guarantee longer periods off between trips?

Many thanks for the continuing support guys.

Evening Trotts

Part time is 85/75/50% which is 23 on 7 off, or 20 on 10 off, or 16 on 14 off respectively but the 50% might be 15/15 but not sure.

There is a large waiting list at the mo running into several years so don't hold your breath!

All the best

No part time on offer for new joiners, but once you're past your probation period (or the first year, I can't remember which) then you can apply for it. However, the queue is currently around 4 years long, across all fleets, and is only getting longer!

There are various part time offerings in place, each with their different advantages and disadvantages. But rest assured that there'll be plenty of time to look into them all and consider your options way before you get the offer of part time :-)

Having said that, lots of people already on part time do live abroad and commute, in a similar way to that which you're suggesting.

I'm glad that you've found a job....we're all sympathetic to your situation, as it can happen to any of us, at any time.

Good luck!

Thanks
 

Thanks to all for the replies- very helpful.

I'm not there yet!- interviewed last week and hoping to hear soon.

Another BA vs Virgin thing to bear in mind is the viability of the business. I've heard VS are on track for another loss this year. How long till DL just take the LHR slots and be done with the rest? The AFKL share purchase effectively takes control away from Branson.

This isn't a BA vs Virgin thread though is it?

Start your own about why BA is so much better if that's what you want to discuss.

The virgin brand is actually one that seems to be liked in the US, so I'd hazard that the joint venture would work on making virgin more efficient and working into profitability rather than just grabbing slots.

No reason not to think that Delta are happy to loss-lead VS to ensure the rest of the operation remains profitable. I thought this was one benefit of codeshare and partnerships? Without VS, Delta would be short the clients who prefer the VS brand to Delta.