British Airways
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"Back in the day, "Ooo- I never knew we had those!" would have translated into "Bother! I had my eye on those for myself..." - but I'm sure that sort of thing doesn't happen nowadays"
heaven forfend!!!
heaven forfend!!!
I prefer reality life to reality TV. Always found the crews and service excellent, still my favourite airline!!
As much as I love the 747 upper deck a couple are getting a bit long in the tooth, interesting to see if and when YVR gets the A380 or 787? Looking forward to next flight to our second home in a couple of weeks time.
As much as I love the 747 upper deck a couple are getting a bit long in the tooth, interesting to see if and when YVR gets the A380 or 787? Looking forward to next flight to our second home in a couple of weeks time.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
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one of BA's problems IMHO is that the cabin crews are very variable in quality - you get a good lot and next flight is the mob from hell.......... no quality control I guess
It's a classic vicious circle.
Last edited by Skipness One Echo; 11th Jun 2014 at 12:36.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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My last two, and final, problems with BA:
1. LUX/LGW, they called me the day before to inform me it was cancelled due to technical, I told them "bull, it's cancelled for commercial reason" but left with no choice I was involuntary rerouted on a very empty LuxAir LUX/LHR then National Express. My suitcase became so destroyed I needed to claim, BA wouldn't accept any responsibility whatsoever telling me to talk to LuxAir who had no representation in UK ... It never got sorted.
And:
2. AMS/LGW, the seat I was allocated was broken, had anyone bothered to check it should have already been in the cabin defects log but it wasn't, then they flew the leg with the gear down all the way because some muppet had overfuelled the aircraft.
Never Again!
1. LUX/LGW, they called me the day before to inform me it was cancelled due to technical, I told them "bull, it's cancelled for commercial reason" but left with no choice I was involuntary rerouted on a very empty LuxAir LUX/LHR then National Express. My suitcase became so destroyed I needed to claim, BA wouldn't accept any responsibility whatsoever telling me to talk to LuxAir who had no representation in UK ... It never got sorted.
And:
2. AMS/LGW, the seat I was allocated was broken, had anyone bothered to check it should have already been in the cabin defects log but it wasn't, then they flew the leg with the gear down all the way because some muppet had overfuelled the aircraft.
Never Again!
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Blimey - not a man to hold a grudge long then !
Watched episode 1 of "A very British airline" and was stunned at the lost opportunities - almost like "Motorway cops at FL310", but without the humanity.
Their cabin training regime comes across as inept, petty and focussed more on appearance that content - not knowing that a cabin config is 3-4-3 is relevant on the aircraft (unless you're a Res or CKI agent), not a reason for dismissal but not weeding out someone who who hasn't a clue how to talk to a customer - let alone a foreign one - is irresponsible. (You can train skills, you can't train culture)
They lost the chance to really show the complexity and knock-on impacts of maintenance delays on schedules, they managed to pump some more fuel into the class war fire with "His ticket costs more than my annual salary" and the whole thing came across as utterly trite.
Look at "The Tube" to see how it can be done....
Their cabin training regime comes across as inept, petty and focussed more on appearance that content - not knowing that a cabin config is 3-4-3 is relevant on the aircraft (unless you're a Res or CKI agent), not a reason for dismissal but not weeding out someone who who hasn't a clue how to talk to a customer - let alone a foreign one - is irresponsible. (You can train skills, you can't train culture)
They lost the chance to really show the complexity and knock-on impacts of maintenance delays on schedules, they managed to pump some more fuel into the class war fire with "His ticket costs more than my annual salary" and the whole thing came across as utterly trite.
Look at "The Tube" to see how it can be done....
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Marston Moretaine, UK
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@RevMan I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately I think that they are looking for people who can tick all the right boxes, and knowledge of seat configurations is just one of those boxes. You are very correct in saying that such knowledge doesn't guarantee a good member of cabin crew.
It takes a particular kind of person to deliver great service, and, I think, a particular kind of person to recognise those candidates who are capable of delivering it. Again unfortunately, it's much easier for supervisors and trainers to say that they complied with the letter of all the requirements (i.e. ticking every box) rather than acting creatively and being allowed to exercise their judgement as to the best candidates.
It takes a particular kind of person to deliver great service, and, I think, a particular kind of person to recognise those candidates who are capable of delivering it. Again unfortunately, it's much easier for supervisors and trainers to say that they complied with the letter of all the requirements (i.e. ticking every box) rather than acting creatively and being allowed to exercise their judgement as to the best candidates.
And how the 'Allo 'Allo dimwit got through the initial selection process and even close to the training course, I have no idea...
Last edited by RevMan2; 12th Jun 2014 at 11:30.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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It's a trade off remember, do you think this was a representative sample?
The director would look for interesting people who would go on a journey through the course of the program, by the very definition they're likely to be "characters" and therefore either loved or hated. It's entertainment dressed up as documentary IMHO.
The director would look for interesting people who would go on a journey through the course of the program, by the very definition they're likely to be "characters" and therefore either loved or hated. It's entertainment dressed up as documentary IMHO.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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I haven't seen this programme, I can't view UK TV from where I am.
But remember the "Airport" series and "Jeremy of Aeroflot", total plonker but they focused on him because he was, to some, entertaining.
Then a programme featuring Virgin years ago, they focused on one most irritating cabin crew member because she was "eye candy" and again, to some, entertaining.
And as for the Easyjet "Airline" series ... Don't get me started
I've been in a couple of TV productions myself so I understand what the directors are looking for.
But remember the "Airport" series and "Jeremy of Aeroflot", total plonker but they focused on him because he was, to some, entertaining.
Then a programme featuring Virgin years ago, they focused on one most irritating cabin crew member because she was "eye candy" and again, to some, entertaining.
And as for the Easyjet "Airline" series ... Don't get me started
I've been in a couple of TV productions myself so I understand what the directors are looking for.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tortola
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Sorry This is off topic but Phileas with technology now you can watch the programme, I watch bbc on iPad and computer by using a VPN, works very well and you can get all uk tv. Far better than what we have here!!
Join Date: Jul 2004
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I'm on mobile (jungle) internet here on a Philippines IP address with just a desktop PC, I have 4 other PC's but the humidity in the atmosphere here has killed all of them, I'm keeping this one in the air con ... Still say I can watch UK TV?
P.S. Yes, had one PC fried whilst on generator power, had it repaired just in time for the humidity to kill it.
... Still say I can watch UK TV?P.S. Yes, had one PC fried whilst on generator power, had it repaired just in time for the humidity to kill it.
Last edited by Phileas Fogg; 12th Jun 2014 at 13:36.
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ok, I hear you. Problem here where I live is the erratic electricity and sudden surges, cant tell you how many computers have been fried even with surge protectors!! we better get back on topic!
Join Date: Oct 2011
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I liked Jeremy from Airport! I remember in GCSE graphics many years ago I predictably did a project on planes. I wrote to him to see if he could send me some SU branded material and he sent me absolutely loads of stuff. Top bloke :-)
I've been in a couple of TV productions myself so I understand what the directors are looking for.
So it shouldn't be any surprise that in the early episodes the camera concentrates on the stars-to-be and the no-hopers, with the merely mediocre not getting a look in.