Life in BA as a new, low-houred FO.
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Hello All,
I've read a good two-thirds of the posts within this topic - clearly a large array of thoughts and opinions.
Clearly there is an issue wrt the few BA cadet guys who moan a bit about their jobs. On the one hand, sure, it can get boring, it can be repetitive, it can be tough and it may not pay as much as you want when taking into account the bond repayments. Any job is like this though and I don't think it would be a bad thing if cadets did have an idea of what the outside-of-flying-for-BA-world is like, although I'm sure a good handful already know this. It is a job at the end of the day and all I can say is that people's thoughts must have been pretty transparent if they thought that every day would entice something to remember.
I do have real admiration for those who have gone up the flying ladder on their own completely through self-funded training, instructing, Royal Mail night flying, TPs and onto less-than-desirable lcc ts&cs, but that's life, some are luckier than others!
Woodpecker made some interesting comments regarding the expectations of the First Officer he once flew with with all of his 'expectations' - and I think that this is clearly an area where flying does not match up to equivalent-level white collar office jobs where promotion is not so dependent on your experience/hours flown but rather how quickly you progress and develop as an individual.
As for me, yeah I'm in an office job at the moment, albeit, it is in management and it is in aviation, so rather I'm one of those individuals who wants to get into flying for the airline rather than making the business decisions and transferring from a cadet pilot scheme to BA management. Sure, I probably do almost as much travelling now, know a hell of a lot more about the industry and it's issues than many pilots (not being big-headed but a number of pilots are way too big-headed about themselves and think they know how to run an airline when clearly they just chat bollocks; a large proportion of flight crew I talk to are super guys who do know a thing or two), have regular meetings with the top level management and pot around the air with my PPL at weekends....but an airline pilot is and has always been my dream and I will chase it one day, I don't think it's too late yet.
Enough off-the-line chat,
Have a good day everyone!
Cheers
CP
I've read a good two-thirds of the posts within this topic - clearly a large array of thoughts and opinions.
Clearly there is an issue wrt the few BA cadet guys who moan a bit about their jobs. On the one hand, sure, it can get boring, it can be repetitive, it can be tough and it may not pay as much as you want when taking into account the bond repayments. Any job is like this though and I don't think it would be a bad thing if cadets did have an idea of what the outside-of-flying-for-BA-world is like, although I'm sure a good handful already know this. It is a job at the end of the day and all I can say is that people's thoughts must have been pretty transparent if they thought that every day would entice something to remember.
I do have real admiration for those who have gone up the flying ladder on their own completely through self-funded training, instructing, Royal Mail night flying, TPs and onto less-than-desirable lcc ts&cs, but that's life, some are luckier than others!
Woodpecker made some interesting comments regarding the expectations of the First Officer he once flew with with all of his 'expectations' - and I think that this is clearly an area where flying does not match up to equivalent-level white collar office jobs where promotion is not so dependent on your experience/hours flown but rather how quickly you progress and develop as an individual.
As for me, yeah I'm in an office job at the moment, albeit, it is in management and it is in aviation, so rather I'm one of those individuals who wants to get into flying for the airline rather than making the business decisions and transferring from a cadet pilot scheme to BA management. Sure, I probably do almost as much travelling now, know a hell of a lot more about the industry and it's issues than many pilots (not being big-headed but a number of pilots are way too big-headed about themselves and think they know how to run an airline when clearly they just chat bollocks; a large proportion of flight crew I talk to are super guys who do know a thing or two), have regular meetings with the top level management and pot around the air with my PPL at weekends....but an airline pilot is and has always been my dream and I will chase it one day, I don't think it's too late yet.
Enough off-the-line chat,
Have a good day everyone!
Cheers
CP
Last edited by crazypilot; 18th Jan 2005 at 18:18.
I'm starting at BA in the near future. What's the deal with accomodation during the groundschool phase if commuting becomes to much? Is it everyman for himself or is there a list of suitable B&Bs etc around the Rivers.
Any info appreciated. Thanks.
Any info appreciated. Thanks.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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"Several DEPs haven not turned up on their alloted start date."
There has been so much good and accurate information available posted here; and I would have thought it was easy, to get hold of a current BA mainline pilot and ask him to elaborate.
Frankly anyone who does accept would need their head examining. The package, LHR lifestyle, and prospects (it's been said that some entrants will never achieve a command ) are now inferior to pretty much any other uk jet operator.
If you want to enjoy work,do the job properly, get treated fairly and avoid the arrogance of BA then there are better jobs to aspire to .
There has been so much good and accurate information available posted here; and I would have thought it was easy, to get hold of a current BA mainline pilot and ask him to elaborate.
Frankly anyone who does accept would need their head examining. The package, LHR lifestyle, and prospects (it's been said that some entrants will never achieve a command ) are now inferior to pretty much any other uk jet operator.
If you want to enjoy work,do the job properly, get treated fairly and avoid the arrogance of BA then there are better jobs to aspire to .
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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Could someone please post BA's min requirements for going straight onto the 777? Have heard reports of as low as 1500 hours.............
). Therefore 1500 hours minimum, although if you have a type rating, it'll help. Hope you like the North Atlantic! 
HF
At FL390, is there some noticeable difference between the North Atlantic, and many other parts of the World?
Africa, the Middle East, and large areas of the Far East (Monogolia?) spring to mind.
At FL390, is there some noticeable difference between the North Atlantic, and many other parts of the World?
Africa, the Middle East, and large areas of the Far East (Monogolia?) spring to mind.
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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Africa, the Middle East, and large areas of the Far East (Monogolia?) spring to mind.
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Night flying? Just means you can't see what you're gonna hit.
PS - As a footnote to the 777 boys having no perks - would class clearing £5k as an f/o as a pretty major perk - even if it means working ones ******** off.
PS - As a footnote to the 777 boys having no perks - would class clearing £5k as an f/o as a pretty major perk - even if it means working ones ******** off.
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Big Kahuna Burger, would you care to substantiate that please?
Hmmm.
There doesn’t seems to be much doubt on the BA forum that this is happening.
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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...would class clearing £5k as an f/o as a pretty major perk...
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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I don't think I've met GE at all, suffice to say it would appear his finger is pretty much on the pulse of the 777 fleet....
The majority of us who can are getting off the fleet onto others within BA (hence the vacancies for newbies). Whether or not anyone is jumping off to other companies, who knows. Having said that, the VP Ops at Emirates is ex-BA 777s!
The majority of us who can are getting off the fleet onto others within BA (hence the vacancies for newbies). Whether or not anyone is jumping off to other companies, who knows. Having said that, the VP Ops at Emirates is ex-BA 777s!