Crews are more experienced and professional. Reducing crew compliments will prove the point that the service onboard will be dumbed down to Gatwick satisfaction levels.
That comment in itself illustrates perfectly why things have to change at LHR. In what way, exactly, are the crews at LHR "more professional" than those at LGW? They all receive the same training, pass the same tests. Indeed the same could be said of any other airline in the UK. Many charter operators have uniform and SEP standards that put BA to shame.
Or does "professionalism" mean getting the service done as quickly as possible to maximise bunk time? Or taking 2 local nights in a hotel before returning to base following a diversion? Please enlighten us.
Experience can be a good or a bad thing. It can bring a heightened awareness of the needs of the passenger, and an ability to "read" people, all leading to an improved service. Or it can bring a lazy indifference, leading to minimum effort and a poor service. It is a two edged sword.
The INDIVIDUALS in BA cc have been let down by a union totally divorced from both the membership and the employer. The "indispensable" mantra leads to comments like the one quoted above. I am thankful that it is not the opinion of the majority.