Scope

[MrBardman]

Have you been fighting to get a scope-clause with your airline? If so, how did it go, and what could I expect if my pilot union takes this step?

In case you're not sure, what I mean with a scope is a deal that regulates what is to be flown by a Major airline vs. its subsidiaries.

What's best and worst (in your opinion) with your scope?

[propaganda]

Mr Bardman,

If you relate to BA Balpa's scope plan's, I understand a small family run highly professional airline in the S/E UK is currently on the top of their list to be scoped...
I can tell you there's a funny smell around the place recently!!!!
Me think's someone is going to be S**T on..:(

[Land ASAP]

As a BA pilot I would have no objections to your seniority list being merged with ours (If you're referring to GB Airways). The fate of CFE and Dan Air have riddled our seniority list with anomolies, Grandfather rights and most of all it has made too many of my colleagues demotivated and cynical.

We have too much to lose if GB/Bmed are played against us as 'alternatives' so to share resources would make both business sense but also provide a little more protection for our futures.

[Lou Scannon]

Forgive my ignorance, I have never worked for either BA or GB, but wouldn't placing the GB pilots on the BA seniority list only really benefit BA pilots?

In the event of an expansion, being on the BA list might eventually enable a GB pilot to bid for 744's at LHR. But in view of the probable down size in mainline, the most likely scenario would result in the GB pilots being used as cannon fodder as most of them would be propping up the bottom of the combined list.

When BA is reduced in size, they would be the first to go with their commands going to "redundant" long haul pilots.

:confused:

[Reality Checks]

Land ASAP

I am presuming from your post that you would be happy for a pilot who has been at GB for 6 years to gain 6 years BA seniority. As it is BA BALPA who is pushing for a merger I think this would be right and proper. However, how many of your fellow BA pilots would think this a good idea?

[Jet A1]

This seems like picking up from a lively thread near the end of last year when the BA Boffins were under pressure by BALPA to scope GB to prevent a bun-fight out at in the sticks at MAN and BHX. With so much un-certainty at the mo with BA and the old boy handing the company to his son, I wouldn't be surprised if GB is not scoped within 18 months...With Maersk getting sold off it leaves just BMed and GB...How long before BA offer a offer they couldn't refuse ???

[fiftyfour]

Jet A1 says he wouldn't be surprised if a deal was done in the next 18 months. I doubt it. Nothing will happen for over 5 years - ie nothing before the franchise deal expires and comes up for renwal and renegotiation.
If BALPA force Rod Eddington to put onerous or expensive rules regarding who can or cannot fly GB aircraft (when painted in BA colours) into the next franchise deal, then GB may have to sign up with some other big partner who is interested in doing business. Perhaps Easyjet might still be around by then, and would be interested in a partnerhip or franchise. It would be a financial blow to BA and a diaster for about 100 BA staff(check-in, ramp, line engineering) at LGW who depend on contracts from GB for work. I am sure that GB would rather retain a link with BA, as it has a continuous link that goes back to 1931. GB, for many years chartered BA aircraft and BA crews to fly some of its routes. Until a few years ago BA used to own half of GB, but BA decided to sell when it was pointed out that a franchisee can't be a franchiser at the same time!. GB is a business, not a club that is there to provide jobs for pilots, so the final decision will have to be well and truly positive from a financial angle. Hopefully BA Balpa members who are obviously thinking of themselves, will also think about the effect their Scope Clause will have on Balpa colleagues in GB, and their own colleagues in BA whose present jobs depend on GB being a successful business.

For those in BA, please remember that GB is a profitable business, that tries hard to live in a diificult commercial world. BA, while commendably profitable in the recent quarter figures, is struggling under debts of £6 billion and a pension fund shortfall of £1 billion in an equally, or possibly more difficult commercial world. If the two groups of pilots ever have to sit round a table to do a deal, please treat GB with some respect.