bmi/BMed (Crew thread)

[flying brain]

Congratulations to Sir Michael, Alexander and your respective teams for completing this transaction.
As one of the airline's founders, albeit with no current involvement, I am delighted to see that it appears all BMED jobs are secure.
Good luck BMED for your future within the BMI Group.

[max nightstop]

Congratulations to Sir Michael, David and their respective teams for completing this transaction.
As one of the airline's founders, albeit with no current involvement, I am delighted to see that it appears all BMED jobs are secure.
Good luck BMED for your future within the BMI Group.

What makes you so sure about the job security? Must be a large number of management who see their positions as a touch precarious. Even bmi don't need 2 sets of postholders, fleet managers etc. Not mention Captains warily looking at bmi's current surplus in that position.

[Little Blue]

I think it's a fantastic opportunity for both companies.
For "us" on the shop floor at bmi (baby), we never saw this coming.
It's the first really positive move for a long time.
And some interesting new routes for us to consider.

Good on yer Nige !....( and the rest of the top floor boys).

[BMED10year]

As someone who has been at BMED for 10 years I welcome the move by BMI. I just wish that ALL my colleagues at BMED rather than just 99% were a little more positive.

BMED has much to offer, much to learn and this is almost certainly a win-win for all of us. New routes, better slots, more jobs, expansion, more experience ...

Thanks to BMI, and the people there that have welcomed us so far.
Cheers!

ps See you all in FNA, BEY, AMM, DAM, ALP, DKR, KRT, ADD, GYD, EVN, TBS, THR, ALA, FRU, ESB, HBE, SVX .....

As for BA - good riddance, crap handling, crap marketing, they missed out and have just lost 17 routes, 17 points of transfer traffic, £x million in franchise fees .... bye!!!!! Oh yes, dont forget that BA will loose 8m off their bottom line in fees we have paid for handling and engineering

Roll on full-BMI at the end of the summer!

[dontdoit]

Word is, loads of promotions at bmi; all BMED's to the bottom of the seniority list and into the right hand seat. "Strict rotational seniority will apply".

[Phoebus]

It seems like the end of an era. I have had a great time with British Mediterranean/BMED. I sincerely hope there will be jobs for all, but I suspect that any duplicated role will be at threat. I empathise for all in the office (except perhaps commercial...). Here's to Des Hetherington - I hope he's not too restless in his grave over the sad demise of BMED.

Let us hope that at last we may get decent ground handling at LHR. I would love to know how many pax deserted us due to their bags being lost in T4...

[Rick Binson]

Word is, loads of promotions at bmi; all BMED's to the bottom of the seniority list and into the right hand seat. "Strict rotational seniority will apply".

Spot the troll :\

[BMED10year]

1 BMI can not change anyones terms and conditions, due to the nature of the purchase of shares - therefore BMED boys will stay where they are.
2 Call your BALPA rep - they already agreed that!

[bmimainline]

For the sake of the pilots in both airlines I hope an amicable agreement can be reached wrt any seniority issues although the issue of seniority list merger can be very difficult. Perhaps more to the point will be the scope issues that this will inevitably raise. I am not an expert here but I understand that the BMED employess have their T's and C's protect under TUPE - but bmi mainline pilots have the sole and exclusive rights to perform all flights operated by the bmi GROUP to and from LHR. I suspect that this agreement would not stand up in a court of law and the company will be able to operate the two units side by side but on different terms and conditions. This will allow a very gradual but inevitable slide in the T's and C's of mainline pilots. Expansion will take place within the BMED unit and reduction will take place at mainline. Just a few thoughts. As I say I am not an expert in these areas.

[PSYCOBFH]

From what I heard, the BMI guys may not get it all their own way..... BMI has what? 350 pilots and BMed 150, so there is not an overwhelming majority.
I had heard that BMed would be get as a separate company (like regional & baby), and that the A330's would transfer to BMed by the end of the year to be flown by BMed pilots - it's just another way of reducing costs, and it also gives BMI an excuse to end B scales. Any extra 330's could be used non-stop on routes like Almaty, Tehran, Khartoum etc
The BMed guys can't all be demoted because of TUPE. Maybe BMI crews will be able to transfer into BMed when vacancies arise.
It is more likely that BMI will just use BMed as a way of keeping costs down whilst they expand their long haul operation.
BMed do not have any more aircraft on order, the current 320/321 orders are BA order slots.
I think that the BMed guys have a lot to look forward to - secure jobs, A330's to fly and very little change to their current rosters and T's & C's(i think that their pensions are better too). So for BMed, the futures bright, the futures blue.

[CrewChick]

If the A330's are gonna move across to BMED at the end of the year, then why was it announced 2 weeks ago that all current flight supervisors will be dual-fleeted and A330 trained??????

The BMED and BMI's crew will be integrated by the end of summer. BMED eventually will not exist. That's the whole point of the buy-out.:ok:

I cant wait!

[PSYCOBFH]

Well, think about it,
ALL BMed cabin crew currently have medium/lomg haul experience with experience of delivering a business class product. SOME BMI crew have this experience. Therefore, it is quite likely that the BMed crew will continue to offer their experience, but will now also be able to do it on the A330. You may not like it, but it does make bisiness sense.
Also, the talk a few weeks ago about training shorthaul flight supervisors onto the A330 too, PREDATES recent events. It is probably no longer valid as it would have been decided long before the announcement was made.
Things change rapidly in aviation as we have just seen.

Moving the A330 aircraft to BMed is just too obvious a route to take to be ignored. It will save BMI ££££££££££

[cheesypeas]

I just hope that SMB and the rest of the team at Donington Hall are going to be able to turn two underperforming airlines into one good one. I can't see what this is other than buying market share...

I wish you all the best guys as we're all in trouble if it goes pear shaped.

[dontdoit]

Re: TUPE

Who said anything about demotion? As long as the guys are paid (for which read "mark time") on their Current P1 salary at date of transfer, bmi can quite legally put them in the Right Hand Seat as Co-Pilot.

This is entirely TUPE-legal, and there are precedents both pre and post-TUPE.

[max nightstop]

Makes perfect sense for bmi to replace all BMED Capts with their own pilots. The base managers have long since been looking for a way to reduce the command surplus and and offer some new promotions, this does it at a stroke. Also it provides a rapid introduction to the "kick in the teeth, you're lucky to have a job" bmi management style to the BMED guys.

As for 2 separate companies, you are kidding. Why would you want the expense of 2 sets of AOC postholders and managers at the same airport, flying the same aircraft types? It's a complete waste of money. BMED has been taken over, it will be no more.....

PS Psychobfh, 350 to 150 is a seriously overwhelming majority! The 150 could all have 2 votes and still lose!

What is TUPE? An agreement between the pilots and the BMED board? If so, it just evaporated, you can't seriously expect your new owners to abide by all your previous agreements. Everyone will be moved onto a single agreement for service with common pay scales. bmi's normal tactic would be to offer you the chance to re-apply for your job, on the new t's and c's. It sounds harsh but BMED didn't seem to have many alternatives.

[gpilot]

PSYCOBFH - I think that you don't understand Sir Michael's love for bmi. The whole reason bmi has survived as it has and with the embryonic longhaul operation is because it wants it like that. Bean counters would have shut it down years ago! It's his train set and he wants bmi to be long (and medium) haul!
Buying BMED would be a commercial tool to help achieve this. It'd be suprising to see BMED survive as it is, there just would be too much complication for two similar but separate bmi operations at LHR so expect soon to be over at the Central Area in T1!:uhoh:
Whenever airlines merge, there's always winners and losers and its always done a little differently (BA/BCAL, BA/Dan Air.....) but looking at when bmi last merged in another airline - London City in 1990: Ranks were maintained, seniority positions (for determining leave/staff travel etc) were established by the merger date (i.e. at the bottom of the then BMA list), but for the purpose of LIFO in case of contraction, seniority was deemed the date of joining the respective airline, so the joining date was shown in the seniority list as the date you joined your airline. You can still see this ex-London City rationale in the current List. :8
However, what we do know is at the moment - no-one knows!! := :rolleyes:

[lostinBRU]

From the school of " Halt, bang bang, who goes there?" diplomacy.
What is TUPE? An agreement between the pilots and the BMED board? If so, it just evaporated
I'm sure you are very charming but you might have had the grace to at least google TUPE first before spouting forth and looking a tart;)
Why do you stay if you are so unhappy? And why is there a surplus of Captains at BMI?
See you soon.............

[max nightstop]

Gee Bru, are you Belgian, where is Belgia exactly?

Oh You mean THAT TUPE! That TUPE may well not apply, since there has been a take over by share transfer, and BMED may well no longer retain its original identity.

You make some interesting assumptions; Why do i stay where? What is it i am unhappy with?:=
I am more than happy with my place on the planet, thank you, no need to move.

[princesssariah]

Max Nightstop

Still you neglect to address the fact that you are ignorant to TUPE and the fact that what you said made your whole post look ill-informed and purely speculative!

[max nightstop]

Princess,
It's a rumour network, i am fully entitled to be speculative! Can't help being ill-informed, i'm just idle, but you have used the wrong tense. Am now fully "googled". And like the rest of us non-employment lawyers, am now slightly more informed, and a little information can be seriously dangerous!

As for the rest of my post, i'm still pretty sure that 350 is more than twice 150, and that 2 sets of post holders is a waste of money!

:)

[lostinBRU]

You worked for BMI....

Your post is, presumably, intended to give the impression that you are on the inside with your deep, thoughtful, analytical insight and knowledge on the workings of BMI management.

Do you have anything constructive to offer the topic? If not, try and STFU and stop wasting bandwidth;) .....You might have to Google that as well :cool:

I am more than happy with my place on the planet

Probably the only remaining question is, which one?

Uranus?

Live long and prosper!

[SADDLER]

BMed Guys and Gals welcome to BMI, im sure no one has anything to fear.I for one look forward to learning from my future colleagues and making new friendships.

[lostinBRU]

I think the crews (both sides of the door) will be fine........ Great opportunities sometimes come from adversity........

The people I really feel for are the support guys like those in ops and perhaps engineering too...... Some great people, but you just know that some will probably be surplus to requirements. :(

I suppose the up side is that the franchise continuing for the rest of the Summer season gives everybody a chance to polish up the old c.v.

[princesssariah]

Max Nightstop

Hmmm pedantic too!

[jaarrgh]

Take overs seem to follow me around. This is my second in 3 months. Do I have to wear a hat again?:}

[max nightstop]

Gee you guys sure are tolerant, do you not have CRM training at BMED? Try to be nice.

Most definitely not pedantic, Princess, was just trying to show that i had learned from my earlier post and was now much better informed, if none the wiser!

As for anything constructive, it matters not a jot what anyone says on here, what Sir Michael and his fellow directors want, is what will happen, period!

[princesssariah]

Agreed agreed!

FYI i'm not crew, so no CRM for me! HEE HEE!

[8028410q]

Welcome BMED, I hope we can all share a beer in the Travel Inn, after our sim sessions at Stockley! Although all we 'baby's are north of Watford and west of the Isle of Wight, we hope that you'll find the bmi family encouraging and welcoming.

8028410q

[Rubberchicken]

Ooooh... I know this one... Captain's Right Mate...?

[Bishop of Baku]

There is a queue for the lifeboat.
The uncertainty of what happens next has lead to most Bmed pilots sending off CVs. Some already have interviews. The spectre of shorthall is looming and most of us won’t do it.
If BMI management do not need all our pilots – fine.
If they do, better dangle a carrot quick.

[look you]

Bishop,

bmi have no history of dangling carrots!! Their view is shake the trees and some more pilots will fall out. They apparently have a surplus of Capts and year one FOs are the cheapest. I'm sure they would love a tranche of you to leave. Good luck to you all!

[shafted@work]

bmed were performing so badly they were going out of business. I think with a little firmer understanding of TUPE and employment law it will become apparent that with saving a failing business, previous T&C's no longer need to be adhered to.
What has happened so far is inherently sensible. Bmeds relatively tiny assets would have been piecemealed and handed back (i think bmi have more LHR slots to Leeds and Teeside than Bmeds entire holding). So instead of this "pot" of assetts being dissolved, bmi have ingested it. A steal at the price.
If I can assure you of one thing, what bmi have purchased is slots,aircraft and contacts with countries that it had already shown a desire to serve. Pilots are the last of their concern as they already have a pool of 6 times as many as bmed. previous threads did not take into account regional and baby. they all work within the group according to date of joining, and the vast majority are cheaper than bmed contract pilots.

The best thing that could happen here is that we all become one big happy family with the result bigger than the sum of the component parts. How these parts shall be integrated remains to be seen. Be a good pilot and have a plan b to hand, as the weather at the destination is unknown and it's a bad time of year. good luck to you all.

Life's not always the party we were promised. but whilst here we might as well dance.

[lostinBRU]

I think with a little firmer understanding of TUPE and employment law it will become apparent that with saving a failing business, previous T&C's no longer need to be adhered to.

Can you tell us what this "firmer understanding" you have is based on please?

Do you have experience or background in this field? We plebs at the coal face have only the advice given to us and our own research to go on. I'd certainly be interested in some case law or internet links you have at hand.

I can't find anything that refers to a "struggling" Company takeover and how that affects T&C's in the way you suggest. It's certainly not what the Governments web site suggests. Again, some pointers would be useful.

Your name suggests that you're a "glass half empty" kindaguy?;)

[Don Coyote]

BMED was still in business (albeit for not much longer) at the time of the take over. This makes a significant difference to the terms of TUPE; if BMED had actually gone bust then as you correctly say terms and conditions would not have to be honoured.

There is a big difference between going bust and having gone bust.

[Renbabe]

"As for BA - good riddance, crap handling, crap marketing, they missed out and have just lost 17 routes, 17 points of transfer traffic, £x million in franchise fees .... bye!!!!! Oh yes, dont forget that BA will loose 8m off their bottom line in fees we have paid for handling and engineering"

As some one who has had the pleasure of handling BMED for the last years of my career I think that statement is a little sweeping.

If I were to comment in the same vain I might say that Bmed have been the hardest company to work with.

I have lost count of the amount of times that delays have arrived at LHR with no information from Bmed ops as to what to expect.

The level of ticketing and reservations service coming out of the departure stations is questionable.

Although I have felt that Bmed have tarnished the colours they flew in - I will still be sorry to see them go.

[lostinBRU]

To be fair to that original poster, he does have some valid points...........

Whether the finger is pointed at the right target......... I know not.........

But as an operator at the pointy end, the service we have received has been crap and is getting worse.

The people I have dealt with, primarily the Redcaps and the odd bod that comes down to the aircraft have been fine. There just seems to be a general air of frustration everywhere at LHR. Individuals seem to be doing the best they can, but somebody at management level is not putting sufficient resources or planning into delivering a service that fellow workers are happy with, never mind the customers.

Whether it be baggage handling, enough people to man the gates, availability of tugs, availability of drivers for steps on remote stands, hi-lift availability, somebody to turn on the stand guidance.......... it just goes on and on and on.

Economic scale works against us as well. If BA pisses 10 people off enough to fly with another carrier, would they notice? If those same 10 people fly BMED routes, then yes, it hurts us big time.

Enough crap happens to make aviation a dodgy enough job as it is; economic cycles, war, fuel crisis, weather etc etc but the crap that's happening at the moment is just crazy, own goal, shoot ourselves in the foot stuff.

In our case, we pay a considerable sum of money for our ground handling but to be honest we don't really know whether the fault lies with BAA or BA or both. So please don't take personal sleight, my anger is certainly aimed higher up the chain.

Again, with the marketing, the fact is that our new routes were/are poorly advertised. Where the fault lies is a bigger question. It's bloody frustrating when you speak to British Embassy staff down route and even they don't know that BA/BMED have started a service! What chance the paying public?

I can't speak for ops, maybe they will reply themselves, but I've worked for 5 airlines and they are as good as, if not better, than any others.

I'm not sure I understand your point about our outstations and your interface with them?

Anyway, keep smiling. I am proud to have flown the BA colours, even by proxy. I would just like to have not made excuses as often as I have.......

[Max Angle]

Again, with the marketing, the fact is that our new routes were/are poorly advertised.At least that’s one thing that will be reassuringly familiar once you are part of bmi.

[George Foreman]

I flew low cost in Central Europe before coming to BMED and I have to say the biggest culture shock has been life on the ground at LHR T4. This is supposed to be the premium sector of "UK Aviation"; certainly people pay a bit and sometimes a lot of a premium to fly here and I have to agree with my colleagues on here who say that it is simply unacceptable ... even the Italians do better !

Late last year after an 11h duty I sat, with my captain and 6 crew, passing the time in the cabin and trying to keep a slightly distressed disabled lady and her family informed and entertained as we waited..and waited..and waited more than 40 mins for a hi-lift which I had clearly asked for (and had acknowledged) 10 mins prior to top of descent (and repeatedly once on the ground). I was told there are only 2 units available. I used to fly to little Dortmund (a little gem of an airport, worked like clockwork for us even during the world cup) and even they had 2 hi-lifts ! The resources (or resource pairs, driver+machine) just aren't there.

That same day a BA jumbo called airport centre to say that he'd been waiting an hour for someone to come and turn on the ground power!

I could go on and on. The Red Caps and most of the staff are, for the most part, doing their best and are very pleasant and helpful, but the "system" as a whole within BA handling just isn't working well enough at T4, for BMED at least. They request things, and nothing happens. Ops put in the same request, and we call on the radio too .. the support just isn't there when needed.

Plus there always seems to be some simmering industrial relations issue, and sometimes the discontent manifests itself as '70s style pig-headedness! Throughout Nov/Dec it was the loaders (pity all our connecting pax whose luggage didn't connect to their destination, because it was still sat on the BA or BMED service they arrived on) and their "new working pocedures", which were clearly anything but.

After a long shift back from somewhere like Addis or Almaty it is also unreasonable for the crew to wait another 45mins for our bags to come out of the hold, but my main concern is that the combination of poor management, big-company-itis, and a few militants will simply drive our passengers to connect in Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Paris. Whatever issues people have there are other ways of addressing them .. for all our sakes we need to be professional, to give the customer a pleasant and seamless experience .. anything else is a shot in the foot!

So I'm simply hoping that this aspect of our daily lives will improve under bmi. Something deep inside me makes me proud to fly the union flag, but mostly these days like most of my colleagues I am just ashamed. I think I speak for the crews when I say we care about delivering a premium product, and we're getting tired of having to make a fuss, and still having to apologise to our customers. It is such a shame.

[shafted@work]

Sorry for the delay in replying. The following describes TUPES:

When an organised group of people, eg employees, and assets - known as a stable economic entity - is transferred from one business to another and retains its identity after the transfer, the transfer falls under the scope of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE).
Not all transfers are relevant transfers. TUPE does not apply in the following instances:
• Transfer by share takeover. When a company's shares are sold to new shareholders, there is no transfer of the business - the same company continues to be the employer.
• When a business transfers assets only, eg if equipment is sold.
• Transfers of undertakings situated outside the UK - although similar provisions apply in the EU.
• Change of business identity, eg if the work or organisational structure changes radically.


As I read it the share buy and the fact that the assets shall be merged into a different brand/company operating to a different C of A and Ops manual, preclude bmi from adhering to TUPES. Once the A/c are in bmi colors (end of summer timetable) i think some big changes will be afoot. bmi press release also states that Bmed have 750 staff, and they shall operate as the currently do for the immediate future, (i.e until october).

Although I know BALPA can be our saviours, they have been proved wrong before and may well again on this one. I know you have one or two ex bmi capts with you, ask them what they think may happen? but trust me, always have an adequate alternate.

Please ignore my handle!! it came about years ago and if I was one to gripe I'd post more than 20 times in 5 years. :confused:

[lostinBRU]

And has just been confirmed by our CEO that BMED still exists as a business, they are our employer and everything continues as is, under our existing T&C's............

BMI just happens to be the new majority shareholder...............

It seems we are in limbo until the wheels decide what they want to do with the business post IATA summer season when the franchise ends. That's when the fur could fly......... or maybe it will all be very amicable! :p

"Ladieees and Gentlemen, the Fat Lady has left the building!"

P.S. She'll be back in September............

Let the rumourmongering begin!

[bloggs99]

Any news or speculation as to what is going to happen at BMED long term? It has all gone worryingly quiet.

Is BMED going to be kept as a seperate entity from BMI long term?

Are positions in BMED going to be respected?

Will seniority lists be merged somehow?

Will routes and slots be transferred over to BMI, effectively leavig BMED to exist in name only? (an effective way of kicking all the cew out avoiding TUPE and redundancy law).

Will BMED be built upon?

There are a lot of F/O's who were hoping for commands in the very near future who are very worried that this will now not be possible as they will be at the bottom of a very long list. Captains want to remain so, trainers want to keep training etc etc. Several have firm job offers elsewhere and are in a dillemma, they may like to stay at BMED long term, they are not afraid of some positive changes, but just don't know what the future holds for them and don't want to miss good opportunities elsewhere. A lot of people are looking to leave! No news is being translated as bad news.

[SADDLER]

Hi Bloggs, thats quite a list you have there,however Bmi are taking over Bmed ,not the other way around.Lets not get too impatient which can lead to much speculation and perhaps bitterness.Ilook forward to working with the Bmed guys and remember I along with many do not want to get "one up" on anyone.

[doo]

Although I am sure that all are empathetic with the issues at hand and hard choices that are facing those at BMED one still has to remember that similar questions are being asked on the other side as well, and that there are some f/o's in bmi who have been with bmi longer than BMED has been in business, wondering about their command prospects.

[tiger7flyer]

BIG announcement on Tuesday morning regarding the integration of the two companies :uhoh:

[take_that]

11:00 on 6th March the CEO of BMI is to make an announcement. Allegedly, an email should then follow to BMed staff reinterating the points for those unable to attend. Don't know whether BMI staff have the same information?

[G-MEDA]

:{ LOOKS LIKE WE ARE HEADING TO A COMPLETE INTEGRATION WITH BMI.... QUEENS BUILDING AND SHORTHAUL! GOD HELP US! right... www.airlinejobs.com (http://www.airlinejobs.com)!!!!!! :\

[Bad Robot]

OK! give us a clue...which of the particular links that you have linked us to gives the Info on this merger????:ugh:

BR.

[Grackle]

Oh well, I'm sure that Toad Hall will let us know what is going on before, or at least at the same time, as everyone else ... oh, um, perhaps not then ...:(
http://www.flybmi.com/bmi/en-gb/aboutbmi/presscentre/pressreleases.aspx?year=2007&rid=1099
That'll make for an interesting Summer then ...

[G-MEDA]

it was a memo emailed to all staff following the meeting this morning.
Queens Building as of the 28th Oct, bmi uniform, bmi livery, creation of Mid Haul Fleet.

an extract.....

As with the flight deck community there is no risk of any job
losses. We will operate up to the end of the Summer timetable
all of the BMED routes with BMED aircraft and BMED crews.
After that, there will be a gradual integration of the bmi and
BMED cabin staff communities.

By 28 October 2007
o The business will operate on a single bmi AOC (subject to CAA
approval).
o All BA livery and uniforms will be removed and all uniformed staff will
be in bmi uniforms.
o A new mid haul product combining the best of BMED and the best of
bmi will be agreed and will commence roll out across all bmi mid haul
services.
o All services will transfer from T4 at Heathrow to T1.
o The BA franchise will cease, but subject to regulatory approval, BA will
retain a codeshare facility on the former BMED routes.
o Head office functions will be absorbed by bmi and BMED’s head office
at Hetherington House will close.
• From 28 October 2007
o A gradual phased integration of the bmi and BMED flight deck and
cabin staff will commence.

:uhoh:

[clubworld]

1
6 March 2007
Dear Colleagues
At the time of the announcement of the acquisition of BMED by bmi I made a
commitment that a comprehensive review of the business would take place over a 30
day period. This initial review is now complete and I want to share with everyone at
both BMED and bmi our conclusions and what the plans are for the coming months.
In assessing our investment in BMED before the decision to acquire our 99 per cent
shareholding it was clear that we could only justify such a major investment if we
were able to significantly reduce the cost base. This had to be achieved whilst still
maintaining revenue and developing and enhancing the network from Winter 2007. I
therefore set the review team the task of looking at the possibility of moving towards
a fully integrated operation as soon as practically possible. The team met for a two day
session some ten days ago and have developed an outline plan which will be further
refined over the next few weeks.
The review process has inevitably been mainly staffed so far by bmi senior
management but has involved senior representatives from BMED including chief
executive David Richardson. The key elements of the plan are:
• We will operate as one airline - bmi - from 28 October 2007.
• Until then BMED will continue to operate as a BA franchise with no change to
routes.
• From the second quarter of this year bmi will – subject to regulatory approval
and agreement of a codeshare with BA - be selling BMED services with travel
being available from date of sale.
• By 28 October 2007
o The business will operate on a single bmi AOC (subject to CAA
approval).
o All BA livery and uniforms will be removed and all uniformed staff will
be in bmi uniforms.
o A new mid haul product combining the best of BMED and the best of
bmi will be agreed and will commence roll out across all bmi mid haul
services.
o All services will transfer from T4 at Heathrow to T1.
o The BA franchise will cease, but subject to regulatory approval, BA will
retain a codeshare facility on the former BMED routes.
o Head office functions will be absorbed by bmi and BMED’s head office
at Hetherington House will close.
• From 28 October 2007
o A gradual phased integration of the bmi and BMED flight deck and
cabin staff will commence.
2
The immediate implications of the integration are that a substantial portion of the
BMED head office jobs are at risk of redundancy. However, the closure of Hetherington
House will not be immediate and will be spread over the remainder of this calendar
year. Within the rest of the BMED workforce, both in the UK and overseas, there is no
indication that any jobs will be lost with the exception of Heathrow T4. The continuity
of the BMED operation is critical and we will continue to operate all of the BMED
aircraft with BMED dedicated crews until at least 28 October. There will then be a
gradual integration of crews that will take us well into 2008 on current planning.
We will shortly be starting the formal consultation process to address any possible job
losses as a consequence of closing down BMED’s head office at Heathrow. Where job
losses at BMED are unavoidable we will be doing all possible to look at the suitability
of candidates for any vacancies that currently exist within bmi, in order to reduce the
number of compulsory job losses. With immediate effect, external recruitment in bmi
will only occur when every opportunity of redeploying affected BMED staff into
suitable available positions has been exhausted.
Specific details of the areas of BMED that are likely to be affected and the timescales
are as follows. In all cases where there is a threat of redundancy we will of course
commence the necessary period of consultation as soon as possible. This will, where
possible, be started well in advance of any minimum legislative period.
BMED Finance To coincide with the end of the BMED financial year it makes
sense to transfer all finance transactions to the bmi Oracle
financial system from 1 April 2007. Therefore all positions in the
BMED Heathrow-based finance function will end to coincide
with the end of year audit which is expected to be concluded by
May.
Therefore all jobs in the Heathrow finance function are at risk of
redundancy. None of the overseas finance jobs are affected.
We will talk to those affected by the closure of the finance
function in the near future.
BMED Commercial Further work is required on how we will integrate the
commercial activities of the one airline. However, we do not
intend to change any working practices until the Autumn when
we will be actively promoting and advertising the new bmi mid
haul network and product.
bmi does have offices in the Heathrow area. Some roles may be
transferred there and some roles may be transferred to the bmi
head office at Donington Hall.
At this stage, we anticipate retaining the bulk of the BMED
commercial team although there may be some risk of job loss
within the UK. We aim to have a formalised plan by June.
3
BMED HR All BMED HR activities will be integrated into bmi and
consequently there is a risk of redundancy.
BMED Engineers Further work is required on how we will integrate the
engineering functions of bmi and BMED to facilitate one AOC for
the two companies.
Although Heathrow based engineering roles may be at risk, bmi
does have an engineering facility at Heathrow and there may be
the opportunity for jobs to be transferred there.
We aim to have a clear way forward by early June.
BMED Flight Deck There is no risk of any jobs being lost as a consequence of the
integration of BMED into bmi. As has already been stated we will
operate up to the end of the Summer timetable all of the BMED
routes and with BMED aircraft and crew.
From that point onwards there will be a gradual integration of
the two flying communities which will run well into 2008.
We plan to commence discussion with BALPA this month about
the impact on terms and conditions, rosters and seniority and
hope to have these concluded by the end of July.
We anticipate the harmonisation of standard operating
procedures to commence Spring/Summer 2007. We will be
looking to tailor the current lifestyle preference schemes to best
meet the needs of the combined community. The latter task will
occur in consultation with BALPA, for introduction as crew
integration proceeds.
BMED Cabin Crew As with the flight deck community there is no risk of any job
losses. We will operate up to the end of the Summer timetable
all of the BMED routes with BMED aircraft and BMED crews.
After that, there will be a gradual integration of the bmi and
BMED cabin staff communities.
We plan to commence discussion with CC89 this month about
the impact on terms and conditions and rosters and hope to
have these concluded by the end of July.
4
BMED Management
/ admin
• Senior
management
• Airport service
admin /
management
• Inflight admin /
management
• Operations
admin /
management
• Quality &
Security
Unfortunately all of the BMED management and administration
roles in this section are at risk of redundancy. However, the
closure of Hetherington House will not take place immediately
and the process is expected to be gradual. Some positions may
be required until the end of October and some may even remain
beyond then. All Security, Quality & Safety posts will definitely
be required until 28 October and some may be required
thereafter. The integration planning process has now started and
we hope to be able to give everyone a clearer understanding of
what the integration programme will mean to them as soon as
possible.
BMED IT We anticipate that BMED will be using at least some of its
current range of IT systems until 28 October and BMED IT staff
will be needed to continue to support these systems until then.
After 28 October, we will then begin closing those BMED
systems down to enable a full integration into bmi. It is
envisioned that this process should be complete by the end of
the year.
As a consequence, we expect to retain the staff in those areas
until the end of the year.
We aim to have a clear way forward for the long term by the
middle of June.
BMED Overseas
Airports
There is no risk of any jobs being lost as a consequence of the
integration of BMED into bmi.
BMED LHR At this stage, we anticipate retaining the bulk of the BMED
Heathrow Airport T4 staff, however, there is a risk of redundancy
BMED Catering We already know that that we will not wish to make any
fundamental changes until the Autumn. At this stage we
anticipate some integration of the BMED staff into the bmi
catering team although limited redundancy cannot be ruled out.
Further work is required to decide exactly how we will integrate
the catering functions of BMED and bmi.
5
I fully appreciate that this is not an easy issue for BMED staff. I have committed to
David Richardson, and repeat here, that we will deal with all issues associated with this
process in a professional, responsible, sensitive and fair manner. An initial list of
possible “questions and answers” you will have arising out of the announcement is
attached to give you as much information as possible.
We will be putting in place a series of regular communications to keep you fully
updated on what action and progress the major integration workstreams have
achieved and how it will be helping our “one business” going forward. I genuinely
believe that we can create a combined business that is better than the sum of its parts.
It is critical that we do not lose the essence of BMED in the integration process.
I trust that I can count upon your future support in achieving the integration
programme in a timely and professional manner.
Kind regards
Nigel Turner
chief executive officer, bmi

[clubworld]

1
Q and A document – BMED integration
Jobs and redundancy
• How soon will I know if I have a job in the integrated airline?
This will vary by function. As Nigel announced we will be entering into a
collective consultation process as soon as possible during which we will identify
who will be remaining with the business.
• What happens next?
Following the announcement today we will be establishing the necessary
structures to enable formal consultation to commence as quickly as possible.
• Who will you consult with?
We are obliged to consult with elected staff representatives to deal with all
aspects of potential redundancies for those staff not represented by a
recognised union. As BMED already has a Company Council in place, we
anticipate that this will be the staff representative body for the purpose of the
consultation process.
The consultation process is expected to begin shortly and will last for a
minimum of 30 days and will include individual consultation with each affected
employee.
For cabin crew and pilot integration issues, we will be consulting in due course
with Amicus, CC89 and BALPA, the recognised unions for both BMED and bmi.
• What is redundancy consultation?
Formal redundancy consultation is an agreed legal process whereby an
employer liaises with representatives of the potentially redundant employees
over a designated time period in formal structured meetings. One of the key
objectives is to minimise the redundancies wherever possible. The process will
also establish exactly which roles are redundant and what assistance will be
available to affected staff, and what redundancy entitlements will be.
• Why can’t you tell us our entitlements now?
It is not our intention to avoid answering your questions. However, specific
details regarding how the redundancies should be dealt with must be handled
through the consultation process. This is a legal requirement which we must
comply with.
• When do you plan to start the consultation?
As soon as we can get the staff representatives together for a first meeting.
• Who will participate?
The relevant bmi and BMED directors together with the bmi HR manager and
the staff representatives.
• What information will we be given about the consultation?
Following each consultation meeting information will be given about what has
been discussed and agreed.
2
• Who can I ask if I have further questions?
Either your line manager or Sue Aslett, or Angela Walsh in bmi’s HR
department ([email protected]).
• If I retain my job will my terms and conditions remain the same?
There will be no immediate changes. As a principle, we would like all of our
colleagues to have the same terms and conditions at some point in the future.
We will consult with you fully when that arises.
• Will I have continuity of length of service benefits etc?
Yes.
• What about my pension?
No immediate change is planned. As and when individuals transfer to bmi we
will look to consolidate the BMED schemes with the various bmi schemes.
• Can I be forced to move to Castle Donington?
You cannot be forced to move to Castle Donington but if your role transfers
the only alternative may be redundancy.
• What redundancy pay do I get if I refuse a move to Castle Donington?
Policies on redundancy pay will be determined as part of the consultation
process.
• What redundancy pay do I get if my job disappears?
Policies on redundancy pay will be determined as part of the consultation
process.
• Who will deal with redundancy procedures – BMED or bmi ?
A combination of bmi and BMED.
• Is this a TUPE exercise?
TUPE stands for Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Act. It is
designed to protect the terms and conditions of people being transferred from
one company to another.
In this case BMED colleagues are still employed by BMED on the same
conditions and therefore TUPE does not apply.
• How do I apply for jobs within bmi?
This will be communicated as part of the broader consultation process.
• If I get a job in bmi will I get a relocation allowance?
Yes, the policy for relocation will be determined as part of the broader
consultation process.
• When will Hetherington House close down completely?
As soon as all processes and roles at Hetherington House are absorbed at other
bmi locations. We do not expect this to be before 28 October 2007.
• What is going to happen to Hetherington House after we leave?
We will seek to transfer the lease or sublet it to a third party.
3
Product
• What happens to the Airbus A321 aircraft and relevant associated equipment
orders?
We have no plans to cancel or postpone any aircraft orders or options.
• We have heard a lot about investment – will our older aircraft be refurbished?
Any aircraft refurbishment will be in line with plans to consolidate the bmi mid
haul product.
• When will the aircraft start to be painted?
We would ideally like to have all BMED aircraft flying in the bmi colours from
the commencement of the Winter timetable on 28 October. To achieve this
we need to establish the acceptability by BA of operating their franchise
services in the colours of bmi. If acceptable we anticipate starting a repainting
programme in June.
If it is not acceptable to fly in bmi colours then we will investigate the potential
for an interim neutral scheme.
• What about the aircraft interiors – will they change?
The interiors will be modified in line with plans to consolidate the mid haul
product.
• BMED and bmi aircraft have different sized cabins for business and economy -
will BMED aircraft be reconfigured?
In redefining the mid-haul product the preferred sizing of business and
economy will be determined.
• What will happen to the in-flight product – will it be the same as BMED?
We propose to launch a new mid-haul product that takes the best qualities of
bmi and BMED.
• Will we start to charge passengers for things that have been free in the past?
We propose to launch a new mid haul product that takes the best qualities of
bmi and BMED. This will be determined as part of this process.
• Will the same number of cabin staff operate on flights when they become bmi
services?
We propose to launch a new mid haul product that takes the best qualities of
bmi and BMED. This will be determined as part of this process.
• When will I get my new bmi uniform?
You will receive your uniform in good time for the commencement of services
as bmi from 28 October.
• When do I have to wear it from?
28 October.
4
• Will the bmi uniform policy be amended to take account of the new
destinations?
We aim to ensure that our uniform dress standards take into account all local
customs and traditions. At this stage there is no plan to amend the current
policy.
Network and routes
• When will you start to advertise BMED destinations as bmi destinations?
As soon as possible, although this is subject to agreement with BA on a suitable
codeshare arrangement.
• Has bmi got enough check in desks to handle the traffic at T1?
Yes.
• When will bmi announce new mid haul routes?
We announce new routes and destinations in line with the on sale dates in
order to give our competitors a minimal amount of time to adjust to our
presence.
• Will BMED slot times change?
One of the aims of the integration programme is to maximise the potential of
the slot times at Heathrow. BMED slot times will be part of this effort.
Terms and conditions of employment, lifestyle issues
• What about staff parking for crews etc near to T1?
Parking arrangements for T1 will be as per existing arrangements for bmi crew.
• Who pays me and from what date?
As from 1 April 2007 you will be transferred to the bmi group payroll. This will
have no impact on your terms and conditions of employment.
• Will mid haul crews have to operate to short haul destinations?
We anticipate the harmonisation of standard operating procedures to
commence in Spring/Summer 2007. We will be looking to tailor the current
lifestyle preference schemes to best meet the needs of the combined
community. This will be done in consultation with BALPA and CC89 for
introduction as crew integration proceeds. There will be a gradual integration of
the two flying communities which will run well into 2008.
• What if I live a long way from base because I only come to work about five or
six times a month?
See answer above.
• Does bmi recognise all of the trade unions in BMED?
Yes. In addition, there are a number of other trade unions that bmi recognises.
5
• How will flight deck seniority be handled?
We plan to commence discussion with BALPA this month on seniority. We
hope to have these discussions concluded by the end of July.
• How do we book staff travel after 28 October?
This will be communicated as part of the integration programme.
• What happens to our preferential travel concessions with BA?
These will continue to operate until 27 October after which they will no longer
be in place.
What about travel on bmi – does our BMED length of service count?
Yes
• Since we are now part of bmi, when can we access bmi travel concessions?
This will be communicated as part of the integration programme.
• Do bmi staff get travel concessions on other Star Alliance carriers?
Yes, but this varies by individual Star Alliance member.
Other
• Will BMED continue as a separate company?
This will be the subject of further review during the integration programme.
• What will happen to BMED directors?
This will be determined as part of the consultation process.
• Will future communications come from BMED or bmi?
Future communications on the integration programme will be agreed by the
Steering Group comprising David Richardson, Nigel Turner and Tim Bye and
will go to all staff from both companies. Specific BMED communication will
continue to come from David Richardson.
• How will I know what is happening with the integration process?
We will put in place regular update communications to inform all staff in both
bmi and BMED about the progress of the integration. Further details will be
communicated to you regarding this shortly.
Operational
• Why do we need one AOC?
Our aim is to operate as one airline with a common set of Standard Operating
Procedures. This will provide us with a number of benefits including integration
of crews and engineering and also avoid unnecessary duplication.
• What could prevent us from having one AOC?
There are a number of approvals that are required which could in theory
prevent us from moving to a single AOC. These primarily rest with the DfT and
the CAA.
6
• When will we know whether it is one or two AOCs?
As the integration programme progresses we will have constant dialogue with
the regulatory authorities to establish the likely timeline to operate under one
AOC.
• What would be the effect of two AOCs?
The new bmi would not be able to benefit from the full range of synergies in
taking the business forward.
• What happens if the designation that overseas countries have given to BMED is
not assigned to bmi?
We will be working closely with the DfT to ensure that this does not occur.
• When will crew report switch to the Queens Building?
The exact timing will be defined as part of the integration programme and is
planned to coincide with the transfer of services from T4 to T1.
• Is there enough room for all the crews at the Queens Building?
Yes.
• What happens with the redevelopment of T1?
The BAA has already produced detailed plans for facilities for bmi and other
Star Alliance carriers in a new Heathrow East Terminal. This terminal will place
bmi at the centre of this development with facilities that will match those
enjoyed by BA at the new T5.

[Count von Altibar]

Oh dear chaps. You'll be doing four sector earlies soon! I have also heard it's quite a fun operation at BMED, just wait till bmi take all that away in the way only they know how... The very best of luck to all BMED pilots in what will probably be uncertain times ahead over the coming months.

[lostinBRU]

there are some f/o's in bmi who have been with bmi longer than BMED has been in business, wondering about their command prospects.

12 years+++ ???? Longest in the industry?

This is a recurring theme that has been mentioned many times but nobody has explained why..........

I know several people who have got commands at Midland within 4-5 years. Admittedly there was pain post 9/11, but what are the issues here?

It will be sad to see the end of BMed as we now know it but being a "glass is half full kind of chap," looking forward to the future...........

......... but not the hats ;)

[MaxAOB]

Going to be interesting, some of BMeds capts were made redundant as F/O's by BMi post 9/11 and will now join the mainline seniority list as skippers well ahead of a shed full of BMi chaps - guess the F/O's will have to lump it?? After baby most guys on the line either not aware or just resigned to the fact!!!
Am part time so not really felt the kickback yet - any views??
:sad:

[look you]

Is it just me or have we just seen the very first timely, informative, balanced and useful piece of communication from a bmi manager to the staff?

Perhaps PiB have been doing some good.

[MaxRange120]

Now that Open skies is a done deal....subject to U.S. ratification.and LHR is to be opened up by March 2008.

Does the bmi/BMed T1 LHR routes hub start to make more sense with a bmi U.K.-U.S route structure now probable.....you bet!!

Looking for change expecting a gread deal of it by this time next year.


MR120:ok:

[MaxRange120]

Well thats a lot quicker than I posted.

Just of flybmi.com today

bmi expects to announce shortly details of its first USA services from Heathrow.

ends


MR120:ok:

[MaxRange120]

Company Announcement to bmi Staff today,


Dear Colleague

I am thrilled to let you know that a landmark decision has today been made in Brussels that creates the opportunity for us to serve the US from our mainline base at Heathrow. EU Ministers of Transport have today voted in favour of a deal that enables any EU airline to serve any US destination from any EU airport. The effect of this new deal removes the 30 year old Bermuda II agreement that had limited to just two UK and two US carriers serving this market from Heathrow.

This is a landmark moment in world aviation and opens up tremendous opportunities to gain further access to the UK/US air market, a market that represents over 40 per cent of the total EU/US traffic. First and foremost we must applaud Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, for supporting the agreement in the key vote taken today at a meeting of the EU’s 27 Member States’ transport ministers in Brussels.

The UK Government has taken the interests of UK plc and the UK travelling public seriously in supporting this open skies agreement. This was a brave move in the face of stiff opposition from the two UK airlines that have for years enjoyed a protected transatlantic market from Heathrow.

We are now ideally placed to take advantage of this major breakthrough and turn into reality our long held ambition to commence services to the US from Heathrow. I am convinced that as in the past we will have a major impact not only on point-to-point traffic, but also on network competition from our wide range of domestic, European and other longhaul services.

We have been keeping potential US routes under review for some time and will now be discussing the possibilities with the Board over the coming weeks. As soon as we are in a position to make a firm announcement about our plans I will let you know.

kind regards

Nigel Turner

[Tisme]

That was circulated yesterday at the hall.

[MaxRange120]

This was in todays Observer Business and Media section.
MR120:ok:
BMI chief executive Nigel Turner said he expected to switch domestic routes to the US when the 'open skies' deal comes into effect next spring. He said BMI is likely to start with three flights a day, possibly to Chicago, Charlotte, North Carolina or New York. BMI plans to buy another three Airbus A330 planes to service the routes. The airline is looking to expand US routes in future.
Turner said: 'Inevitably there will be some reduction in short-haul flying' and added that increases to air passenger duty, which is levied on each take-off and landing in the UK, would mean UK regional routes would be the most likely to be re-allocated.
He added that BMI would look to reduce business-class fares across the Atlantic by some 10 per cent and ruled out any sale of its Heathrow slots.