Has anyone else got the start date of 26th January?

“How was the drive in” standard CRC chat… :8

I live just over an hour and a half away, I have friends who live dramatically closer in terms of distance but the time we have to allow for our commutes is actually quite similar. Our houses, however, are not.

Yes I have that start date also.

same here

Hey all, looking for thoughts/opinions.

Currently short-haul for EZY. Ultimate goal is to go long-haul - ideally a350. My initial thoughts were to wait for long-haul DEP at 1500 hours which would be at earliest, end of 2026. To which, there is no guarantee long-haul is offered. Ofcourse the alternative for a350 would be Virgin, however probably not the best for a long-term career within the UK. Recently, I have been hearing it would be better to get in via 320 DEP since seniority is everything. The engagement freeze is 6 years. Does that typically get reduced and are able to change fleets earlier? Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. Stuck in two minds.

Cheers

Freezes have been waived repeatedly in the past however I would say it’s far from guaranteed and relies on a bit of luck. For instance I joined SH in 2016 (when the freeze was 5 years) being told “ah you’ll be on LH in 4 years” but because of Covid and a quirk of the bidding system (basically being held to your #1 OK bid when in reality you would have taken anything) I ended up spending almost 8 years on SH (not out of choice I can tell you).

Yes you can escape your freeze earlier but just be aware there’s as much potential for downside as upside.

(There’s talk of freeze lengths being shortened now as it’s surprise surprise causing a headache for BA as people don’t want to pick up some of the longer freezes - particularly to SH P1 - for an aspirational bid).

The advice to get in ASAP is valid, not just for seniority but you never know what is around the corner. I know of people who delayed their start date in 2012 and ended up on PP34 instead of the PP24 contract they would have had, costing them eye watering amounts of money).

K Singh, I agree with Rex, just get yourself on the MSL asap (take the earliest start date you get offered).

To counter Rex's experience, I joined BA a couple of years before him on the A320, unfrozen early (yipee!) and had a successful bid to the 747. Covid happened and I ended up grounded for a couple of years in CRS (boo!) I didn't want to be there, bid for every fleet & seat available, I would have taken everything to keep flying. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes not so much.

The A350 will be around for a very long time. Join asap.

Just to add an old fart’s opinion - if you join and serve the full freeze on the 320, which I think is 6 years now, a) you will go up in seniority far quicker in the RHS of the 320 than the 350 and improve your life as you do so and b) you’ll slip in above everyone who joined after you on the 350 and never have to endure junior long haul…

You've gone and done it now :}

Hi all,

Starting on the A320 type rating early next year.

Was just wondering how long the type rating usually lasts and what the schedule is like (mon - fri 9-5?) mainly asking so I can plan some accommodation as I’m 2 hours from LHR.

TIA

There’s a good chance you’ll be sent to Gatwick in which case the accommodation will be provided.

Same question as above but for the 777?

Have you emailed recruitment and asked them if they can share your training footprint. Depending your start date your course should already be planned up to line training.

Training for fleets other than the A320 is almost certainly done at Heathrow. A350 might have a little bit done down at Gatwick.

First week will likely be Monday-Friday at Heathrow doing the company introduction courses with ground school starting some point in week 2 or 3. Sims will start shortly after that. The sims and ground school will be in blocks of days on, followed by a few days off. This could fall on weekdays or weekends.

Hey all. Anyone got some sim feedback? Also, if anyone would like to pair up and go to a practice simulator on the 8th let me know! Thanks

Amazing, thank you!

A320 or A380, full 4 hour slot. A-B, B-C. Non-technical event in there somewhere.

All raw data, no bird, no FD, no A/THR. AP basic modes above transition alt.

A couple of hours in a 320 sim should be more than adequate for either, good luck!

Is BA providing certificate of sponsorship for skilled worker visas fer UE citizens at the moment?

I was told that they do for Euroflyer DEC and Aspiring Command. The other roles dont make the criteria.

h.

I’ve heard that DEP can only go onto either 777 or A320 without being type rated on the 320. No a350 or a380 as BA only do CCQ for 350/380. Does anyone know if this is the case for internal moves too?

So let’s say I joined on the 777. If I wanted to move to the 350 would I first have to do 6 years (or whatever the fleet freeze is at the time) on the 320 before moving to 350? Or is it possible to go internally from 777 straight to 350? TIA.