Originally Posted by
sharksandwich
When a BA air steward responded anonymously in the comments to , I thought it worth highlighting their defence to get your reactions.
I'll give it a go - this will seem fairly negative from me it's not intended to be but lets highlight a few realities. Cabin Crew, generally at BA, work hard and do an excellent job, they were great to work with, friendly, a good laugh and, mostly, focussed on their job. The post below though gives some arguments hat I heard a few times from people who perhaps no longer really enjoy what they do. I read it and tried not to reply but I really had to highlight some aspects of it.
Free speech? I think not.
I risk losing my job if I am identified.
Clearly stated in contract that public statements should not be made except via the
PR office - common place in any business.
It was not that long ago that the crew of the BA038 were being praised as heroes for a successful evacuation and saving lives, as without their skill, professionalism and dedication that could have been a very different outcome.
Agreed they did an absolutely fantastic job along with the Flight Crew, ATC at LHR and the emergency services and others involved on the ground at OCIC and in other departments.
My last P60 reflected more in the region of £29,000 (75% contract), full time Max approx. £35,000 (trip dependent).
Don't want to dwell on pay - you signed your contract and deserve the remuneration that goes with it - however these figures don't include un-taxable allowances (as you got them form your P60).
then I feel no one has the right to question what I earn.
Agreed, as I said, your contract.
I'm "expected" to report for my trips at least 1 hour prior to a flight (for which I get no payment), in order to print out all the required paperwork, liaise with the Executive Club, customer services, etc. etc.
It is the same on my return to base when I have to file all the necessary paperwork ..... I leave the Crew Report Centre at T5 several hours after everyone else on the crew has gone home; again unpaid.
As an SCCM at BA my post flight duties rarely if ever extended to "hours". However (like Airport Standby), you are not being paid allowances, you are however paid a basic wage for 2000 hours a year - which you don't hit with Duty time alone so in essence you are "being paid".
This and nights out of bed, not able to sleep,jetlag & missing loved ones' birthdays, parties and family get-togethers - not much of a social life.
That's aviation - and should be expected I am sorry to say.
You seem to think we have the life of luxury, staying in 5 star hotels, having room parties and an easy life of it. I assure you most of us are too shattered by the time we get there to enjoy anything
.
Well I had a fantastic time on my slip - seeing the world is why I did the job.
Could you do a 6-mile walk around a hill 5000' above sea-level 4 times in 6 days? Because that's what we do.
I hope most healthy people could - My Grandmother walked a 4 mile round trip to feed the ducks EVERY day up until she dropped dead.
For those of you who are happy to wait for your service on board, then fine, but please don't then complain & compare us with the likes of Cathay and Singapore airlines who have 18 crew.
The cost base is far less for their crew though and often their economy passenger numbers are far greater.
Also it is hardly a fair to compare us with airlines like Easyjet/Ryanair who offer a completely different product/fare structure.
They are your main competition on short haul now though. BA is far preferable for me but unfortunately your managers will always be comparing profit margins - kinda what they are paid to do.
Do you think we would do this to you and them, unless we were not desperate to make the company get back to the negotiating table? .....
We are scared, if we accept these impositions I assure you they will be back for more, there is no doubt in my mind.
I honestly really think BA would have happily got around the negotiating table before if BASSA had come to them with a sensible alternative. As for your fear of further imposition - I feel for you there, I really do, but fear of future changes is neither a legal or sensible reason to strike.
I ask you, what CEO of a company, in such dire financial circumstances refuses an offer of 60 million savings??
One who wanted £82 million savings.
If i lose my job with BA tomorrow I will be sad, very sad, but I will not go down without a fight...this situation is wrong,
Yes it is! Surely you should be far more worried about keeping your job at all in this tough economic climate.
Honest to god, I feel terrible for you guys and girls, do I think BA is without blame? - absolutely not! A little tact amongst other things would have helped them, but I cannot reconcile myself with the action you are taking Vs. what you are being asked to do, to help keep the company afloat.
I loved my years at BA - I would hate to see it go.