BA - A320 Heathrow

[Orange Baron]

Hi, Just accepted a job offer with BA on the airbus at Heathrow. Does anyone have an average roster (someone who started recently) they could send me? Or an indiaction of roster pattern - 4/3/4/3? I understand that most new joiners won't get a sniff of having a weekend off is this true?

Also does anyone know what the holiday allowance for new joiners is and how likely I would be able to get it?

Many thanks, OB

[Hand Solo]

There is no roster pattern, and certainly not any sort of 4/3 or regular arrangement. As a junior guy you can expect to do a predominantly 3, 4 or 5 day early tours, which can be consecutive, mostly over the weekends.

Holiday entitlement is 4 weeks leave per year and 2 weeks duty free week (you can work in the DFW if you so choose), with half of each in each season (winter/summer). Leave and DFW is bid for seperately each year and each calendar week attracts a number of points according to its popularity. It's allocated on in points order to the people with most points. As a newbie I think you enter with mid-table points. There should be a reasonable chance of getting the weeks you want (unless its Xmas) but bear in mind the popular weeks attract only a single point as opposed to five for the unpopulars, so by bidding for low point weeks you ultimately reduce your bidding power for next year. Also if you don't get leave over Xmas then there's a good chance you'll be working it this year.

[sleepy head]

Also if you don't get leave over Xmas then there's a good chance you'll be working it this year.

Not if the recruitment continues at the current rate.... I think there were only about 30 Xmas trips on the Airbus (P2) last year. Bound to be that many junior to you by Xmas 06 I reckon.

I joined on the 777 a year ago and could have had xmas off this year if I had wanted. (Through bidding).

Leave and DFW - Hand Solo is incorrect I'm afraid, you come in with zero points; but I havent had too much of a problem getting something useful.

According to a Senior Manager, the Airbus Pilots average about 730 hours a year. Gives you an indication of the amount of work compared to EZY, however, you do have the trials of LHR to contend with !!!

Finally ... congratulations!

[Hand Solo]

Don't forget Xmas reserve, and if there were only 30 P2 trips last Xmas then it was a good year. There were more than that in 2004. I think you may be a little insulated from the true horrors of BA at LHR if you are on the 777. The Airbus guys may only (?!) be flying 730 hours per year but I can tell you from bitter experience that a 3 sector day through LHR could be a lot more stressful and demanding than a 5 sector day operating through a regional airport. Also for those 730 hours of actual flying there'll be about 1250 hours of duty time, all of which gives other departments in the company the chance to f*** you about! There's a reason anyone with a sniff of seniority is getting off the fleet!

[Orange Baron]

Thanks guys - great help

[CanAV8R]

Whats life like in the 75/76? Swimming away, rated on type and have said it would suit me fine if offered it.

Orange Baron when did you enter the pool and when was the course offered to you? A few of us sitting in the pool waiting patiently.........

[bar rattler]

...anyone down for the 14th?

[52049er]

850 hours in my last year on the Bus - but the fleet is good fun if you make it so. I don't miss the work (LH now), but I do miss the craic.

[PRNAV1]

orange, check your PM's....

[Ropey Pilot]

Hi,
Also starting on the 'bus soon and also v. interested in rosters. I accept there is no 'standard' roster but I'm still in the dark as to what to expect.

Any chance someone could post (or PM) a sample few weeks to get an idea? Only along the lines of

'3 on (nightstop) 2 off (home) 1 on (home) 1 off (home) 4 on (nightstop)'

that kind of thing (or possibly somewhat easier to read - not sure about the best way to post it).

Not concerned about it identifying anyone it just makes a difference to how far away I plan to live. Lots have said commuting is no problem - but I know friends who commute 90 mins each way five days a week - which I personally would not call commutable, one man's meat and all that...

Thanks in advance for any replies

[Artificial Horizon]

I have been on the bus for around 8 months now and with all of the recruitment continuing you will move off the bottom of the list very quickly. I alread have more than 70 pilots junior to me which means that for the last 2 months I have been able of be awarded 'lines of work' through bidding. The first few months I was at the mercy of the company and was assigned work which consisted mainly of 3 and 4 day trips with 2/4 days off in between. My Feb roster is as follows.

1st to 5th days off
6th day trip (2 sectors)
7th day trip (2 sectors)
8th to 9th two day trip (6 sectors)
10th to 11th two day trip (6 sectors)
12th to 14th days off
15th to 17th three day trip (6 sectors)
18th day trip (4 sectors)
19th to 20th days off
21st to 23rd 3 day trip (8 sectors)
24th to 25th 2 day trip (6 sectors)
26th day trip (2 sectors)
27th to 28th days off.

I have been awarded all of the leave requested because I have bid for the high point blocks (unpopular dates). If you have kids and need school holidays off then you might find it hard going. You can certainly commute on the bus as as you can see you will be able to bid for blocks work. Any other questions just PM me.

[Ropey Pilot]

Cheers AH - just the sort of thing I was after