Aer Lingus Pilot Job

airbus125

Hi,
I;m 14 and have been interested in aviation since a very young age. I was just wondering is there any hope of me getting a job as an aer lingus pile when I'm older. They seem to be getting deliveries for airbus a350s in 2018 so will they be hiring them. This is kind of stupid but it is any use contacting them now and does anyone know what type of qualifications you need.
Thanks.

Cookie_Monster

ask in the aviation forum, here:http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=905

this has nothing to do with the Irish Economy really

Tenger

Your best source of that info may be here-

Thread on the recent Aer Lingus Cadet Pilot programme, look at the education requirements listed:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056273775

Here is an 'ask the pilot thread'
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056378654


Regardless of aircraft deliveries airlines will always have a need for new pilots as older guys retire. So I would guess you are aiming/hoping to apply when you are 18?

Good health, good leaving cert, good analytical skills, ability to problem solve, ability to think outside the box, knowledge of the Theory of Flight and basic airmanship are helpful, trying to get a few lessons when you are old enough (16)

Delancey

airbus125 wrote: »

Hi,
I was just wondering is there any hope of me getting a job as an aer lingus pile when I'm older.

A Freudian slip perhaps ?

imfml

airbus125 wrote: »

This is kind of stupid but it is any use contacting them now and does anyone know what type of qualifications you need.
Thanks.

Not a stupid question - it would be worth writing to their HR department now, ask them would it be possible to do work experience if you were in Transition Year in the future, what qualifications a pilot should have etc.

Qualification wise, picking subjects you'll enjoy and do well at is probably most important in school, but physics & maths would obviously be helpful.

Timing is everything when looking for a flying job, & there are cycles in the industry, some say 7 year cycles, so don't plan on walking straight into an interview. Consider what you would like to do in college and work toward it. A degree isn't necessarily necessary, but if you do end up going to college, don't pick a course based on your hope of being a pilot, do whatever interests you. You have lots of time to figure it out.

This website has a section for people interested in pilot training too... www.pprune.org

yaeger

Hi airbus125

Absoulutley write your letter, even have your career guidance teacher write a note also. Will you have work experience towards end of year ? Do everything you can to learn and get as much info as you can. No harm in writing at all.

Don't just limit yourself to Aer Lingus for work experiece ! Write to all the airlines and the IAA and the DAA and see what happens ! nothing to loose.

Rgds yaeger

Best of luck

airbus125

I don't think i will be doing transition year but if i write HR a letter for work experience for the summer will they reply

David086

airbus125 wrote: »

I don't think i will be doing transition year but if i write HR a letter for work experience for the summer will they reply

I really suggest doing TY if you're looking into Aviation, I did and the amount of stuff I learned from work experience and project work about aviation was huge!

troposphere

Have you ever been in a small aircraft before? If not I suggest trying it out since some people just don't like it.

airbus125

No but I've been in flight decks during flights and my grandad used to work in sr technics and brought be in for a day and I went around the planes

airbus125

Hi, guys emailed aer lingus and cityjet last night but haven't got a reply. I'm thinking maybe calling hr on wednsday if there's no replay.

L1011

I'd always give emails like that 2-3 days at least to filter through, particularly if sent to info@ type addresses. Good luck.

happy_head

Tenger wrote: »

Good health, good leaving cert, good analytical skills, ability to problem solve, ability to think outside the box, knowledge of the Theory of Flight and basic airmanship are helpful, trying to get a few lessons when you are old enough (16)

Correct me if im wrong but I dont think there are age restrictions on taking lessons. If you're able to reach all contols and see out the window ... you're good to go! To log hours as a student pilot you must be 16 though and 17 to hold a PPL

airbus125

Got a reply from aer lingus but not cityjet
It said

Dear Aaron,

Many thanks for your interest in completing work experience in Aer Lingus.

Unfortunately our work experience programme is quite limited in space and as a result we can only offer work experience to immediate family members of current employees.

On this occasion, as a result we cannot accommodate your request on this occasion.

We wish you every success in obtaining work experience.

Kind Regards,
HR Recruitment

It says immediate family but my auntie is a long haul manager so do you thing I should reply back.

roundymac

Why did'nt you ask her in the first place?

airbus125

I mentioned that but I also mentioned my grandad used to work for them

L1011

Immediate family usually means kids/siblings/parents (that'd be odd work experience...)

Bit dodgy that there's that level of nepotism in a partially state-owned firm, I have to say.

roundymac

But why not get your Auntie to inquire on your behalf.:eek:

airbus125

good idea ill ask her. who should i ask her ask to ask. Bear in mind im only 13

happy_head

airbus125 wrote: »

good idea ill ask her. who should i ask her ask to ask. Bear in mind im only 13

You're 13 now? you were 14 a couple of days ago, who are you, Benjiman Button???

ro95

Any sign of another aer lingus cadet program?

LeftBase

ro95 wrote: »

Any sign of another aer lingus cadet program?

I fear we may be about to enter choppy waters........:rolleyes:

Although some beg to differ, in my pre-airline pilot days I heard there was problems and on my type rating course a number of FTE graduates said there was problems with the Aer Lingus cadet scheme. What those problems were I'm not 100% so I wont speculate but the way the last one worked seemingly would not suggest there will be another soon, at least not with the same format. Delays, missed targets and fear of under staffing seem to be the primary issue.

The days of cadetships are kind of gone. This one was a bit of a flash in the pan imho and I don't think it turned out to be financially viable for them in the long run.

kona

I heard they will be running the cadetship again....

kub

airbus125 wrote: »

Got a reply from aer lingus but not cityjet
It said

Dear Aaron,

Many thanks for your interest in completing work experience in Aer Lingus.

Unfortunately our work experience programme is quite limited in space and as a result we can only offer work experience to immediate family members of current employees.

On this occasion, as a result we cannot accommodate your request on this occasion.

We wish you every success in obtaining work experience.

Kind Regards,
HR Recruitment

It says immediate family but my auntie is a long haul manager so do you thing I should reply back.

I cannot believe this carry on is still the norm in Aer Lingus, what a load of cr**.

omega man

kub wrote: »

I cannot believe this carry on is still the norm in Aer Lingus, what a load of cr**.

What type of carry on would that be exactly? There's only so many people that can be taken in for work experience. Amongst other things there are insurance implications and an investment in staff time/efforts involved etc etc. why shouldn't current staff get the opportunity to have their relatives receive preferential treatment with regard work experience? It's not like its a paid job........

kub

omega man wrote: »

What type of carry on would that be exactly? There's only so many people that can be taken in for work experience. Amongst other things there are insurance implications and an investment in staff time/efforts involved etc etc. why shouldn't current staff get the opportunity to have their relatives receive preferential treatment with regard work experience? It's not like its a paid job........

What do they do in Ryanair? might I add the probably most successful Irish company ever.

So no offence to the OP here of course (I admire your ambition and determination by the way). So for example his aunt works for EI as a flight attendant, but he wants to be a pilot, afaik flight attendants have not received training in how to actually fly a plane, so what use exactly is his Aunt?
Also he mentioned his Grandfather had also worked for EI in from what I can gather was Team Aer Lingus, so again what has that got to do with flying planes.
So the Aer Lingus policy is, unless you are related to a pilot then great, if not 'bye bye'.

omega man

kub wrote: »

What do they do in Ryanair? might I add the probably most successful Irish company ever.

So no offence to the OP here of course (I admire your ambition and determination by the way). So for example his aunt works for EI as a flight attendant, but he wants to be a pilot, afaik flight attendants have not received training in how to actually fly a plane, so what use exactly is his Aunt?
Also he mentioned his Grandfather had also worked for EI in from what I can gather was Team Aer Lingus, so again what has that got to do with flying planes.
So the Aer Lingus policy is, unless you are related to a pilot then great, if not 'bye bye'.

Nope it's all staff, not just pilots. It's not like you get work experience directly related to the specific career you want. What I mean is if you want to be a pilot and get work experience in an airline you're not likely to get near the sim etc. if you're very lucky maybe a ride in a jumpseat. You're more likely to spend time in an office like most work experience placements. If someone wants flying experience then private flying lessons is the way to go really.

kub

omega man wrote: »

What type of carry on would that be exactly? There's only so many people that can be taken in for work experience. Amongst other things there are insurance implications and an investment in staff time/efforts involved etc etc. why shouldn't current staff get the opportunity to have their relatives receive preferential treatment with regard work experience? It's not like its a paid job........

Oh the good old dragonian entitlements arise do they? I suppose if management stop this carry on , can we all expect another strike threat?

So if my cousin is working for Ei, she is automatically insured, so I join her on work experience, does that mean just because I am related to her that I am insured too? I have my doubts.

omega man

kub wrote: »

Oh the good old dragonian entitlements arise do they? I suppose if management stop this carry on , can we all expect another strike threat?

So if my cousin is working for Ei, she is automatically insured, so I join her on work experience, does that mean just because I am related to her that I am insured too? I have my doubts.

I don't know but i assume insurance is a consideration. Call it a perk, which all workers have in some shape or other believe or not. It's not nepotism as they aren't paid. You seem to have an issue with EI to be honest

LeftBase

Is it not illegal to discriminate like that?

kub

omega man wrote: »

I don't know but i assume insurance is a consideration. Call it a perk, which all workers have in some shape or other believe or not. It's not nepotism as they aren't paid. You seem to have an issue with EI to be honest

No I have no issues with EI at all. What gives me the red mist is when this carry on still exists, its the stuff one expects from the old public service. I thought those days were gone.

IngazZagni

LeftBase wrote: »

Is it not illegal to discriminate like that?

All companies discriminate when hiring. That's nothing new and it continues today. Yes it's illegal but it's very difficult to prove something like that. A company also has the right to employ who it wants and that's we're the blurred line comes in.
For example a company may prefer to hire people less than 30 but every so often they will hire someone older to not make it obvious and be able to use that in defence should anyone question them.
I think it's clear as day that some (and it is only some) companies will be much more likely to employ siblings and relatives but still would have standards. They will hire outsiders of course but your path in could be more difficult.

omega man

IngazZagni wrote: »

All companies discriminate when hiring. That's nothing new and it continues today. Yes it's illegal but it's very difficult to prove something like that. A company also has the right to employ who it wants and that's we're the blurred line comes in.
For example a company may prefer to hire people less than 30 but every so often they will hire someone older to not make it obvious and be able to use that in defence should anyone question them.
I think it's clear as day that some (and it is only some) companies will be much more likely to employ siblings and relatives but still would have standards. They will hire outsiders of course but your path in could be more difficult.

Lets not forget we're talking about work experience here and not employment. Two completely different things. I am 100% against nepotism in the case of employment.

LeftBase

omega man wrote: »

Lets not forget we're talking about work experience here and not employment. Two completely different things. I am 100% against nepotism in the case of employment.

But assigning anyone special privilege for anything is still wrong.

omega man

LeftBase wrote: »

But assigning anyone special privilege for anything is still wrong.

That's a strange comment. Following that logic then Airline staff or their families should not get staff travel benefits etc. Every company has its own staff privileges/perks do they not?

LeftBase

omega man wrote: »

That's a strange comment. Following that logic then Airline staff or their families should not get staff travel benefits etc. Every company has its own staff privileges/perks do they not?

Airline staff earn those and they are only used every so often. The days of pilot's wives jetting about free of charge are over. The rules are stricter.

To be honest had I received an email saying "sorry but we only take staff's kids" I'd have contacted the employment commission, because be it work experiance or permanent employment nepotism, open nepotism in this case, is wrong.

omega man

LeftBase wrote: »

Airline staff earn those and they are only used every so often. The days of pilot's wives jetting about free of charge are over. The rules are stricter.

To be honest had I received an email saying "sorry but we only take staff's kids" I'd have contacted the employment commission, because be it work experiance or permanent employment nepotism, open nepotism in this case, is wrong.

I do get your point. Really they should simply say they don't provide work experience full stop. However staff relatives (children specifically) should be allowed this opportunity, as an internal policy. If it was open to the public the resources required to manage a programme would be significant. Also I would have thought that the employment commission would not be concerned with unpaid work experience??

MoeJay

I think you'll find that outside of Health and Safety legislation there is very little else covering unpaid work experience; the fact that the work experience itself does not constitute a requirement on the part of the employer to pay the national minimum wage indicates that is not considered "normal" employment and is not subject to employment legislation...in essence the corporate policy is not discriminatory!

Shamrock231

But I think the idea they're getting at here is that they don't do work experience, there is no program, but if a parent or Aunt or Uncle wants to bring their Son/Daughter Nephew/Niece to work, then they may facilitate that. As with many large companies, they don't offer a work experience program, but if your son/daughter has to do a work shadow following you for your TY then that's fine with them. I think that's what they're getting at here, and I think the days of discriminating from most of the jobs going at EIN are long over at this stage. Just my €0.02.

LeftBase

Shamrock231 wrote: »

I think the days of discriminating from most of the jobs going at EIN are long over at this stage. Just my €0.02.

Hmmmm:rolleyes:

Some would beg to differ. It may have just been mud slinging but was it not confirmed before that some of the cadets were connected?

I remember a while back RTE news did a bit on the last flight before retirement of Aer Lingus' 1st female pilot. Her husband was a pilot and so were all her kids in Aer Lingus that to me stank a little bit!

bluecode

Now Left Base they met after they joined Aer Lingus. It's not as if one got the other one in. Both went through the cadetship so it's not surprising their kids inherited their abilities. On the other hand her Father was a Captain. Make of that what you will. But it's worth pointing out that her sister was a Flight Attendant in Aer Lingus who later went on to be a pilot and Captain. But not for Aer Lingus. So nepotism only goes so far and nepotism will not get you through the training. All of them are very capable pilots.

Nevertheless only the most naive can believe that having a connection to Aer Lingus won't give you an advantage. But that's how it is in Ireland generally. Having a connection of some sort is always an advantage.

Shamrock231

Also keep in mind, she retired like 4 years ago, and would have been hired all of 40 ish years before that, so while nepotism may have been there in the early 70's, that's no indication it's still there today. A contact on the inside will always ensure your Cv never gets thrown straight into the bin, that's Ireland, but in this day and age it won't do a hell of a lot more for high skilled jobs.

LeftBase

bluecode wrote: »

Now Left Base they met after they joined Aer Lingus. It's not as if one got the other one in. Both went through the cadetship so it's not surprising their kids inherited their abilities. On the other hand her Father was a Captain. Make of that what you will. But it's worth pointing out that her sister was a Flight Attendant in Aer Lingus who later went on to be a pilot and Captain. But not for Aer Lingus. So nepotism only goes so far and nepotism will not get you through the training. All of them are very capable pilots.

Nevertheless only the most naive can believe that having a connection to Aer Lingus won't give you an advantage. But that's how it is in Ireland generally. Having a connection of some sort is always an advantage.

I wasn't suggesting that the husband wife connection was nepotism, I was suggesting that the kids got in due to being connected. Aer Lingus is so closed shop and picky it would be a statistical long shot to say connections were not involved.

Getting through a cadetship or TR is not the issue...getting a place on it is!

bluecode

Of course but that's life. You can even get a place without meeting all the basic requirements. Believe me I know of circumstances I cannot post on this website.

Connections always ease the process. But at least you do have meet the standard in a pilot job. I've seen some right donkeys in other jobs who only got them because they were related to the boss.

yaeger

For Work experience I would imagine it would be a bit boring, if flying is what you wish to do you would not get clearance to shadow a pilot or FA on their daily flights. You may get some office work or hanger work at best.
In which case why not try weston, No doubt one of the schools out there would be delighted to have a lil run about for them for a few weeks, you may even get a flight the odd time. In any case if you want to be a pilot you should be doing odd jobs or hanging around the schools clubs especially come summer time.

Good luck with your career.

kona

Id say if hes interested in being a pilot, hed get a chance to see a simulator, work in flight ops, see how the background works. Hed be able to ask pilots how o about things.

Lustrum

I did 2 weeks work experience with Aer Lingus back in 2000. As was pointed out, even back then the closest I got to the flight deck was having a look in at the end of a day. The 2 weeks were spent in check-in, boarding, admin, and best of all, lost baggage! (This was back when all of it was done by AL staff)

It was good fun, but not sure it really helped my chances of becoming a pilot, or I learnt anything from it.

As someone else said, maybe Weston is a better shout, or down to Dave Bruton in Abbeyshrule - at least you'll be around the aircraft every day, and there'll be a much better chance of being brought for a flight

omega man

kona wrote: »

Id say if hes interested in being a pilot, hed get a chance to see a simulator, work in flight ops, see how the background works. Hed be able to ask pilots how o about things.

Not that easy to get into flight ops (non pilot function) either. Many airlines have small enough flight ops departments (excluding pilot body) which would consist of management pilots and support non pilots. Some airlines would incorporate the likes of ops, crew planning etc in their flight ops structure but many don't. To have any access to sim you would have to work in the sim section or at least a technical position in flight ops.