Wirbel - It's been said before but if you wind the timescale out long enough you'll eventually find times when everyone
might find some benefit. The reality is many current BALPA members won't be around in 25 years time, and the effects of this deal will be lost in the rush for commands come 2016. People have been very patient since 2006, and watched the BACC sit on their hands pleading 'what can we do?' whilst enjoying their good fortune. This deal is a kick in the nuts, and they're not even glossing over the negatives, they're in total denial about it!
Bengerman - it's attitudes like yours that have dragged the BALPA forum down to where it is. You've done 24 years and you've got your command. As far as you're concerned the BACC is there to serve your needs and everyone else can
off. It certainly raised my eyebrow on the forum when a trainer posted that the attitudes displayed by some skippers towards FOs could become a CRM issue. The reason BA pilots are where they are compared to other IAG pilots is because we've had stronger management who've made bigger cuts over the years, not through any great cunning by the BACC. We've seen as many industrial cuts as most other employee groups and enjoy most if our protections due to regulatory requirements and self-funding. Giving things away isn't rocket science and isn't to be lauded, despite what Kim will tell you. The people who whine most about command 'entitlement' are those skippers who stayed on beyond 55, yet the law guarantees them no such entitlement, only the right to remain employed. One can imagine the cacophony of grief if BA decided they could remain employed, but not in the command position they believe they're entitled to! Anyway, shouldn't you be busy lobbying the BACC to change the staff travel onloads so your Klingons can displace junior FOs on staff travel? It's gathering pace you know!