I'm going to write a few things now that I have a suspicion that quite a few peeps won't like.
The pilots are now allegedly agreeing to a pay cut. Does that mean that the LHR ostriches will stop bleating on about how well pilots are paid and how it's their fault the company is down the swanny?
Regarding VR. In a business world, it makes complete sense to offer VR to high paid long serving staff. Purely because they cost more money than the younger-just-started lot. The thing is, these crew who've been in the company a looong time is caught in a catch-22: They're possibly fed up with the job, but couldn't find another job that pays the same with the same type of life style. (before you scream - I'm saying some, not all).
Looking at things from a business point of view, anyone with an ounce of intelligence would want to cut costs as much as possible. CEO's and share holders don't give a flying monkey about whether crew can pay their mortage or not. All they're interested in, is making a profit, and if that means making crew work for less than what they get paid now, then so be it. It doesn't mean I personally agree with it, I'm just looking at it from a business side of things.
Most of us admit that some work practices at LHR is rather antiquated (sp?) and restrictive. The 2 local nights after a long range was shown in all its nasty glory earlier this year. Destination payment for State side trips - honestly, I don't get that. I've still to hear a reasonable explanation for that one. These are just two examples. I won't bother going into the rest of them, but I honestly can't really blame the LT of wanting to cut costs that can be avoided.
The thing that still baffles me, is that LHR crew will keep bleating on about how we all need to stand together and "fight" for "our" t&c's. Let me put it to you straight: I've been at LGW for near enough 11 years now and I've never experienced LHR fighting LGW's corner. However, when they're up the creek so to speak, there's much hoo haa about "we all need to stand together" and "united work force" etc etc. Another question I've not had answered from LHR crew is: when you left us to be thoroughly shafted in '06 (start of single fleet) - did you really not consider that if it worked at LGW the LT would come for you? Seriously? We've been expecting it for years (since SF started, tbh).
The current discussions on the crew forum (the ba one) is quite laughable, as so many ww crew are getting in a tizz about having to work a crew or two down, and how they could't possibly provide the "excellent" customer service like they do now. Nevermind that at LGW we've managed for nearly 3 years now, but that's besides the point I guess.
I'd better stop here, before I get myself into trouble. I'm sure there will be disagreements, but that's ok. That's a sign of healthy debate.
Gg
Ps. Apologies for coming over so, so, ehm, so, ehm, I don't know, but I just had to get it out of my system, sorry