Ex Virgin Cabin crew now at BA...
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Ex Virgin Cabin crew now at BA...
Hi
I wonder if anyone could help please, I have read the recent threads and the thread on BA recruitment but I have a specific question.
I have been in the industry for 6 years having worked for a shorthaul carrier for 2 years and been at virgin for 4 years, 1 of those as a senior.
I am thinking about applying for BA and would love to hear from people who are ex Virgin Cabin crew and their honest thoughts on working for BA.
Any advise on which job to apply for (there is 6 months on offer at present at LHR and a dif app for permie Gatwick) can you apply for both ?? any advise on that useful too. Likewise is the 6 months all that is on offer or is it with a view to keeping on......... (I guess that's an unknown)
I have spoken with someone I met on a BA gatwick 777 flight recently and they told me about the number of days off after trips, block payments, crew down payments(which I couldnt believe compaired to virgin) and long flight time payments etc etc all sounded so good - but how long would it be to get onto this fleet ??
Does the LHR Eurofleet have similar terms ? and at LHR is it correct that you bid for your trips ?
The thing is....... the thought of having to do another 7 week course doesnt thrill me !! and back to the bottom of another ladder, that's what has me in 2 minds along with better the devil you know.... however getting my roster this month and 6 trips crammed onto it and not getting my request (again) isnt nice either - I will be a zombie by the end of the month (a poor one at that) !!
Anyway if anyone ex Virgin would have a few mins spare to offer me some thoughts about it all I would be very grateful
Thank You
I wonder if anyone could help please, I have read the recent threads and the thread on BA recruitment but I have a specific question.
I have been in the industry for 6 years having worked for a shorthaul carrier for 2 years and been at virgin for 4 years, 1 of those as a senior.
I am thinking about applying for BA and would love to hear from people who are ex Virgin Cabin crew and their honest thoughts on working for BA.
Any advise on which job to apply for (there is 6 months on offer at present at LHR and a dif app for permie Gatwick) can you apply for both ?? any advise on that useful too. Likewise is the 6 months all that is on offer or is it with a view to keeping on......... (I guess that's an unknown)
I have spoken with someone I met on a BA gatwick 777 flight recently and they told me about the number of days off after trips, block payments, crew down payments(which I couldnt believe compaired to virgin) and long flight time payments etc etc all sounded so good - but how long would it be to get onto this fleet ??
Does the LHR Eurofleet have similar terms ? and at LHR is it correct that you bid for your trips ?
The thing is....... the thought of having to do another 7 week course doesnt thrill me !! and back to the bottom of another ladder, that's what has me in 2 minds along with better the devil you know.... however getting my roster this month and 6 trips crammed onto it and not getting my request (again) isnt nice either - I will be a zombie by the end of the month (a poor one at that) !!
Anyway if anyone ex Virgin would have a few mins spare to offer me some thoughts about it all I would be very grateful
Thank You
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I am also at Virgin and was semi-happy there but after reading TopMarque and Amtba's postings on the thread "BA or VA or stay at Bmi", I'm seriously thinking about applying to BA!
I love my job, I'm just so fed up with Managers who can't manage and rubbish pay-have a look at those comments and let me know what you think-just bitter ex-employees or do they have a point???
I love my job, I'm just so fed up with Managers who can't manage and rubbish pay-have a look at those comments and let me know what you think-just bitter ex-employees or do they have a point???
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Chewy gotta disagree with you on that one.
I think BA's managers are too bloody efficient and on the ball for their (and our!) own good!
Having worked for Virgin and bmi before BA I can assure you BA's management are streets ahead.
I think BA's managers are too bloody efficient and on the ball for their (and our!) own good!
Having worked for Virgin and bmi before BA I can assure you BA's management are streets ahead.
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chewy - I see from other posts I have read you are very fed up with BA and considering moving on, best of luck with it. If I understand correctly BA is your first job as cabin crew - all I would say is the grass isn't always greener, though if you are not happy then you have one life and should live it the way that will make you happy.
Varga Girl, yes read those posts it was more a conversation I had with a crew recently on a flight to the US, they were so friendly and kind and shared all their knowledge and some of the crew were ex Virgin and had loved it when they were at Virgin, so I know it wasn't a we hate virgin and this is why BA is so much better. I really came away from that BA flight a lot wiser and with a lot more understanding as to why people are leaving Virgin to go to BA. to rattle off things I recall, min rest days, crew down payments, roster stability, block payments for long flight duties, a union with a back bone, ability to work any cabin (except first) without being rank dependant, small economy zones, the way allowances are paid etc etc the only thing they said is perhaps not as good is staff travel.
Keeperboy - how long have you been at BA, how do you find it ? I have same company history as you
Would love to hear from more people. Many Thanks
Varga Girl, yes read those posts it was more a conversation I had with a crew recently on a flight to the US, they were so friendly and kind and shared all their knowledge and some of the crew were ex Virgin and had loved it when they were at Virgin, so I know it wasn't a we hate virgin and this is why BA is so much better. I really came away from that BA flight a lot wiser and with a lot more understanding as to why people are leaving Virgin to go to BA. to rattle off things I recall, min rest days, crew down payments, roster stability, block payments for long flight duties, a union with a back bone, ability to work any cabin (except first) without being rank dependant, small economy zones, the way allowances are paid etc etc the only thing they said is perhaps not as good is staff travel.
Keeperboy - how long have you been at BA, how do you find it ? I have same company history as you
Would love to hear from more people. Many Thanks
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Hi Lovingit, as someone who is on there 3rd airline I can tell you that the T & C's alone are the best thing about BA and certainly make it worth working for them even if you dont enjoy the flying. What I would say however is make sure you know what you are getting into before you apply to join a specific fleet as they are all different. For instance, one of my best friends has just left Eurofleet LGW for Virgin because beleive it or not, she will be better off at Virgin.
I started my career with BA at LGW Worldwide and I think I can safely say that Eurofleet LHR earn a deal more, Now I am on LHR WW and have only noticed a slight increase in my pay. Thats just how the cookie crumbles however I am aware of how much pay is in Virgin so I shouldnt complain. I would recommend that you look on in suspicion at any "temporary" contract which BA may be offering and at present avoid any positions offered in LGW.
Also if you are afraid at being bottom of the ladder again I would certainly rethink a career at BA as you will be bottom of the ladder for a long time here!!! Hope that helps!!!
I started my career with BA at LGW Worldwide and I think I can safely say that Eurofleet LHR earn a deal more, Now I am on LHR WW and have only noticed a slight increase in my pay. Thats just how the cookie crumbles however I am aware of how much pay is in Virgin so I shouldnt complain. I would recommend that you look on in suspicion at any "temporary" contract which BA may be offering and at present avoid any positions offered in LGW.
Also if you are afraid at being bottom of the ladder again I would certainly rethink a career at BA as you will be bottom of the ladder for a long time here!!! Hope that helps!!!
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Just Do It!
Never looked back and I was an FSM!!! Now on LHR Shorthaul and loving it. So relaxed, dignified, easy, lucrative and fun compared to VS. PM me for more info if you like!
ps New entrant course if 5 weeks not 7!! Thank god!
Cheers
ps New entrant course if 5 weeks not 7!! Thank god!
Cheers
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thanks for all the replies
Thanks so much for all the replies, it has been really useful. I have decided that I will wait till there is advert for permenant...
LGW WW, Eurofleet LHR or LHR WW and then apply.
Until then its 6 trips a month, min rest and looking forward to monthly standby !!
Once again thank you very much.
LIY
LGW WW, Eurofleet LHR or LHR WW and then apply.
Until then its 6 trips a month, min rest and looking forward to monthly standby !!
Once again thank you very much.
LIY
