BA's flight crew should be careful that once again, after their dreadful conduct during the cabin crew dispute, that they do not behave like a spooked herd.
It is deja-vu all over again as figures are pulled out of hats to prove a particular point, that suits someone's agenda to push through a YES vote. Like the concession BALPA made over the A380 and Airbus type ratings, accepting this deal is the thin end of the wedge.
What I am most surprised about is that the BA pilots did not see this coming. They thought after the assistance they gave to Walsh serving drinks in the cabins, that they were the special ones. Even BA's fraud policy on upgrading was re-written to accomodate them moving mates of mates via Fleetlist. No amount of intellectual and eloquent negotiations is going to get them out of this one. They may need to push the button.
What BA's flight crew should understand is that BA Express is not just about LHR. It will grow and there will be bases around Europe, possibly harmonising operations with its Spanish counterpart. It is the only way to fight Easy and RyanAir long term. Walsh is going to place his tanks on their front lawn.
If this gets through, then BA pilots may as well give up on BALPA and join the Air Transport section of UNITE, just for the legal cover.
Last edited by Count Niemantznarr; 9th Jan 2012 at 07:37.