Willie Walsh is the man to head BA
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It is clear to me that many of the recent comments are made by some of ue that know little, anything or nothing about the industry. Through the consistent high standards of BA Cabin Crew and their professionalism we have just returned to profit much of this down to their commitment. Without doubt BA CC project the highest levels of cabin crew anywhere in the world and it is due as much to them that BA have such an enviable record of safety and security. I thing you will find that they will be the last people on his list to change.
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Perhaps HZ123 is involved with training......probably the CC! I was in the sim. and heard Tina Turners 'Simply The Best' blasting out of the CC training block. I enquired as to the reason, only to be told that a new batch of CC were attending their first morning!! Perhaps HZ123 would like to comment..are they the best? Certainly, the best paid CC in the World...and they have the cheek to complain about the 'old Cheeseboard days'. 
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you guys have no idea how this little guy is going to knife you and cut the excess fat......just be prepared and accept there will be drastic changes in working conditions esp on the cc side. I wish you luck and any streams of the old boac culture will be eradicated. a strong statement but thats what's going to happen.
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Oh dear Dark Star, you really do appear to have a bee in your bonnet with BA cabin crew don't you.As I recall Mr Rod had a fearsome reputation when he arrived at BA. We all seem to have got along pretty well during his reign.
Now comes Mr Walsh, let's give the man a chance.
If he thinks that he can get away with the sort of heavy tactics that he used at EI, then he may finf that he has a fight on his hands.
Oh, by the way Dark Star. The sim block is quite a long way across a car park from the block that the cabin crew are trained in. You must have fantastic hearing. !!!!! Or maybe you are telling little white ones..................................
Last edited by ozzy05; 8th Apr 2005 at 16:17.
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Ozzy, actually the term 'in the sim' was a generic term for the visit to Cranebank...I wasn't actually undergoing a check when I heard it, it was after the check
A bit touchy aren't we? Do you feel that savings cannot be made within the CC area then.
We should all be concerned about WW reputation based upon this thread...don't you agree?
A bit touchy aren't we? Do you feel that savings cannot be made within the CC area then.
We should all be concerned about WW reputation based upon this thread...don't you agree?
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I agree Mr Walsh has developed a scary reputation.Who needs to fear the most?
I for one am confident that our trades unions will represent us with the shared aim of protecting our terms and conditions. How about yours ??????
Last edited by ozzy05; 8th Apr 2005 at 17:22.
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From some of the comments it confirms my worst fears that few of you have experience of present day airline business. Our CC amongst many of the BA staff are superior to many of the other outfits on the market. WW no doubt also recognises that hence his decision to join us. 'Simply the best' is not played to my knowledge the last time I heard that played in an airline training forum was 'DanDare' and looked what happened to them. The cuts WW made at AL were necessary for its survival. BA is a profitable airline with its eyes on the ball most of the time. My proof of this is the numbers of CC and FC that are queing up to join BA from other airlines. That infomation I know for a fact.
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I can't believe what I've been reading in this thread! The rumours are the exact opposite of reality and fuelled by the jealousy and petty feuds of rival airlines' employees!
For sure, Willie Walsh likes a mean, lean, fighting machine, but let's not forget that his actions will be driven by the Board of Directors. That said Board is currently basking in the glory of heading up the world's most profitable airline - no mean achievement in these post 09/11 days with ever spiralling fuel costs!
All the world's financial whizz-kids are speculating that, whilst Willie Walsh won't allow excess fat, the Board will be looking to him to expand BA's route network - and that, my friends, won't be achieved by further draconian cost-cutting measures!!!
For sure, Willie Walsh likes a mean, lean, fighting machine, but let's not forget that his actions will be driven by the Board of Directors. That said Board is currently basking in the glory of heading up the world's most profitable airline - no mean achievement in these post 09/11 days with ever spiralling fuel costs!
All the world's financial whizz-kids are speculating that, whilst Willie Walsh won't allow excess fat, the Board will be looking to him to expand BA's route network - and that, my friends, won't be achieved by further draconian cost-cutting measures!!!
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Newsflash!
As a cost saving measure under the new management regime, all 747s are to reduce engine wear by shutting one down at 100' AGL and continuing the flight as scheduled. The interval between services will therefore be greatly reduced and the saving of engineering costs across the fleet will be substantial
As a cost saving measure under the new management regime, all 747s are to reduce engine wear by shutting one down at 100' AGL and continuing the flight as scheduled. The interval between services will therefore be greatly reduced and the saving of engineering costs across the fleet will be substantial
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Our CC amongst many of the BA staff are superior to many of the other outfits on the market. WW no doubt also recognises that hence his decision to join us.
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Good post bealine.
I was at BA in those days when it first happened- when we had new management and the airline was made into a mean, lean fighting machine.
Some of the process was painful, most of it necessary and the end results were very successful.
I am not saying that BA did all the correct things - some of it was tantermount to real Thatcherite outsourcing. Let's no go too much into detail.
Although times have changed significantly from my days there, you have a very valid point.
I believe it may be necessary to go through that process again and I believe it can be done.
The problem I see and I've seen it time and time again - the somewhat 'stayhards' in the UK airline industry either don't like or don't understand change. Perhaps that is a fault of mangement living in Ivory Tower HQ and not being in contact with those at the sharp end.
I think Rod Eddington has been far more in touch with those at the sharp end than most over say, the last 15 years.
Those that work for the newer airlines are probably not subject to that change process.
I truly believe that BA will survive - they have to. Why shouldn't they ? They are one of the few UK companies that makes being British to be proud of.
I was at BA in those days when it first happened- when we had new management and the airline was made into a mean, lean fighting machine.
Some of the process was painful, most of it necessary and the end results were very successful.
I am not saying that BA did all the correct things - some of it was tantermount to real Thatcherite outsourcing. Let's no go too much into detail.
Although times have changed significantly from my days there, you have a very valid point.
I believe it may be necessary to go through that process again and I believe it can be done.
The problem I see and I've seen it time and time again - the somewhat 'stayhards' in the UK airline industry either don't like or don't understand change. Perhaps that is a fault of mangement living in Ivory Tower HQ and not being in contact with those at the sharp end.
I think Rod Eddington has been far more in touch with those at the sharp end than most over say, the last 15 years.
Those that work for the newer airlines are probably not subject to that change process.
I truly believe that BA will survive - they have to. Why shouldn't they ? They are one of the few UK companies that makes being British to be proud of.
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Can I also back up Bealines's comments?
Returning BA to profitability isn't just the result of one team (be they FC, CC, C-In, Engineers, or whoever). It's a collective responsibility; and I think we'd all do well to recognise that.
Just because you don't necessarily see the passengers day-to-day, it doesn't mean you're any less valuable to the firm.
It's not by chance that passengers turn up at the airports ready to fly with BA...
Returning BA to profitability isn't just the result of one team (be they FC, CC, C-In, Engineers, or whoever). It's a collective responsibility; and I think we'd all do well to recognise that.
Just because you don't necessarily see the passengers day-to-day, it doesn't mean you're any less valuable to the firm.
It's not by chance that passengers turn up at the airports ready to fly with BA...
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I did not exactly state that profitability was entirely due to CC and FC. I did include many of the departments as well and congratulate the massed efforts of out company. Futhermore I will defend the profeessionalism of our LC colleagues and the incredible job they did to change the way we all think. Bon Voyage ! I believe I know the ID of 'Darkstar' who is displaced FC.
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My proof of this is the numbers of CC and FC that are queueing up to join BA from other airlines.
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HZ whatever continually spouts proverbial bu!!$hit, unfortunately it's symptomatic of the typical desk jockey mentality who try and run BA. They need to get out and travel incognito to benefit from BA's style of "customer service"
I did not think that there were any displaced flying crew
I did not think that there were any displaced flying crew
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Da Dog, you are right. I was at the sim following a long recuperation after an operation on my leg. I was disappointed by HZ123 comments, but it wasn't worth biting. It's good to be back though...
My thanks to BAHS....
My thanks to BAHS....
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Willie will make lots of changes.
Inside his first year, Engineering and Ramp will be gone, Cabin Crew will stay but many changes are being planned at this time. I sugest the staff enjoy the last of the good times....
Inside his first year, Engineering and Ramp will be gone, Cabin Crew will stay but many changes are being planned at this time. I sugest the staff enjoy the last of the good times....
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Came back from JFK on BA114 today, 4hrs delay. Cabin attendents nowhere to be found (except in attendant rest area). How the mighty will fall. Todays flight summed it up for me, BA need W.W and he needs to crack the whip.
BA,CC need a big and almighty kick into reality.
BA,CC need a big and almighty kick into reality.