Well, today was totally different from yesterday. Obviously because of the appearance of Tony and Derek there was a huge crowd which was great because these guys need to see the support for the strike remains as strong as ever and I know they were impressed. I also know that Tony was quite moved by the couple of minutes private chat he had with a few who were there who have been sacked. I also think, after today's performance, Derek has a future career at the London Palladium, but don't twitter him to tell him!
I know a lot of you get very frustrated by UNITE's apparent old-fashioned ways but I do feel both men must have been touched by the rally today. The banter, the jokes were crew at their charming best. I was watching from the top of the bus - it looked fabulous and the cameras caught the mood.
The day started quite well for me when I turned up at the club house and was presented with a load of XXXX cakes. Thanks to the baker. But after 5 minutes all went a bit sour when a photographer wandered in and said he was from the Daily Mail. Needless to say he was dispatched with a flea in his ear and a Foxtrot Oscar instruction. He won't be coming back.
It was so heartening again to see more Bedfont virgins ie first time strikers. It was also good to see people who had worked in the initial days of the dispute who were now having trouble sleeping and had decided this time "not to show". You are all welcome - it is not too late to repent. The BASSA Bedfont church is a very rowdy one but also a forgiving one.
But, one of the reasons I want to come onto this forum tonight is to pay my respect to the commuters out there, particularly those who are not British. I have been so impressed at how brave you people are. You may live in another country, which you would think would make it easy to turn your back on this very British strike - but no, not only have you joined the strike but you have done it knowing that your commute to work will now be arduous, expensive and in some cases almost impossible.
In recent days so many "British born" crews have told me at Bedfont how much they respect the many Europeans commuters who have given up so much more than them and how that makes them feel so sad that crew living in London or nearby have come to work so they can still keep their staff travel for holidays.
Can I say that we British born crew owe all you Europeans (and Americans etc) a massive debt of gratitude. Your presence in our airline has enriched us all and now you are showing us the way to be brave.
The commuters who use staff travel are the ones that have been hardest hit; it would have been understandable if many had chosen the easy option and gone to work, but the fact that you haven't has really filled me with pride and humility. I really do salute you - and next time you see me at Bedfont - mine is a San Mig!!!!
There were a lot of journos there today and I spoke to most. They were so impressed at the camaraderie and the friendliness. But that's cabin crew for you. It came as no surprise to me.
I speak for all the reps - It is a privilege to represent every godamn (XXXX) one of you.
Rgds Duncan
And to the person who told me I had put on weight today - please ignore this message it does not refer to you.
See you all tomorrow.
Well Well Well just like the "I went to work"and "42 year old Stewardess" rant, same old style same old rhetoric!! Ticking all the emotional boxes well done, pity only 25% of staff fall for it!!! and he has been on a media course you would think he would learn.
Been busy since I got back form leave (2000 emails), but some things don't change, juan Odeboy whatever still coming out with his one liners, still refusing to answer questions
cos lets face it he does not know the answers, after all juan your not a BASSA member
FYI
Short haul flights are not being stood up, because there is little point at this late stage. The selling window is just too short.
The company
planned on operating 16x 747 per day this week, they achieved 24 today
excluding freighters, some went empty with just crew but in most cases the company now have a 48 hr plus selling window plus extra freight.
Miss M, your info is well out of date, BA are not going for another injunction, that's yesterdays news, the least you could do is keep up
75% of crew required to report today(excluding VCC and those crew downroute) turned up today, oh dear BASSA, and to think the hot gossip on the picket line today for the 30 or so that turned up (it was cloudy after all) was that WW was going to resign..........muppets
standing firm in the midst of serious bullying by BASSA, hey Juan do they know your eating all the xxxx cakes and your not even a member
