BMI
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: london
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BMI as a company is just like most of it's crew, old and lacking youthfulness
Join Date: May 2011
Location: IOM
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Bmybaby you are really mistaken then, the old crews dislike change is a hard fact, the young guns love change and new challenges.
I dislike bad service, I refuse to fly LCC's - the closest I've come to is Flybe just the once and that's about it because I like service - but I'm not seeing much special in BMI's offering recently (as a regular BMI'er).
I dislike bad service, I refuse to fly LCC's - the closest I've come to is Flybe just the once and that's about it because I like service - but I'm not seeing much special in BMI's offering recently (as a regular BMI'er).
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: gate 67 JFK
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Might become a cabin crew base, but unlikely for flight deck, the cost of standby cover for flight deck means it will always be less expensive to HOTAC flight deck, plus trying to get crews to base there is not easy!
The majority of cabin crew in baby have the same customer care standards going back to diamond class days, but with a bit more fun, it's what keeps the airline alive for many of our regular customers.
Who knows what's around the corner, just hope they don't throw the baby out with the bath water!
Given half decent kit there is a great and profitable airline trying to get out, just think had SMB spent the money that was spent on A330 and long haul or WPS on mainline refit they could have had a very profitable airline on their hands by now, believe me it cabin crew that make it.....
The majority of cabin crew in baby have the same customer care standards going back to diamond class days, but with a bit more fun, it's what keeps the airline alive for many of our regular customers.
Who knows what's around the corner, just hope they don't throw the baby out with the bath water!
Given half decent kit there is a great and profitable airline trying to get out, just think had SMB spent the money that was spent on A330 and long haul or WPS on mainline refit they could have had a very profitable airline on their hands by now, believe me it cabin crew that make it.....
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Its not fair to say that bmi old crew dislike change. Out of any other airline I reckon bmi staff go through the most changes as bmi are known to chop and change things so often, but you never hear about their crew calling in the union and resisting any changes.
What makes you suggest that, is there anything bmi have ask their crew to change and they haven't?
I respect your view but I'm also trying to understand how you have come to your conclusion.
What makes you suggest that, is there anything bmi have ask their crew to change and they haven't?
I respect your view but I'm also trying to understand how you have come to your conclusion.
Join Date: May 2011
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I concluded based on my knowledge of aged pilots who all share a similar lack of sympathy and sheer hate for change - they like 'real good and proper' airlines where they take off, they fly, they land and no need for fuss.
Join Date: May 2011
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I was talking about BMI Mainline because funnily... This is the BMI Mainline thread.
I fly BMI Mainline 3 times/week normally, I've seen changes over the last 18 months, for sure.
I fly BMI Mainline 3 times/week normally, I've seen changes over the last 18 months, for sure.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: gate 67 JFK
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JSCL
Baby have very few old farts on the flight deck, most of the old farts stayed with mainline,to ensure they continued to get free meals, including the 1800+ Cal breakfast, the vast majority are there because they like the fun of working for a by and large good pilot management team, yes the uncertainty of change grinds you down but not change in it's self.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LHR
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I think the name calling at BD staff is uncalled for. I've always found BD staff very warm and approachable. This cannot be said for a significant minority of staff at another LHR based British airline. The same comparison can also be drawn for staff flexibility and willingness to adapt to change.
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: U.K.
Age: 46
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One thing I won't stand for is unnecessary and completely unwarranted attacks on the frontline staff at bmi.
I have been more than impressed with the professionalism and willingness to muck in from the people who actuallly deal with our customers.
To call them "old farts" is total rubbish and I'd suggest you know absolutely stuff all about the company if that is what you think of the people there. I've only been there 8 months, but the one thing I don't worry about is the people who actually look after the pax. I've seen them work miracles to keep the show on the road and their one concern is the passengers.
Poor show JSCL, seriously poor show.
I have been more than impressed with the professionalism and willingness to muck in from the people who actuallly deal with our customers.
To call them "old farts" is total rubbish and I'd suggest you know absolutely stuff all about the company if that is what you think of the people there. I've only been there 8 months, but the one thing I don't worry about is the people who actually look after the pax. I've seen them work miracles to keep the show on the road and their one concern is the passengers.
Poor show JSCL, seriously poor show.
Join Date: May 2011
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One thing I won't stand for is unnecessary and completely unwarranted attacks on the frontline staff at bmi.
I have been more than impressed with the professionalism and willingness to muck in from the people who actuallly deal with our customers.
To call them "old farts" is total rubbish and I'd suggest you know absolutely stuff all about the company if that is what you think of the people there. I've only been there 8 months, but the one thing I don't worry about is the people who actually look after the pax. I've seen them work miracles to keep the show on the road and their one concern is the passengers.
Poor show JSCL, seriously poor show.
I have been more than impressed with the professionalism and willingness to muck in from the people who actuallly deal with our customers.
To call them "old farts" is total rubbish and I'd suggest you know absolutely stuff all about the company if that is what you think of the people there. I've only been there 8 months, but the one thing I don't worry about is the people who actually look after the pax. I've seen them work miracles to keep the show on the road and their one concern is the passengers.
Poor show JSCL, seriously poor show.
Join Date: Mar 2000
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How on earth as a passenger would you know that the attitude of the people who drive the things has changed? Do you spend a lot of time on the flightdeck talking to people?
My issue is with you calling people "old farts" when they are nothing of the sort.
There is a lot of uncertainty within the company, mainly because no-one is really sure who's making the decisions and what is going to happen in the next few months. However, I've certainly not noticed any change in how customers are treated and I fly on our aircraft as pax at least twice a week. Of all of the people I've worked with over the years, the people at bmi really do stack up at the top, they do a fantastic job in often trying conditions.
I wouldn't blame them if they were a bit jaded at times, but somehow the vast majority aren't.
I've found the flight deck crew a pleasure to work with and easily the most flexible of any pilot workforce I've seen. So I think it's extremely unfair for you to label them as inflexible old farts.
My issue is with you calling people "old farts" when they are nothing of the sort.
There is a lot of uncertainty within the company, mainly because no-one is really sure who's making the decisions and what is going to happen in the next few months. However, I've certainly not noticed any change in how customers are treated and I fly on our aircraft as pax at least twice a week. Of all of the people I've worked with over the years, the people at bmi really do stack up at the top, they do a fantastic job in often trying conditions.
I wouldn't blame them if they were a bit jaded at times, but somehow the vast majority aren't.
I've found the flight deck crew a pleasure to work with and easily the most flexible of any pilot workforce I've seen. So I think it's extremely unfair for you to label them as inflexible old farts.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Europe
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I'd like to put a good word in for BMI Cabin Crew. They are all second to none in my experience. They are, of course, constantly let down at either end of a flight by a grossly inept IT Dept, the buggiest and slowest website I've ever come across and often shambolic disembarking at LHR but they never let their Company down.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: gate 67 JFK
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Ayroplain
The website has been revamped this month using the latest web standards incl HTML 5 the home page is smaller and down load time has been reduced from 4.5 to 1.7 seconds according to the bmi group magazine.
It certainly seems quicker and the flow on booking is more logical
Its not all bad news within the bmi group
It certainly seems quicker and the flow on booking is more logical
Its not all bad news within the bmi group
Join Date: Sep 2005
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The website has been revamped this month using the latest web standards
Another thing that has arisen over the past month or so is the printing of Boarding Passes online. When you get to the print point and print it the printout is not centred and runs off the right hand side of the page so that barcode is completely missing as well as part of the seat number. Despite there being a separate barcode down the bottom I have seen passengers being refused entry at Security and having to go to the desk for a replacement. The alternative is to request the Boarding Pass to be sent to an email address in pdf format where it prints OK. Hard to believe that such a simple process couldn't be got right initially and still not be rectified weeks later. I have never experienced this with any of the other airlines I fly with so my original description "grossly inept" still applies.
Join Date: Feb 2001
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Bmi are like many old established companies with multiple computer platforms that don't all talk to each other, it's always a problem when you try to drag a legacy type carrier into the modern word, but bit by bit they are getting there, but still a long way to go on the cost revenue balance.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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I.T. always has been dinosaur at BMI. The previous owner did not invest and the pidgeons are coming home to roost. Poor Lufthansa were landed with a real pup and are doing their best to drag it forward into the 21st century, but it does take time.
They have revamped aircraft interiors and are upgrading IT and much more, but it takes time to get through to the customer. Lets hope the new website makes it a better booking experience otherwise a different airline is only a few mouse clicks away!
BMI/Lufty are trying really hard to turn things around. Lets hope LH don't run out of patience before the message reaches the customer.
They have revamped aircraft interiors and are upgrading IT and much more, but it takes time to get through to the customer. Lets hope the new website makes it a better booking experience otherwise a different airline is only a few mouse clicks away!
BMI/Lufty are trying really hard to turn things around. Lets hope LH don't run out of patience before the message reaches the customer.
Chieftan o'the Pudden Race
Join Date: Nov 1997
Location: Scotland usually, and often other parts of Europe
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Stefan Lauer doesn't seem too happy with the bmi group. If you read Dutch this is interesting: luchtvaartnieuws
Rough translation :
Rough translation :
"Lufthansa will sell off loss-making subsidiary bmi'
FRANKFURT - The Lufthansa Group are looking at the possibility of selling their British subsidiary British Midland (bmi). German media report that based on various statements by chairman of bmi's board Stefan Lauer. Lufthansa have since 2009, been the one hundred percent owner of bmi.
Bmi has especially suffered from the weak situation in the UK aviation market. In addition, the political unrest in North Africa has been a major setback for the airline. In the first half of 2011 it reported an operating loss of 120 million euros.
According to Lauer the BMI business model does not correspond to the other companies within the Lufthansa Group. If an sale is proposed that is best for the future of bmi, Lufthansa will consider the offer, says Lauer. A final decision has not yet been taken.
Much of the value of bmi is in the precious slots at Heathrow, which the company owns.
From our editorial staff
FRANKFURT - The Lufthansa Group are looking at the possibility of selling their British subsidiary British Midland (bmi). German media report that based on various statements by chairman of bmi's board Stefan Lauer. Lufthansa have since 2009, been the one hundred percent owner of bmi.
Bmi has especially suffered from the weak situation in the UK aviation market. In addition, the political unrest in North Africa has been a major setback for the airline. In the first half of 2011 it reported an operating loss of 120 million euros.
According to Lauer the BMI business model does not correspond to the other companies within the Lufthansa Group. If an sale is proposed that is best for the future of bmi, Lufthansa will consider the offer, says Lauer. A final decision has not yet been taken.
Much of the value of bmi is in the precious slots at Heathrow, which the company owns.
From our editorial staff