BMI

[Dogs_ears_up]

Hi to any experienced BMI crew at LHR - I could use your advice. I've seen this position advertised on a recruitment site and obtained an appy form - I wondered if anybody here had experience of the FAST TRACK programme? I've been flying for many years and am presently a senior, but (long story) am looking for a change.

The position is for short haul @ LHR - anybody know how an average roster might look? 6 on & 2 off, 4 or 6 sectors? Endless standby?

What's the getting messed about by crewing/the company level like at BMI? Do they leave you to get on with the job with equipment that more or less works or are you plagued with daily changes for no good reason? Is it a happy base/company. Does long haul become available after some time?

Thanks for any advice available.

[Party_Girl]

Hi

I applied in september for FS and had my interview in October, i did say during the interview that i had applied for FS position and was told that FS fast track was on hold at the minute due to the Bmed takeover and the positions they were offering is just for main crew, not sure how long the wait for FS will be.

Still i'm made up that i will be joining BMI and i'm desparate to get a initial training date which will be spring 08.

I know this doesn't answer all your questions from ur post it's just a bit of info!!

Goodluck if and when you apply to BMI, they seem a nice bunch to work for!!

P_G
x

[Party_Girl]

PS!!!

Longhaul is mainly out of MAN but LHR do operate LH flights and you need to apply for that position.

Standbys- not 100% sure on roster but they did mention airport standbys which are done in the crew room.

I do know that you get trained on the Airbus319/320/321 and eventually we'll be doing the bmed routes once all the present crew have been trained (bmi&bmed) cultural awareness etc..

hope this helps a bit!

P_G

[saldvs]

hi

I have been crew for bmi for nearly 3 years now and even though I did hate it for the first few months I really enjoy it now.

fast track is a good idea for people joining the company as you start on better money than crew but as the wages go up after a year you'll find some exsisting crew dont bother cos people dont think its worth the extra money.

if you join now you'll be on the a319/320/321 doing shorthaul and all the bmed routes we took over as well as tel aviv which we start next year.

nightstops are most places in the uk and Dublin, Amsterdam and Brussels. And all the bmed destinations i.e tehran, beirut, addis ababa etc. Have a look on the website and you'll see the places we fly on the routes map. We dont night stop in khartoum or dakar or eketarinburg or cairo (but cairo could change as it is a **** day).

It is very hard to get longhaul unless you speak arabic. They put you on the A330 if you speak arabic or are a qualified chef(we have chefs on the A330)

The last intake onto longhaul was 2 years ago. If they recruit the current requirments are 6 months service at time of application and good record i.e no sickness etc. You then do a test and if you pass have a 2 on 1 interview with longhaul managers! phew.... but as they havent recruited in a long time I dont see it coming up anytime soon. The longhaul crew do mixed fleet flying.

Rostas are typically 5 on 2 off or 6 on 3 off but as long as you have 2 consecutive days off in 14 they can pretty much do you for anything in between! We do home standby's which has a 90 min callout time or airport standbys which are usually 6am-1pm or 1pm-8pm. And yes, more often than not you do get called so you need to live close to the airport!

I think I have written way too much and you have probably got way too bored! haha!

contact me if you need anymore info.

[hotozsteward]

hi party, am thinking of going for fast track position, have previous purser experience... would u kindly tell me what questions they asked u at the interview, from what u can remember?

thanks,
todd.

[Petc01]

Hi there all you wannabee FS's

The criteria for the FT FS role is that you have flown before for more than a year as CAA rules state that you cannot be an SCA on a flight unless you have had at least 1 yr's flying experience.

The usual programme is that you will undergo initial training with all the other crew. You will then fly as crew for 3-6 months. Once you have completed this satisfactorily, you will then go for your FS course which is about a week. On this course, you will be taken through the paperwork, leadership, motivation etc. You will be expected to be able to work the aircraft already.

At bmi, you will be trained the the A320 fleet, comprising of the 319/20/21. They are configured differently as the aircraft are used for different routes. Most of the 319 are one classed. The 320's and 321's are mixed classed. The aircraft that came from bmed are configured differently from the bmi aircraft. bmi aircraft have either fixed business cabins for the mid haul routes and flexible cabins for the others. Currently, mainline bmi has 7 321's, 13 320's and 11 319's.

Service wise, this is where you might get confused, as there is the normal one class service that you pay for, the business class service on 5 of the domestic/european routes, free meals for the frequent flyers, the Moscow service, the other mid haul service (ex-bmed routes and Cairo), the Jersey service and the charter service...bmi do quite a bit of ad hoc charters over the summer and winter.

Pay wise, you get about £13.5K as an F1 and you will be paid that from joining. You will also get about £2.5K London weighting from day one. You then get flight pay per hour depending on where you night stop. UK to UK is about £2 something, UK to all others except longhaul about £2.70ish. This is from report to finish. All crew will be trained to do all flights...that is one day LHR-MAN and the next day LHR-IKA etc.

You have to live within 90 minute call out from LHR. You will be rostered a mix of days...normally 5 on 2 off, 6 on 3 off, standby's, airport back-up (which you get paid for), there and back's and night-stops. Rosters are up to 8 weeks in advance, 4 weeks in hand. They are 28 day rosters and you normally get at least 8 days off in 28. Rosters can be changed up to the day and depending on weather, aircraft servicibility, sickness, acts of God, etc...and do change often. However, days off then not to change unless for very exceptional circumstances, so you can usually count on them. Anything in between is changable!!

Longhaul out of LHR is confined to the one 330 based there that does RUH and JED. All the longhaul crew also do the mainline flights. There are plans to get another 5 330's but not till 2009. There are also plans to start US and other destinations when that happens. At the moment, there are also 2 330's based in MAN doing ORD, LAS, BGI and ANU. There is a plan in place to have all the FS's mixed fleeted but due to operational demand, only a handful have done the conversion. This is due to start again in the new year so theoretically, all the FS will be able to do all the flights.

Progression wise, there are CSM's on longhual and CSPM's on mainline that is one up from FS so there are opportunities if you want to move up.

bmi as a company is not bad...not great but not bad. Have been in existence in once form or another for over 70 years. It is still considered a small company and privately owned. You will need to consider if this is suitable for you. The people working at bmi are fantastic and have a very much can do attitude. Management can be frustrating but that's management for you!! It is not BA...it does not have the aircraft, routes or size. It does not have a very strong union and the management tend to get their way when it comes to changes.

Ultimately, you will have to consider if you can cope with this and if this is what you want...the grass is not always greener but it could be different grass!!!;)

[easyJet Galley King]

BMI British Midland - Direct Entry Seniors

I have been in the holding pool for 7 months now for a certain orange LoCo for Senior Cabin Crew, and im getting complacent, bored, and itchy feet. My base is over crewed with FA's and Seniors, and all the other crew ahead of me in the pool are only being offered "Upranking" - a cheap way to get Seniors at Juniors wages. I personally think im still looking at atleast another 6-12 months before getting a position. Im being promised a mass expansion, but with 10/11 aircraft already, I doubt our airport could handle much more.

Im more then happy to look at moving bases to help the career progress, but its the same situation around the orange network unless you speak the language. I have however seen that BMI are still inviting Direct Entry Seniors at Heathrow.

Can anyone tell me anything about conditions, pay, etc, as to help me decide if it is worth completing the application. I've searched the forums here for more info, but to no avail. I would of thought, that with the addition of the BMED network, oppurtunites should be plentiful?

[Petc01]

Hi easyjet Galley King...do see my previous post. If you need any other information, you can private me.

[747-436]

Oppourtunities should be plentiful as I hear ex BMED crew are leaving in droves, someone from BMI will have to confirm that point though!!

[smile high]

I have been at bmi for many years and still really enjoy my job!! The crew are amazing and prob the reason most of us stay so long!! ok we all have our niggles and yes there are frequent roster changes which can be a pain but their are union agreements in place to try to limit these...but at the end of the day we all get roster changes very regularly.
The introduction of the old bmed routes means that their are many more nightstops available for everyone....which also helps with the flight pay and crew morale!!
With regards to the 330, Flight supervisors are being trained on the fleet slowly but surely without any interview or assesments required-the idea being that eventually everyone will be mixed fleet but due to the bmed takeover the 330 courses have slowed over the winter but are now due to commence again. non flight supervisor positions have not been available for a couple of years...but who knows what will happen....watch this space!
Generally speaking i think the next couple of years are going to be an exciting time at bmi...well at least i hope so!! I am sure that there are a few crew that will disagree with my opinions...but thats the same in any job...all i can say is that i am still very happy and have great fun and i am sure that all our crew will make any new starters very very welcome!

[ladyflyby]

Droves? Bus loads my friend.

[jet-son]

Hi Just come back from the ME and wifey is a former attendant and wants to get back into flying again in the UK. Can anyone tell me who is recruiting at the moment, good contacts and who you would recommend as good employers?

[agent x]

Could any bmi Regional crew please give me some info if you have a couple of minutes? Typical crew roster pattern, standbys, typical monthly take home for a new starter etc? Ive got an interview date coming up and would appreciate any information.

Thanks everyone!

Ax

[max nightstop]

Which is bigger, droves or a bus load? I once drove a bus load of people, should I have bussed a drove load?

Max

[The Royal Family]

Max
I think bus loads is far bigger than droves.
Trust me they are leaving by the bus load.
But if you are at least 14 years old and have held a paperound position for at least a year, then bmi will take you on as a Flight Supervisor....:uhoh:

[CheekyChick]

Hahaha, royal family you make me chuckle.
Yes, BMED people are leaving in bus loads, droves, lorry loads and any other term you can think of.
You really need to think whether you want to work for a company that is causing this. These are cabin crew that have happily flown for BMED for up to 10 or more years some of them. A lot of these people left short haul or charter airlines so it is not a problem of doing the short flights. However when you are not being given an trips (as were promised) and all the original BMI staff are getting all the trips, the managers are screaming and shouting at crew in the crew room, treating the crew like children, making them work to min rest every day for 5 days on, not paying you the correct money you tend not to feel to great about your job. I was on an airport standby the other day and 6 other people on the same standby handed in their notice the other day. People are quitting without jobs to go to as it is that bad. It seems like BMI are intent on pushing out all the BMED staff. There are people regulaly in tears and having break downs on the bus!

[king surf]

Out of 330 cabin crew from B Med,Only 50 left!!.:ugh:

[mw744]

Do you think it's fair to say that to some extent comments posted here, like in many other places/subjects tend to be from those who have had had awful or delightful experiences and that, in the case of BMI, who have a large crew base in number, the big number in between just get on with the job?
I know some (not droves, just 6) ex BMed folks and all are battling badly at BMI in many ways aggrovated by long and tedious journies day after day just to get to/from LHR. BMed rosters allowed for commuters because of the mid-haul network.
A friend is joining BMI sometime soon (their next training dates not published yet) so I am looking towards understanding what the alternative reasons for 'mass exodus' could be.
As senior crew who attends recruitment events for my own airline I have to say I am not impressed when BMI/Bmed crew apply and use the interview either as a forum for complaint or appear to want the job with us simply because they believe they need any old place to go, which in my case, means carting them off to the desert and dealing with a whole set of new problems we have to help them through.

Specific examples would help get a clearer picture.

[747-436]

I can back up what Cheekychick is saying about ex BMED people leaving, some without jobs to go to. Don't know the figures though.

Form what I hear the ways of working are completly different from BMED, for instance crew are not allowed to see who is on their trips, BMI claim this is due to data protection?!?! BA allow their crew to see who is on their rostered trips so obviously it can't be that reason!
Also I hear that crew have to put in their own allowances? BMED crew didn't as AIMS did that, BMI have AIMS so why didn't they not take that across from BMED!!? Seems a bit backwards to me.

Do BMI have a hidden agenda of losing staff before any possible takeover, and the fact that they will have to downsize the LHR operation when BA gets the old BMED slots later this year and next year??

Someone on another thread said that BMI is not an airline, just a collection of slots waiting to be bought!!!

[Airbus215]

It seems that a number of Rumours, Mis truths and damn lies seem to circulate on this subject!

Once upoun a time in a land far away known as LHR there were 2 airlines who existed in blissfull peace of each other , They had many things in common including similar fleets and aspirations. One had a big bag of money and was hungry to expand, The other had little money and survived by being a clone of Big Airways and paying them lots of money for the priviledge,As time went by this airline had less and less money until one day it was clear that the the money was about to run out,and all of the fun would have to stop. And so it came to pass that the airline with some money and plans to expand aquired the clone and set about freeing it from Big Airways , Alas this was a turbulent process and not without a few problems.But for those who wanted to embrace change the future was far from turbulent....

OK

It was never going to be a perfect situation when a group of crew whose working patterns were 100% mid haul trips were required to intergrate with existing crew whos working patterns were almost exclusivly short haul. !

Along the way there was bound to be crew who were required to operate a number of short haul flights and as result not fly trips , Conversley there would be crew who would fly trips and be away from base when they prefered to be at home most nights.

There would be crew who lived well outside of the "Callout time" zone who were used to commutting to LHR to operate trips who were having to operate a number of shorthaul trips for whom traveling was going to be be an issue.

And then there would be those crew for whom nothing there new employer did would possibly be right , Rosta patterns,Uniform,T&C's, Salary all would fail to meet there approval.

Many seem to have forgotten just how close to ceasing operations bmed were and with it would have come the resulting loss of jobs etc.

No one was forced, or cohearsed in to joining bmi, A large number of crew seem to have selective vision and hearing where bmi were concerned and seem to have choosen what they wanted to believe was being promised and offered.

I along with an increasing number of bmi crew are getting tired of hearing via on line forums, on board and in the QB how ex bmed crew are out of pocket by coming to work to operate 4 sectors - correct me if im wrong but you are all being paid a salary in addiiton to flight pay. What you really mean is that as you continue to choose to live a non commutable distance from LHR short haul flight pay doesnt cover your travel costs.

At no time did anyone promise or commit to you that you would only operate trips.It was very clear that you would intergrate in to the bmi rosta pattern and that was based on short haul flying.

Im not even going to dignify the complaints about the bmi uniform with mention here - suffice that the uniform has been in circulation for some years and it is common knowledge that it will be replaced next year.

There is certainly no agenda to "Push ex Bmed crew out" yes they are very different companies with different cultures and procedures - but a culture that has ensured the airline has survived nearly 70 years - Its not a perfect company but it is one that has endured the roller coaster ride of aviation over the last 60 odd years and seen many of its competitiors leave the industry.

In the last 7 days I have had spoken to a passanger who had travelled Mid haul and endured 6 hours of ex BMed crew bitching and whining about there new paymaster and indeed they refused the passanger a 2nd wine " Due to bmi cost cutting and the threat of disciplining crew who gave 2nd drinks to passangers " -ERM SINCE WHEN ????.

If your not happy dont take it out on the passangers and dont whine for 6 hours in the hearing of passangers!

I have also spoken to a crew member who has been only line a short while who had recently completed a 5 day trip where both the senior cabin crew and flight deck had spent the entire trip whining and moaning about having to work for bmi .

No one was forced to join bmi and indeed no one is being held here against there will.

Now im neither a management clone or a company clone but im getting a tad bored of the constant mis truths and lies being churned out by a small minority of ex Bmed crew. Some of who joined bmed after bmi aquirred the company !

bmi is not perfect by any means and as with all airlines has its own issues but its far from the depths of hell that the small but vocal ex Bmed minority would like you to believe it is.

Yes things have changed but had they not have changed BMed would not be here today anyway.

:cool:

[Airbus215]

If the job is making you ill - why stay !
No job is worth making yoiur self ill for and all your doing is causing roster disruption for your fellow crew. and an AMP interview for yourself.

Your health is more important than any job.

And you find being crew for bmi stressful???? You really are not in the right job/company.:ugh:

[Airbus215]

Yeah I agree that the uniform standards are "Strict" but follow em and no 1 will shout at you, And I dont condone ANYONE shouting at crew in public !.
Yeah I agree that you should have had a cspm but there is a duty csom in the QB for 16 hours a day who is always available .

As for time off for your friend who was/is injured (and i wish her a speedy recovery) not being able to get time off at short notice is fairly common for crew at many airlines for non relatives - Yes I know it was different at BMed but things have changed.
Im not saying bmi is perfect - but things have changed and thats a fact.

[rog747]

lol
that made me laugh about not wearing yer hat going to the loo...
but
well when i worked for BMA in the late 70's-80's i was duty traffic officer and my office was under the jetty at alpha 9 at T1 at LHR
if i went to the loo under the pier as it was then (out of public sight) with no hat i was disciplined and the wally of a stn mngr then (who was eventually put inside for petty cash fraud lol) used to stand on the top of the pier waiting for us to come out of the ramp office with no hats to take a pee.
tosser!

so no changes then after 25 years, seems not...

sorry to hear you boys and girls at BMI are going thru some friction
it was all fun once

[A330Ryan]

Starting training very soon and I'm soo excited..... NOT!

Not because of bmi or bmi crew BUT because of certain ex B|MED crew! So many of you keep hearing what you want to hear! Listen to Airbus215 as he says the most important point... no one is holding you at gun point to stay at bmi! Please feel free to leave! As one of them, I can say openly that enough ex flyers from other airlines are applying to bmi at present and couldnt care less weather you were B|MED or not!

And no matter what you say for a whole crew to label you a B|MED Bitch... then you need to be shocked and change YOUR attitude!

[king surf]

The fact that 300 B med crew have left one can only come to one conclusion about the cabin crew management,They have failed.
To everyone here who goes along the line ,if you dont like it then leave i think most of the Ex B Med crew are mature enough to realise this for 75% have consequently left.
When BMI is purchased then all of the BMI crew will learn very quickly it is an incredibly stressful time and not everything will be to your liking.So all you 330 crews could well find yourselves on permanant shorthaul out of LHR,or maybe have to come back full time,Then we will find out who the real moaners are!!:}:}:eek::ugh::D

[A330Ryan]

I don't see B|MED crew leaving a bad reflextion on bmi! B|MED did nothing but trips and had an easy life! (Don't jump down my neck, Ive done low cost and charter before.. you had it easy)

The point is... if the B|MED crew didn't fancy the bmi culture then fair play to them for leaving!! :D.... Its just the ones that have stayed and continue to moan that get everyones backs up!!!!!!!!!!! :ugh:

BA have been recruiting WW, I think B|MED crew would enjoy working there and can finally call them selves real BA crew!

Sorry but from someone joining bmi the name B|MED is very very :zzz::zzz::zzz::zzz:

[A330Ryan]

A few ways.... being crew before that work longer sectors than B|MED did! Knowing many bmi crew!! Knowing a few B|MED crew also!

At the end of the day if people feel the need to come on here in between flights to run bmi into the ground then you obviously need to leave!! Its not YOUR airline like B|MED was, so don't expect to go to bmi and change it to how you had it at B|MED... this also refers to comments made on Cabincrew.com to which certain people have been pulled aside at bmi by management that read this posts!

BIGGEST POINT!!!............ PAX and New crew this year do NOT need to hear ex B|MED crew bitching about bmi!!!!!!! :=:=:=:=

[king surf]

Please remember that everyone is an individual and not all are moaning.A lot of B Med are genuinely moving on and have accepted that they are now working for someone else.if anybody complains you always have the option of switching off.Its really easy.just put your hands in your ears and go La La La la la la la la la la :}

[A330Ryan]

Cheers King surf... in all the time I have been flying I have never been told I would need to cover my ears and go "LA LA LA LA"... sooo can't wait to meet some of these B|MED crew... (i'm talking about the bitches) just so I can go "LA LA LA LA LA" :)

Then again I don't want to be punched in the crew room :ouch::} lol

[ladyflyby]

I have had flights where I have been either completely ignored or vilified by the majority bmi crew. Very welcoming. And the attitude from management is 'if you don't like it, here's the door'.

[A330Ryan]

Sadly for those that are from B|MED and very nice people your once coworkers have wrecked it for you by being such arses on flights!

I know people from my course already and most say just to ignore the ex B|MED crew if they have attitude! So its the new crew coming online too that will also see ex B|MED crew in the same way.......

like I say its sad for the nice ones that your once friends are wrecking it for you!!

I think a few B|MED crew felt very safe and thought they would walk into bmi like they were something special (based on post on here and cc.com) well a few of these bad attitude crew only started flying last summer and I know myself and other ex flyers on my course really couldnt care less that someone did 4 months with B|MED!

Im not going to harp on about what I did at my previous airline!!!!

[1033]

Just to put things into perspective here folks.

I'm ex-BMed flight deck and have had the pleasure of flying with both BMed and BMI cabin crews. The two airlines really are like chalk and cheese. Sure the aircraft are the same and the main bases are LHR but there really is where the story ends.

Everyone of us joins a company for our own reasons. At some point in your careers there is a great chance that a your company will take over/be taken over by another company or cease trading. Even if none of the above occurs it is extremely likely that the airline will change it's direction or it's business model. Such is the nature of the industry that it is inevitable.

What is or isn't so apparent is how this will affect our INDIVIDUAL lives. What to one person will be their worst nightmare come true will to another be the direction that they've been hoping forever that the company would follow. Just like physics 'for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction'.

In the case of BMed / BMI crews I have flown with a diverse range of people. I have to say (as I've heard it myself first hand) that BMed crews have been told many untruths regarding the merger with BMI. These inaccuracies have nearly always come direct from managers (Pilot Manager and Cabin Crew Managers) and I hasten to add both BMed and BMI managers. I have to say that most of the time I think they are told in good faith but as is often the case, the plan is dynamically changing and the staff are not kept informed of this and continuing to believe the information which was correct at the time.

However, I honestly believe there was also a fair amount of intentional misinformation:= Had this been know to BMed crews earlier, then I am almost certain that the exodus that is being witnessed at this time would have occurred under BMed 6 months earlier. As the two companies were operating under different AOC's it is apparant that BMI would not have been able to fill the crew positions quickly enough and BMI would have ended up paying for aircraft to sit on the ground empty at LHR, with no crews to operate them.

This may well be part of the reason for the discontent of BMed crews at BMI. Being told that BMed crews would continue to operate the old BMed routes for the first 6 months after the merger is the carrott that was dangled and attracted so many to stay on and see what colour the grass was really was over at BMI. There are plenty of others reasons as well for this upset including the way some junior managers make it a point of talking down to crews. There is no need for this, especially as often the staff that they are speaking to are older, wiser and more knowledgeable than the managers themselves. We are not children and should not be spoken to as such. This harsh draconian attitude further fuels the malaise and is a text book example of how a manager should not act.

Let's not forget though, as is so often the case in this industry, that often managers are promoted into these positions based solely on being in the right place at the right time. People management skills, often appear to be overlooked when it comes to resumes. I strongly believe that a manager that hasn't already studied management styles and techniques should be sent on a brief course, in order to equip them with the necessary skills for dealing with the work force efficiently and effectively.

It is clear therefore, that some BMed crews will have a valid chip on their shoulders. What isn't correct is for them to show this off for everyone to see. This also applies to BMI crews and any other airline employee.

'A330Ryan', I suggest you take note, for someone just entering into the Company, I would implore you not to judge people by their covers. You are merely perpetuating and exacerbating the problem. Treat everyone with the same courtesy and respect. Form your own opinions but do not be swayed into taking sides, for there is no sides. Without knowing the full individuals story, it is impossible to appreciate their position. If this is interfering with their service then bring it discretely to their attention and failing that have a quite word the SCA or their manager but ultimately try and be sympathetic. Many BMI and ex-BMed crews are passionate about their jobs and careers, some people adjust differently to their environment. Saying that someone with 30 years+ of flying experience should leave just because they live >2 hours away frankly smacks of immaturity. These people have lives, families and mortgages. They can't simply up sticks and move to 30 mins from LHR. Your not considering the fact that they may not be able to afford to, partners may have their own ties and children need to be taken out of schools. So I urge you not to be hasty with your opinions for someone still on probation. Get to know the crews and make your own opinions.


Returning back to the thread, I could go on but the bottom line is that BMI and BMed staff and managers need to embrace one anothers ideas and concepts. Lets learn from one another rather than cast suggestions aside point blank. BMed was no angel, it evolved through many previous faults and failures. Why therefore dismiss these suggestions completely out of hand, without sitting down and actually rationalising the pro's and con's of the point.

Ultimately, we all want to see the company succeed, it's our livelihoods at the end of the day but both managers and staff need to respect one another and their views; in order to make the future more professional, comfortable and as I'm sure BMI want more profitable.:ok:

[sweetie76]

Airbus 215,

Your obvious loyalty to your current employer is to be applauded. Your obvious irritation with the ex BMED crews is understandable. However, a little understanding should, perhaps, be shown by someone who appears to have been in the job with bmi for some time.

Your comments that,

"Many seem to have forgotten just how close to ceasing operations bmed (sic) were and with it would have come the resulting loss of jobs etc,"

and,

"Yes things have changed but had they not have changed BMed (sic) would not be here today anyway,"

are hardly designed to make these crews feel welcome. They are also a little inaccurate.

Whatever you think, their experience of the drawn-out merger cannot have been stress-free or happy. It's natural they bemoan the loss of the 'old days' even if it becomes a bit boring. Agreed, as a bmi crew member, you can't be blamed for being a bit fed-up with the moans.

The title of your post included the words 'truth' and 'lies'. Perhaps your perception of the merger and the resultant job-losses needs a little clarification. bmi approached BA in December 2006 and made an offer for BMED. This was rejected by BA in favour of a possible sale to the Mikati group which, subsequently, fell through. In Jan/Feb 2006 bmi again approached BA and this time a deal was struck. Essentially, bmi got the route licences/airframes etc. In exchange, BA got the BMED slots. In fact, bmi bought itself some time to develop new routes and break out of its loss-making, essentially short-haul network.

There was, however, no question of redundancy for flight deck and cabin crews. Had the bmi deal fallen through, the backstop was always BA. The crews would have continued to operate until 2009 when the slots would have reverted to BA and BMED would have had to leave LHR and fend for itself. In effect, BMED would have time to develop a new strategy/investors etc - if such a thing were possible.

Facts are facts and it was, indeed, bmi who took-over BMED. That doesn't mean that bmi was necessarily the better airline, although that is the perception that bmi personnel/management seem to have. The very fact that bmi coveted the BMED routes and were prepared to go to great lengths to acquire them is, in itself, acknowledgement that bmi was not doing very well and needed to change tack. If BMED were that bad, why did bmi want it so badly? Without the acquisition of BMED, might there have been grounds for redundancies in bmi?

Your defence of bmi is admirable when you say,

"It's not a perfect company but it is one that has endured the roller coaster ride of aviation over the last 60 odd years and seen many of its competitors leave the industry."

That could also describe TWA/Pan Am/Swissair etc.

Could it be that bmi has survived through a series of happy coincidences and right-place-right-time? Its position at LHR as the holder of 11% of slots and a canny deal with Lufthansa? Open Skies has now made bmi's slots the subject of careful scrutiny by other large carriers.

Another poster has hinted at what might come:

"they (bmi) will have to downsize the LHR operation when BA gets the old BMED slots later this year and next year."

Also,

"bmi is not an airline, just a collection of slots waiting to be bought."

This may be fanciful but there just might be a grain of truth in it. And then you could find yourself in the same, unhappy position as ex-BMED crews where you didn't ask to come here........

A little understanding is what's called for. Forget the "WE bought you so you must have been bad,". Likewise some of the ex-BMED crews could be a little more discreet. In fairness, the 'merger' is only in its 4th month and these moans are to be expected. However, large numbers of ex-BMED cabin crew have already left and, if this continues, there won't be any left to moan about in another 3 months.

The truth is, as you've already pointed out, change has happened. And more is likely to happen. Let's hope you're prepared for it.

[king surf]

A very accurate post 1033.I hope this stops the very unpleasant phrases that are being used against B Med Cabin crew on this forum and whilst at work.How about a truce and just let people get on with their work.As I posted before if someone moans about something just ignore it ,rise above it.Calling them the B med bitches is bullying and should not be tollerated under any circumstances.Dont forget the walls have ears!!:hmm:

[6chimes]

The common point within everyones posts are this: bmi cabin crew management.

They are very poor, always have been! I have been treated like a child on more occasions and for ridiculously small matters than it would warrant to write here.

What I can say is this, remember the very nature of our jobs, how long do you actually spend in their company? Am I not right in saying that the vast majority of your time at bmi is spent in a metal tube miles away from any managers with your good colleagues?

I learned many years ago that the job is what you make it. If you want to take your problems, criticisms, negative attitude etc. out on line then it is only your life that will be miserable and those listening to it hour after hour.

Yes bmi is way down the list of nice airlines to work for when it comes to being man managed. BUT, you make your own experiences at your place of work. If you have the maturity to 'let it go' when you step on the a/c you may be very surprised at how your life is so much nicer. It is only when you are ready to see the great crew you work with and you have the attitude to join in and make a positive contribution to their day/trip, will your lives get any better. And that goes for bmi crew to.

We all know airlines are the best breeding ground for rumours and gossip. How many actual bad experiences or the stories of them do you really know are true. Could some not be just embellishments of the truth and slightly exaggerated? When you dig a little more you generally find that the crew member 'assisted' his or her own problems and didn't like being pulled up for it.

To sum up: If you have a negative attitude, clear off and get a job somewhere else because I don't want to work with you as you make my life worse than what it needs to be. If you have a positive outlook, great I look forward to working with you and can't wait to come to work and fly with you I am sure our day/trip will make me enjoy my job a little more.

6

[A330Ryan]

It will all settle down soon... the people that are un happy, can't relocate etc etc will move on there will always be that one person that stays and complains for their whole career... I worked with a lady from Orion that still complained!!!!!

But with us new lot about to start.... heres to the future!

[big boy 12]

:ok:well said 6 chimes having worked for British midland sorry bmi back in the nineties this company has always had bad managment. and the job was definitely what you made of it . come into the queens building sit down on nice blue seats and have briefing avoiding all managment sitting in their tiny rooms around briefing area.go on flight most days have a good laugh come back once again avoiding the managment sitting in their tiny rooms job done :ok:

[blondechick]

Its not just EX BMED crew who are leaving because they are fed up with how they have been treated but so are BMI crew and lots of BMI crew are leaving for the same reasons as EXBMED Its a shame we all cant get together and sort out our problems and face the managers as one company. That would shock them as i think they are playing on the fact BMI and EX BMED crew are not getting on. Shocking way to run a company if you ask me.

[rog747]

im going to palma this thursday:O with BMI from LHR back 19th...

please be nice to me (ex BMA LHR 77-85)

[Skintman]

Whenever a takeover takes place (I'd rather call it a merger because BMEd wasn't exactly a minnow of an airline), there is always some fallout. At the end of the day, all staff have the option of staying and being positive, or leaving. Staying and being negative is no help to anyone and will always cause friction. := So decide.

There may have been differences between the BMED and bmi management style, but the bmi team are running it now, so you have to decide which way to go. Many people don't like change and yearn for the "good old days". Well they're gone for most jobs.:{ You may think that the grass is greener on the other side. Well be careful, often it isn't - it's bare. :(

Skintman

[sweetie76]

Skintman,

Can I refer you to the last 2 paras of my 9th Feb post.

[6chimes]

As your post of the 9th correctly points out, along with many others, bmi has got some big changes coming. LH taking control, BA taking control, VS merger, etc. etc. If we, the crew are not a united force we will all be losers. It is time to stop looking back and look to the future because that is now more important. What's done is done, for better or worse its what we have, lets try and keep our eye on the ball and watch the future very closely! ;) :ok:

6

[FLYING GER]

After reading through this post i had to add my tuppensworth!

I am ex bmed and embraced the merger and was looking forward to meeting new colleagues.

So far since the merger i have flown alot with bmi crew and not once have any of them been nasty or vindictive.In fact we have spoken about our experiences on ex bmed and bmi routes,good places to go to etc.

The only thing i have a gripe about is the strategically placed crew in the crew lounge (one end bmi other end ex bmed) and listening to some bmi crew bitching out loud about how old ex bmed crew are!

However apart from that i have found that the bmi crew are mostly lovely and at the end of the day we all work there and have to get on to make our day enjoyable.

So come and say hello to me!:ok:

[ness66500]

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

now can we all finally get on with the job in hand thats what we were all employed for BECAUSE WE ENJOY WORKING WITH PEOPLE. :ugh:

from an ex-Bmed who does not consider herself a bitch!!!!!!! or old!!!!

:)

[MaxRange120]

Seen on ATW Daily News,more midhaul less shorthaul?

Bmi will lease two 757-200s to expand its medium-haul network further from London Heathrow. In December, Chairman Michael Bishop told ATWOnline that bmi was looking for additional capacity, possibly 757s or 767-200s, to support growth on several former BMED routes that were performing well (ATWOnline, Dec. 24, 2007). The aircraft have been wet-leased from Astraeus for two years with an option to extend. Two separate cabins will offer a mix of business and economy service.

Bmi will use the 757s to introduce nonstop services from LHR to Almaty and Freetown beginning May 1. Both routes currently are served with a stop. In addition, the airline's new LHR-Tel Aviv service, which it said is "selling beyond expectations," will upgrade to a 757 from an A320 shortly after the March 13 launch. The introduction of the two 757s also will enable schedule enhancements and increases in capacity to existing A321 destinations. Services from LHR to Yekaterinburg and Yerevan now will not operate to destinations beyond, thus boosting point-to-point capacity. An improved daily schedule between LHR and Tehran will be introduced, while flights to Dakar will be suspended.

"The delivery of suitable Airbus A330 aircraft is a little way off and we do not want to delay the range of service enhancements unveiled today," CEO Nigel Turner said. "By leasing the two Boeing 757s, pending the sourcing of suitable A330 aircraft, we are able to accelerate our Heathrow growth and ensure that we can maintain the momentum of our mid-haul route strategy, laying strong foundations for future developments in this important market."

[bencat27]

Heya just a random Q about BMI, what is it they specifically look for in application forms? Am in the middle of filling one out and want to make sure it's perfect and was wondering as every airline looks for particular things in applicants and was wondering what BMI look for?! Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this!

[garyg20]

Can anyone tell me how much a staff standby would be from BHD-LHR return for a friend who is on my concessions?

[6chimes]

I reckon an e mail to staff travel will give you a better idea than anything here.

They might take 24 hrs to get back to you though.

6

[aviator19]

hi guys,
i just got a date of my interview with BMI (20th of March).
Does anybody have it on that day?
Question for current BMI cabin crew, soo how is it? Ive heard many DIFFERENT opinions.. :mad: Whats is my chance of doing long haules? And how is the interview itself?

Your helo wud be much appreciated!
:ok:

[Flystar666]

Hey

I recently attended an interview and was successful for the position of Fast Track IFS, and I am delighted, however I am worried as I have been put on a waiting list.

Does anyone have any idea how long it is and how long I could be waiting!? I just wanna start!

Hope you can advise?

Thanks:O

[Cris L]

Hello

I am not a BMED or BMI staff member, but I have 2 friends who worked for Bmed, and now BMI.

They have not communicated with me any such level of discontent, and they are clearly not unhappy either. (Although I know 1 of them does prefer the long hauls, as that is what he was used to !)

I also read what 1033 said in Post 33, and think this is a very reasonable opinion, and not to mention thoughtful insight !

Whatever happens hope it all turns out good !

[tripperchris89]

Hi there, sorry to go off the topic abit, but i was wondering if any past or present BMI cabin staff could give me any pointers in my assessment day on the 17th april.

Much appriciated :)

Chris
x

[bmi320]

Hey
I am just about to start working for bmi LHR and would just like to what it's like to work for them i.e what nightstops you get, what are the hotels like, the standbys and what they are like to work for overall
Thanks for your help

[CAT3C AUTOLAND]

Looks like all the BMI cabin crew are busy nightstopping to answer ;), so I can offer you my experience.

The nightstops you get will depend on your preference. You can choose to be a minimum night stopper, or a maximum night stopper, or somewhere in the middle. Since the Bmed integration there was a fair amount of roster disruption, which we were warned about and is fair enough, however roster stability seems to have settled down, or mine has anyway, so people are getting their preferences.

As you will know, you will be flying on a short haul and medium haul network. You will find the hotels that have been allocated on the medium haul network to be very nice. The hotels on the short haul network vary a little but are adequate, and to be honest, you arent there long enough to worry about it anyway.

I hope you enjoy it at BMI :).

[SouBE]

Hi - does any one have the telephone number for Stockley Park recruitment dept? Ive got an assesment day arranged for the 30th but am away on a trip so cant make it. I have emailed them, but want to call them to arrange another date.

Anyone hlep?

[MaxRange120]

Hi bmi 320

If you try this link to get onto the bmi thread


http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=304234


You may now get more info on bmi


Or try the pprune search function

I hope this helps you.

[MaxRange120]

Back to the top

[flyca86]

please guys any of u know how long is the notice period as cabin crew,for leave bmi if u have not been with the company 1 year?
please if anyone have a contract handling and could read throught...
i don t have one cause I came over from bmed...and everybody seems say different things about the notice period.:ugh:
so if anyone can clarify for me would me really appreciated.

thanks a lot!!!

have a safe flight...to u all..
xxx

[CheekyChick]

It is 2 weeks for the first 2 years and then 1 week extra for each year after that

[flyca86]

sorry I pm u...didn t see your answer here.
Is it what it say on the contract?

thanks

xxx

[Aussie_Pilot]

Hello to everybody

first of all I'd like to thanks everybody post their infos on this thread
second I am starting with bmi soon and I am looking to know if something has changed recently

at the interview they told me that they are looking to go to America from LHR, will then be required arabic speaker for the longhaul?

and what's the rota like?

6 on 3 off 5 on 2 off , and how many sby on the 6 days on?
Thanks!

[GALLEY_SCALLY]

I've applied to BMI around a week ago and have not heard anything.. Does anyone know of any assessment/interview days in the near future? Any training courses? Much appreciated...

GS