I've wrestled for a long time with the 'why'; of the cultural difference. Actually, it's had more to do with the constantly proved inability of most BA pilots - God Bless You - may you live in interesting times......- to be able to understand why we have a problem with you. Hey, I'll try again.
1. We NEVER wanted to be in BA. We would have applied earlier if that was our aim.
This was because we had a Regional Airlines lifestyle which, for those of us which stuck with it, gave us what we wanted. Yep, it didn't pay as much, but it (was) very profitable, secure, and most important allowed us to live in an area of the country we had picked with a lifestyle that worked.
2. B.A. bought us.
Probably mainly for the LHR slots, who the hell knows. The ones that do probably aren't there anymore. We still DON'T actually want to be part of BA, but we accept we are but teensy cogs. However, having delivered what our purchasers presumably wanted (whatever that was) we are more than a little p#ssed off at where we are. Our profitable Company has been trashed. Our bases have been closed. Our Fleets have been grounded. Sensible explanatory communication on the issue from both BA management and BALPA has been nil, condescending and illogical. Our employment base has shrunk, our jobs are constantly moving/relocating......but somehow we should be grateful for this.......er.....just like Dan Air eh? As the man said, don't p#ss down my back and tell me it's raining!!!!!!!
3. Regardless of any personal antipathy I or any other BACX pilot may have for individual secondees, that is irrelevant. We neither want, (nor certainly expect any more) sympathy from mainline for the usual treatment they extend to their ...er....'wholly owned subsidiaries' as opposed to their 'take-overs' (Jesus, Mohammed et al, and we're supposed to have some solidarity eh?) I must find a lawyer to explain the difference. WE DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF BA. WE HAVE NO CHOICE - WE ARE. THEREFORE, WE EXPECT TO BE TREATED FAIRLY AS SUCH.
4. Several choices I guess. No means of enforcement.
a) BA can (again) with the connivance of BALPA execute a Dan-Air scenario.
b) As the losses mount up, due entirely to the pathetic inability of their management to emulate our FORMER management and make a profit, they could dispose of us one corporate way or another.
c) BALPA could show a little honour, unite and demand that BACX pilots join the master seniority list at the bottom.
Now, please, explain how option 'c' would disadvantage ANY serving mainline pilot??? What it would do, ethically and morally would protect the jobs of people who never wanted to join BA - but whose Company and careers were purchased and completely f#cked by BA. Yes, the circle is squared. We didn't want to be part of BA, we would rather it had never happened. (I'll gloss over the disposal of the people who made the component parts of BACX profitable....but who were deemed .....surplus to requirements. ) How the BA personnel are unable to understand our point of view is the mountain that has stood between them.....and the rest of the Industry for twenty five years. In the worst possible scenario, I suppose people who have trained mainliners, have flown with them, have flown mainline aircraft previously...might all flunk a conversion. If that were the case.....well, then mainliners could sneer at will and we would have to get on with it. But....er.....although the CFE chop rate may have been slightly higher than the full, shiny, total interview candidate....
1) would that matter in really significant cost terms in the great BA 'big picture budget'?
2) are we talking conversion failures versus line training failures, because I happen to know that those two stats are very different in the BA system, and a load of total bollo#cks is inferred by the true politicians their management are when comparing apples with bananas.
3. Would it be significant in the great scheme of things if the occasional LPL accent were heard - it might balance the self-satisfied vocal smirking from those whose security owed nothing to their ability but all to their skewed BALPA allegiance and the fortuitous nature of their contracts!!!!
I fly with people every day whose main concern is their jobs, their families, their locations, their futures. Regrettably, I also fly sometimes with people whose only worry is... er... 747 or 777. Or perhaps...ummmm LHR or LGW and what are the commuting costs from France versus the tax breaks. I suppose I'm pretty used to it by now, I suppose I don't even hope for a happy ending any more.........BUT THERE IS NO WAY I'LL LISTEN TO THE BA SH#T AND GO QUIETLY ANY MORE EITHER!!!!!!!!!
(Particularly when we get to the personalised condescending patronising and innaccurate horse - sh#t of the nature of the last Nigel herewith.)
PS Timbo got fired though - maybe there is a God......
