When BMED was purchased by bmi why were the BMED pilots merged into the bmi seniority list based on their BMED D.O.J.?
Because it was a merger of approximate equals. It doesn't matter how much anyone wants to portray things otherwise, this is a takeover of a failing company and thanks to an affirmative vote by current BA pilots agreeing to £10m of savings, BMI is being gifted by IAG to BA.
All future recruitment will be to BA mainline on BA terms and conditions which protects the future of BA mainline pilots. BMI pilots will hopefully become some of those very pilots in the near future, subject to the EU removing its finger from its elbow. However, BMI pilots will effectively be given a choice of remaining as a separate entity on their current T&Cs versus the mainline pilots, in which case as a group, they will wither as they progressively retire, with the FOs only having the option of moving to those former BMI command positions and the prospect of flying with new FOs recruited onto mainline. Alternatively, they will join the mainline seniority list more than likely at the bottom with BA T&Cs and appropriate protections, and have the same rights of movement as existing BA pilots.
Interestingly, wherever they join on the list, unless they choose to draw straws they will join in BMI seniority order, which unfortunately for them recognises the principle of seniority and its importance
within a company. Therefore, any challenge to the BA seniority list won't hold much water in court I would have thought.
As one of the earlier posters said and especially now that the EU have started interfering and compulsory redundancies may be on the table, all BMI pilots
must please read the post by the chairman of the BACC on the BALPA forum.
BA pilots want you all on board. None of us want to see any of you with a P45.