Changing Companies pros and cons
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Changing Companies pros and cons
Hi all, its getting to that time of year again when you sit down and question the direction that your life is taking. Or perhaps thats just me?
Im currently happily working my butt off for the orange brigade, and i am very happy there, i enjoy the work, the crew, the routes and of course the money.
In the past year many collegues have moved onto work with different airlines including, BA, Virgin, Excel among many others.
Most seem to settle into the new routines very well and most that i know are pleased with the change.
I think im wanting to move on, but im a little aprehensive about giving up what i have here. I have a house that i would have to sell if i move to london. That alone is a big and scary step!
Im thinking to either apply to VA or BA. Im not sure about the pay cut to work for VA and im not sure about doing EF in BA (i would prefer to do LH).
So what have your experiences been, have you changed company, have you enjoyed the change? Would you recommend it?
I am really keen to work LH, it is my "dream" but i dont know if;
A. The grass will be greener, and;
B. Will i enjoy it?
I would like to hear from those who did make the leap wether it was good or bad.
Thanks in advance for your help!!
EB
Ps could this just be an early mid life crisis??!!!
Im currently happily working my butt off for the orange brigade, and i am very happy there, i enjoy the work, the crew, the routes and of course the money.
In the past year many collegues have moved onto work with different airlines including, BA, Virgin, Excel among many others.
Most seem to settle into the new routines very well and most that i know are pleased with the change.
I think im wanting to move on, but im a little aprehensive about giving up what i have here. I have a house that i would have to sell if i move to london. That alone is a big and scary step!
Im thinking to either apply to VA or BA. Im not sure about the pay cut to work for VA and im not sure about doing EF in BA (i would prefer to do LH).
So what have your experiences been, have you changed company, have you enjoyed the change? Would you recommend it?
I am really keen to work LH, it is my "dream" but i dont know if;
A. The grass will be greener, and;
B. Will i enjoy it?
I would like to hear from those who did make the leap wether it was good or bad.
Thanks in advance for your help!!
EB
Ps could this just be an early mid life crisis??!!!
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HI!
Hello EasyBaby...
you probably don't know me as I haven't been here for a few months now....
Anyway, those who know me know that I used to work my butt off for the pink brigade, and I was earning a bit more than I do now because I was doing a mix of SH and LH.
However, only after making the painful decision to move to BA and starting to work there I realised how less stressed, much happier I am here. I am at Gatwick Short haul and even if people consider it the black sheep, I wouldn't move anywhere else. People are fun and the atmosphere soooo relaxed I have actually sung on landing and danced in the back galley with my colleagues a few times
Unfortunately it's a gamble and you won't know until you try.
It took me a bit to settle (especially financially) but after only 6 months I am now up and running again. I couldn't be any happier.
New things, people, environments really scare you until you get to know them.
I am glad I had the strength to gamble....it wasn't too bad in FCA, but if I compare how tired, stressed and p***** off at some passengers I was then (not even talking about doing seat pockets) and how happy, relaxed (and actually having the time to spend to talk to nice, well-behaved passengers) I am now, I am really pleased I made that change.
Just my experience, maybe things for you would be different, I don't know. But I am here if you want/need any encouragement.
Moving forward is always a good thing. Keeps boredom away!!!
It's up to us to decide what direction to take, though.
Take care and keep happy
Love
FBW
you probably don't know me as I haven't been here for a few months now....
Anyway, those who know me know that I used to work my butt off for the pink brigade, and I was earning a bit more than I do now because I was doing a mix of SH and LH.
However, only after making the painful decision to move to BA and starting to work there I realised how less stressed, much happier I am here. I am at Gatwick Short haul and even if people consider it the black sheep, I wouldn't move anywhere else. People are fun and the atmosphere soooo relaxed I have actually sung on landing and danced in the back galley with my colleagues a few times
Unfortunately it's a gamble and you won't know until you try.
It took me a bit to settle (especially financially) but after only 6 months I am now up and running again. I couldn't be any happier.
New things, people, environments really scare you until you get to know them.
I am glad I had the strength to gamble....it wasn't too bad in FCA, but if I compare how tired, stressed and p***** off at some passengers I was then (not even talking about doing seat pockets) and how happy, relaxed (and actually having the time to spend to talk to nice, well-behaved passengers) I am now, I am really pleased I made that change.
Just my experience, maybe things for you would be different, I don't know. But I am here if you want/need any encouragement.
Moving forward is always a good thing. Keeps boredom away!!!
It's up to us to decide what direction to take, though.
Take care and keep happy
Love
FBW
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prat_eegle I have moved your post to the British Airways applications thread.
EasyBaby, on the face of it, I would say get out of orange and into a biggie. Less scutt work and more dignity, plus the hope of Long Haul. At the same time, the LoCos are influencing the entire industry in a big way. Mainline companies are adapting to the public's wish to travel cheap. Ticket prices are coming down, so big companies are saving money. Saving on the services their FAs provide the pax, saving on the number of CC per aircraft. In that way, working for a Big Airline will slowly become more and more similar to working for a LoCo.
If you should decide to move to one of the 2 biggies, there is something else to think about. Do you want to pursue a career as a being an FA or do you want to do it for a few years and then get out?
Now without claiming to be in any way an expert on either, from talking to people working in both companies and from reading the forums, I have formed the following idea.
If the aim is a few years of fun seeing the world; Virgin is the place to be. If a long-term career is the plan, go for BA.
Sorry not to be able to give you a clearer answer, but I would think that by posting here you are loking for different points of view to consider. This is one of them.
Good luck with the decision making, it really is hard isn't it?
EasyBaby, on the face of it, I would say get out of orange and into a biggie. Less scutt work and more dignity, plus the hope of Long Haul. At the same time, the LoCos are influencing the entire industry in a big way. Mainline companies are adapting to the public's wish to travel cheap. Ticket prices are coming down, so big companies are saving money. Saving on the services their FAs provide the pax, saving on the number of CC per aircraft. In that way, working for a Big Airline will slowly become more and more similar to working for a LoCo.
If you should decide to move to one of the 2 biggies, there is something else to think about. Do you want to pursue a career as a being an FA or do you want to do it for a few years and then get out?
Now without claiming to be in any way an expert on either, from talking to people working in both companies and from reading the forums, I have formed the following idea.
If the aim is a few years of fun seeing the world; Virgin is the place to be. If a long-term career is the plan, go for BA.
Sorry not to be able to give you a clearer answer, but I would think that by posting here you are loking for different points of view to consider. This is one of them.
Good luck with the decision making, it really is hard isn't it?
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Thank you!
I am seriously thinking about applying to BA. The whole relocation and settling down again is a little disconcerting. Wether i sell the house or rent it out, will be the biggest worry. I know if i do move, i will be happy in BA. Im in this job for the long run, and i believe good things come to those who wait.
When the vacancy came up for a full time cabin crew possistion became available in Edinburgh, i had to apply. I am still hoping that BA will advertise a posistion but im not holding my breath.
I suppose the timing might not be quite right just now, after all if it raises this many doubts and questions then i cant be ready for the move. Perhaps within the year or sooner i might be in a better posistion to re-evauate my situation. I just hope that in this ever changing industry i dont join too late and miss whats left of the perks!
Once again thank you for your responses.
EB
I am seriously thinking about applying to BA. The whole relocation and settling down again is a little disconcerting. Wether i sell the house or rent it out, will be the biggest worry. I know if i do move, i will be happy in BA. Im in this job for the long run, and i believe good things come to those who wait.
When the vacancy came up for a full time cabin crew possistion became available in Edinburgh, i had to apply. I am still hoping that BA will advertise a posistion but im not holding my breath.
I suppose the timing might not be quite right just now, after all if it raises this many doubts and questions then i cant be ready for the move. Perhaps within the year or sooner i might be in a better posistion to re-evauate my situation. I just hope that in this ever changing industry i dont join too late and miss whats left of the perks!
Once again thank you for your responses.
EB
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easybaby, just moved to BA from easyJet myself, and am very happy with the move. I'm based at LHR on shorthaul, and the work is MUCH easier - mainly less fatigue, and more nightstops.
Mainly 2 sector days, the odd 3 sector though.
If you "dream" of doing LH (as many do) then you're gonna have to come down to London eventually. Be aware that you won't be doing LH at LHR for at least another 2 years (there's a list) if you choose BA. On the other hand, the European nightstops are fantastic, flights aren't too long and the crew are a good laugh.
The situation at LGW seems to be changing though; it looks as if LGW crew will soon begin doing a mixture of long AND shorthaul (something known as 'midfleet' although managers will deny it). So LGW may be a better choice. Be aware though that;
1) People at Eurofleet LGW are on less money (different contract) and work much harder
2) Less choice of routes (and nightstops)
3) You won't be able to transfer to LH at LHR if you're LGW-based; you'll need to go through shorthaul at LHR first. Bit of a bummer given the main LH base is LHR.
There are MANY opportunities to move across the airline, some crew have now ended up working in the commercial side, some are now flightcrew on 777s!!
I can recommend BA to anyone. As mentioned above, it's a career company.
Rent the house out, and come join us!
Mainly 2 sector days, the odd 3 sector though.
If you "dream" of doing LH (as many do) then you're gonna have to come down to London eventually. Be aware that you won't be doing LH at LHR for at least another 2 years (there's a list) if you choose BA. On the other hand, the European nightstops are fantastic, flights aren't too long and the crew are a good laugh.
The situation at LGW seems to be changing though; it looks as if LGW crew will soon begin doing a mixture of long AND shorthaul (something known as 'midfleet' although managers will deny it). So LGW may be a better choice. Be aware though that;
1) People at Eurofleet LGW are on less money (different contract) and work much harder
2) Less choice of routes (and nightstops)
3) You won't be able to transfer to LH at LHR if you're LGW-based; you'll need to go through shorthaul at LHR first. Bit of a bummer given the main LH base is LHR.
There are MANY opportunities to move across the airline, some crew have now ended up working in the commercial side, some are now flightcrew on 777s!!
I can recommend BA to anyone. As mentioned above, it's a career company.
Rent the house out, and come join us!
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Hi there EasyBaby, I've been at BA lhr now for 5 months and once I finished the training, totally loved it. To answer your question about night stops, it's everywhere!!!! W e do 3 day Larnacas, Athens, 3 night Rigas, standover days in Helsinki, Lisbon etc. Also the noraml 1 nighters. Compared to my last airline, I work half the hours, hardly ever feel tired and get paid double. My last wage was 2k!!!!! I thought i'd won the lottery. lol!!!!
I would definitely suggest coming over. It's great The crews are cool too. Goodluck and may see you soon.
Polly
I would definitely suggest coming over. It's great The crews are cool too. Goodluck and may see you soon.
Polly
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Hi
I enjoyed my time at easyJet but you're right, I don't miss the orange uniform or even the 4 sector days.
I'm not an expert on LHR room rates I'm afraid, but they seem to be in the £250-400 bracket. Be careful though, because the area around LHR isn't particularly nice, even if it's cheaper. Try looking at Windsor or Maidenhead when and if you do decide to move down. Accommodation isn't a problem as there are tonnes of ads for crew accommo at the LHR base HQ.
Ask here or PM if you have any further queries.
I enjoyed my time at easyJet but you're right, I don't miss the orange uniform or even the 4 sector days.
I'm not an expert on LHR room rates I'm afraid, but they seem to be in the £250-400 bracket. Be careful though, because the area around LHR isn't particularly nice, even if it's cheaper. Try looking at Windsor or Maidenhead when and if you do decide to move down. Accommodation isn't a problem as there are tonnes of ads for crew accommo at the LHR base HQ.
Ask here or PM if you have any further queries.
