BA Future Pilot Programme

[Daggers89]

Hi all, as some of you flyboys may be aware, BA has launched a future pilot programme. I'm currently filling the application in online - i've completed most sections and i'm now on the "Application Questions" section. This section asks why i'd make a good pilot etc. Now obviously, I can write all day about how it's been my lifelong goal etc etc but i know the recruitment staff will be reading that all day long on every application they receive. Thing i want to know is, if there are any BA pilots that have been where I am now or any BA recruitment staff on here, is there something specific you'd look for to make an applicant stand out?

Another question is:

"If successful, you will join the Future Pilot Programme at a dynamic and exciting time for British Airways. In no more than 300 words, please describe:

(a) The business/commercial opportunities and challenges currently facing British Airways
(b) How the pilot community can contribute to the success of British Airways."

Is there a specific textbook answer to this question or are BA trying to see how well we can portray information from what we've read on their website? Having done some research, i feel confident in answering it, just thought i'd check first incase i'm barking up the wrong tree!

Before someone gets on their high horse, i'm not asking for specific answers to questions or anything - that'd just be stupid, i'm just trying get see what could make me stand out from all the other applicants - initiative if you like!

Cheers guys,
Daggers

[NobleGuy]

I don't know, but thanks for letting me know about it.
I've been looking for a change in direction for ages and never even considered it...

[Boozy]

Mildly amusing that your initiative is to ask others.

[NobleGuy]

£84,000 in advance to begin training might put some people off...

[Daggers89]

Boozy said:

Mildly amusing that your initiative is to ask others.

I see your point!
I just thought that if there was someone on here with more knowledge that myself (ie, they do it every day), they might be able to advise me slightly

[Deva Link]

Boozy said:

Mildly amusing that your initiative is to ask others.

..on a public forum with probably enough details to identify you.

[windman2011]

Daggers89 said:

Hi all, as some of you flyboys may be aware, BA has launched a future pilot programme. I'm currently filling the application in online - i've completed most sections and i'm now on the "Application Questions" section. This section asks why i'd make a good pilot etc. Now obviously, I can write all day about how it's been my lifelong goal etc etc but i know the recruitment staff will be reading that all day long on every application they receive. Thing i want to know is, if there are any BA pilots that have been where I am now or any BA recruitment staff on here, is there something specific you'd look for to make an applicant stand out?

Another question is:

"If successful, you will join the Future Pilot Programme at a dynamic and exciting time for British Airways. In no more than 300 words, please describe:

(a) The business/commercial opportunities and challenges currently facing British Airways
(b) How the pilot community can contribute to the success of British Airways."

Is there a specific textbook answer to this question or are BA trying to see how well we can portray information from what we've read on their website? Having done some research, i feel confident in answering it, just thought i'd check first incase i'm barking up the wrong tree!

Before someone gets on their high horse, i'm not asking for specific answers to questions or anything - that'd just be stupid, i'm just trying get see what could make me stand out from all the other applicants - initiative if you like!

Cheers guys,
Daggers

for part (b) say you hate unions, would never strike and always accept pay reductions and a reduction in pension

[Zad]

I think, in a job like that, it is important not to faff around but to ask the source which is most likely to have an informed answer. Given that PH has several professional pilots, it is a not unreasonable place to ask.

you may need to make a personal judgement about who provides the most informed and appropriate answer however

[simonej]

I'd have thought that as long as you write something that's well thought out, well reasoned and half intelligent then you should be fine. I'm not in recruitment and I don't work for BA, but on the one occasion when I had an input into who was recruited I was shocked by how poorly written the letters were and how many spelling mistakes they contained.

I'd also agree that there's no harm in asking for advice on what to write. Who hasn't asked their parents, girlfriend or mates for a bit of input when filling in an application form? It's not that much different, is it? He only gets one shot at it so he needs to get it right!

[Daggers89]

Cheers for the replies guys, especially the guys who appreciate where I'm coming from by asking on here. I'll fill in the form in my own words then, they've never let me down in the past! Thanks again

[98elise]

NobleGuy said:

£84,000 in advance to begin training might put some people off...

So about the cost of a media studies degree from Hull University