Carnage matey,remember the 747 has 12 doors,therefore a minimum of 12 cabin crew regardless of load,unless the upper deck cabin is not used.Rostering crew numbers related to expected booked loads is fraught with potential disaster,as delays and cancellations can result in half full aircraft ending up being oversold.15 cabin crew on a 4 class 747 is proved to work extremely well,baring in mind the crew compliment used to be 16 prior to 9-11,and the reduction to 15 was based on economic pressures.BA can make savings by introducing new contracts,terms and conditions for new starters or offering financial incentives for current employees to switch to whatever new conditions are proposed.It will suit some and not others,the key to change is making it voluntary,not imposing drastic changes to current working practices.Cabin crew are front line ,customer contact staff and at BA provide service to the highest end of premium travellers,who expect to be looked after by,professional,friendly,competent and enthusiastic crew.Those attributes would evaporate if any attempt was made to devalue the contribution they make to the success of the company.