Could anyone tell me the latest package for a new joiner FO full time, realistic monthly salary, average sector pay and pension etc, thanks

Try post #172 for starters.

5/4 roster pattern, low CoL area and a decent wedge. Chop all that in for a spot at the bottom of a seniority list which is nailed by all accounts to a ship that is at the very least filling with water? You’d be mad.

Agreed , also if I was in your shoes I wouldn’t go to BA LH either …. Trust me the grass is certainly not greener!

That depends on many variables.

Virgin I wouldn’t touch. Certainly not this SO gig even as FO, you never know how long before they need to lay guys/gals off.

BA LH has a lot more benefits compared to RYR even if you are LHS.
As I said in other places here the only benefit of RYR is 5 on 4 off and possibly quick command year 1 and 2 of command is reduced salary.

The salary quoted at RYR includes pension and allowance to pay for your own medical, LOL, etc. No pay increase at RYR every year like at BA. 10 years time you want part time or other at BA you have that option. RYR no way. Might do it over winter but unlikely. Why are so many leaving RYR? Rumours are a 1000 working notices.

If you live within 1 hr of LHR BA passenger Ops is the best option IMO.

By the time you reach BA LHS LH, you've lost so much pay by staying put in RYR LHS that the benefits are almost negligible. If I compare to Virgin pay, changing from RYR LHS to Virgin would mean 15 years of wait to get to the same pay as I'm on today. If you compound, it's almost half-mil lost, and the option to retire earlier also lost. Even if BA pay is much better than Virgin, it is still a big dent. By the time you get to the top of LH payscale, you'll be tired and possibly fed-up of the life style. If you are young and no commitments, BA is a no-brainer. If you are past your 30's, it might not be that straightforward.

Maybe times have changed or it is just me, but I definitely value being back at home every night and not live out of a suitcase. No kids for me, I would think someone who has kids would even value this more.

Agreed, but only a fool would consider the pension as part of their pay package and not as a benefit. As far as I see it, the pension in fact reduces my income. If I don't contribute, RYR won't either. The benefit of contributing is RYR matching and enjoying that money when you retire.

Not true, there are pay increases across the network. Whether they are meaningful or not in the current economic climate it's another story. The problem with the way RYR approaches this is they can take it or add as management please. During times of demand, they'll increase, during times of weakness, they'll take it away. However the stark reality is that any operator will adjust to this - COVID wasn't that long time ago and I don't know any operator that didn't reduce pay and/or made people redundant.

Yes, loads leaving at the moment, mainly UK as at the moment it is a niche market (immigration and licence restrictions due to Brexit), but the majority are FOs and not CPT.

But if you don't... That's another downside of BA. Not everyone lives or likes London.

At the end of the day, it is horses for courses. It really depends what are your current circumstances, of what you want in life now and in the future.
10 years ago I would have joined Virgin in a heartbeat without even considering BA, let alone RYR.

I think this is key, and it applies to those considering Virgin as much as to any other airline currently recruiting in the U.K.

It depends on your personal circumstances, and these vary enormously from one person to the next. It also depends on what your priorities are : maximising income above all else/quickest route to command or lifestyle / not having to commute (or some sort of compromise)…etc.

I smile when I see these posts singing a particular airline’s praises coupled with a complete inability to understand why anyone could possibly want to work anywhere else.

As an example, there are now a significant number of people entering the profession who have had a previous career, and have been in the fortunate position to now pursue their boyhood dream of flying. They might not give a stuff about command (they might not get it before they retire anyway) or not reaching the top pay point at airline X. For others, these things will be very relevant ….it all depends.

I crunched the number with my mate loads on this. I have seen his payslips you won’t be losing as much as you think depending on when you jump.
He is FO year 2 his minimum take home a month is £4600. 1 trip overtime and he netted nearly £2k on top of that. Add in the 15% company pension plus the ability to travel on BA network for very little. Yes he actually gets less days off a month but he isn’t as tired. 5 days on at RYR through summer is hard work landing 1-4am on your first day off technically multiple times wipes you out.

Regarding pay rise RYR you might or might not get a pay rise. BA £3k a pay rise every year with the current pay deal.

I had the same thoughts as you about BA. After sitting down with my mate cards on the table the benefits add up. At BA It’s not as big a difference as you make out. Even coming down to mortgage the bank wouldn’t consider all of my RYR salary. Base plus half the duty pay. Instantly missing out on a leverage opportunity. Makes a massive difference.
Virgin I don’t actually know anyone close enough at Virgin to get the exact figures I have seen a couple of rosters and they do not look nice.
LHS RYR to Virgin doesn’t sound very good. Even RHS to SO position would be a bad move IMO.

You should receive a briefing pack from Jet masterclass. All Raw data flying, SID, some general handling; steepnturns, climbs, descents, then some kind of issue, either engine flame out or medical emergency, leading to decision/NITS/P.A. and ILS approach. Fairly straight forward. Don’t be rushed into the approach.

Does anyone happen to know the full assessment run down? I've got to complete the psychometric assessment next. Just wondering what's next? Many thanks :)

Has anyone heard back since doing the online assesments?

it’s all the posts above ⬆️

I know someone that told me she withdrew her application to Virgin for a few reasons, the biggest of which was that the pension contribution is now reduced to 10% for those joining from this round of recruitment.
Perhaps she was premature if pension hasn’t been reduced to 10%.

She must have been very on the fence then. That’s basically a 5% pay cut (ish…) which was enough to make her not consider.

Though given what’s been said already, may have just been the last straw.

I saw they are now trying to hire cheap 2nd Officers through the Zenon ....

And Senior First Officers by the looks of it. They have relaxed their hours requirement as well.

they are not getting enough applicants I wonder why ?

Apparently people haven’t been turning up for their conversion courses recently. Maybe received a better offer (BA, J2 etc.)

Where does that lead one with regards to upgrade?
SFO/FO/SO - it's just a name for the RHS pilot with a certain number of hours behind them.

It’s on a 737 fixed base sim. All the other details have been given accurately further up in the thread.

hi I see the bit about what will happen in the sim but they also mentioned about group exercises and interview so was wondering what people had been asked recently

I second this, not a Virgin employee anymore but I’m glad some of these “The Sun/Dailymail” avid readers, owners of the “truth”, self righteous, unpleasant, backwards and ultracrepidarian sky-Gods are leaving.

I don’t get why these little men care so much as it doesn’t directly affect them. Why do you care if male crew wear make up? What’s the point of coming here and make such comments? 737 jockey, A320_LGW etc a few who did that, I bet you were the guys your colleagues swapped trips, and the crew avoided meeting down-route because you were insufferable.I looked through recent posts you guys made and there’s quite a few rejections from the job search, wonder why…

Let it go, you’re a bigot, fine, we get it. Let’s steer the conversation to something constructive as we want to hear information about the airline and the process. Don’t like the airline? Move on then.

Will they ask technical questions in the final stage interview and would they be more likely to be about my current type or the 787?

For anyone that’s done the Cut e test …. Any idea which tests come up when you log on to the link?

Would anyone share some feedback on the Cut e test and what tests will come up with the link?

After a bit of thinking and having passed the assessment, I chose not to go forward and withdrew my application. Various reasons but sitting down writing out the numbers and going through a list of pros/cons, best to start the command process at Voldemort airlines. Who knows if I’ve made the right decision. Would be nice to fly the 78, visit great locations and chat up the young CC but maybe in later life. Good luck to those still in the assessment process.

-> Inductive Reasoning.
-> Deductive Reasoning.
-> Spatial Orientation.
-> Multi-tasking Capability.
-> Language Skills.
-> Applied Numeracy.
-> Complex Control.
-> Auditory Comprehension.
-> Work-related behaviour.

Which rank did you apply for?

SFO mate

Does anyone know what start dates are being offered?

I believe it’s continuous. Multiple courses a month which will continue into the foreseeable.

Is there a managed exit pathway in VS?
Asking for a friend

Right to live and work in UK
 

Hi folks,

Does anybody know if VAA is looking for people with no restrictions to live and work in UK or they may sponsor for working permit VISA?
Many thanks 🙏

Yes, virgin currently has a managed exit pathway.

Care to share the managed exit deal?
if as these pages suggest there is an issue recruiting why have a MEP or is it just a reduce costs initiative?

They will sponsor the work Visa if you are successful.

They are struggling to recruit , an airline which is very exposed .
I would think VERY carefully about joining .If and when another “crisis” happens then be prepared for a knee jerk redundancy.

yes always about cost

Meps was bought to the table by balpa pre covid. There is no doubt it saves money but it’s also a nice way to retire. Being able to plan to retire years ahead with a percentage of your salary for up to seven years will significantly help the pension and lifestyle pot.

Anyone with some insights on this one?