Dicksynormous...modest aren't we!!
In response I would like to point out that Ndeke is from the Nyanja language spoken predominantly in the Central and Eastern Provinces of Zambia, and is spelled correctly. Whilst on the subject of spelling, I couldn't help but notice the following from your post;
Bitchin should be bitching,
lifes should be lives,
your should be you're,
loose should be lose.
Sorry, but you did bring it up.
Anyway, yes, we are owned by BA, and we are trained to their SOPs and standards, and so I don't think it unreasonable to expect to be given priority over someone applying from outside the BA umbrella, assuming I wanted to fly for mainline. I would have thought that this would make sense to BA as well as we are a known quantity to them.
It seems odd to me that we are considered good enough when we are flying the BA flag and selling the brand to BA standards throughout the UK and Europe, and might I add, more punctually, but we are not considered to be anything other than your average joe when trying to progress our careers through the parent company. Please remember that as far as passengers are concerned, we are BA, and so if we let them down, as would befit our lowly status, then the whole BA image is let down, mainline's as well. Morale is so low in this company that I am surprised that it hasn't shown already. And yet crews still pull together to fly disruptions and their days off, indeed management have even been phoning them at home to do just that, to keep the company afloat, whilst not having had a payrise AT ALL for at least 4 years. And please don't be tempted to go down the "BACX pilots are not of the high standard of mainline pilots" as has been suggested in the past. I have personally witnessed a BA 747 400 make three attempts to land at Lusaka Intl Airport off a visual approach, each time being too high and "hammerheading" on the turn to final, ( rwy 10). On the third and final attempt, the aircraft hammerheaded again and was forced to bank approximately 30 or so degrees OVER THE THRESHOLD to realign itself with the runway, landing about halfway down and stopping on the far numbers with reverse still engaged. About 200 spectators who had gathered to watch were absolutely silent. So no, they are not infallible either.
I think what PontiusPilot says encapsulates what we ex Brymon and BRAL types feel, and he does speak the truth. Personally I don't see why BA don't manage this whole sorry affair with a little more sensitivity, and indeed, even panache. Rather than be a thorn in the side, it should be beneficial. I would have thought that BACX would be the perfect training ground for pilots who wished to progress to mainline ( and also vice versa for those senior types who wished to return to fly in the regions or continue past the BA 55yr retirement age. ) BA would be getting pilots with some experience rather than a 200 hour cadet. The cadets on the other hand would get to fly "hands on" aircraft on 4 - 5 fairly high frequency and high workload sectors a day and build invaluable experience........and probably enjoy it too, rather than watch the Bus autoland after an autopilot flown 2 hour sector. I guess I'm just too naive. I just find it so frustrating to see BA squander such a good company and the opportunity to to enhance and build upon its own presence. I don't understand why someone in Rod Eddington's position doesn't take a closer look at what is going on. Surely he owes it to his shareholders? Damn, there's that naivety again! Instead, like myself, people are voting with their feet in droves, and moving on to different pastures. This will cost BA more in lost experience and face than it will ever save by marginalising BACX.
IMHO you understand!!
