Interesting thread!
It started with <<Rumour has it that two of the fleet managers from BA visited the Beehive recently to discuss where to put their excess pilots. They apparently want some of their 737 crews from LGW to fly for GB under a kind of secondment deal-any one else heard about this? >>
Sources close to the front line agree that some BA managers did indeed visit GB but not in relation to the 737 operation.
My source tells me that BA's operation to the Caribbean and holiday Florida is under the spotlight and a visit was arranged to see if GB was able and ready to take over this work under a franchise commencing summer 03. BA want their pilots to fly the a/c until such time as GB pilots are 'approved' to take over. The proposal is for a normal BA crew with one GB captain on each flight (to gain LH exposure/experience until the CAA deems GB pilots to be 'up to speed'). It is believed that the BA CC is hopping mad and that the GB CC is being kept in the dark by GB who have assured BA that no additional remuneration will be required by GB pilots, thus allowing GB to submit a low 'quote' for the work.