Bmi Longhaul (man) Recruiting!!!!!!
Join Date: May 2002
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longhaul info for MAN
After writing a big long reply, PPrune booted me and I lost the entire message, so here goes writing it all again!
So, I flew for Bmi and also worked for a while on developing the longhaul service, so although I haven't been there for a few years, hopefully this info will help some of you and answer some of the questions earlier in this thread.
Longhaul bmi at MAN is a very different beast from S/Haul LHR. The crew enjoy better pay, better terms and conditions, and all in all they work less, get more time off, have an easier schedule and get paid more even though the cost of living in the NW is far lower than London. Some would argue that CC89 did a great job of getting better T&C for L/Haul but have left LHR and S/Haul in the dust. Certainly that might explain the constant staff shortages at LHR for bmi, and the mass exodus of the best crew everytime BA, NZ etc etc hires. But we digress!
While in theory the company can get L/haul crew to do s/haul flying if operational requirements change, in practice they only do L/haul, working about 4 trips a month, with occasional standbys and some back to backs where you get 24 hours in MAN in a hotel between trips.
In so far as the Chef, the Chef is a normal member of the Cabin Crew, is fully qualified and does all normal initial and recurrent training. They wear the normal C/C uniform, but inflight don 'Chef Garments'. They work The Business galley, and occasionally do some aisle for dessert service etc but that's about it. (at least that was how the service was designed, in practice it may be slightly different). Chef's get a higher payscale than other main crew.
In addition to the Chef there are Flight Supervisors and a Cabin Service Manager on each flight.
The only negative things are that you always stay in the same 2 (now 3 with YYZ) places, and hotels have often been out in the sticks and not downtown which is not conducive to a great layover life. Also, (this may have changed) but bmi doesn't seem to follow any other airline in how positions on aircraft are assigned. The CSM will allocate people, whereas I believe at BA you can pick and choose the door, and therefore cabin and service area in which you work based on seniority. This may or may not be important to you, but worth mentioning.
The plus of bmi, especially at MAN where the pay is pretty good, is that the staff travel is v good. You can have a nominated friend, AND your parents, AND 2 siblings! Also, after certain length of service qualifications you get totally free tickets for all your travel eligibles and even confirmed tix after I think 5 years. Interlines are better than most as bmi has good ZED agreements, so you can fly to N AMerica with AC for about 30 pound each way, and Thailand was about 35/40 pound each way with TG/LH etc.
Things do change, but certainly when I was there, L/Haul crew were enjoying a good lifestyle, and good money, with a decent amount of time off. I enjoyed working for BMI, but being based in LHR, the shorthaul T&C and $$ sucked compared to BA for instance. But if you are happy to move up NW, then I would say go for it. Yes there are some very 'finnicky' CSM's. Some of the dictatorial leadership styles exhibited by some are just not appropriate, and if a CSD or Purser tried that crap at BA or UA for instance, the crew just wouldn't stand for it. But to be fair, most of the crew and Flight Supervisors and CSM's are great, and bmi management is trying hard to get away from 'dictatorial' leadership and promote more team work and a supportive culture.
Good luck with your application and interviews!
So, I flew for Bmi and also worked for a while on developing the longhaul service, so although I haven't been there for a few years, hopefully this info will help some of you and answer some of the questions earlier in this thread.
Longhaul bmi at MAN is a very different beast from S/Haul LHR. The crew enjoy better pay, better terms and conditions, and all in all they work less, get more time off, have an easier schedule and get paid more even though the cost of living in the NW is far lower than London. Some would argue that CC89 did a great job of getting better T&C for L/Haul but have left LHR and S/Haul in the dust. Certainly that might explain the constant staff shortages at LHR for bmi, and the mass exodus of the best crew everytime BA, NZ etc etc hires. But we digress!
While in theory the company can get L/haul crew to do s/haul flying if operational requirements change, in practice they only do L/haul, working about 4 trips a month, with occasional standbys and some back to backs where you get 24 hours in MAN in a hotel between trips.
In so far as the Chef, the Chef is a normal member of the Cabin Crew, is fully qualified and does all normal initial and recurrent training. They wear the normal C/C uniform, but inflight don 'Chef Garments'. They work The Business galley, and occasionally do some aisle for dessert service etc but that's about it. (at least that was how the service was designed, in practice it may be slightly different). Chef's get a higher payscale than other main crew.
In addition to the Chef there are Flight Supervisors and a Cabin Service Manager on each flight.
The only negative things are that you always stay in the same 2 (now 3 with YYZ) places, and hotels have often been out in the sticks and not downtown which is not conducive to a great layover life. Also, (this may have changed) but bmi doesn't seem to follow any other airline in how positions on aircraft are assigned. The CSM will allocate people, whereas I believe at BA you can pick and choose the door, and therefore cabin and service area in which you work based on seniority. This may or may not be important to you, but worth mentioning.
The plus of bmi, especially at MAN where the pay is pretty good, is that the staff travel is v good. You can have a nominated friend, AND your parents, AND 2 siblings! Also, after certain length of service qualifications you get totally free tickets for all your travel eligibles and even confirmed tix after I think 5 years. Interlines are better than most as bmi has good ZED agreements, so you can fly to N AMerica with AC for about 30 pound each way, and Thailand was about 35/40 pound each way with TG/LH etc.
Things do change, but certainly when I was there, L/Haul crew were enjoying a good lifestyle, and good money, with a decent amount of time off. I enjoyed working for BMI, but being based in LHR, the shorthaul T&C and $$ sucked compared to BA for instance. But if you are happy to move up NW, then I would say go for it. Yes there are some very 'finnicky' CSM's. Some of the dictatorial leadership styles exhibited by some are just not appropriate, and if a CSD or Purser tried that crap at BA or UA for instance, the crew just wouldn't stand for it. But to be fair, most of the crew and Flight Supervisors and CSM's are great, and bmi management is trying hard to get away from 'dictatorial' leadership and promote more team work and a supportive culture.
Good luck with your application and interviews!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: UK
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Have to say very fair posting YYC F/A, with many good points made, including positive and the negative feedback on the company on the whole.
Its true that staff travel is excellent with bmi. Unfortunately, its difficult to get over the unhappy times at a certain base with your life made hell by a person. Anyway enough of that...I`m pleased to hear that bmi are working at removing the dictatoral methods by some- although asking about a persons private life then laughing and being nasty and using the information in a vindictive way and lying about the person....is totally unexceptable!
Good Luck to who that enters...
Its true that staff travel is excellent with bmi. Unfortunately, its difficult to get over the unhappy times at a certain base with your life made hell by a person. Anyway enough of that...I`m pleased to hear that bmi are working at removing the dictatoral methods by some- although asking about a persons private life then laughing and being nasty and using the information in a vindictive way and lying about the person....is totally unexceptable!
Good Luck to who that enters...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: london
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Well I had my interview at Manchester and basically its not what you know but who you know. Out of the 50 people there only 6 got through to second stage,and I know that 2 of them already worked for BMI and knew all the recruitment people there.
Oh well, just wasnt meant to be for me.
Good luck to others who are trying.
And Longhaul manchester is only on a 11 Month fixed term contract with traning on shorthaul fleet aswell.
Oh well, just wasnt meant to be for me.
Good luck to others who are trying.
And Longhaul manchester is only on a 11 Month fixed term contract with traning on shorthaul fleet aswell.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: man
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baboy, i presume you referred to me when you said 2 bmi crew well i'm employed by regional, which is why i was at the group assessment. Internal bmi applicants can transfer thus skipping the process. Its the same with any airline though that internal applicants will have a higher success rate than external. It is true that the contract is fixed term for 11 months but new entrants will be trained solely on the A330 and if operationally required toward the end of the contract training will be given on the shorthaul fleet. I'm sorry that you feel its not what you know but who, nothing is guaranteed and you'll be pleased to know that the 2 bmi regional crew are yet to hear the outcome!!!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: England
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Course info
Hello all
Have just found this thread on here re the bmi recruitment at man. Have just been offered a position but as yet not sure which fleet etc etc.
Just a few questions to see if any body else has been sucessful and if any one knows what is going on and what the course dates would be like etc etc.
Also would be good to hear from anybody currently there who could give some inside info
Good luck to all those who have interviews etc
Have just found this thread on here re the bmi recruitment at man. Have just been offered a position but as yet not sure which fleet etc etc.
Just a few questions to see if any body else has been sucessful and if any one knows what is going on and what the course dates would be like etc etc.
Also would be good to hear from anybody currently there who could give some inside info
Good luck to all those who have interviews etc
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Englishflyboy, all the new entrants for man WILL be for the longhaul program, all Ill say is take it with both hands, so far the first two cources are at about the 17th march, and the next one starting the week after that., then there are one or two more after that! now I know that the contracts are fixed term, but the chances of you being let go after that are very slim at the mo. the company is looking at either the Carribean aor India (hope it's the first) once the Toronto has finished in Oct/Nov. believe me the money is good, VERY good! and the crew are great to work with, and conditions are great!!!
As for the last post I think that they may still be recruiting but you'll have to be quick.
As for the last post I think that they may still be recruiting but you'll have to be quick.
Join Date: Jul 2003
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bmi
Thanks for your reply ppruners
Received a call / letter from bmi. Got a training course start day 2nd Apr. Decided to take the job from all the good reports that I have heard about it and so far the company seems very nice.
For anyone that is thinking of applying, I have a friend who has gone for interview today but I am not sure what base or fleet, all I do know is that theyy are in the last phases of recruitment so I am told.
Thanks once again and good luck to those still trying
Received a call / letter from bmi. Got a training course start day 2nd Apr. Decided to take the job from all the good reports that I have heard about it and so far the company seems very nice.
For anyone that is thinking of applying, I have a friend who has gone for interview today but I am not sure what base or fleet, all I do know is that theyy are in the last phases of recruitment so I am told.
Thanks once again and good luck to those still trying
