In reference to RVR800 's post. I think you will find that many of the pilots who will leave BA over the coming months will be off the 747-400 fleet. Many of these captains are coming up to retirment and indeed they are leaving every month. Rather than to keep a captain on at £100,000 a year would it not be better o get rid of him with a 'golden hand-shake' deal and keep the the new boys on who compared to the older staff are peanuts to keep on.
I would put money on it that very very few BA captains on the -400 fleet came through the sponsership. BA has invested alot of money and time into new recruits so why get rid of your investment ? Plus they still would be due the company money from training, sack them and there goes your cash.
In light of the current climate this would seem to be a better money saving suggestion than that proposed by terminating junior pilots contracts.
Just a wee thought...
