Just to put things into perspective here folks.
I'm ex-BMed flight deck and have had the pleasure of flying with both BMed and BMI cabin crews. The two airlines really are like chalk and cheese. Sure the aircraft are the same and the main bases are LHR but there really is where the story ends.
Everyone of us joins a company for our own reasons. At some point in your careers there is a great chance that a your company will take over/be taken over by another company or cease trading. Even if none of the above occurs it is extremely likely that the airline will change it's direction or it's business model. Such is the nature of the industry that it is inevitable.
What is or isn't so apparent is how this will affect our INDIVIDUAL lives. What to one person will be their worst nightmare come true will to another be the direction that they've been hoping forever that the company would follow. Just like physics 'for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction'.
In the case of BMed / BMI crews I have flown with a diverse range of people. I have to say (as I've heard it myself first hand) that BMed crews have been told many untruths regarding the merger with BMI. These inaccuracies have nearly always come direct from managers (Pilot Manager and Cabin Crew Managers) and I hasten to add both BMed and BMI managers. I have to say that most of the time I think they are told in good faith but as is often the case, the plan is dynamically changing and the staff are not kept informed of this and continuing to believe the information which was correct at the time.
However, I honestly believe there was also a fair amount of intentional misinformation
Had this been know to BMed crews earlier, then I am almost certain that the exodus that is being witnessed at this time would have occurred under BMed 6 months earlier. As the two companies were operating under different AOC's it is apparant that BMI would not have been able to fill the crew positions quickly enough and BMI would have ended up paying for aircraft to sit on the ground empty at LHR, with no crews to operate them.
This may well be part of the reason for the discontent of BMed crews at BMI. Being told that BMed crews would continue to operate the old BMed routes for the first 6 months after the merger is the carrott that was dangled and attracted so many to stay on and see what colour the grass was really was over at BMI. There are plenty of others reasons as well for this upset including the way some junior managers make it a point of talking down to crews. There is no need for this, especially as often the staff that they are speaking to are older, wiser and more knowledgeable than the managers themselves. We are not children and should not be spoken to as such. This harsh draconian attitude further fuels the malaise and is a text book example of how a manager should not act.
Let's not forget though, as is so often the case in this industry, that often managers are promoted into these positions based solely on being in the right place at the right time. People management skills, often appear to be overlooked when it comes to resumes. I strongly believe that a manager that hasn't already studied management styles and techniques should be sent on a brief course, in order to equip them with the necessary skills for dealing with the work force efficiently and effectively.
It is clear therefore, that some BMed crews will have a valid chip on their shoulders. What isn't correct is for them to show this off for everyone to see. This also applies to BMI crews and any other airline employee.
'A330Ryan', I suggest you take note, for someone just entering into the Company, I would implore you not to judge people by their covers. You are merely perpetuating and exacerbating the problem. Treat everyone with the same courtesy and respect. Form your own opinions but do not be swayed into taking sides, for there is no sides. Without knowing the full individuals story, it is impossible to appreciate their position. If this is interfering with their service then bring it discretely to their attention and failing that have a quite word the SCA or their manager but ultimately try and be sympathetic. Many BMI and ex-BMed crews are passionate about their jobs and careers, some people adjust differently to their environment. Saying that someone with 30 years+ of flying experience should leave just because they live >2 hours away frankly smacks of immaturity. These people have lives, families and mortgages. They can't simply up sticks and move to 30 mins from LHR. Your not considering the fact that they may not be able to afford to, partners may have their own ties and children need to be taken out of schools. So I urge you not to be hasty with your opinions for someone still on probation. Get to know the crews and make your own opinions.
Returning back to the thread, I could go on but the bottom line is that BMI and BMed staff and managers need to embrace one anothers ideas and concepts. Lets learn from one another rather than cast suggestions aside point blank. BMed was no angel, it evolved through many previous faults and failures. Why therefore dismiss these suggestions completely out of hand, without sitting down and actually rationalising the pro's and con's of the point.
Ultimately, we all want to see the company succeed, it's our livelihoods at the end of the day but both managers and staff need to respect one another and their views; in order to make the future more professional, comfortable and as I'm sure BMI want more profitable.
