I think they will put new hires onto the A380 in very short order due to cost savings versus taking A330/340 First Officers over and then having to replace them on the A330/340. By having new hires straight onto the A380 it is only one training event versus two if you take A330/340 First Officers. That said I think they will be choosy in which new hires go to the A380. Most likely only ones with previous time in A320/330/340 would qualify.

I do not think this same logic will be applied to Direct Entry Captains for two reasons. One is that by taking A330/340 Captains over to the A380 they free up spots for upgrade on the A330/340 thus improving morale. Two is that they will have far higher quality control on which Captains go to the A380, at least initially. The DEC hiring is supposed to be winding down anyway.

Current A330/340 First Officers with some minimum time in service ( one or two years ) and new hires (with previous Airbus time) will get the A380.

It may or may not matter in the big scheme of things unless a person has some great desire to fly the biggest airplane made. The airplanes all pay the same so the one with the faster upgrade; best variety of flying; and most days off would be the best one to be on.

That's my two cents,


Typhoonpilot