Merging Seniority Lists
OK guys, time to bring in a few facts.
I have worked for both BACX and BA in the recent past and have seen a bit of both sides of the argument. I do not claim to have a full understanding, but it is clear to me that there is a big misunderstanding between the two groups of pilots. Reading things like 'most BACX pilots are probably BA rejects' and stupid childish jibes about 'button pressing' and the like do not help anyone. The FACTS of the matter are, that we are two groups of ordinary blokes and lasses who want to get on with our careers.
Most of the people I have flown with/socialised with in BACX have never applied to BA, and what is more, there are people in BA, who are BA 'rejects' ie they got in on their third attempt. What difference is there between someone who fails to get into BA on the first attempt and accepts a job with a different airline, and someone who fails to get into BA and then subsequently gets offered a job by BA?
Now I keep hearing BA people say that BACX 'turned down' the offer of merging seniority lists and it is 'there loss'. Well that is not quite true. If you were to read the BACXCC newsletters, it appears that the BACC wanted to 'reward' some pilots and 'shaft' others. Whether this is true or not is almost immaterial, the people we pay to support us (BALPA, via BACXCC) said don't do it!! Whats more, it ashamed me that my union had two factions who were fighting instead of getting on with making things better for us all.
So here is a solution:
1. Put BACX crews onto the bottom of the seniority list.
2. Create a 'regional' payscale - make it the same as the BACX scales.
3. Allow bidding within the current fleets (ie BACX within current BACX fleets, BA within curret BA fleets) for 4 years.
4. After 4 years, open up the bidding to everyone.
5. Get rid of BACC and BACXCC fighting each other by having just one BACC with some ex BACX people on it (ie make it bigger)
6. Have date of merging lists as seniority
7. Have date of joining either company as statutory joining date for redundancy purposes
8. Merge training/rostering departments to save money
How this solves problems:
1. Stops two differing groups fighting each other and makes cost savings by reducing duplication
2. Makes it cost effective for BA - otherwise they wouldn't do it, also it means the BACX guys loose nothing, but do gain.
3. Means that BACX guys who are nearly ready for command/type change do not loose out, without taking anything away from BA guys. After 4 years things will have settled out.
4. Things are now settled, no one is pipped to the post.
5. Speaks for itself.
6. Is fair to both sets of pilots, especially considering 4 year gap. Neither workforce looses out.
7. Legal reasons - still no one looses out.
8. Speaks for itself.
It should be remembered that quite a few BACX guys work there because that is the sort of flying they want to do. Home every evening to see the kids or not many nightstops. Also it should be noted that many are aspiring people who want to get on with their careers. My suggestions above cater for both, you can bid to go 'up' or bid to stay where you are. No one looses out and everyone gains.
Am expecting some explosive posts to follow, but if we point out the problems, get them sorted and then move forward with putting this infront of BA, BACC and BACXCC then we can all win. We just need to get rid of the childish 'we are better than you' because it is rubbish and WRONG, we do slightly different jobs, that is all.
And for those who say TP pilots often fail jet courses or are not good enough etc, then the 4 year gap above should weed them out - if they are not good enough, then surely the training department will discover by then???
Comments please, don't shoot me down just yet.