Gentlemen
I will try to stick to the known facts..........
The secondment issue is still very current. There are five BA F/O's with GSS at present. Our understanding of the arrangement is that BA will take 2/3's of all new commands till they have 50% of commands then it will be 50 / 50 between BA F/O's and GSS F/O's. So there is no possibility of direct entry commands outside of BA. (we hope!!)
There are rumours of a fourth aircraft in late Spring 05 with a fifth in the Winter 05.
We are contracted for 20 working days per month.
F / o Salaries
Year 1 £ 35,200
2 £ 36,630
3 £ 38,115
4 £ 39,655
5 £ 41,195
6 £ 42,845
7 £ 44,558
8 £ 46,340
9 £ 48,194
10 £ 50,122
Per Diems are £2.00 tax free for all time spent away from base. Pension contribution is 5% (min) from you 5% (max) from the company.
If you are not type rated the bond is £25,000 decreasing each year, not each month. You will receive PD only, no salary, until you complete the type rating.
There is no "standard" trip but a frequent one might be STN - HHN taxi FRA. FRA - HKG. HKG - DEL position MAA - STN which would take up to 9 days. Trips vary between 2 and 11 days in length, however, it is not uncommon to be delayed back. Hotels are of a good standard.
Our contract states business class on flights over six hours "when available". We are listed as BA staff (Ha) so often get bumped into economy coming back from Jo'burg or Hong Kong.
Commuting is possible but we get no consessions from BA with regards to tickets or staff travel.
Discussions are due to start in January for a new pay deal.
Hope this helps