Do BA Cabin Crew pull their weight?
cabin crew
I have flown all over the world with many different airlines. BA is definitely the worst. Its almost like the CC are doing you a favour and I find most stand offish as well. Other airlines, especially SIN and Malaysian are far superior and the crew provide an excellent service. However, all is not lost, if you want a real nightmare, fly NZ!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: london
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've seen some pathetic posts on here before regarding BA cabin crew but this one takes the biscuit.
Give up trying to add any sense FBW. Just make a search of past posts of those that have charming (NOT!!) things to say about us.
They are constant BA cabin crew bashers and if you do a search on their previous post entries you will see they pop up in nearly every forum regarding BA cabin crew to take a swipe.
For more objective comments on BA cabin crew check out www.airlinequality.com these are views from normal passengers, not people in the industry (or often our own collegues) who are intent in finding fault.
Give up trying to add any sense FBW. Just make a search of past posts of those that have charming (NOT!!) things to say about us.
They are constant BA cabin crew bashers and if you do a search on their previous post entries you will see they pop up in nearly every forum regarding BA cabin crew to take a swipe.
For more objective comments on BA cabin crew check out www.airlinequality.com these are views from normal passengers, not people in the industry (or often our own collegues) who are intent in finding fault.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chamonix
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nivsy
Thanks Nivsy...we'd be more than happy to see you come back to Cathay!
The 'trick' to good service is consistency. Most SLF in E/Y, fly maybe twice a year. They save 6+mths for that romantisised holiday and they will, sure as eggs are eggs, remember if they got good value for their hard earned money.
One bad experience or individual can see them never return to your carrier. One great experience and theyre yours for life.
Sadly 99% of CC can be fantastic but the one bad egg can spoil the whole omlette!
As for the BA crew returning from HK....please, give them a break; they were in Wan Chai 'til dawn dancing up a storm!
The 'trick' to good service is consistency. Most SLF in E/Y, fly maybe twice a year. They save 6+mths for that romantisised holiday and they will, sure as eggs are eggs, remember if they got good value for their hard earned money.
One bad experience or individual can see them never return to your carrier. One great experience and theyre yours for life.
Sadly 99% of CC can be fantastic but the one bad egg can spoil the whole omlette!
As for the BA crew returning from HK....please, give them a break; they were in Wan Chai 'til dawn dancing up a storm!
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: here there and everywhere
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Give up trying to add any sense FBW.
You and I k now better (and many, many other people who voted for BA in all the airline industry awards).
Plus, it is sooooo bad, how come people are "dying" to worj for us then?
Sure enough a white sheep isn't able to "bleach" all the black ones.......if you know what I mean!!!!!
Keep up the (excellent) work
FBW
Keeperboy and FBW.
I can assure you I am a normal passenger. I flew BA constantly for a number of years, both business and pleasure, economy and business. I stopped because of the inconsistency of service and, whether you like it or not, the attitude of the CC's. In comparison to other major airlines, you are lagging behind with in flight customer service and the sooner you stop blaming other people/elements and address the problems, the better.
I can assure you I am a normal passenger. I flew BA constantly for a number of years, both business and pleasure, economy and business. I stopped because of the inconsistency of service and, whether you like it or not, the attitude of the CC's. In comparison to other major airlines, you are lagging behind with in flight customer service and the sooner you stop blaming other people/elements and address the problems, the better.
SLF here. Just to add that BA crew always seem to me one of the best in the industry, whatever class you are in. So well done to the BA crews all round. Some of the tools you are given to do the job with (eg Deli Bags 
) can let the overall impression down, maybe that's what starts the upsets.
Those complaining have obviously never tried the US mainstream carriers, with their "do it our way or get stuffed" attitude, in all classes. I just cannot imagine how their managements have allowed things to deteriorate the way they have done (they didn't used to be anywhere like as bad as nowadays). And I have no doubt they are the highest paid cabin crew in the world to boot.
) can let the overall impression down, maybe that's what starts the upsets.Those complaining have obviously never tried the US mainstream carriers, with their "do it our way or get stuffed" attitude, in all classes. I just cannot imagine how their managements have allowed things to deteriorate the way they have done (they didn't used to be anywhere like as bad as nowadays). And I have no doubt they are the highest paid cabin crew in the world to boot.
Quite, and i agree with previous Wyhler post. I for one do not want to knock BA...but its regular experience that dictates this. Indeed, there was a time when away abroad on business you felt an element of pride to be returning back to the UK with your "home carrier" after enduring sometimes intensive business meetings abroad. Now, quite often, as a matter of preference, one tends to check the prices/availablility of THAT countries carrier, and dare i say it incentives for travel rather than that of BA. The sceptics amongst us could easily interpret the posts of the "BA Cabin Crew" in this forum as " typical as they are when actually on the job"....meaning "we are right - and you are wrong"...no questions asked!. As for quantity/quality of services etc as "voted" - I think all of us involved in business know its not that difficult to provide figures that can show us all in a good light - as well ofcourse as in a bad light. Its not just long haul. Short haul also has (in my opinion) fundamental flaws in respect of service - and no matter what any of BA crew think - I as a passenger have more choice than ever before and am bound to use that choice for the provision of a service that suites ME! You may realise this too late when perhaps BA simply pull out out of routes (and i know this happening) and therefore jobs may be lost in the industry.
SLF with a couple of million kms here.
It's the luck of the draw, irrespective of whichever carrier you fly (although bmi comes across as consistently slack...)
- Flight there can be perfect, flight back absolutely duff
- Pax on the lefthand side of the cabin get great service, the rest barely a smile
- Crew on one carrier don't even address you by name (this in First..), another's say "Oh hello, Mr X" when you bump into them at the hotel.
All I'd really like is a bit of consistency and normal levels of politeness
It's the luck of the draw, irrespective of whichever carrier you fly (although bmi comes across as consistently slack...)
- Flight there can be perfect, flight back absolutely duff
- Pax on the lefthand side of the cabin get great service, the rest barely a smile
- Crew on one carrier don't even address you by name (this in First..), another's say "Oh hello, Mr X" when you bump into them at the hotel.
All I'd really like is a bit of consistency and normal levels of politeness
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: london
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tell you what, fly with a far eastern carrier when you have thirty larger louts getting drunk in the cabin and see how great they handle the situation.
Want to crack a joke or have one cracked to you? Forget it. Appreciate a dry sense of humour, or dare I say it conversation? Forget it.
My point is, everyone wants a different style of service on board. As far as I am concerned, the best type of cabin crew is one that can be the pure robotic professional with the passenger in the 'A' seat, crack a joke with the passenger in the 'B' seat, have a conversation with the lady waiting for the loo in the galley. Muck around with the mothers kids at row 54. Not just the 'go through the motions' robots of SIA etc.
BA has some appalling cabin crew. I'm not going to dispute that.
Lets throw some airlines into the fray:
United, American, Continental, Delta.
Qantas, Air NZ.
Varig Aerolineas Argentinas, Avianca.
Virgin, bmi, Mytravel.
Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss, Olympic
Egyptair, Royal Air Maroc, SAA.
Malaysia, Cathay, Air China, EVA, Garuda.
My point is, for every single one of these airlines there will be one person that has nothing but praise for their crew and service style, and another that can't stand them.
That's the fantastic thing about living in a free market economy, we can pick and choose who supplies our goods and services depending on what we like.
Now i'm sure that if this site was based in the US, American would be the 'BA' of pprune.com, the biggest airline, the most travelled....and most whinged about. In Australasia it would be Qantas. On the continent Lufthansa, Air France and KLM.
Want to crack a joke or have one cracked to you? Forget it. Appreciate a dry sense of humour, or dare I say it conversation? Forget it.
My point is, everyone wants a different style of service on board. As far as I am concerned, the best type of cabin crew is one that can be the pure robotic professional with the passenger in the 'A' seat, crack a joke with the passenger in the 'B' seat, have a conversation with the lady waiting for the loo in the galley. Muck around with the mothers kids at row 54. Not just the 'go through the motions' robots of SIA etc.
BA has some appalling cabin crew. I'm not going to dispute that.
Lets throw some airlines into the fray:
United, American, Continental, Delta.
Qantas, Air NZ.
Varig Aerolineas Argentinas, Avianca.
Virgin, bmi, Mytravel.
Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss, Olympic
Egyptair, Royal Air Maroc, SAA.
Malaysia, Cathay, Air China, EVA, Garuda.
My point is, for every single one of these airlines there will be one person that has nothing but praise for their crew and service style, and another that can't stand them.
That's the fantastic thing about living in a free market economy, we can pick and choose who supplies our goods and services depending on what we like.
Now i'm sure that if this site was based in the US, American would be the 'BA' of pprune.com, the biggest airline, the most travelled....and most whinged about. In Australasia it would be Qantas. On the continent Lufthansa, Air France and KLM.
Last edited by keeperboy; 17th Oct 2005 at 15:40.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have made a very good point there keeperboy, I dont want to get myself into trouble for saying this but in my experience far eastern crew often let their aim of acheiveing excellent customer service (which i dont dispute) before crew and pax safety.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chamonix
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting and I can only assume a well qualified statement?
However having personally seen 4 Chinese (female) CC drag down a large and very drunk German chap....
ah, to heck with it....its obviously better on this thread just to generalise and cast aspersions.
Whilst safety remains the primary concern, its not the only concern....if you want return customers that is.
The CC did an excellent job in the YYZ Air France shambles.......but I bet those pax think twice before flying Air France again too!
Also....and no finger pointing but if you did your job correctly in the first place, there would be no "lager louts" (assume you mean lager...not larger?). Im 100% sure it is illegal to be intoxicated on an aircraft.
Dont board them and dont serve them......full stop!
If they dont come back to you.....who cares? You'll lose more valued customers by carrying the "lager louts" anyway.
And before you tout the Asian thing again....yes, we get them here too. The Japanese & Chinese, particularly business men are infamous "lager louts"......we just dont let them on-board!
However having personally seen 4 Chinese (female) CC drag down a large and very drunk German chap....
ah, to heck with it....its obviously better on this thread just to generalise and cast aspersions.
Whilst safety remains the primary concern, its not the only concern....if you want return customers that is.
The CC did an excellent job in the YYZ Air France shambles.......but I bet those pax think twice before flying Air France again too!
Also....and no finger pointing but if you did your job correctly in the first place, there would be no "lager louts" (assume you mean lager...not larger?). Im 100% sure it is illegal to be intoxicated on an aircraft.
Dont board them and dont serve them......full stop!
If they dont come back to you.....who cares? You'll lose more valued customers by carrying the "lager louts" anyway.
And before you tout the Asian thing again....yes, we get them here too. The Japanese & Chinese, particularly business men are infamous "lager louts"......we just dont let them on-board!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: london
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Petitfromage, I think Cathay Pacific is a FANTASTIC airline to fly with and great in-flight service. I flew them only three weeks ago BNE-HKG and was blown away. I was sat down the back and the crew actively come into the cabin and show you to your seat. Two hot meals on an 8 hour flight! WOW. I just wish we had the same resources to work with. My only complaint service wise was that the male Cabin manager was not seen the entire flight. Wasn't at the door to greet pax or farewell them. Never walked to the back of the aircraft once. And not only good service but fantastic safety as well. I remember years ago being told to switch my discman off as they were not permitted onbord CX.
But I think Cathay is in a class of its own and could be favourably compared to any airline in the world.
Alas, this thread isn't about comparing BA to Cathay, it is about BA cabin crew not pulling their weight. Which in my opinion is an un-fair generalised statement to make.
I recently flew with a collegue that had came to BA from the ANA LHR base. I couldn't believe what he was telling me!
The cabin crew will not deal with any issues that involve confrontation. He tells me of times when a First or Club ANA passenger would repeatedly have a crafty fag in the toilet, yet the crew (100% female until the LHR base opened and NH were advised of sex discrimination laws) do not dare confront the passenger. If a passenger in Club Class sat at an exit row doesn't want to place their bag in the overhead locker they are not forced to. They WILL NOT be seen to make a japanese passenger 'lose face'.
This is some peoples advice of great customer service unfortunately.
I know that these comments are only heresay.
But for any of you who have ever flown some of the far eastern carriers (myself included), if you remember back to your flight I am sure you could picture the above incidents happening without reprisal.
But I think Cathay is in a class of its own and could be favourably compared to any airline in the world.
Alas, this thread isn't about comparing BA to Cathay, it is about BA cabin crew not pulling their weight. Which in my opinion is an un-fair generalised statement to make.
I recently flew with a collegue that had came to BA from the ANA LHR base. I couldn't believe what he was telling me!
The cabin crew will not deal with any issues that involve confrontation. He tells me of times when a First or Club ANA passenger would repeatedly have a crafty fag in the toilet, yet the crew (100% female until the LHR base opened and NH were advised of sex discrimination laws) do not dare confront the passenger. If a passenger in Club Class sat at an exit row doesn't want to place their bag in the overhead locker they are not forced to. They WILL NOT be seen to make a japanese passenger 'lose face'.
This is some peoples advice of great customer service unfortunately.
I know that these comments are only heresay.
But for any of you who have ever flown some of the far eastern carriers (myself included), if you remember back to your flight I am sure you could picture the above incidents happening without reprisal.
Last edited by keeperboy; 17th Oct 2005 at 16:07.
Me again.
I accept that where it comes to serving me a cocktail some of the Asian carriers can make a better job of it than BA.
If it comes one day to managing an emergency evac down the slides however I know who I would prefer to be with .....
I accept that where it comes to serving me a cocktail some of the Asian carriers can make a better job of it than BA.
If it comes one day to managing an emergency evac down the slides however I know who I would prefer to be with .....
I would say SQ is the best product, but the service delivery is robotic and leaves a lot to be desired. CX have a good product and good service delivery. Emirates has a poor product in the air (3 x 4 x 3 in economy on the 777, no beds in Club), compensated for by excellent crew and ground facilities. KLM has a poor product, poor service delivery and lousy ground facilities.
Have flown BA LGW - IAH return on average once a fortnight since January (in Club). The service delivery is very consistent, and consistently better than at Heathrow. BA are let down by some very camp male cabin crew (their orientation doesn't bother me, their manner does). The long haul Club product needs a revamp.
Have only been down the slides once and BA did well!
Am now flying to Lagos, where BA and Virgin are head to head. Those who have tried Virgin (we are all well worn gold card holders) prefer it: it is the product they mention (seats, beds, food), not the cabin crew.
Have flown BA LGW - IAH return on average once a fortnight since January (in Club). The service delivery is very consistent, and consistently better than at Heathrow. BA are let down by some very camp male cabin crew (their orientation doesn't bother me, their manner does). The long haul Club product needs a revamp.
Have only been down the slides once and BA did well!
Am now flying to Lagos, where BA and Virgin are head to head. Those who have tried Virgin (we are all well worn gold card holders) prefer it: it is the product they mention (seats, beds, food), not the cabin crew.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: northside
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do BA Cabin crew pull their weight - Who cares...???
Having recently returned from a business trip to Edinburgh I have to report a strange phenominon on the flight.
The flight, predominantly occupied by middle-aged businessmen, started with the normal pre takeoff safety brief given by the Cabin crew,. However, on this occasion , every passenger to a man stopped what they were doing, leant their heads into the aisle and concentrated fully on what the staff were briefing.
Why? Well, when the sun streams through the cabin window it shines right through the skirt on the new uniforms. The new skirts are transparent. Thank you BA, thank you.
Having recently returned from a business trip to Edinburgh I have to report a strange phenominon on the flight.
The flight, predominantly occupied by middle-aged businessmen, started with the normal pre takeoff safety brief given by the Cabin crew,. However, on this occasion , every passenger to a man stopped what they were doing, leant their heads into the aisle and concentrated fully on what the staff were briefing.
Why? Well, when the sun streams through the cabin window it shines right through the skirt on the new uniforms. The new skirts are transparent. Thank you BA, thank you.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: global
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They don't pull their weight so they can save their energy to party downroute! 
NB by 'party' I mean sit in their rooms for 3 days being miserable and not going out and fumbling for lame excuses if you have the misfortune to stumble upon them in the hotel lobby and ask what they've been up to.
NB by 'party' I mean sit in their rooms for 3 days being miserable and not going out and fumbling for lame excuses if you have the misfortune to stumble upon them in the hotel lobby and ask what they've been up to.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: England
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I disagree with emirates having excellent cabin crew...well at least not all of them are anyway
I flew from dubai - singapore and the cabin crew there were the most surly, disinterested, miserable, and incompetent cc i've ever had the misfortune of meeting
How they ever got through the recruitment process i'll never know!
And as for safety...get this...one cc member couldn't even reach to put a bag in the overhead or shut the overhead doors, the passenger had to do it!
Asked one cc for singapore visa form 3 times! and guess what never materialised.
Always had good service on BA, would never fly emirates again.
I flew from dubai - singapore and the cabin crew there were the most surly, disinterested, miserable, and incompetent cc i've ever had the misfortune of meeting
How they ever got through the recruitment process i'll never know!
And as for safety...get this...one cc member couldn't even reach to put a bag in the overhead or shut the overhead doors, the passenger had to do it!
Asked one cc for singapore visa form 3 times! and guess what never materialised.
Always had good service on BA, would never fly emirates again.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: ---
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i think Emirates are over rated to be honest.
Have flown SQ, nothing flash. Have flown CX, they were ok. Have also flown JAL, wouldn't pay the money for it. Wouldn't even consider flying an American Airline unless i really really had to.
Oz
Have flown SQ, nothing flash. Have flown CX, they were ok. Have also flown JAL, wouldn't pay the money for it. Wouldn't even consider flying an American Airline unless i really really had to.
Oz
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
quote 'Carnage Matey'
"Its a small point of detail but you don't actually do 50-60 hrs per week of work as about a half of that time is spent sitting in CAT or Compass not doing anything at all."
well once again cm , you are talking out of your a**e, as in that month , i have spent 200 mins in compass (mandatory briefing) 40 mins in compass (on 1 turnaround) ,and 75 mins in CAT , which equals 5hrs15 mins versus the 175 hours duty .
The briefings cannot be treated as 'nothing'
So my 115 mins rest compared to my 10500 mins duty does not equate to 50% does it ?
Or are you incapable of basic arithmetic?
Compare that to the 50% of the time you are sat on YOUR a**e reading the paper ..................
"Its a small point of detail but you don't actually do 50-60 hrs per week of work as about a half of that time is spent sitting in CAT or Compass not doing anything at all."
well once again cm , you are talking out of your a**e, as in that month , i have spent 200 mins in compass (mandatory briefing) 40 mins in compass (on 1 turnaround) ,and 75 mins in CAT , which equals 5hrs15 mins versus the 175 hours duty .
The briefings cannot be treated as 'nothing'
So my 115 mins rest compared to my 10500 mins duty does not equate to 50% does it ?
Or are you incapable of basic arithmetic?
Compare that to the 50% of the time you are sat on YOUR a**e reading the paper ..................