The inverse of that argument could be seen as BA showing their support for new part-timers, on reduced basic, by giving them some trips. I certainly don't see it as punishing full-time people. Remember it was the unions that pushed the company to find alternatives to invol. redundancies. If BA don't achieve the desired headcount they will simply sack people. The real "punishment" will be job losses if there isn't enough work to go around for an extended period.