Don't leave easyJet because it is such hard work. If you think five earlies are though, then crossing twelve time zones a week will definitely kill you. If you moan about all those night stops in LGW, well...you ain't seen nothing yet!
This is the classic quote of someone who has never done Long Haul. The work is very 'person' dependent, some like it (me) some find it a bit tough. Adequate provision is made down route for rest and recuperation in some fantastic hotels in some fantastic locations. The difference being that the bidding system allows you to choose your destinations thus avoiding UK-USA-Uk then UK-NRT-UK which can be a killer! EASA regs are also tightening up on these patterns as the can be fatiguing.
If you don't like night stops then don't bid for them. It will take a year or two to get to a position where you can take only day trips but it does come. As for Gatwick they don't night stop any more. Only 3 on the route structure now as I seem to remember and they are quite popular.
Don't leave easyJet for a better career.
Is an odd comment as, generally, any workforce is mobile for the prospect of improving their career paths and choices. If you want to fly the same patterns in the same aircraft to the same destinations there and back for 45 years then please enjoy. If you want variety then perhaps the Easy Jet career path is not for you.
Financial - It wasn't that long ago that everyone at BA was asked to work "for free" because of the financial problems. Its not clear they are quite there yet in regards the deficit and profit targets.
Well into the procurement of A380's, 787's and awaiting the A350. Rumours of rotating the aging 777-200 to 777X in the future. Operating profits on track to cover capital investments. Workforce expectations for 'costs flat' being maintained. (for how long is anyones guess but that goes for any company)
Culture - I might be a victim of the press here, but it seems every month or so you hear about BA pilots in the press. Ie not doing ground checks properly, reading charts, sending inappropriate photos, murdering their wife, rude messages on ecam, suicide. Is this a problem at BA because the culture says your the best of the best and can get away with things? I really hope not and I appreciate that this is a tiny minority.
4000+ pilots now, you will get a cross section of society in that despite the best efforts of HR. There is historical evidence that shows that those who want to operate outside of the law in their private lives are extremely adept at doing so and very good at hiding it.
The ground checks is a tricky one, pressure from managers to reduce turnaround times at Heathrow led to the cowl checks moving from a walkround item ( one that was already and still is done by most flight crew) to a counter signed engineering function. The engineers made a sad mistake that day.
Competition - Emirates has hundreds of wide bodies on order, which can't all go into Dubai. If it decided to buy its way into Heathrow or Gatwick and setup a hub, how long could BA compete given the efficiency of the fleet and other overheads?
Operating out of the sand pit is highly efficient for the Gulf Carriers. They call the shots, they run the slots and they supply the fuel. Once operating a 'hub' out of LHR they will be as constrained by the lunacy of the UK system at Heathrow as the rest of us. They generally won't be able to tanker return fuel into LHR and they will have to compete for slots and stands like the rest of us.
Relations with crew - Still can't quite believe that BA asked pilots to fill in for striking crew and some actually did it. This one will take a while to get over!
99% of that has disappeared. You needed to follow what was happening behind the headlines to appreciate the actions taken by some. It was not as black and white as many would have you believe. Due to that the relations between the crews and the flight crews has been on the up for a long time and I for one would say that it is a very pleasant place to work at the moment.
A long post but summed up by saying that it is always easier to stay where you feel safe and established. Changing employer in our industry is a difficult and time consuming affair. BA is definitely not for everyone but it is a great place to work despite the occasional 'wart'. All companies have them.
BA intends to grow its presence at Heathrow even if only through SH to LH slot transfer. The routes are great, the hotels are lovely, the people are (barring the occasional one or two) fantastic, well trained and competent.
Make your choice but don't only ever read one side of the story.
