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-   -   British Airways Direct Entry Pilot (https://www.pprune.org/terms-endearment/649631-british-airways-direct-entry-pilot.html)

kwaralala 30th January 2025 19:46


Originally Posted by momo95 (Post 11817116)
Congratulations Kwaralala.

I was recently given 777 or 787 and chose 787. There appears to be some revival of hiring onto the 787? I remember a while ago someone said here said the 787 was full RE hiring, I guess that has changed.

Many thanks. Dunno about the 787 seats being filled up since they have a direct entry 787 opening on the careers page since at least 2 months.

Saab0409 31st January 2025 07:55


Originally Posted by kwaralala (Post 11817639)
Many thanks. Dunno about the 787 seats being filled up since they have a direct entry 787 opening on the careers page since at least 2 months.

Take the first start date offered. A lot can happen in 6 weeks. Seniority is key and the 787 goes to more places whilst the 350 is, and will be a small fleet for the foreseeable future. A type course is not difficult if you put the work in. (Personally just did 320 to 777 conv within BA). Wouldn't put too much fate into job openings, you go where you are needed in BA. And a lot are needed atm.

SkyRocket10 31st January 2025 20:04


Originally Posted by kwaralala (Post 11816970)
Been offered the 787 or the 350. I'm currently P1 on the 320 with another airline. The 350 starts 6 weeks later. Appreciate any insights please.

As others have said, take the first course!
it could make a huge difference, and again who knows what will happen in six weeks- think 2008/2020.
in addition, movement on the 350 is likely to be very limited for the next few years, aside the odd person leaving for a command. It’s almost fully crewed and no further aircraft are
planned.

Climb150 1st February 2025 00:00

I would stick with airbus. Have friends who went from Boeing to Airbus and said it wasn't to bad. I also know a person who went the other way and they didn't like it at all.

Stick with what you know. It's only 6 weeks.



​​​​

Newhairdo 1st February 2025 00:40


Originally Posted by Climb150 (Post 11818674)
I would stick with airbus. Have friends who went from Boeing to Airbus and said it wasn't to bad. I also know a person who went the other way and they didn't like it at all.

Stick with what you know. It's only 6 weeks.



​​​​

This is very poor advice.
As others have already said, date of joining is everything in BA

GS-Alpha 1st February 2025 09:45

Things to consider, followed by my thoughts:

Seniority (date of joining) - The more senior, the better.
Aircraft type - Boeing is in my opinion, far more fun to fly than Airbus, and the 787 is the most modern Boeing.
Fleet route network - 787 is a bigger fleet and therefore will have more variety than the A350.
Future fleet expansion - I think BA is more likely to expand the 787 fleet, and indeed already has expansion hulls, they’re just grounded due Rolls Royce problems.
Future career in BA - If you don’t do Boeing now, when will you? Do you want to limit yourself just to Airbus for the rest of your career?

When I joined BA, I had the option to join when I did, or join a year later. I decided to cut short my plans at the time and join the year earlier. To give an example of how that has benefitted me personally: Had I waited the extra year, I would not have gained my long haul command when I did, 19 years after joining, (which was about one year before Covid hit). Instead I’d have been coming up for long haul command just as Covid popped up, so that would have delayed me by several more years. You never know when the music might suddenly stop during your career, but one thing for sure - additional seniority always helps.

LAM3A 2nd February 2025 07:54

During the recruitment boom in the early 2010’s there were a few folk who turned down offers for short-haul to hold out for an offer on long-haul. During their wait BA bought BMI and introduced a new pay scale so not only did they lose 300+ places of seniority, they also lost out on half a million quid of career earnings.

You never know what’s around the corner so bank the first offer is the most sensible advice.

AIMINGHIGH123 2nd February 2025 09:25


Originally Posted by LAM3A (Post 11819603)
During the recruitment boom in the early 2010’s there were a few folk who turned down offers for short-haul to hold out for an offer on long-haul. During their wait BA bought BMI and introduced a new pay scale so not only did they lose 300+ places of seniority, they also lost out on half a million quid of career earnings.

You never know what’s around the corner so bank the first offer is the most sensible advice.

Similar is still going on now!!!

I joined at the beginning of the wave. I know people who could apply and get SH but they wanted LH.
Ok that’s fine but some are now 400+ places behind me.

Whatever they offer at BA just take it. The sooner you are in the better.

As history shows the music could stop tomorrow.

go-around flap 15 2nd February 2025 10:55

This seems the best place to ask: is anyone at Euroflyer able to confirm or shed any light on the rumoured pay rise? Hearing 114k basic now for yr1 DEC?

A couple of our younger skippers here at ezy in LGW are looking at taking the jump for the future benefits of BA career wise. Late 20s/early 30s. I’m a little older but wondering if makes any sense at all myself…

yanny 2nd February 2025 11:08

That’s true, effective May 25

GS-Alpha 2nd February 2025 11:45

So you will earn more as a junior Captain at Gatwick than you will at mainline Heathrow? Remind me again why Euroflyer was set up?

RexBanner 2nd February 2025 13:19


Originally Posted by GS-Alpha (Post 11819769)
So you will earn more as a junior Captain at Gatwick than you will at mainline Heathrow? Remind me again why Euroflyer was set up?

Precisely. BA were told repeatedly during the COVID consultation that they were better off keeping LGW as it was on mainline Ts and Cs due to the demographic of Low paypoint Captains flying with FPPs and the ability to move aircraft and crew between the two bases with ease. There is no doubt that by removing synergies and having to pay more than LHR to get anyone to go there they now have a higher cost base, the complete opposite of what was intended. So much so that there have been rumblings and rumours of bringing it back into the mainline fold. Why did it get to this point? Simply because the company wanted to stick it to the pilots.

The wider point I’m trying to make here is be under no illusions, if you join British Airways you are joining a company that will fall over itself to spite their own pilots, such is the pathological hatred and enmity they have towards them.

Flocks 2nd February 2025 17:48

Hello all.

Just wondering, but for someone that join as DEC in LGW, how long it takes more or less at the moment to have part time and what part time option are available in British airways?

What sickness protection do you have at BA ? I mean, can you be fired if losing your medical temporary for a long time or if definitely?

Thanks

PPRuNeUser214878 3rd February 2025 09:15


Originally Posted by RexBanner (Post 11819824)
Precisely. BA were told repeatedly during the COVID consultation that they were better off keeping LGW as it was on mainline Ts and Cs due to the demographic of Low paypoint Captains flying with FPPs and the ability to move aircraft and crew between the two bases with ease. There is no doubt that by removing synergies and having to pay more than LHR to get anyone to go there they now have a higher cost base, the complete opposite of what was intended. So much so that there have been rumblings and rumours of bringing it back into the mainline fold. Why did it get to this point? Simply because the company wanted to stick it to the pilots.

The wider point I’m trying to make here is be under no illusions, if you join British Airways you are joining a company that will fall over itself to spite their own pilots, such is the pathological hatred and enmity they have towards them.

Do you believe there is any mileage in these rumours ‘ of BA Euroflyer being taken back into the mainline fold? In some ways it makes sense in terms of easier aircraft swapping and flight crew flexibility. In terms of cabin crew the Gatwick fleet crew could be re-established. This would certainly give BA Euroflyer crews more opportunities travel wise. I guess we shall have to wait and see.

go-around flap 15 3rd February 2025 09:17


Originally Posted by GS-Alpha (Post 11819769)
So you will earn more as a junior Captain at Gatwick than you will at mainline Heathrow? Remind me again why Euroflyer was set up?

The pay for a BA LGW Captain is driven as much by Wizz/EasyJet payscales at LGW, as it is by BA LHR payscales.

The DEC Captain route into Euroflyer seems like a no brainer for a relatively young new easyJet/Wizz Captain based at LGW. Paid more than Mainline LHR skippers per paypoint (which you couldn't become a DEC anyway), fixed pattern roster so low seniority doesn't mean working every weekend and public holiday, MSL place to work towards LH LHS for the latter stages of the career, staff travel etc...

Sure, it is Euroflyer and not Mainline but where is the difference? Same uniform, same MSL, same benefits.

RexBanner 3rd February 2025 10:55


Originally Posted by go-around flap 15 (Post 11820381)
Sure, it is Euroflyer and not Mainline but where is the difference? Same uniform, same MSL, same benefits.

That argument proved especially difficult to fight when COVID hit and that was when it was the same AOC to boot! In short don’t expect any protection from being on the MSL, given my time again I would have never bid over to LGW. Those months of Spring/Summer 2020 were appalling for my mental health. Yes those of us with sufficient seniority kept our jobs in the end but it was a bloody close run thing. Gatwick has always been a neglected entity in BA. If you’re easyJet P1 and got a DEC offer to BA Euroflyer I would personally say it’s a no brainer to stay where you are.

A320LGW 3rd February 2025 11:18

Is it true that there are rumoured payrises coming with the next pay review?

GS-Alpha 3rd February 2025 13:35


Originally Posted by A320LGW (Post 11820481)
Is it true that there are rumoured payrises coming with the next pay review?

Absolutely priceless question :D

Golfss 3rd February 2025 13:39


Originally Posted by A320LGW (Post 11820481)
Is it true that there are rumoured payrises coming with the next pay review?

Eh? Well it’s not going to stay the same, or reduce is it…

Serenity 3rd February 2025 13:57

How long are people in the pool for once they’ve passed the sim, before they get the call, then start date.?
cheers.


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