KLM Crew Narita

[flapsforty]

Re: KLM Crew Narita

petitfromage, Ill print out your post and make sure it gets to the crew in question. I am sure they will be very happy to read that.

dupont3700 there is only 1 real union representing Dutch CC, allthough a few others are trying to start up now. The union is not considered very strong by most people. Certainly, since reading PPuNe and having had occasion to compare what British and French unions manage to achieve for their crews, the VNC seems very much 'in' with management. Perhaps that is caused by the 'poldermodel' followed in Dutch business and politics for many years now. Compromise rather than confrontation.
When compared to the Dutch pilots' union, the CC union lacks teeth, which is odd, since about 90% of Dutch CC is organised with them.

About 15 years ago, KLM CC had the choice between better wages or more time off, down route and at home- The time off option was overwhelmingly chosen. Management has steadily nibbled away at that ever since of course, without increasong the salaries.

KLM CC do not get sector pay, overtime, night time or all the other things I read about here on the forum. Schedules are sent out every week, fixed only for the 2 weeks after. You get your basic salary (about the same as AF) plus your daily allowance (depending on where in the world you get sent to), a tiny percentage of the in-flight sales profit, an extra month salary in May as holiday money and one in December as do all workers in Holland. That's it money wise. Steady, predictable and safe.
What is excellent is the possibility after 5 years to go part time 50%, 67% or someting like 80%. And no obligation ever to go back to full time. When you qualify for promotion, you temporarily do 3 months full time, but after that it's back to your original part time percentage. Both on LOng and Short Haul.

KLM uses the Carmen rostering system, and Carmen's a hard b!tch, If a CC or pilot calls in sick, their schedule is immediayely wiped. All future flights disappear, including granted requests/bids.
The crew food is best not talked about, and as my fellow Mod flyblue is fond of pointing out to me: "those 1980's Nina Ricci uniforms really have passed their sell-by date".

Like any other (ex)flag carrier, KLM has its good and bad sides. It's there for the money, not to provide protected employment. But it has over the years been a decent employer that looks after its people.