If anyone wants to know what has happened at BA to make it such a shambles of late,perhaps this will give you an idea of what most of us have to put up with on most days......Today i was one of a team of engineers at base awaiting the tow of a B777 from T4. The aircraft in question was due a pre-input "engineering wash" on the stand designated for this work. As we sat there awaiting it's arrival we suddenly realised that the towing crew were actually starting to position it on an adjacent stand!......Que my AMS,(supervisor),leaping around,arms waving in the air trying to get the tow crew to stop and reposition the aircraft onto the correct stand....All to no avail.
On walking over to the next stand,we were approached by one of the tow team...."the computer tells us that this a/c has to go on TA3 mate,so that's where we have to put it". "Well we need it on TA4 says our AMS,as thats the only stand that an engineering wash can be done"......."no problem says the tug driver,we can put it there for you,but ONLY when the computer says we can"!!. Now que the wash team supervisor running over to the a/c..."what the **** you parking this here for,this has to be washed....it has to go on the stand next door". "Sorry mate says the tug driver,(computer in hand),it says on here stand 408 to TA3....we have to work to the computer or we get a bollocking". By now 10 minutes has elapsed and six engineers and a complete aircraft wash team,(8 men and 4 wash trucks), are sitting around "twiddling thier thumbs".....Now que our boss,running around doing his daily "headless chicken" impersonation......."what have you parked that there for,...it has to go on the stand next door"!!........."Computer says nah" says the tug driver,"you had better get back onto the TRM to have the stand changed"...que our boss now legging it at speed back to his office to make the call........after about another 15 minutes "hey presto",the computer says "yes" and the tug crew reposition the a/c,(in about 5 minutes),to the correct stand!!.
On talking afterwards to the tug crew,they complained bitterly that the introduction of the computer system has taken "all flexibility" out of thier operation,so they now "just do as they are instructed" until instructed otherwise!!.......The same seems to go for many front line staff nowadays who are constantly becoming fed up /dissolusioned by constant change most of which is bought about by managers etc who "have to make changes" in order to meet thier own KRA,s KPI,s etc etc
This little episode today equates to 16 people sitting around for 30 or so minutes each awaiting for one persons decision.....If this sort of scenario is enacted right across the airline on a daily basis,god only knows how much time and money is wasted!!.......If only BA could get it's act together and stop putting "idealogical obstacles" in everyones way,then forget 10%......we could get that with our eyes shut!!