The official 'I hate BA crew thread'.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: London
As for that comment about our crew rest...That's just how long it takes. I've been long haul for a month now and we've always delivered a proper service in around about the same time frame that was stated.
We're not cutting back on anything, but there's at least 5 crew in traveller if not more, so we are able to do a proper service in that time!
Leave us alone, stop being so jealous! If you think our conditions are so outrageously better than at your airline then quit and apply for BA!!!!! Easy!
We're not cutting back on anything, but there's at least 5 crew in traveller if not more, so we are able to do a proper service in that time!
Leave us alone, stop being so jealous! If you think our conditions are so outrageously better than at your airline then quit and apply for BA!!!!! Easy!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Jetting across the universe..
To be honest, I've come across some woeful cabin crew in my time. Then again, I've come across woeful check-in agents, woeful nurses, woeful admin staff, woeful telephone company reps..you name it.
However, most of the crew I've encountered on BA have been pretty good.
However, most of the crew I've encountered on BA have been pretty good.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Southern Blighty
Could I suggest that maybe anyone posting to this thread who isn't actually aircrew should first be made to work for 3 months doing the hours & duties that the BA/VS etc CC have to do. If, at the end of those three months, you're still standing toe-to-toe with these guys, then maybe post comments about their standard of service.
The work that cabin crew put in is alot.
As always on this board the nameless heros step forward to abuse and belittle aircrew. What a joke.
Cabin crew are there for your safety and comfort.
STOP the abuse.
As always on this board the nameless heros step forward to abuse and belittle aircrew. What a joke.
Cabin crew are there for your safety and comfort.
STOP the abuse.
I broadly agree with the notion that longhaul BA varies enormously from "really quite atrocious" to "excellent". In my opinion from hundreds of flights: Shorthaul is usually "very good". In fact, BA is MUCH better than its US competitors who are often "AAbysmal" (even in Club/Business) and certainly in economy tend to outshine KLM, AF and Virgin (which I think is truly atrocious in Economy). Lufthansa Club was appaling in my one experience and ThomsonFly was excellent!
It IS great to be ending a long hard trip to get onto BA and relax. We know most CC work hard; we know some are outstanding; some flights are brilliant, and from experience we know that some crews need training to appreciate the "customer-facing" importance of their role.
If you boarded a long haul flight and your seat had the remains of the previous occupant's meal and detrious on it how would you react when a passenger mentioned this? Couldn't care less or would you get on with cleaning it up (with the passenger's help)?
If any CC are working this Christmas day are you doing it voluntarily or under duress? I had a special flight ruined by the poor service and attitude of the CC on Christmas Day.
It's all about service. Mostly you guys and gals are great. Just get rid of the bad apples.
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: UK
As for that comment about our crew rest...That's just how long it takes. I've been long haul for a month now and we've always delivered a proper service in around about the same time frame that was stated.
We're not cutting back on anything, but there's at least 5 crew in traveller if not more, so we are able to do a proper service in that time!
Leave us alone, stop being so jealous! If you think our conditions are so outrageously better than at your airline then quit and apply for BA!!!!! Easy!
We're not cutting back on anything, but there's at least 5 crew in traveller if not more, so we are able to do a proper service in that time!
Leave us alone, stop being so jealous! If you think our conditions are so outrageously better than at your airline then quit and apply for BA!!!!! Easy!
I mention these things not out of jealousy from another airline, but as a shareholder who hears this sort of comment from other passengers.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: london
Classic, as a shareholder you will be happy to hear that the meal service in First has been 'sped up' in response to customer feedback.
When we had the classic 747 without bunks, the seats in First were generally not lie-flat sleeper seats.
When the sleeper seats were installed passenger priorities seemed to change, especially on the routes where First is busiest....The middle east and east coast US routes. Passengers were complaining that the service was dragging into the night, when all they wanted was something light to eat before bedding down.
Whether the service in First is completed in 2.15min or 3 hours would have little bearing on our crew rest, as only half the First crew would be on rest at any one time anyway. There would always be someone there throughout the entire flight duration to serve you.
And don't forget, as a First passenger you have the freedom to choose when and what you eat. So if the courses are coming too fast and you want a more leisurly meal.....say so!
When we had the classic 747 without bunks, the seats in First were generally not lie-flat sleeper seats.
When the sleeper seats were installed passenger priorities seemed to change, especially on the routes where First is busiest....The middle east and east coast US routes. Passengers were complaining that the service was dragging into the night, when all they wanted was something light to eat before bedding down.
Whether the service in First is completed in 2.15min or 3 hours would have little bearing on our crew rest, as only half the First crew would be on rest at any one time anyway. There would always be someone there throughout the entire flight duration to serve you.
And don't forget, as a First passenger you have the freedom to choose when and what you eat. So if the courses are coming too fast and you want a more leisurly meal.....say so!
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: uk
BA Longhaul crew philosophy
1. Maximise bunk rest
2. Maximise bunk rest
3. Maximise bunk rest
4. Moan about full loads because it will infringe on maximum bunk rest
5. Shut the blinds on day setors to encourage everyone to sleep so we can maximise bunk rest
6. Rush the service to maximise bunk rest.
7. Did I mention maximising bunk rest?
1. Maximise bunk rest
2. Maximise bunk rest
3. Maximise bunk rest
4. Moan about full loads because it will infringe on maximum bunk rest
5. Shut the blinds on day setors to encourage everyone to sleep so we can maximise bunk rest
6. Rush the service to maximise bunk rest.
7. Did I mention maximising bunk rest?
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: UK
Oh nigel, it appears you hate (your own) BA crew more than most...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....... 
I can't help but wonder why but its no surprise to see you pour vitriol on the situation.
Why don't you apply to DHL and just have cargo to worry about dearheart instead of having to worry about all these wicked thoughts you have about your 'team' ?
Not very good CRM is it now ?
I can't help but wonder why but its no surprise to see you pour vitriol on the situation.
Why don't you apply to DHL and just have cargo to worry about dearheart instead of having to worry about all these wicked thoughts you have about your 'team' ?
Not very good CRM is it now ?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: london
BA Flight Crew philosophy:
1. Whinge about cabin crew daring to be entitled to decent rest
2. Whinge about BA cabin crew pay scales.
3. Whinge about cabin crew daring to be entitled to decent rest
4. Whinge about cabin crew not accepting hourly rate.
5. Whinge about cabin crew daring to be entitled to decent rest
6. Whinge about BASSA.
1. Whinge about cabin crew daring to be entitled to decent rest
2. Whinge about BA cabin crew pay scales.
3. Whinge about cabin crew daring to be entitled to decent rest
4. Whinge about cabin crew not accepting hourly rate.
5. Whinge about cabin crew daring to be entitled to decent rest
6. Whinge about BASSA.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 105
From: The Winchester
keeperboy.
The C C I've flown with recently have been great with no aggro, genuinely friendly - guess you weren't on one of those trips...... Shall we rename this thread "The Official I'm BA Crew and I hate BA Crew thread"
The C C I've flown with recently have been great with no aggro, genuinely friendly - guess you weren't on one of those trips...... Shall we rename this thread "The Official I'm BA Crew and I hate BA Crew thread"
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: london
Hey wiggy.
Sorry, there was no aggro intended in my previous post. I was just displaying how ridiculous and irrelevant sweeping comments like those of NN's can be.
Was I on one of your crews?
Depends! Were you whinging about cabin crew wanting to maximise their bunk rest, not take the hourly rate and complain they are to be the downfall of the entire BA structure?
If not, I would have been a right gem and we would have had a fantastic time. Indeed on my last ozzie trip the cabin crew and flight crew got on fantastically and we all socialised well together.
There are loads of fantastic people flying for BA, pilots and cabin crew alike. There are also a fair share of idiots in both groups.
OOF obviously isnt achieving its task of enforcing the mentality that we all have to work together as a team to remain competitive.
Its really strange. When I first started this post I thought it would be mainly SLF and other airline staff that would be airing their gripes.
I was really shocked when most of the aggro was from our own flight crew towards the cabin crew. Eh ho.
Sorry, there was no aggro intended in my previous post. I was just displaying how ridiculous and irrelevant sweeping comments like those of NN's can be.
Was I on one of your crews?
Depends! Were you whinging about cabin crew wanting to maximise their bunk rest, not take the hourly rate and complain they are to be the downfall of the entire BA structure?
If not, I would have been a right gem and we would have had a fantastic time. Indeed on my last ozzie trip the cabin crew and flight crew got on fantastically and we all socialised well together.
There are loads of fantastic people flying for BA, pilots and cabin crew alike. There are also a fair share of idiots in both groups.
OOF obviously isnt achieving its task of enforcing the mentality that we all have to work together as a team to remain competitive.
Its really strange. When I first started this post I thought it would be mainly SLF and other airline staff that would be airing their gripes.
I was really shocked when most of the aggro was from our own flight crew towards the cabin crew. Eh ho.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: About 1 mile from WOD ndb
It's not just the CC
If you'll permit a still, small voice from the cheap seats.
For nearly twenty years I flew BA, mainly transatlantic to the West Coast of the US. On the vast majority of trips, whether economy or Club, I was looked after very well by attentive crew. Most CC were intelligent, charming, genuinely nice people who seemed to work quite diligently to look after us.
I stopped flying BA because of the BA marketing department.
In their wisdom, they decided to discard the few remaining founder subscription members of the BA Executive Club. Basically, having told us that we'd all remain free Silver members for life (and so entitled to lounge access) -- six months later they withdrew membership. For the first time ever, I wrote to an airline CEO (Eddington) to complain about their cavalier and callous treatment of their most loyal customers. Complete waste of time.
I -- and all my company's staff -- have flown Virgin ever since (because they let me use their Clubhouse) and their service is at least as good as BA.
So it's not just the CC that affect choice -- it's all sorts of factors. BA won't get me back now, regardless of how super their CC are.
For nearly twenty years I flew BA, mainly transatlantic to the West Coast of the US. On the vast majority of trips, whether economy or Club, I was looked after very well by attentive crew. Most CC were intelligent, charming, genuinely nice people who seemed to work quite diligently to look after us.
I stopped flying BA because of the BA marketing department.
In their wisdom, they decided to discard the few remaining founder subscription members of the BA Executive Club. Basically, having told us that we'd all remain free Silver members for life (and so entitled to lounge access) -- six months later they withdrew membership. For the first time ever, I wrote to an airline CEO (Eddington) to complain about their cavalier and callous treatment of their most loyal customers. Complete waste of time.
I -- and all my company's staff -- have flown Virgin ever since (because they let me use their Clubhouse) and their service is at least as good as BA.
So it's not just the CC that affect choice -- it's all sorts of factors. BA won't get me back now, regardless of how super their CC are.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: In t'sky
To get this thread on track once more, I recently flew back from America to the UK with BA. As crew myself with a charter airline, and my mum working for BA, i'm fairly appreciative of the work they all put in, but of course, everyone is different.
On my outbound flight LGW-ORL the crew did not seem approachable. When I work an 8 hour flight in economy I have rest periods and find myself bored, so thinking they may be the same tried to engage them in conversation - "Can I see your galley", "What's it like at BA my mum keeps on at me to apply, "I'm crew how you find it" etc etc.. I was met with general grunts and disinterest. Crew as they walked up and down from what I saw did as much as was required and little more.
On the inbound sector it was far more pleasant ATL-LGW. (The original flight from ORL having gone tech and me being shifted around to get home) Crew seemed friendly and generally interested in what they were doing during services. Half the IFE in the aircraft had gone on strike so they spent a fair proportion of the flight trying to get it working. Eventually a very cheerful CSD offers me an upgrade to Steerage Plus (probably because I moved around the cabin for the benefit of other pax) which I gladly accepted. This time crew as they pass down actually engage ME in conversation, asking who I work for, etc.. and seem generally grateful I bothered to help them by moving.
Two very different accounts, but the bottom line is every flight is very different. BA crew seem very professional in their actions, but in some cases could be more approachable. But again, everyone's a different case!
Horgy
On my outbound flight LGW-ORL the crew did not seem approachable. When I work an 8 hour flight in economy I have rest periods and find myself bored, so thinking they may be the same tried to engage them in conversation - "Can I see your galley", "What's it like at BA my mum keeps on at me to apply, "I'm crew how you find it" etc etc.. I was met with general grunts and disinterest. Crew as they walked up and down from what I saw did as much as was required and little more.
On the inbound sector it was far more pleasant ATL-LGW. (The original flight from ORL having gone tech and me being shifted around to get home) Crew seemed friendly and generally interested in what they were doing during services. Half the IFE in the aircraft had gone on strike so they spent a fair proportion of the flight trying to get it working. Eventually a very cheerful CSD offers me an upgrade to Steerage Plus (probably because I moved around the cabin for the benefit of other pax) which I gladly accepted. This time crew as they pass down actually engage ME in conversation, asking who I work for, etc.. and seem generally grateful I bothered to help them by moving.
Two very different accounts, but the bottom line is every flight is very different. BA crew seem very professional in their actions, but in some cases could be more approachable. But again, everyone's a different case!
Horgy
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: London
Just got one thing to say, which is...
Who actually wants to sit for more than 2-3 hours with a food tray in front of them????? NOBODY!!!!!!! The passengers are practically throwing the trays in our faces before we even have time to collect them in.
Get over it jealous people!!!!!!!!!!
Who actually wants to sit for more than 2-3 hours with a food tray in front of them????? NOBODY!!!!!!! The passengers are practically throwing the trays in our faces before we even have time to collect them in.
Get over it jealous people!!!!!!!!!!