BMI - Flight Service Manager Rank Abolished?

[TightSlot]

I've just received this as an item in my ABTN round robin - Can any BMI crew provide more details? Does this mean that BMI will ops with nobody in charge of the cabin, or is this a rank above the operating Number 1?

BMI BRITISH MIDLAND'S decision to abolish the top cabin crew rank of
Flight Service Manager has prompted a furious reaction by their trade
union, the British Airlines Stewards & Stewardesses Association, part of
the Transport and General Workers' Union. The announcement to axe the
post after 14 years will involve the 50 most senior short haul cabin
crew at BMI bases at London Heathrow, East Midlands, Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Teesside, Leeds Bradford, Dublin and Amsterdam. BASSA has taken the
unusual step of offering its support to its rival, Cabin Crew 89, as
both unions will be severely affected. There have been calls for
industrial action with some members seeing the move as the thin end of
the wedge.

[Tiger]

British Midland introduced the FSM role around 1989/1999 to operate on the new 737-300/400 aircraft -500 were not around then. The FSM was not put on board the DC9`s or ATP`s.

The role was of customer service. They didn`t not take up a jumpseat and sat in the cabin. The cabin crew compliement was a No1 (Flight Supervisor) and other crew members up to 5.
After events one January evening involving a 737 and the M1 the CAA and the company decided to make the FSM the incharge crew member and the No1 was moved to the back of the aircraft, as say a Purser role.
It was a bumpy ride for the FSM as there were "conficts" between pilots and the FSM on a few occaisions. They seem to forget who was responsible for the aircraft and flight. I`m sure there are a few Capts who could relate a story or two. Not to mension FSM and crew with extras being added to the service which were not company standard.

No1`s were in charge in the cabin on DC9 and other aircraft.

The two class cabin saw more FSM`s introducted and other aircraft type saw the position on board.
Due to the large movement of cabin crew at LHR the Senior postion saw the FSM being promoted rather quickly after a few years, while other bases which did not have a fast turn over of crew saw No1`s with vast experience and years of service being taken over by these FSM`s.
The FSM position became a joke to be honest as time went on as it was not as select as the past.

Most of the older FSM were great to work with. But the younger less experienced could not deal with the older more experienced No1`s .
The postion was a waste of space to be honest as the No1`s could do the same job and times better. If you ever wanted a good laugh watch one on a Jersey or charter flight! No idea :rolleyes:

Although no longer at bmi, Its really NO great loss and one of the best things that company has done for years. I`m sure a lot of crews (other than FSM`s) would agree. I shed only tears of joy!!

[KingoftheRoad]

As bmi no longer provide much of a service to speak of, there is no longer a reason to carry a spare body around to manage it !!

You don't need much 'management' to chuck a packet of peanuts or a ginger nut to the recently unsuspecting pax in the back.

I suspect the 'curtain' will be the next to go.

Expect to have to clean up the cabin soon. :(

[TightSlot]

Thanks all for the heads up -

Tiger - Brave Post!

[UFGBOY]

Ref service (or not )on s/h in E/Y- sad to see that lon/man you don't even get a buttie any more - need something to soak up the G/T !! - even the worlds alledged favourite still dole out a sarnie ..........

Time for another gin I fear.......:p

[ajamieson]

Just got this press release from the T&G on behalf of BASSA. Good luck to those affected.


PR02/305
For immediate release - Wednesday 24th July 2002
Newsdesks: transport and industrial correspondents

Strike threat at UK's second largest airline

BMI, formerly British Midland Airways, potentially faces a massive disruption to its schedules if its cabin crew vote in favour of industrial action. The British Airlines Stewards & Stewardesses Association (BASSA) is now conducting a consultative ballot, the first stage in the process, as tension between its members and the company's management reaches an all-time high. A branch of BASSA was created at the airline a year ago and has grown to become the largest cabin crew union at BMI. Despite this the company has refused to recognise the union and threatened disciplinary action to anyone recruiting for BASSA during working time. This has only served to stimulate membership of BASSA, which is part of the Transport & General Workers' Union, as crew have fought back against a background of a sustained attack on their working conditions, increased duty hours and harsh treatment by managers.

"Cabin Crew have simply had enough," said a BASSA spokeswoman. "They expect their choice of union to be recognised and respected in the same way as our sister branches at British Airways and other airlines."

The latest plan by BMI to axe its top flying rank of Flight Service Manager (FSM) has brought matters to a head. The company claims that there are new jobs available as well as other opportunities. "BMI is being totally disingenuous when it talks about new jobs, as none have been remotely suitable for flying staff and nor are they likely to be. What is more, the Company has continued to recruit brand new cabin crew members," said BASSA.

BASSA has made it clear that it will strenuously oppose any compulsory redundancies of senior crew. "We expect the company to do the honourable thing by providing a Flight Supervisor position with ring-fenced pay or compensation to any FSMs who lose their jobs in this restructuring. The seniority levels at bmi are already very low compared to other airlines and the airline can ill afford to be getting rid of experienced crew who do a
lot to make the skies a safer and more pleasant place to be."

The fate of the FSMs is expected to be known by the end of the week. The ballot results will not be counted until the beginning of August. If members vote in favour, BASSA will apply for authority to hold an official industrial action ballot. If industrial action does go ahead, the airline's main bases of London, Manchester and East Midlands could be affected during the busy summer timetable as well as shorthaul and prestigious longhaul flights to the United States.

"It is sad to see the situation deteriorating in this way. Management seem unable to understand the anger and depth of feeling amongst the crew at BMI," concluded the BASSA spokesman. "Our demands are not unreasonable. We are simply calling for the recognition we deserve as the majority cabin crew
union and for BMI to guarantee flying jobs to its senior crew hreatened by the restructuring process. We are still hoping for a negotiated settlement before any further action becomes necessary."

ENDS
Notes to Editors: Flight Service Manager positions are to be replaced by a lesser number of Cabin Service Performance Manager posts on 1 August, displacing crew who have flown for BMI for many years - effectively ending their flying careers. BMI is a privately owned UK airline with 40% foreign ownership being split between Lufthansa and SAS.