British Airways Staff Travel upgrades..

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I have just witnessed a BMI Captain on a BA aircraft get bent out of shape because BA staff were upgraded in front of him. He maintained that he had 'J' class priority and he should be upgraded in front of BA staff with same priority although later date of joining.. .. .Do BA give any other airline staff upgrade priority and do they actually have the same priority a employed staff?. .. .If I was BA staff I think I would be a bit pi$$ed off with that deal...

[Shadowpurser]

As a purser for B.A.on 737's at LGW it comes down to me sometimes who gets "china or plastic". Now I'm sure every airline you looks after their "own" first so I would look down the list and look for "B.A. Staff" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> and give them the good news first - after that other staff would be brought up to the dizzy heights of club. I'm also sure that dispatchers look at it the same way too. If that captain said that to me no my flight I'd remind him that staff travel on any airline is A PERK - NOT A RIGHT and that he's lucky to have the seats he's been given. Also worth remembering everyone that upgrades can also happen "after takeoff" as your in charge crew member may have been too busy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> dealing with other matters to decide who "gets upgraded". What I can tell you is that "I'm the king of the world" attitude on my flight would ensure you'd be sitting in the rear of the aircraft for the whole way <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> . . .. .Hope that answers your questions and gives everyone something to think about.. .. .Incidently I also like to upgrade our Executive club card holders as well if possible not just staff as they are the ones paying "propper money" on a regular basis, and I for one want them coming back more often.

[Rumours everywhere]

I'd be very surpised if he did have upgrade priority, unless he was on duty travel (unlikely I would think). He may be using concessions of his 'other half' who may well have upgrade priority (he would then get it)... however, if there are 2 staff with the same priority, it doesn't matter who you work for, it is then date of joining that counts.. .. .BA do have a system of 2 sets of priority codes. One for the onload priority, and one for the cabin priority. You could be first on, but last to get an upgrade etc.

[snooky]

I would suggest that you read FCO's, cos you're being very naughty.

[Hand Solo]

From my hazy memory of staff travel priorites I think that 'other airline staff' is pretty much rock bottom of list, so is very unlikely to attract a J class. Methinks he was either trying it on or has delusions of grandeur!

[Final 3 Greens]

Shadowpurser. .. .Stumbled across this thread, but just a thank you to you and your colleagues: I did some work for BA last year involving heavy duty travel and was made to feel just like a "commercial", not "mere" hired help.. .. .This makes a big difference on long haul flts and I would like to think it helped me to do a better job.. .. .Hope things are going better now - very pleased to see the share price recovering and the north atlantic flights being reinstated - I will always be very fond of BA and the time spent in the Compass and Jubilee.... .. .F3G <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[Shadowpurser]

Don't recall seeing an FCO saying captains should be upgraded Snooky. But if I have missed anything please do let me know as I've got no problem admitting I'm in the wrong.. .. .Now I have my little "In-flight bible" here and bottom of the list is SUBLOAD OTHER AIRLINE STAFF 100/90/75/50 (in that order).. .. .Now if he's on duty that's a "different gravy", most airlines seem to have their duty staff put in better cabins, or on priority upgrade, which is fair enough.. .. .Upgrades when on personal travel will generally be down to the check-in or the dispatcher, depending on who you are (e.g. B.A. pilots get 1 free firm a year which attracts an upgrade to club on B.A. services)or who you know (e.g. opperating crews friends and family). If you've not had your seat row changed to single figures by then, your last chance is the in charge crew member (Me). . .. .If you are entitled to an upgrade and look into any staff travel terms and conditions you'll probably find a phrase saying something like "conditions at the time of travel permitting" which means if there's room you be upgraded. . .. .Personally I am glad of a seat in any class considering the price we pay. My girlfriend is stuck in SIN at the moment and being an F.O. she will not be complaining about a seat in World Traveller or a jump seat even though she does attract the "upgrade" priority, as staff have been stuck there for 3 days and flights are weight restricted.. .. .Lastly 3 greens it's always great to have staff and contractors on board, and try to treat everyone equally by giving them world class service, no matter who they are or how much they paid. Glad you enjoyed yourself and hope we carry on delighting you in the future as well.. .. .CHEERS - The good feedback is just as important as the bad.

[snooky]

Shadowpurser, I think That you misunderstood my point. Suggest that you read 2177.

[Shadowpurser]

Can you not just tell me - it's not a secret or anything is it? All my FCO's are at my parents house.

[snooky]

I don't think that a public forum is the place to give out details of FCOs, but it is important that you should understand the rules as a SCCM.

[Magplug]

Snooky I see what you are driving at with FCO 2177 but what we are talking about is the unofficial 'looking after our colleagues after boarding'.. .. .There is of course no official upgrade priority for this apart from perhaps own-fleet / own company first.. .. .If the Midland Skipper was positioning SH I doubt weather BM would pay Club fare. If he was on ST off his BM entitlement he goes behind all BA staff to get on. If he is travelling on his partners BA entitlement he would have a lower onload priority travelling alone than accompanied by the staff member.. .. .The Onload/Cabin entitlement thing is so strictly regulated that no one gets seen off and everyone knows where they stand. Except maybe this guy?

[Rob_L]

More like delusions of adequacy!!!!!!!!!

[Shadowpurser]

Could someone e-mail it to me if it's not too much trouble then I can give a proper reply. Hope it's not too long he he Thanks. Promise to retrieve them from my folks as well. Usually use the ones on board or my girlfriends.. [email protected]

[Unwell_Raptor]

I have friends who regularly travel Business. They tell me that Business can be 50% BA staff, and First can be 100%.. .. .My experience is very limited, but on one long haul flight where I got a First upgrade it was me, the FO's girlfriend and two paying passengers. On the return trip it was just me and the lady.

[Alfredo_Garcia]

Shadowpurser,. .. .Can you just remind me as to where it says (in BA's rules and regs) that you, as a purser have the authority to upgrade anyone. . .. .I was always under the impression that it was at the captains discretion and not yours.

[L337]

ooer, time to take cover....

[Shadowpurser]

Eh? Alfredo you obviously don't fly for a living. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" /> Lets clear something up, as the in charge crew member I can upgrade who I want. If someone came and "told" me who I was upgrading I would politely "tell them where to go". It's like me telling the pilots who's having their jump seat. It's their call and it just ain't done. Yeah Yeah Captain is A/C commander etc etc etc but at B.A. if anyone thinks or would like someone to be upgraded they ask the in-charge crew member first a)through politeness, b)in the interests of CRM because we're a team, c)to ensure they're not drinking alone in the bar for the rest of their career. The captain who stroles around telling crews how to do their jobs is probably the same captain we're talking about at the start of this thread. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

[Shadowpurser]

I thought that was quite restrained by the way!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[screwdriver]

You REALLY should get hold of the relevant FCO from yer Mam and Dad.

[Hand Solo]

Shadowpurser,. .. .Whilst I'm sure most of us appreciate your professional approach to the job, to spare you embarassment you should really should check out the FCOs on this subject. They state quite clearly the process regarding upgrades and the authorisation of such. To give you a clue, it's not you who can authorise such, and its not me either.

[exeng]

Hand Solo,. .. .I thought that was quite restrained also, by the way! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Regards. .Exeng

[thegirth]

Perhaps the bmi Skipper forgot his wallet, he was therefore refused the upgrade?

[Shadowpurser]

Well gents I promise to do my homework, but at the end of the day FCO or no FCO, when that doors closed we move who we want. Sorry if that's news to you but it's the truth, and dispatchers often ask me to upgrade pax for one reason or another if that's the piece of the puzzle I'm missing. Ask your team next time your on board, the answers may suprise you. Maybe were just a bit more easy going at B.A.?. .. .P.S. exeng - Some of my collegues may not have made such constructive comments after that earlier post. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[KERDUNKER]

my wife tells me that as far as upgrades go that dispatchers call the shots as well as duty managers authorizing upgrades from one class to another - not a two class jump - It should also be noted that any upgrade done 'on board' could technically effect the weight and balance of that cabin area albeit a small one but it could make a difference in trim. As far as the BMI capt. he would definitely be behind BA staff in the pecking order.. .. .PS The wife IS a BA dispatcher!

[Shadowpurser]

Trident I think you may be missing the point now. Anyone who is due or has the right to an upgrade gets it if there is room, that's not the issue. However if for example this BMI cap and his other half were travelling on his concessions and were travelling in the back. If there were 2 B.A. staff travelling in the same cabin they'd be upgraded first, sorry but that's what happens everywhere in every airline not just B.A. If there's room for everyone they all come up!! All providing no blocked seats due to A/C trim as Kerdunker has quite rightly stated. . .If B.A. and every other airline start hanging in-charge crewmembers for upgrading staff or circumventing the system, then I'm afraid there won't be any be many of us left out there. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" />

[exeng]

Shadow Purser,. .. .Your statement, &lt;&lt;as the in charge crew member I can upgrade who I want. &gt;&gt;. .. .No you can't I'm afraid. You may have done so in the past but it is something that I will be keeping a closer eye on in the future.. .. .I suppose the point is that you are not ' the in charge crew member ', somebody else is. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Regards. .Exeng

[Hand Solo]

Well KERDUNKER was close, but only one of the people he mentioned has exclusive authority to upgrade people. I sense a bit of a power struggle developing on this thread. I am fully aware of what goes on once the doors are closed (although, erm, obviously I've never benefited from that) but it should be fully understood that this practice is outside of the rules and could leave you in a tight spot should it backfire.