But 5/2 - that's hard.

Hi,

I think my inbox only allows one Pm, I’ve cleared it now. Could you send again?

If not could you please compare both under this thread.

Thanks.

Interested too.

Also… is VISA sponsorship provided for non-UK residents?

How is the morale in the cabin these days?

From today’s H1 results - 737s destined for Vuelling.

Now that easy have opened up DEC in some U.K. bases, there seems to be a stronger case (if there wasn’t already) for further pay increases at BAEF, in order to be competitive.

only if people start leaving.

Hold Pool
 

Anyone entered into BAEF Hold Pool 2025 been given start dates? Sucessful in June, wondering what the avg lead time is currently.

I passed in November and still haven’t heard anything!

Which seat?

DE FO - passed in December and still nothing heard. No hold pool update since May.

DEFO. Passed in January. anyone else?

Anyone with insight for the SIM as DEC rated? Even PM is appreciated.

Many thanks.

Would be happy to know as well :)

Thanks!

The dep hold pool has been put on the backburner. Their priority is the first batch of SPA cadets which are about to join. They are going to consume the 320 training capacity for the next while, unluckily for all those in the 320 DEP pool.

You're a pilot, possibly who built experience in the Armed Forces and / or in other civilian flying organisations. You passed assessment and enter the holding pool. You are now surplus to requirement because people who aren't yet pilots are being paid and trained to join the company. BA as the flag carrier was the dream... but in the cold light of adulthood reality, this company does seem like madness. And that's all on top of the unions allowing BA to open EF; paying pilots less to wear the same uniform, to operate the same aircraft, from the same city.

Well done British aviation! It's either £100K + to join Orange, or a lottery ticket to join a two-speed Red, White and Blue. Doesn't seem like a level playing field at these operators for aspiring pilots.

It was a mistake to branch off from BA, but they need the books to say otherwise. So concentrating on SPA pilots will keep the pilot wage bill as low as possible. I bet the initial flight training remains on BA’s books though.

The UK and BA has a long history of fully or partially sponsored cadet schemes, which ended after 9/11. The rebirth of these schemes is very welcome - and helps meet a large recruitment requirement that can’t be guaranteed to meet by experienced pilots alone. Experienced pilots are more likely to join long haul which isn’t affected by the SPA training requirement on short haul anyway. EF pilots are still on the master seniority list and LGW was always a niche / unpopular posting anyway.

BA, be it via Mainline or Euroflyer has literally been recruiting from integrated/modular/experienced pilots exclusively for the last couple of years. They have restarted a fully funded scheme where the only barrier to entry is aptitude and ability that requires no financial burden on the individual, and somehow you've managed to spin this as being something awful just because you've been unfortunate with timing.

I have a better job elsewhere, so it’s not personal. I agree funded schemes are a positive for the industry, but where pilots perhaps didn’t have that opportunity, have been accepted into a holding pool for a place that’s then not available; doesn’t sound positive for those individuals.

No one has said the place is not now available - just that the training capacity is being directed towards the cheaper pilots for a while.

The pilots they’ve invested several million pounds in? And need a bigger training footprint. Not sure how that’s cheaper?

The money spent on their initial training has already been spent, and is highly likely on BA’s accounts anyway. Yes they will have a higher line training footprint, but they are also on a significantly lower salary than a DEP. This was just my guess at a likely reason for their prioritisation, knowing how BA generally makes decisions.

The forum you are on is literally called a rumour network. Not a fact network. Not everything here is necessarily true. I also saw the message and got a little upset, but I also don’t know if it is 100% true, 50% true or not true at all. Could it be just training capacity overloaded for now? Who knows.

Bonus
 

Changing the subject for a moment, I heard about a performance bonus for crew at BAEF. Can anyone shed light on the details? Thanks.

I think it’s training capacity overload. They have less access to mainline sims and L3 etc can only do so many sim slots down Gatwick way when lots of other airlines have contracts there as well

Really would be interested to hear first hand from any ex easyJet (particularly LGW based) guys & girls while moved over to BAEF. How’s life and what have you found to be the pros and cons? Thanks!

Why would orange go to this ? It’s gotta be £25k less for as much work ?

Only reason I can think is an FO trying to go LH in future ?

Thanks for your useful comment 👍🏼

No worries , your welcome

Yes, I know of one person in the hold and they have waived the 1 year hold pool limit due to the situation.

Any idea of holdpool time for NTR DEC at the moment? Thanks.

NTR DEP Hold Pool
 

Was entered into HP in July, heard nothing yet! Apparently people successful in December last year are starting to get the call.

Is that for RHS though?

NTR DEP RHS
 

Yeah I’m exclusively referring to RHS

Direct Entry Captain NTR
 

The annual bid for fleet moves for 2026 has only just closed. I don’t think you’ll hear much until the team runs the numbers and deciders how many DECs are required.

Hi Everyone.

For those on the line, what’s the average day length from car park to car park? Do 12h days exist? And if they do are they seasonal? Frequent?

turns out it was 4 days.

Does anyone have info on any upcoming pay rises for BAEF or mainline? TIA.

Mainline has 2.5% June 2026. Will be looked at again if inflation exceeds this.

BAEF if I recall is up for a new pay deal in Jan 2026