Did someone mention drinks, great, mines a lager please!
Being a bit of a hybrid, BA, then CFE, then BA, I suppose I have had the advantage/disadvantage of seeing both sides of the argument. A lot of what is being said makes a lot of sense.
I know where AIRRAGE and Co are coming from because they have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, hence they have views that may not seem palatable. Unfortunately understanding WHY BA is the basket case it is does not necessarily make the situation better.
The inaction of all the minor "cogs" plus the low quality of employee at BA means only one thing, financial ruin. In defence of BA pilots they at least partially understand the situation they are in.
Everyone else thinks they are in the civil service and that BA will somehow last forever. It won't! Remeber peple are recruited by BA because they "fit in", not because thet will do a good job. If our managers were genuine entrepreneurs then they would be running there own companies. They live in the comfort zone.
Unfortunately in a misguided attempt to protect what little is left mainline pilots are manipulating the situation to their own advantage, despite what they may say. The argument is that "you should know your place" because if you don't protect "my job" then "you" will have nothing to aspire to.
My own T's and C's have NOT improved as a result of being at BA. This is not unusual. Of my immediate circle of friends, the 3 cabin crew members are worse off, BUT the office dwelling type has enjoyed a substantial rise!
What I do find worrying is that on talking to recruitment people from other companies the message seems to be that, and I paraphrase, "we don't generally employee ex-BA because they cannot do the job". By that they mean that we as BA employees are seen as inflexible, regimented, and sticklers for rules and procedures. This is obviously at odds with what is a dynamic and fluid aviation market.
The company is in decline, whether or not it is terminal depends on the employees as well and the managers.
This argument should NOT be happening in a healthy company. If the BACC was serious then it would ensure that ALL BA employees were under the same T's & C's. Unfortunately the BACC represents many members, many of whom would not support such a motion.
Junior doctors have such a tough time because senior doctors had a similar tough time when they were junior. The same ethos applies in BA.
Solution : Answers on a postcard please.....
Harry
p.s. Each day at BA is more amusing/bemusing than the last, can we still get an allowance for not having a hotel room with a bath?