Bored at BA, time to move on...
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Bored at BA, time to move on...
I've been flying for BA at LHR for about 2 years now and am absolutely bored senseless. I am 23 years old, single and fly with someone I have something in common with about once every 2 weeks. I am sick of flying with crew who are much older than me (no offense to any of them, most of them are great people, I'd just like to work with younger crew more often). I am seriously considering a move to charter for a while, anyone got any advice for me?
I am more than happy to work my **** off as long as the crew are up for a laugh and the money is not too bad. I am happy to take a bit of a pay decrease as wherever I go living costs are unlikely to be as high as they are near LHR. I have no ties whatsoever and would happily work from Gatwick, Manchester, Leeds, pretty much anywhere.
Anyone in a similar situation? Any advice from anyone at all would be very useful.
I am more than happy to work my **** off as long as the crew are up for a laugh and the money is not too bad. I am happy to take a bit of a pay decrease as wherever I go living costs are unlikely to be as high as they are near LHR. I have no ties whatsoever and would happily work from Gatwick, Manchester, Leeds, pretty much anywhere.
Anyone in a similar situation? Any advice from anyone at all would be very useful.
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That wasn't the kind of reply I was looking for really
The answer is no by the way, but I am going that way through boredom.
You would be too if you were 23 and single, but surrounded by people who don't leave their hotel rooms downroute and talk non stop about their kids and houses.
BA may pay well and have good terms and conditions, but it's all irrelevant if it's not in the slightest bit enjoyable. BA definitely is NOT for everyone.
The answer is no by the way, but I am going that way through boredom.
You would be too if you were 23 and single, but surrounded by people who don't leave their hotel rooms downroute and talk non stop about their kids and houses.
BA may pay well and have good terms and conditions, but it's all irrelevant if it's not in the slightest bit enjoyable. BA definitely is NOT for everyone.
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Well I think you are mad as well!!
You don't know when you are well off. I would give my eye teeth to be in your job.
Be careful that, in changing jobs, you don't go from the frying pan into the fire!!
You don't know when you are well off. I would give my eye teeth to be in your job.
Be careful that, in changing jobs, you don't go from the frying pan into the fire!!
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Although you are living my dream, that is working long haul for BA, and you have a one of the most coverted cabin crew posistions, i still empathise with the way you feel.
I have worked jobs that i thought would be the greatest only to find they were not so - largely because of the people etc.
Whatever you decide chewy, i wish you all the best and i hope you find happiness.
I have worked jobs that i thought would be the greatest only to find they were not so - largely because of the people etc.
Whatever you decide chewy, i wish you all the best and i hope you find happiness.
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Flying for BA was my dream until I got here.
Never had any idea that the average age would be sooooo much older than me. I'd still love to fly longhaul, but I want to actually get out and see the places I go to, not sit in my hotel room like so many BA crew seem to do (who can blame them to be honest, they've probably done it all before).
Some days at BA can be an absolute ball, I did a trip the other day and at 2 years online I was the most senior main crew member on the 767, we had a fantastic time. Unfortunatly days like that are few and far between...
EDIT: I can guarrantee that within an hour or so someone will post here and slag me off for saying that older people are boring... No offense intended, I'm sure most of your generation will find chatting about family and houses a lot more interesting than my boring talk about cars, clubbing and music.
Never had any idea that the average age would be sooooo much older than me. I'd still love to fly longhaul, but I want to actually get out and see the places I go to, not sit in my hotel room like so many BA crew seem to do (who can blame them to be honest, they've probably done it all before).
Some days at BA can be an absolute ball, I did a trip the other day and at 2 years online I was the most senior main crew member on the 767, we had a fantastic time. Unfortunatly days like that are few and far between...
EDIT: I can guarrantee that within an hour or so someone will post here and slag me off for saying that older people are boring... No offense intended, I'm sure most of your generation will find chatting about family and houses a lot more interesting than my boring talk about cars, clubbing and music.
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Really ChewyTheWookie
You are doing a job so many only dream of. I am not saying anything, but go out in your private time, have fun with your colleagues, of course if you have that sort of people around you, that make you feel good. Don't expect that in a working environment...If you get it, take it as a plus. And by the way...there is a new recrutiment drive for Lhr ww and maybe it is worth staying a couple of months on.
As some people here emphasize all the time....you never know with BA!
But if you wish to leave, do that...it's your life...it's short....enjoy it!!!
Regards
You are doing a job so many only dream of. I am not saying anything, but go out in your private time, have fun with your colleagues, of course if you have that sort of people around you, that make you feel good. Don't expect that in a working environment...If you get it, take it as a plus. And by the way...there is a new recrutiment drive for Lhr ww and maybe it is worth staying a couple of months on.
As some people here emphasize all the time....you never know with BA!
But if you wish to leave, do that...it's your life...it's short....enjoy it!!!
Regards
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You're in the wrong job matie! It appears that you're the one who's out of step. Why not get a job in a bar or a rep for 18/30 club etc? You'd be well suited you gorgeous young thing!!! 
I've just retired after 30 plus years of flying, ................... loved almost every minute of it and could work with crew who were younger or older with no problem. Socially it was the same, you just mixed with people younger or older, 'cos that goes with the job!
Good luck with whatever you may be suitable for, but just bear in mind that the longer you stay in a job you will, surprisingly enough become 'old' yourself.
I've just retired after 30 plus years of flying, ................... loved almost every minute of it and could work with crew who were younger or older with no problem. Socially it was the same, you just mixed with people younger or older, 'cos that goes with the job!
Good luck with whatever you may be suitable for, but just bear in mind that the longer you stay in a job you will, surprisingly enough become 'old' yourself.
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Chewy, I feel very very sorry for you! At least you recognise the fact that your pay and work conditions will deteriorate very quickly, especially if you dive straight into charter work. Think very carefully; you owe it to yourself.
Have you considered Eurofleet? Not longhaul, but it may be right down your street, especially if you're wanting to work with people your age...then there's always Gatwick single fleet. You needn't leave the company!
If you're that desperate and want to stay on longhaul I would also suggest looking into people like Qantas, Virgin, BMED etc.
My personal advice to you (being about your age and working in the same company) is to move to Eurofleet LHR (longhaul 767 work around) or go to Gatwick and do a mixture. Eurofleet is a young crowd and we make the most of our nightstops.....
Have you considered Eurofleet? Not longhaul, but it may be right down your street, especially if you're wanting to work with people your age...then there's always Gatwick single fleet. You needn't leave the company!
If you're that desperate and want to stay on longhaul I would also suggest looking into people like Qantas, Virgin, BMED etc.
My personal advice to you (being about your age and working in the same company) is to move to Eurofleet LHR (longhaul 767 work around) or go to Gatwick and do a mixture. Eurofleet is a young crowd and we make the most of our nightstops.....
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Sorry, thought I'd mentioned that I am on Eurofleet LHR...
It's youngish (although I rarely fly with anyone younger than me) but few people seem interested in actually getting out and doing anything downroute. I've lost count of the number of times recently I've got to a hotel and asked if anyone's going to the bar only to hear "it's minimum rest" and the click of everyone's door locking behind them. There is still a lot which can be done in 13 hours, even with 8 hours sleep.
I was planning on moving to longhaul LHR but with the current situation it's unlikely that it will be offered now. Reason I'm looking at switching jobs now is that I want to do longhaul but get the feeling that if I'm bored now, it will be unbearable on worldwide.
It's youngish (although I rarely fly with anyone younger than me) but few people seem interested in actually getting out and doing anything downroute. I've lost count of the number of times recently I've got to a hotel and asked if anyone's going to the bar only to hear "it's minimum rest" and the click of everyone's door locking behind them. There is still a lot which can be done in 13 hours, even with 8 hours sleep.
I was planning on moving to longhaul LHR but with the current situation it's unlikely that it will be offered now. Reason I'm looking at switching jobs now is that I want to do longhaul but get the feeling that if I'm bored now, it will be unbearable on worldwide.
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Chewy, dont you think your jumping on the bandwagon a little??? Of course you are going to be offered WW. And soon enough, it may not be this side of the summer but its hardly a long way away. If you love flying but dont enjoy the poeple you work with, that will not change if you move airlines. I hate to say it but other airlines crews are just as settled as BA ones im sure. But then you pack in your terms and conditions and in the long run you will seriously be kicking yourself.
Unfortunately there are a load of young crew who dont realise how lucky they have it in BA as they have never worked with other airlines, fortunately I am someone who really appreciates it after my last two experiences!
Unfortunately there are a load of young crew who dont realise how lucky they have it in BA as they have never worked with other airlines, fortunately I am someone who really appreciates it after my last two experiences!
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Thing is I don't actually really want to go to longhaul as the problem I have on shorthaul will be 10 times worse and I'll be stuck with people for much longer.
BA tend to get crew and have them stay there for a long time. I know for a fact that charter has a much higher crew turnover and therefore a high higher percentage of younger people. Not for everyone, but it appeals to me a lot more than working a bit less, being paid a bit more but being with a load of people who I have nothing in common with.
BA tend to get crew and have them stay there for a long time. I know for a fact that charter has a much higher crew turnover and therefore a high higher percentage of younger people. Not for everyone, but it appeals to me a lot more than working a bit less, being paid a bit more but being with a load of people who I have nothing in common with.
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Hey go to the charter airlines, you'll love it! The crew will love to go out on the turnaround on those night Tenerifes! Nightstops? Well you might got one every few months as junior trash. Plus you'll have to do hard work instead of two short sectors per day, have fewer days off, earn less money, take more sh*t and get laid off in the winter season. Seems to me that what you are unhappy about is the fact that you can't get pissed and get laid downroute. Ever thought of getting off your ass and making your own entertainment instead of relying on everyone else to provide it for you?
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Originally Posted by Zenna Fobyer
Get over it!
Before anyone else has a pop at me, please bear these facts in mind:
1. BA shorthaul at LHR has a total of over 3000 crew. You could spend weeks at work without seeing a single face you even recognise, let alone get to know anyone enough to become friends. Add to that the fact that very very few crew live anywhere near the airport...
2. BA (as any airline) takes over your entire life so it's very very hard to keep friendships going with people in 9-5 jobs.
3. The VAST majority of crew at BA are not interested in making friends anyway. They have their friends/relationships/family outside of work and want no more.
So before anyone else has a go at me, please consider the situation I'm in. It seems a lot of you are looking at the job based on it's terms and conditions. I've yet to meet someone who has worked charter and who hasn't said that it is good fun. Hard work but fun. Personally I value an enjoyable life more than money...
Hand Solo:
Make my own entertainment? What do you suggest? I enjoy a film or good book as much as anyone but it gets a little boring when it's all you ever do. If my days off were spent out socialising then an unsociable job wouldn't be so bad, but as it happens my days off are spent wondering what my friends will be up to at the weekend when I am at work... Human beings are meant to interact with each other, unfortunatly at BA (especially long haul) not as many people seem to enjoy being sociable as you might expect.
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Here's a brief reality check for you:
1) With over 3000 short haul cabin crew and 1000 short haul pilots I rarely go to work and fail to see someone I recognise from somewhere that I've flown with. Try saying hello to someone you recognise. Now I'm on long haul I see a load of faces I recognise from short haul or other long haul trips. Its a job, not a social club, and as you've never worked anywhere but BA, let me assure you that if you work in any other job it's equally unlikely you are going to be drinking buddies with your workmates.
2) BA does not take over your life unless you let it. Claiming it's very very hard to keep in touch with people in a 9 to 5 job is an exaggeration. I managed it when I was working every weekend and commuting long distance. Try doing something other than the massive Friday night out. I see most of my 9 to 5 mates on a weeknight for a few beers after work. I can have lots, they can't. Bonus for me.
3) Thats the way of life. I doubt it'll be much different elsewhere.
Remember everyone looks back on their days elsewhere through rose tinted glasses. I certainly remember the piss ups and parties at a regional base, but I'm prone to forgetting the utter tedium of doing the same limited routes each day, the lack of nightstops, the sheer grind of the hard work. The few cabin crew I know who left BA looking for better either quit the industry all together or came back to BA, even the ones who went to the so called party airlines. The grass is always greener, and when you find yourself in the kebab shop downroute at 5 am with yet another disgruntled Virgin crew member telling you what a bunch of miserable, catty, b1tching whingers they're flying with you'll begin to realise that.
As for making your own entertainment, here's a suggestion. Next night stop ask the flight crew where they're going for a beer. If you don't like that, go out on your own to a bar, sink a few beers and talk to some locals. Works for me.
PS You might be pleasantly surprised at the social scene on long haul. Life's what you make it.
1) With over 3000 short haul cabin crew and 1000 short haul pilots I rarely go to work and fail to see someone I recognise from somewhere that I've flown with. Try saying hello to someone you recognise. Now I'm on long haul I see a load of faces I recognise from short haul or other long haul trips. Its a job, not a social club, and as you've never worked anywhere but BA, let me assure you that if you work in any other job it's equally unlikely you are going to be drinking buddies with your workmates.
2) BA does not take over your life unless you let it. Claiming it's very very hard to keep in touch with people in a 9 to 5 job is an exaggeration. I managed it when I was working every weekend and commuting long distance. Try doing something other than the massive Friday night out. I see most of my 9 to 5 mates on a weeknight for a few beers after work. I can have lots, they can't. Bonus for me.
3) Thats the way of life. I doubt it'll be much different elsewhere.
Remember everyone looks back on their days elsewhere through rose tinted glasses. I certainly remember the piss ups and parties at a regional base, but I'm prone to forgetting the utter tedium of doing the same limited routes each day, the lack of nightstops, the sheer grind of the hard work. The few cabin crew I know who left BA looking for better either quit the industry all together or came back to BA, even the ones who went to the so called party airlines. The grass is always greener, and when you find yourself in the kebab shop downroute at 5 am with yet another disgruntled Virgin crew member telling you what a bunch of miserable, catty, b1tching whingers they're flying with you'll begin to realise that.
As for making your own entertainment, here's a suggestion. Next night stop ask the flight crew where they're going for a beer. If you don't like that, go out on your own to a bar, sink a few beers and talk to some locals. Works for me.
PS You might be pleasantly surprised at the social scene on long haul. Life's what you make it.