GSS revisited
Since my first posting some time ago much has been said and argued about and even now there still seems to be many misconceptions among BA crew about GSS.
Misconception 1. It is BA work.
BA has not done this type of work since the 70s, it has no freighters, no pilot jobs have been lost. It was originally Atlas work if you remember, but there was much wailing and gnashing and teeth about the Americans flying European work (rightly so) and over a period of time GSS was set up as a predominately euro owned company to do the work. GSS is at least 49% owned by Atlas. So the term “bring the work back to BA” as used often on the BA forum is totally inappropriate, as BA would have to “start up”, their own freight outfit, virtually from scratch.
Why do you think BA didn’t use it’s own pilots/infrastructure in the first place? Does it show a lack of faith in itself to deliver a cost effective operation? This is where your real argument should be focused, if you feel strongly that BA should start flying the cargo then sit down with your management and make a convincing case. You don’t need to threaten strikes. You just need to prove on paper you can make more money, after all that is what business is all about. Stealing commands from other airlines such as GSS is an admission of defeat in this argument and is seen as desperately scavenging for the titbits thrown to you by BACC and management, and in the process upsetting the career structure (on which all pilots depend) within a small expanding independent airline.
Misconception 2. GSS fly in BA liveries.
There is no excuse to still believe this. Just look at the GSS website. Do they look familiar? They do bear a striking resemblance to Atlas don’t they? In fact they are leased to GSS by Atlas, the s.o.ps used by GSS are based on the Atlas ones. We do use “Speedbird” callsigns but then who doesn’t these days.
Misconception 3 There are more Captains than F/Os.
Untrue it is the other way round.
There is one thing however that the postings on the BA forum were right about, and that is the hostile reception from GSS to BA pilots taking GSS commands. Although why the surprise? After all didn’t I, and many others inform you of that. The interviews may well have appeared hostile because the attitude of everyone is hostile, they were merely trying to make sure you know what to expect, and that it is real and not just a way to put you off.
GSS is an independent airline and BAWC is merely the launch customer, when GSS has it’s second customer the argument that GSS is wholly dependant on BA (as BALPA argues) will be lodged firmly in the orifice from whence it spewed.
C.R.M is still a major concern, and GSS pilots will of course be as professional as they can despite the despicable circumstances they find themselves forced to accept. Another concern in GSS is that some of these BA direct entry Captains do not even meet the experience requirements as laid out in the GSS ops manual, so GSS is having to lower it’s standards to be able to accept them. Some of these so called Captains have never commanded anything larger than a light aircraft, and yet they seem to think they can command in this arena, where most of their F/Os have vastly superior experience levels and previous airline command experience. But I suppose it won’t be the first time an inferior pilot is sitting in the left as compared to the right (at least in terms of experience).
So I repeat my original statement for those pilots thinking of joining GSS, think again!! It’s not too late to withdraw as many of your number had the foresight to do. Do you really want to be imprisoned for three years in a company that didn’t invite you, doesn’t want you, and can’t wait to see the back of you. Harsh but true.