British Airways - Wannabes & Recruitment IV
Join Date: Apr 2010
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just hired by mixed fleet
thrilled to have the job, can any MF crew help, do i need to have innoculations, crc and visa's all in place before attending course. also to obtain visa do i have to go the usa embassy in person ? I havent recieved my starter pack yet but i am keen to be organised.
also i am looking for accommocation for the course, a room in house/flat for august september pref on piccadilly line. if you can help please ICM me.
also i am looking for accommocation for the course, a room in house/flat for august september pref on piccadilly line. if you can help please ICM me.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: England
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British Airways Cabin Crew interview
HI.
My neice is due to have an interview with BA next month. Is there any updated advice that anyone can offer. I have looked at the previous threads and they seem to be over 2 years old. I am assuming that it is not unreasonable to expect candidates to know the product, customer service experience et cetera? would she be expected to know things like the types of aircraft in the fleet and their associated destinations? Any help would be great! thanks in advance.
My neice is due to have an interview with BA next month. Is there any updated advice that anyone can offer. I have looked at the previous threads and they seem to be over 2 years old. I am assuming that it is not unreasonable to expect candidates to know the product, customer service experience et cetera? would she be expected to know things like the types of aircraft in the fleet and their associated destinations? Any help would be great! thanks in advance.
Join Date: May 2010
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I think all the advice remains the same, there is a lot on this very thread, if you go back a bit.
She needs to just be herself and go along armed with lots of examples of when she has given good customer service and how she has helped customers in the past.
This is the theme of the new business plan, hot off the press;-
June 10 sees the launch of our airline’s new business plan.
This sets our course for the next five years, and everyone across the airline has a part to play in this exciting new leg of our journey.
At the heart of the plan is a new vision for BA – “to be the most admired airline across the world’s key cities.”
This puts the spotlight firmly on how our customers view us, and underpins our renewed focus on them.
Our brand and levels of customer satisfaction have been hit by the turbulence of the downturn. We need to put that right and show our customers why they should fly with us. It’s that focus on the customer that makes this business plan so special.
As you can see it is focused on the customer and that is really all she needs to do in her interview. Examples of her giving great customer service are important because that is how the interviewer knows that she puts her knowlege into practice.
She needs to just be herself and go along armed with lots of examples of when she has given good customer service and how she has helped customers in the past.
This is the theme of the new business plan, hot off the press;-
June 10 sees the launch of our airline’s new business plan.
This sets our course for the next five years, and everyone across the airline has a part to play in this exciting new leg of our journey.
At the heart of the plan is a new vision for BA – “to be the most admired airline across the world’s key cities.”
This puts the spotlight firmly on how our customers view us, and underpins our renewed focus on them.
Our brand and levels of customer satisfaction have been hit by the turbulence of the downturn. We need to put that right and show our customers why they should fly with us. It’s that focus on the customer that makes this business plan so special.
As you can see it is focused on the customer and that is really all she needs to do in her interview. Examples of her giving great customer service are important because that is how the interviewer knows that she puts her knowlege into practice.
Join Date: May 2010
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It's opening and closing all the time. Just keep your eye on the BA website.
Be outstanding or BA.com /careers at bottom of home page.
CSM is being advertised at the moment (which is the senior crew member on Mixed Fleet).
Be outstanding or BA.com /careers at bottom of home page.
CSM is being advertised at the moment (which is the senior crew member on Mixed Fleet).
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
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Questions
Hi there,
OK i hope you can help.
i am British born and live in New Zealand. I've always wanted to be cabin crew and have studied for over 2 years to get an advantage over the competition.
I had a dream that i should check the Ba careers website, and i did.
The closing date for the mixed fleet application was the next day. LUCKY !
so i applied and now i have an interview.
Will travelling from NZ to London make a good impression ?
Will the training and qualifications i have help ?
And also , i'm just curious ... has anyone sacrificed a relationship for their job as CC ?
I hope you can help me .
OK i hope you can help.
i am British born and live in New Zealand. I've always wanted to be cabin crew and have studied for over 2 years to get an advantage over the competition.
I had a dream that i should check the Ba careers website, and i did.
The closing date for the mixed fleet application was the next day. LUCKY !
so i applied and now i have an interview.
Will travelling from NZ to London make a good impression ?
Will the training and qualifications i have help ?
And also , i'm just curious ... has anyone sacrificed a relationship for their job as CC ?
I hope you can help me .
Join Date: May 2010
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Well I am sure they will be impressed that you have travelled that far but it wont help you get the job.
To get the job as cabin crew for BA you need to demonstrate, through examples, that you are very customer oriented and that you are highly motivated to give great customer service.
Basically it is as simple as that.
I am sure lots of people have put their dreams in front of their relationships but who knows if that is the right decision for you. Only time will tell and how you feel while you are away!
To get the job as cabin crew for BA you need to demonstrate, through examples, that you are very customer oriented and that you are highly motivated to give great customer service.
Basically it is as simple as that.
I am sure lots of people have put their dreams in front of their relationships but who knows if that is the right decision for you. Only time will tell and how you feel while you are away!
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Hi all!
Does anyone know what date we can re-apply after one year if we were unsuccessful? The day you first send your application, the day you attend the assessment, the outcome of the application...?
I attended an interview last october. Well I was living in France at that moment (nothing like NZ lol) and I remember they never asked how I made it to London. But if you want to impress them, just try to mention it somehow
. About qualifications they know it because you must have entered on your application. All the best mate!!
Does anyone know what date we can re-apply after one year if we were unsuccessful? The day you first send your application, the day you attend the assessment, the outcome of the application...?
I attended an interview last october. Well I was living in France at that moment (nothing like NZ lol) and I remember they never asked how I made it to London. But if you want to impress them, just try to mention it somehow
. About qualifications they know it because you must have entered on your application. All the best mate!!
Join Date: Jul 2011
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preparing for an assessement
I have been following the some of the threads regarding potential applicants and would offer, only offer, the following advice.
At the assessment, be yourself and be honest.
Before BA, I worked for over 20 years at a senior manager level in the sport and leisure industry with responsibility for over 100 staff and a budget of over £1million.
I can honestly say that when ever we had an applicant at an interview who ‘figured out what we were going to ask’, and was clever enough to just tell us ‘what we wanted to hear’ just to get the job, it always ended badly either for them leaving soon after or for us being landed (pardon the pun) with a totally unsuitable employee.
Yes, do your research and most importantly study the role profile and required competencies.
Then think of real life (not made up) examples of how you have delivered against those competencies.
It seems logical that all the likely questions at the assessment will be linked to those competencies.
Otherwise how will you or BA really know if you can actually do the job or if you will even like it?
Anyone can look at job through the eyes of the customer or through ‘rose tinted spectacles’ but remember things aren’t always what they seem. Doing a job is often so different than observing it.
I had lost count of the number of times a person employed in a Leisure Centre, once they's got the job, had complained about having to work bank holidays, Friday nights or weekends.
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not trying to put anyone off. Just being realistic.
Good luck to all applicants!
At the assessment, be yourself and be honest.
Before BA, I worked for over 20 years at a senior manager level in the sport and leisure industry with responsibility for over 100 staff and a budget of over £1million.
I can honestly say that when ever we had an applicant at an interview who ‘figured out what we were going to ask’, and was clever enough to just tell us ‘what we wanted to hear’ just to get the job, it always ended badly either for them leaving soon after or for us being landed (pardon the pun) with a totally unsuitable employee.
Yes, do your research and most importantly study the role profile and required competencies.
Then think of real life (not made up) examples of how you have delivered against those competencies.
It seems logical that all the likely questions at the assessment will be linked to those competencies.
Otherwise how will you or BA really know if you can actually do the job or if you will even like it?
Anyone can look at job through the eyes of the customer or through ‘rose tinted spectacles’ but remember things aren’t always what they seem. Doing a job is often so different than observing it.
I had lost count of the number of times a person employed in a Leisure Centre, once they's got the job, had complained about having to work bank holidays, Friday nights or weekends.
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not trying to put anyone off. Just being realistic.
Good luck to all applicants!
Join Date: May 2009
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Customer Service Manager Mixed Fleet Interviews
Hello all.
I've just been asked to register for one of the August Assessment Days for CSM Mixed Fleet and thought I'd have a general look at the opinions of this job/base. I'm quite surprised to see so much negativity regarding the salary, general conditions, time off and general well-being in LHR MF.
I'm going to be coming from Italy for the interview and will be uprouting husband and two kids under two years old (one of which is just a month old today) so I'll be giving up 'mum' time to do this job, which as an ex-Emirates Airlines CSD I was very very excited at the prospect of it. Now, I have to say I'm terrified.
I've had a look at the rental prices nearby and not keen on the city environment for my kids I thought of a location further away, but many of you experienced CSM's say its impossible, both for tiredness and financially. Does anyone who actually is a MF CSM have any opinions on this? Or perhaps a positive angle? Or should I too be applying for Virgin? I hope not, what a pity to hear my national airline with so many faults.
Anyone know of a decent, comutable yet affordable area for me to live in?
Any insight into the AD?
Thanks.
I've just been asked to register for one of the August Assessment Days for CSM Mixed Fleet and thought I'd have a general look at the opinions of this job/base. I'm quite surprised to see so much negativity regarding the salary, general conditions, time off and general well-being in LHR MF.
I'm going to be coming from Italy for the interview and will be uprouting husband and two kids under two years old (one of which is just a month old today) so I'll be giving up 'mum' time to do this job, which as an ex-Emirates Airlines CSD I was very very excited at the prospect of it. Now, I have to say I'm terrified.
I've had a look at the rental prices nearby and not keen on the city environment for my kids I thought of a location further away, but many of you experienced CSM's say its impossible, both for tiredness and financially. Does anyone who actually is a MF CSM have any opinions on this? Or perhaps a positive angle? Or should I too be applying for Virgin? I hope not, what a pity to hear my national airline with so many faults.
Anyone know of a decent, comutable yet affordable area for me to live in?
Any insight into the AD?
Thanks.
Join Date: May 2010
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I am not a CSM but I don't think it was the CSMs that were moaning about pay, it was main crew. In fact recently M/F have had a pay rise for the main crew and an across the board increase in their hourly rate and I think they are happier than some of these earlier posts portray.
I think the pay is very similar to Virgin. I doubt you would be able to enter Virgin as a direct entry senior crew member and therefore Mixed Fleet CSM is a much better salary than Virgin.
Mixed Fleet is in it's infancy and although the crew earn less that Worldwide Fleets and Eurofleet, BA has said it will ensure that the pay is market rate plus 10%. There have been a few problems with the rostering but these are being addressed and are mostly due to it being a new fleet and not up to size yet.
The fleet is new and therefore some of the crew are not as experienced as Worldwide or Eurofleet but they will catch up, I am sure in time.
When I see my Mixed Fleet colleagues, the majority look very happy!
I think the pay is very similar to Virgin. I doubt you would be able to enter Virgin as a direct entry senior crew member and therefore Mixed Fleet CSM is a much better salary than Virgin.
Mixed Fleet is in it's infancy and although the crew earn less that Worldwide Fleets and Eurofleet, BA has said it will ensure that the pay is market rate plus 10%. There have been a few problems with the rostering but these are being addressed and are mostly due to it being a new fleet and not up to size yet.
The fleet is new and therefore some of the crew are not as experienced as Worldwide or Eurofleet but they will catch up, I am sure in time.
When I see my Mixed Fleet colleagues, the majority look very happy!
Join Date: May 2009
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BA MF LHR CSM August 2011 Interviews/AD
Thanks Betys girl for your insight.
You certainly reassured me a little about the choice to come back for the interview. I've been sent a reminder in fact for the August AD's. However as my baby girl is just a month old, I still haven't arranged for her Italian ID card. This may take longer than I'd hoped and I can't book flights, hotels or in fact the AD until I have her ID card and number.
Do you think the BA recruitment office would be understanding if I ask for any later dates? I don't want to risk the position, what do you think? Do you know of any September dates available for CSM AD's?
I was reading somewhere else that the CSM's pay was just over £2.00 an hour. I almost fell off my chair. I've not lived in the UK for almost 20 years but even back then as a teen ager, I never got paid that little. I realise that is in addition to the basic salary of 24k, but living in London, or rather, close to Heathrow, IS THAT ENOUGH?
I don't want to be one that only talks of money, its not just about that, but it's a bit of a joke don't you think? Emirates CSD's are paid close to £3,000 a month NET plus get a whole bunch of other benefits like a free brand new one bed flat (nicely furnished and all expenses paid including bills) or a generous living out accommodation allowance. This and other benefits mounts to over £60,000 per year.
I realise BA won't pay that much, but 2.00 an hour? Even if one does manage to arrive at 29k, that's without tax right, so minus tax? Minus a house in not too bad an area and a car? I need to think about the financial side too as I have two kids to think about and I'll be the only one working for a while. Is it doo-able? Any thoughts out there on areas to live with kids of nursery age and anyone know how much nursery is now in the UK?
Thanks all...
Plus, job wise...No-one has mentioned the mixed responsibilities for this role, the ground work. I believed it was sort of less flying and more recruitment, training, cc management. Is this a farse then? Does one have the choice to do more or less flying and more or less ground work? How does this work?
Thanks again.
You certainly reassured me a little about the choice to come back for the interview. I've been sent a reminder in fact for the August AD's. However as my baby girl is just a month old, I still haven't arranged for her Italian ID card. This may take longer than I'd hoped and I can't book flights, hotels or in fact the AD until I have her ID card and number.
Do you think the BA recruitment office would be understanding if I ask for any later dates? I don't want to risk the position, what do you think? Do you know of any September dates available for CSM AD's?
I was reading somewhere else that the CSM's pay was just over £2.00 an hour. I almost fell off my chair. I've not lived in the UK for almost 20 years but even back then as a teen ager, I never got paid that little. I realise that is in addition to the basic salary of 24k, but living in London, or rather, close to Heathrow, IS THAT ENOUGH?
I don't want to be one that only talks of money, its not just about that, but it's a bit of a joke don't you think? Emirates CSD's are paid close to £3,000 a month NET plus get a whole bunch of other benefits like a free brand new one bed flat (nicely furnished and all expenses paid including bills) or a generous living out accommodation allowance. This and other benefits mounts to over £60,000 per year.
I realise BA won't pay that much, but 2.00 an hour? Even if one does manage to arrive at 29k, that's without tax right, so minus tax? Minus a house in not too bad an area and a car? I need to think about the financial side too as I have two kids to think about and I'll be the only one working for a while. Is it doo-able? Any thoughts out there on areas to live with kids of nursery age and anyone know how much nursery is now in the UK?
Thanks all...
Plus, job wise...No-one has mentioned the mixed responsibilities for this role, the ground work. I believed it was sort of less flying and more recruitment, training, cc management. Is this a farse then? Does one have the choice to do more or less flying and more or less ground work? How does this work?
Thanks again.
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I was reading somewhere else that the CSM's pay was just over £2.00 an hour. I almost fell off my chair. I've not lived in the UK for almost 20 years but even back then as a teen ager, I never got paid that little. I realise that is in addition to the basic salary of 24k, but living in London, or rather, close to Heathrow, IS THAT ENOUGH?
I don't want to be one that only talks of money, its not just about that, but it's a bit of a joke don't you think? Emirates CSD's are paid close to £3,000 a month NET plus get a whole bunch of other benefits like a free brand new one bed flat (nicely furnished and all expenses paid including bills) or a generous living out accommodation allowance. This and other benefits mounts to over £60,000 per year.
I don't want to be one that only talks of money, its not just about that, but it's a bit of a joke don't you think? Emirates CSD's are paid close to £3,000 a month NET plus get a whole bunch of other benefits like a free brand new one bed flat (nicely furnished and all expenses paid including bills) or a generous living out accommodation allowance. This and other benefits mounts to over £60,000 per year.
Everyone is different, so for me, yes this is manageable, and for many of my CSM colleagues it too is manageable. I don't hear of any complaints regarding remuneration within the CSM group.
As for your nursery and housing, that is something that only you can figure out.
Good Luck with the assessment
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Maybe the live-in nanny would be the cheapest and most convenient solution for you. (If your husband cannot stay at home.) I can't imagine how you will manage work with 2 so small children in a foreign country without help.
Join Date: May 2010
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I wish you lots of luck but I too find it hard to believe you will be able to do a full time CSM job and manage looking after small children.
I found it hard working on E/F and only doing short haul. Mixed Fleet is mixed flying, which includes standby duties and a lot of long haul work, involving being away for up to a week sometimes!
Good luck.
I found it hard working on E/F and only doing short haul. Mixed Fleet is mixed flying, which includes standby duties and a lot of long haul work, involving being away for up to a week sometimes!
Good luck.
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Possibly a stupid question about uniform...
...but I'm going to ask it anyway!
Am starting MF training soon, and having read the uniform booklet through, am a little confused about shoes! Do they supply shoes or do we have to buy them? If we have to get them can anyone recommend a good place to get them?
Also, can someone confirm how many pairs we actually need? On one page it says you should have shoes with a 2" heel max, then the next page says for cabin crew its 1" max, and flat shoes too? So do I need all 3 pairs?
Sorry if it seems trivial, but just want to be fully prepared for when I start!
Many thanks
Am starting MF training soon, and having read the uniform booklet through, am a little confused about shoes! Do they supply shoes or do we have to buy them? If we have to get them can anyone recommend a good place to get them?
Also, can someone confirm how many pairs we actually need? On one page it says you should have shoes with a 2" heel max, then the next page says for cabin crew its 1" max, and flat shoes too? So do I need all 3 pairs?
Sorry if it seems trivial, but just want to be fully prepared for when I start!
Many thanks
Join Date: Jul 2011
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I hate to be so pessimistic, but with the issues regarding pay plus child care plus the move, all of which are very traumatic anyway, with potentially spending so much of your time away, I would respectfully suggest that this may not be the right career for you at this time?
CSM salary is livable....ordinary CC have to survive on less and we're not all living at home with our parents...I'm 54....with a mortgage....if it's really for you, I'm sure you'll find a way...good luck.
CSM salary is livable....ordinary CC have to survive on less and we're not all living at home with our parents...I'm 54....with a mortgage....if it's really for you, I'm sure you'll find a way...good luck.