Bmi
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Bmi
I have a friend who works for one of the low cost carriers and they want to apply to British Midland. Neither of us know anyone who works for them at heathrow which is the base they would be applying to and was just wondering if anyone could give any info on what they are like as a compny to work for and if you would recommend applying to them. My freind is a senior at the airline where they are now so any info at all on BMI and promotion prospects and rosters especially would be great.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Join Date: May 2004
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bmi has a nice product, lovely fleet now at LHR (all new airbus fleet).
Downfalls are long days (4 sectors the norm), and high turnover of staff. Therefore, promotion at LHR is usually quite quick.
Pay isn't the best around, but the staff travel concessions are good. Not many exciting night-stops left either now.
Its a nice place to start, and a good brand you can be proud to work for (for a while anyway!).
TDB x
Downfalls are long days (4 sectors the norm), and high turnover of staff. Therefore, promotion at LHR is usually quite quick.
Pay isn't the best around, but the staff travel concessions are good. Not many exciting night-stops left either now.
Its a nice place to start, and a good brand you can be proud to work for (for a while anyway!).
TDB x
Join Date: Mar 2003
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BMI
Hey there, for an honest oppinion, mine anyway, I wouldn't bother. At the moment, and it doesn't look as if its going to change, moral is quite low and lots(LOADS) of crew are leaving due to v long days(LHR-PMI-LHR-ABZ-LHR, LHR-LIN-LHR-AZB-LHR, LHR-ALC-LHR-EDI-LHR), no back-up from managers, crewing constantly changing your roster (phoning you on your way to work to tell you that you are not doing 4 sectors, but you are now night stopping) and the general company attitude (if you leave we can always get somebody else in). It appears that the managers don't give a **** either ("its legal". All bmi staff will know this well heard frase). However, the company is having to pay out huge amounts of money to get crew to sell their days off to cover the crew that we don't have. In addition to this our union is backing the company on our dismal payrise. Not to mention they we've not had one for the past 4 years, but hey!!!
If I were your friend I would saty where he is. A friend of mine works for a low cost carrier. The contidions are better, yes, they do long days, but at least they get paid for it. From what she tells me they are backed up by their mamagers and praised for doing things right. This just doesn't happen at bmi. This is quite a negative post but its the truth. I never moan when I'm a work cos it just makes you day longer so I leave it for this site. I'm leaving bmi shortly and I wouldn't recommend anybody to apply. I hope this helps. If you want any further info p message me.
If I were your friend I would saty where he is. A friend of mine works for a low cost carrier. The contidions are better, yes, they do long days, but at least they get paid for it. From what she tells me they are backed up by their mamagers and praised for doing things right. This just doesn't happen at bmi. This is quite a negative post but its the truth. I never moan when I'm a work cos it just makes you day longer so I leave it for this site. I'm leaving bmi shortly and I wouldn't recommend anybody to apply. I hope this helps. If you want any further info p message me.
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Hi!
I've just finished my training with bmi and they have been ok so far. Yeah I have to admit the days can be pretty long, i've got my roster already and it's going to be hard work! I have heard about crewing messing you around a lot and I have found them to be quite ruthless at times. I told them I was going on holiday at the interview and told them the dates and things and got my roster and they've got me working 6.00am the day I get back. I rang up and asked to change, but they wouldn't budge and i've had to arrange to leave my holiday a day early. It doesn't seem a good start, but i'm looking forward to starting soon! Not sure if that has helped!!
I've just finished my training with bmi and they have been ok so far. Yeah I have to admit the days can be pretty long, i've got my roster already and it's going to be hard work! I have heard about crewing messing you around a lot and I have found them to be quite ruthless at times. I told them I was going on holiday at the interview and told them the dates and things and got my roster and they've got me working 6.00am the day I get back. I rang up and asked to change, but they wouldn't budge and i've had to arrange to leave my holiday a day early. It doesn't seem a good start, but i'm looking forward to starting soon! Not sure if that has helped!!
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Hi,
I fully agree with pollypocket on this one! Tell your friend to stay put. bmi were a good company to work for a few years ago but now.....forget it! I have just handed in my notice after 8 years at LHR cos i've had it with the rosta changes...Fokkers...4/5 sectors days...5 crew on a full A321....6 useless DM's. The only good thing was the people you worked with day to day but now they have or are buggering off to BA (GOOD FOR THEM).
I fully agree with pollypocket on this one! Tell your friend to stay put. bmi were a good company to work for a few years ago but now.....forget it! I have just handed in my notice after 8 years at LHR cos i've had it with the rosta changes...Fokkers...4/5 sectors days...5 crew on a full A321....6 useless DM's. The only good thing was the people you worked with day to day but now they have or are buggering off to BA (GOOD FOR THEM).
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Hey there again, I hope I've not put you off. When you've been with them a few months you may feel different(to my opinion). However, the issue with your leave will be the start of a long list.
Yes it's true that many people have gone to BA, me being one of them and they have never looked back. Bmi have a lot of issues to deal with. When people leave they talk about these issues at an exit interview but again, nothing is being done about them. It really is such a shame as it used to be such a fab company. If it was still like that, they would not have lost half the amount of crew. It's sad to see but it really opens your eyes when I and other crew get treated in such a disrespectful way.
It's now a company to enable new entrants to gain experience and then better their career prospects by moving on. It definitley not one to make a career with. I 'm sure that when you are out on line you'll see what I mean.
Polly
Yes it's true that many people have gone to BA, me being one of them and they have never looked back. Bmi have a lot of issues to deal with. When people leave they talk about these issues at an exit interview but again, nothing is being done about them. It really is such a shame as it used to be such a fab company. If it was still like that, they would not have lost half the amount of crew. It's sad to see but it really opens your eyes when I and other crew get treated in such a disrespectful way.
It's now a company to enable new entrants to gain experience and then better their career prospects by moving on. It definitley not one to make a career with. I 'm sure that when you are out on line you'll see what I mean.
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Join Date: Jun 2002
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hi!
Yeah I can see what you mean. To be honest i'm not sure if I'm planning to make a career out of it. I've only just started and it's my first job so will hopefully see how it goes. They haven't started off good in my eyes though. At our wings ceremony most of my class got give letters saying if they don't get their references sorted in a week, they are off the course. What a nice thing to do before the ceremony! The crew park also really pissed me off. We were pointed it out from a moving taxi. On our airport famil day I left two hours before in order to get there on time. There was a huge jam on the M25 , but still had half an hour to spare. Anyway tyhe crew park was so complicated and it took me twenty minutes to figure i tout. I got there ten minutes late and they were really pissed off with us. (Two other people had the same problem.) We were called into the office and they put late letters on our file. I can understand why, but they way they did it made me really mad and pissed off!
Yeah I can see what you mean. To be honest i'm not sure if I'm planning to make a career out of it. I've only just started and it's my first job so will hopefully see how it goes. They haven't started off good in my eyes though. At our wings ceremony most of my class got give letters saying if they don't get their references sorted in a week, they are off the course. What a nice thing to do before the ceremony! The crew park also really pissed me off. We were pointed it out from a moving taxi. On our airport famil day I left two hours before in order to get there on time. There was a huge jam on the M25 , but still had half an hour to spare. Anyway tyhe crew park was so complicated and it took me twenty minutes to figure i tout. I got there ten minutes late and they were really pissed off with us. (Two other people had the same problem.) We were called into the office and they put late letters on our file. I can understand why, but they way they did it made me really mad and pissed off!
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Thanks so much for all your replys. It seems that BMI have the same sort of days that my friend has now and the only reason they were thinking of going there was to get a change of scenery and possibly better conditions. It doesn't look like that they would be much better , if any , from what you are saying. What is the roster pattern like ? Is it 6 on 3 off? I know every company has its' issues so hopefully these problems at BMI will be worked on and resolved.
Join Date: May 2002
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I worked for bmi for 11 years some 6 years ago...[WOW! That long ago] and see it aint changed. There is no give and take with that company, and to get a late letter on your first day when your trying to find your way around is a bit c**p! No doubt some manager is patting themselves on the back and saying how bad the new recruits are.
I have posted on bmi previously, and why oh why aren`t I believed...till its too late!
Have a little look around for other airlines..BA is recruiting
I have posted on bmi previously, and why oh why aren`t I believed...till its too late!
Have a little look around for other airlines..BA is recruiting
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Hi!
I don't rmember reading anything posted about bmi, but to be honest I know deep down that a lot of arilines have their bad point's and it's better to know what i'm in for before hand so it's not such a shock! Yeah i'm sure the managers are loving it too!
Justtakethecup - yeah at the moment it's 6 on 3 off, but I bet that it doesn't really work out like that! I'm sure i'll be called in on my days off, but you get paid £70 so it's not all that bad!
I don't rmember reading anything posted about bmi, but to be honest I know deep down that a lot of arilines have their bad point's and it's better to know what i'm in for before hand so it's not such a shock! Yeah i'm sure the managers are loving it too!
Justtakethecup - yeah at the moment it's 6 on 3 off, but I bet that it doesn't really work out like that! I'm sure i'll be called in on my days off, but you get paid £70 so it's not all that bad!
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Hey again, with regards to the day off payment. Don't let them tell you what they want cos its noramlly a long day. You tell them!! bmi are the ones that are desperate, not you. It's your chance to play the cards. For example they called me the other week to sell a day off. They offered me LHR-PMI-LHR-ABZ-LHR. Obviously Ive better things to do on my day off than a 13 hour day, so I declined. However, I bargained with them and told them I'd do either the Palma OR the Aberdeen. They refused and said its either the whole lot or nothing at all. Later that evening while I was out, they called me again to ask me if I'd do the Palma OR Aberdeen. By that time I'd made plans so had to decline again. They only shoot themsevles in the foot by playing hard to get. So don't forget, you tell them what you want!!!!
With regards to the late letter, don't worry too much about it. They are too desperate for crew to get rid of anybody. Honestly, its nothing to worry about. If your're late due to traffic, what can you do? It will be mentioned at you 3 month apprasial (if you're luck enough to get one) and then AGAIN at your 6 month apprasial. However, don't let it bother you too much as it won't make the slight bit of difference.
With regards to the late letter, don't worry too much about it. They are too desperate for crew to get rid of anybody. Honestly, its nothing to worry about. If your're late due to traffic, what can you do? It will be mentioned at you 3 month apprasial (if you're luck enough to get one) and then AGAIN at your 6 month apprasial. However, don't let it bother you too much as it won't make the slight bit of difference.
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Hi!
Oh don't worry after working for Tesco for nearly two years I'm used to getting what I want as they were always short staffed aswell!! I have no problem selling some days off though, as i'd rather be out then sitting at home on my own!! Sad I know!!!
I'm not really worrying about the late letter, it was just the way they did it. I mean they took us into the office like we had done something really bad and just spoke to us like we were nothing.
Oh don't worry after working for Tesco for nearly two years I'm used to getting what I want as they were always short staffed aswell!! I have no problem selling some days off though, as i'd rather be out then sitting at home on my own!! Sad I know!!!
I'm not really worrying about the late letter, it was just the way they did it. I mean they took us into the office like we had done something really bad and just spoke to us like we were nothing.
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Hey guys....
Ok, I was offered a place on the training course in August, so i've handed in my notice in my current airline, cos the pay and working conditions there are terrible... but i just wanted to say thanks to all, you've shone some light on the compnay, as i have friends that worked there b4 in the DUB base, but apparantley that was a cliquey base, so i didnt think much of the LHR base. but, as mentioned, every company has thier bad points, hey, i used to work for Ryanair before!
Oh, and a quick question... my training starts on a friday, does that mean i'm in over the weekend???
Ok, I was offered a place on the training course in August, so i've handed in my notice in my current airline, cos the pay and working conditions there are terrible... but i just wanted to say thanks to all, you've shone some light on the compnay, as i have friends that worked there b4 in the DUB base, but apparantley that was a cliquey base, so i didnt think much of the LHR base. but, as mentioned, every company has thier bad points, hey, i used to work for Ryanair before!
Oh, and a quick question... my training starts on a friday, does that mean i'm in over the weekend???
Join Date: Jun 2002
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lol! Yeah i'm affraid you'll be in over the weekend, but it'll go really quickly so you'll be fine!!
Oh handy hint though, try and get all of your references sorted really early. I got my wings on the 11th June and I only got my id on wednesday as my references took ages! There's only so much sitting at home you can take before it get's boring! Anyway good luck with the course, you'll enjoy it I did! Pm me If you want to know certain details and that!
Stanleystan
Oh handy hint though, try and get all of your references sorted really early. I got my wings on the 11th June and I only got my id on wednesday as my references took ages! There's only so much sitting at home you can take before it get's boring! Anyway good luck with the course, you'll enjoy it I did! Pm me If you want to know certain details and that!
Stanleystan
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I agree with what has been said about BMI.
They get worse every month. Last year was still bearable, there was some DUB and LIN night stops to look forward to.
But now that s crazy, we get many Abeerdeen night stops, but we get 5 sectors. This month i operate 5 sectors a day at least once a week.
We are not supposed to do more than 2 long day a week but when i called crewing to say i already did 2 long days this week and therefore i couldn t do the long day i was supposed to, they said that because one of the long day was due to delays, it didnt really counted as a long day!!! SObasically i did 3 long days and the rest of the week were just 30 minutes short of being long days.
I really loved my job with BMI until february when things got worse. Now i am seriously thinkig about moving on but i am optimistic so i still give them until Xmas to see if things will improve but i doubt about it-
They get worse every month. Last year was still bearable, there was some DUB and LIN night stops to look forward to.
But now that s crazy, we get many Abeerdeen night stops, but we get 5 sectors. This month i operate 5 sectors a day at least once a week.
We are not supposed to do more than 2 long day a week but when i called crewing to say i already did 2 long days this week and therefore i couldn t do the long day i was supposed to, they said that because one of the long day was due to delays, it didnt really counted as a long day!!! SObasically i did 3 long days and the rest of the week were just 30 minutes short of being long days.
I really loved my job with BMI until february when things got worse. Now i am seriously thinkig about moving on but i am optimistic so i still give them until Xmas to see if things will improve but i doubt about it-
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bmi
Well, where do i start.
I want to defend bmi and welcome some of you to reality especially 'pollypocket' - but please dont take offence.
4 sectors days are quite normal in domestic airline operations.
some people who have come to bmi and its their first cabin crew job dont realise this.
the attitude of pollypocket is quite sad and i think youve done the right thing leaving though i wonder what attitude your taking accross to BA and what corporate culture there is there - too many crew there who want easy days, more money? yeah - ever flown BA? you might get the occasional crew member who really shines in their service delivery, but on the whole, its a 'whats in it for me culture'. i dont think i would expect anything else from pollypocket.
ok, im not going to pick on polly pocket but would like to remind some of you that the best assest at bmi is its people.
we do fly 4 leg days and this is quite normal. when the weather is bad, like the storms we've had the past week, yes, there were massive delays and roster disruptions, yes, true, when you are short staffed and the **** hits the fan, expect hiccups...but all this -
IS VERY NORMAL AND ALL AIRLINES ARE THE SAME.
ps....bmi hand all paperwork re the IDs to the ID centre and it is them, not bmi, who can take up to 5 weeks or more to process applications and then call crew in for their appointments.
I want to defend bmi and welcome some of you to reality especially 'pollypocket' - but please dont take offence.
4 sectors days are quite normal in domestic airline operations.
some people who have come to bmi and its their first cabin crew job dont realise this.
the attitude of pollypocket is quite sad and i think youve done the right thing leaving though i wonder what attitude your taking accross to BA and what corporate culture there is there - too many crew there who want easy days, more money? yeah - ever flown BA? you might get the occasional crew member who really shines in their service delivery, but on the whole, its a 'whats in it for me culture'. i dont think i would expect anything else from pollypocket.
ok, im not going to pick on polly pocket but would like to remind some of you that the best assest at bmi is its people.
we do fly 4 leg days and this is quite normal. when the weather is bad, like the storms we've had the past week, yes, there were massive delays and roster disruptions, yes, true, when you are short staffed and the **** hits the fan, expect hiccups...but all this -
IS VERY NORMAL AND ALL AIRLINES ARE THE SAME.
ps....bmi hand all paperwork re the IDs to the ID centre and it is them, not bmi, who can take up to 5 weeks or more to process applications and then call crew in for their appointments.