Virgin UK - Crew Discussions
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Staff Travel
Hey jam123,
Here's how it goes:
1. You can use concessions for your family and friends. It is split into 4 categories and different restrictions apply to each. For instance, your spouse may travel with or without you on Virgin and other airlines. Your nominated companion (other than your spouse) can travel without you on Virgin and very few other airlines (from handy ones BMI and Aer Lingus). Your family can travel with or without you on Virgin but NOT other airlines. And then you have 4 companions who can be anyone, they must travel with you and can only travel on Virgin. In addition to those you can take up to 4 people with you who are not on the list when you travel Virgin. As to surname - they don't have to have the same surname but you may be asked to prove they are your family if they don't.
2. It's split into zones but I suppose roughly it does come to about 10% of the FULL fare. Say, to travel within Europe with taxes you'd probably pay about 50-60 £ for a return trip.
3. Yes they will get stranded. If it is about your spouse, since they are permitted to travel on other airlines, they can have back-up tickets. But your family would have to plead with other carriers like BA to take them on, which they occasionally do, but most likely they would have to wait for the next Virgin flight hoping there is space on it for them. I've just had a friend stranded in LA for 3 days because of that, so be ready. Flight loads can change very suddenly due to cancellations and all sorts.
4. Mates and Mates Plus are confirmed tickets. Mates+ you can get for anyone who is on your staff travel form, mates you can get for anyone you like. They tend to be about 10-20% off the normal price. Mates+ about 25-30% off.
Hope this helps!
Here's how it goes:
1. You can use concessions for your family and friends. It is split into 4 categories and different restrictions apply to each. For instance, your spouse may travel with or without you on Virgin and other airlines. Your nominated companion (other than your spouse) can travel without you on Virgin and very few other airlines (from handy ones BMI and Aer Lingus). Your family can travel with or without you on Virgin but NOT other airlines. And then you have 4 companions who can be anyone, they must travel with you and can only travel on Virgin. In addition to those you can take up to 4 people with you who are not on the list when you travel Virgin. As to surname - they don't have to have the same surname but you may be asked to prove they are your family if they don't.
2. It's split into zones but I suppose roughly it does come to about 10% of the FULL fare. Say, to travel within Europe with taxes you'd probably pay about 50-60 £ for a return trip.
3. Yes they will get stranded. If it is about your spouse, since they are permitted to travel on other airlines, they can have back-up tickets. But your family would have to plead with other carriers like BA to take them on, which they occasionally do, but most likely they would have to wait for the next Virgin flight hoping there is space on it for them. I've just had a friend stranded in LA for 3 days because of that, so be ready. Flight loads can change very suddenly due to cancellations and all sorts.
4. Mates and Mates Plus are confirmed tickets. Mates+ you can get for anyone who is on your staff travel form, mates you can get for anyone you like. They tend to be about 10-20% off the normal price. Mates+ about 25-30% off.
Hope this helps!
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Thanks Mz Guilty!
thanks for clarifying the parking thing -- Yes, that sounds like what they told us in the interview. (Parking at only one airport and then shuttle between)
thanks for clarifying the parking thing -- Yes, that sounds like what they told us in the interview. (Parking at only one airport and then shuttle between)
Last edited by kmp1; 22nd Jan 2007 at 10:32.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Returning to Virgin Atlantic
Hi,
I used to work for VS in 2002 and only stayed for 5 months as I was very young and thought I would be better at a smaller airline.
However it has been my biggest regret ever, I have tried to come come back twice but never passed the first stage of the interview.
When I had my leaving interview my Crew Line Manager Sam Rashid said that if I ever wanted to come back just let her know, unfortunately she has now left leaving me not many options or any contacts.
Can anyone help or have any advice as I would love to work for Virgin Atlantic again.
Thanks
Jon
I used to work for VS in 2002 and only stayed for 5 months as I was very young and thought I would be better at a smaller airline.
However it has been my biggest regret ever, I have tried to come come back twice but never passed the first stage of the interview.
When I had my leaving interview my Crew Line Manager Sam Rashid said that if I ever wanted to come back just let her know, unfortunately she has now left leaving me not many options or any contacts.
Can anyone help or have any advice as I would love to work for Virgin Atlantic again.
Thanks
Jon
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Hi Jon
Sorry to hear you can;t get back into Virgin. I actually did 6 years service then took a career break, and I can't believe that I have tried twice to get back in but keep getting turned down!
I honestly don't know why Virgin are being like this! It feels like they want to give other people a chance because we left!
Just keep trying, I am sure it will pay off in the end!
Oh, just a thought, but maybe you could talk to another CLM or even recruitment and see what they suggest.
Good Luck
Sorry to hear you can;t get back into Virgin. I actually did 6 years service then took a career break, and I can't believe that I have tried twice to get back in but keep getting turned down!
I honestly don't know why Virgin are being like this! It feels like they want to give other people a chance because we left!
Just keep trying, I am sure it will pay off in the end!
Oh, just a thought, but maybe you could talk to another CLM or even recruitment and see what they suggest.
Good Luck
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Holiday entitlement
Posting on behalf of my daughter - a recent starter (late last year)
She wants to book leave in June 07, which will be after the end of her probation period. As with all holiday/hotel bookings they are filling fast and require deposits etc. now.
The Virgin system has come back and said her leave request is being queued and they will be able to tell her in April/May whether she has been granted the leave.
This means she could loose the monies that have to be paid upfront as no indication can be given that the leave will be granted. This seems very strange to me (an outsider to the industry).I quite understand that leave is on a first come/first serve basis and that there cannot be too many people off at the same time but surely a clear indication can be given that she is (or isnt) first in the queue for the particular period in question and therefore going to get the request granted or refused. This sort of limbo state of "we will tell you later" looks inefficient and bad for morale to me.
Of course this could be all wrong as I only have one side of the story
She wants to book leave in June 07, which will be after the end of her probation period. As with all holiday/hotel bookings they are filling fast and require deposits etc. now.
The Virgin system has come back and said her leave request is being queued and they will be able to tell her in April/May whether she has been granted the leave.
This means she could loose the monies that have to be paid upfront as no indication can be given that the leave will be granted. This seems very strange to me (an outsider to the industry).I quite understand that leave is on a first come/first serve basis and that there cannot be too many people off at the same time but surely a clear indication can be given that she is (or isnt) first in the queue for the particular period in question and therefore going to get the request granted or refused. This sort of limbo state of "we will tell you later" looks inefficient and bad for morale to me.
Of course this could be all wrong as I only have one side of the story
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Leave isnt actually allocated on first come first serve, its down to seniority and unfortunately as your daughter is so new to the company she is not as likely to get the leave she has requested if its a popular time to take it. As there are so many crew above her in seniority.
Unfortunately many other new crew will be in the same situation and i'm afraid it is a case of waiting to find out. This will only be because she is in her probation though. For the 2nd half of the year she will be able bid and get her allocation at the same time as everyone else. On the other hand if she doesnt find out untill may, then that will surely mean that the only month left for her leave to be given will be in june, as she has to take her leave owed to her before the 2nd half of the year.
One of the downsides of this job is that nothing is guarenteed and its never a good idea to book or pay a deposit untill you have it in writing.
Unfortunately many other new crew will be in the same situation and i'm afraid it is a case of waiting to find out. This will only be because she is in her probation though. For the 2nd half of the year she will be able bid and get her allocation at the same time as everyone else. On the other hand if she doesnt find out untill may, then that will surely mean that the only month left for her leave to be given will be in june, as she has to take her leave owed to her before the 2nd half of the year.
One of the downsides of this job is that nothing is guarenteed and its never a good idea to book or pay a deposit untill you have it in writing.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Holiday - that's another randomly generated aspect of the job
This leave issue is indicative of this company i'm afraid. My fiancee was told by her CSM that she was unlikely to get leave for our honeymoon and that she would try for the day of our wedding but wasn't hopeful. Good motivation for employees.
On top of this, I am a little shocked if not appaled that she was put into a hotel in Barbados where there have been assaults and not only were the some crew put into rooms that did not have locking doors, they were not located together.
Virgin Atlantic seems to have a really good reputation, though if the way my fiancee has been treated is common then i am not surprised that so many people leave.
Also, I would like to point out that if V-swap is getting over 86,000 swaps in a year it is not something to be proud about, your scheduling obviously isn't working effectively and there are a lot of people wasting their off time sorting it out on their own!
In a World where the human factors part of flight safety is key, how long before a major incident will bubble to the surface? It's simple, if you look after the people who work for you, they won't go sick over christmas and they won't leave!
On top of this, I am a little shocked if not appaled that she was put into a hotel in Barbados where there have been assaults and not only were the some crew put into rooms that did not have locking doors, they were not located together.
Virgin Atlantic seems to have a really good reputation, though if the way my fiancee has been treated is common then i am not surprised that so many people leave.
Also, I would like to point out that if V-swap is getting over 86,000 swaps in a year it is not something to be proud about, your scheduling obviously isn't working effectively and there are a lot of people wasting their off time sorting it out on their own!
In a World where the human factors part of flight safety is key, how long before a major incident will bubble to the surface? It's simple, if you look after the people who work for you, they won't go sick over christmas and they won't leave!
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I half agree with your comments majorspanner,
There is no need for them to be so akward about taking time of for your own wedding and honeymoon, As long as you can prove you are defo getting married (you'd be suprised what some crew will do to get guarenteed days of!) They say that you will have highest priority over any other seniority, however when I wanted the time of for my wedding they said the same, that they couldnt guarentee
but it wasnt a problem when I spoke to the actual individual who is in charge of sorting out wedding leave. I think the csm's can sometimes enjoy being a bit difficult
However with regards to vswap, it was the best thing the company ever did. There is almost over 4000 cabin crew in the company and they cant possibly know who prefers what flight/days off etc.. Equally a lot of people use vswap to change their flight on the same day eg. bom for ewr, its not all about days of. I think it was a very positive move for us.
I couldnt comment on the bgi hotel as I hadnt actually heard of any incidents happening there, when I stayed there there were locks on all doors, every hotel has locking doors, do you mean there was no chain or deadbolt?however if that is the case it definately needs to be addressed.
There is no need for them to be so akward about taking time of for your own wedding and honeymoon, As long as you can prove you are defo getting married (you'd be suprised what some crew will do to get guarenteed days of!) They say that you will have highest priority over any other seniority, however when I wanted the time of for my wedding they said the same, that they couldnt guarentee
but it wasnt a problem when I spoke to the actual individual who is in charge of sorting out wedding leave. I think the csm's can sometimes enjoy being a bit difficultHowever with regards to vswap, it was the best thing the company ever did. There is almost over 4000 cabin crew in the company and they cant possibly know who prefers what flight/days off etc.. Equally a lot of people use vswap to change their flight on the same day eg. bom for ewr, its not all about days of. I think it was a very positive move for us.
I couldnt comment on the bgi hotel as I hadnt actually heard of any incidents happening there, when I stayed there there were locks on all doors, every hotel has locking doors, do you mean there was no chain or deadbolt?however if that is the case it definately needs to be addressed.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Majorspannermonkey.
Think you need to have serious chat with your fiancee as you're so clearly not happy with her doing a job in which she doesn't get every weekend off! Possibly sort this before the wedding!
I actually think that the fact that Virgin allocate leave in seniority order is great seeing as seniority counted for bugger all else now and V swap is definitely the best and most helpful thing the company have ever done for us. There are a lot of things that Virgin do that really p*ss me off (don't even get me started on CSMs!!) but V swap is great, to be able to completely change your roster is something that not many other companies would allow.
You can get unpaid leave for weddings-your fiancee would need to speak directly to crew records (address on IFLY). No point speaking to CSMs as they know nothing!
Just out of curousity, does your girlfriend feel as annoyed by Virgin as you do?
Don't mean to be nasty-just you seem very negative about a lot.
Think you need to have serious chat with your fiancee as you're so clearly not happy with her doing a job in which she doesn't get every weekend off! Possibly sort this before the wedding!
I actually think that the fact that Virgin allocate leave in seniority order is great seeing as seniority counted for bugger all else now and V swap is definitely the best and most helpful thing the company have ever done for us. There are a lot of things that Virgin do that really p*ss me off (don't even get me started on CSMs!!) but V swap is great, to be able to completely change your roster is something that not many other companies would allow.
You can get unpaid leave for weddings-your fiancee would need to speak directly to crew records (address on IFLY). No point speaking to CSMs as they know nothing!
Just out of curousity, does your girlfriend feel as annoyed by Virgin as you do?
Don't mean to be nasty-just you seem very negative about a lot.
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I agree with you Varga Girl, if his fiancee really feels that the company is so bad, then she knows where the door is, generally at either L1 or L2
There are other issues with leave and stuff, and yeah at times the CSMs are not the people to talk to, Crew Records deal with all that, and I would recommend going direct to them! For the woman who's daughter works for VS, you are told at the interview that you are NOT guaranteed any holidays when you start flying for us.
VSwap best invention ever as it helps those at LHR get more LHR flights and vice versa at LGW. As a system that is understood within the company, probably better if you dont work for us then you dont discuss it as you OBVIOUSLY do not know the reasoning behind it or how it works!! It may be an idea that before you go off on one at the company your other half has chosen to work for, you should maybe speak to them about the issues!
With regards BGI, that is something that is being dealt with internally!
There are other issues with leave and stuff, and yeah at times the CSMs are not the people to talk to, Crew Records deal with all that, and I would recommend going direct to them! For the woman who's daughter works for VS, you are told at the interview that you are NOT guaranteed any holidays when you start flying for us.
VSwap best invention ever as it helps those at LHR get more LHR flights and vice versa at LGW. As a system that is understood within the company, probably better if you dont work for us then you dont discuss it as you OBVIOUSLY do not know the reasoning behind it or how it works!! It may be an idea that before you go off on one at the company your other half has chosen to work for, you should maybe speak to them about the issues!
With regards BGI, that is something that is being dealt with internally!
Join Date: Nov 2004
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virgin rostering...
hello everyone!
this may have been asked before but i cant find the thread.
i've heard from galley fm that crewing cannot roster you for the same flight twice in 1 month, does anyone know if this is true?
also since when has the florida 2 rule apply to cc?
i thought that was just for the f/c
cheers
this may have been asked before but i cant find the thread.
i've heard from galley fm that crewing cannot roster you for the same flight twice in 1 month, does anyone know if this is true?
also since when has the florida 2 rule apply to cc?
i thought that was just for the f/c
cheers
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Yes U can defo get same flight more than once have done numerous rosters with multiple mco/jfk/ in fact this month I have 3 jfks and 2 shanghai's. Florida rule been around a while for cabin crew at least 5 years.
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bluestar,
Florida 2 has always applied to our cabin crew as far as I know...
As far as destinations are concerned, i think the rule is no more than twice in the same month can we get the same destination. Unfortuantley tho, i think Virgin classify ewr and jfk as different destinations!
Florida 2 has always applied to our cabin crew as far as I know...
As far as destinations are concerned, i think the rule is no more than twice in the same month can we get the same destination. Unfortuantley tho, i think Virgin classify ewr and jfk as different destinations!
Join Date: May 2006
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Hi guys, has anybody heard the rumours regarding the pay deal CC89 have just rejected? 2% over 18 months but with 2 MONTHS OF STANDBY IN A YEAR!!!!! If this is true they must really hate us all.
Heard that because they threatened strikes etc, BA juniors are now on basic of 18k!
This may just be galley fm but I'd love to hear if anybody else has heard anything.
Heard that because they threatened strikes etc, BA juniors are now on basic of 18k!
This may just be galley fm but I'd love to hear if anybody else has heard anything.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Dual-based - where to live??
As we are dual based at Virgin...was just wondering where those of you who have worked there a while live? Nearer Heathrow or Gatwick? I've just got a job with Virgin (woohoo!) but stressing about finding accommodation. Relocating from Glasgow Getting something temporary near Gatwick for the training, but after that, I reckoned I'd be better off near Heathrow as more flights go from there. I know it's a long way from Gatwick then, but I think it'd be better being near ONE, than in the middle and fairly far from BOTH.
Anyone have any pointers...areas with good links to both, or just general advice on which one to live nearer? Would really, really appreciate hearing your experience of it!
Thanks
Jill
Getting something temporary near Gatwick for the training, but after that, I reckoned I'd be better off near Heathrow as more flights go from there. I know it's a long way from Gatwick then, but I think it'd be better being near ONE, than in the middle and fairly far from BOTH.Anyone have any pointers...areas with good links to both, or just general advice on which one to live nearer? Would really, really appreciate hearing your experience of it!
Thanks
Jill
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Hi r.s.
There's no truth in the rumour of 2 months of standby a year. If anything it is likely to move in the opposite direction (a return to 1 block of standby a month rather than a whole standby month).
The recent threatened BA strike was not directly related to basic pay. It was centred around a new sickness policy, pensions and Purser positions on the 747.
Don't you just love "Galley FM"
There's no truth in the rumour of 2 months of standby a year. If anything it is likely to move in the opposite direction (a return to 1 block of standby a month rather than a whole standby month).
The recent threatened BA strike was not directly related to basic pay. It was centred around a new sickness policy, pensions and Purser positions on the 747.
Don't you just love "Galley FM"
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Hi Virgin Girlie,
Congratulations on getting the job
We are dual based at LGW and LHR. There is no easy answer to the question of where is the best place to live as we have crew who live all over the UK (and some even further afield).
For the training course I would advise staying close to LGW as there is a lot to take in everyday without the added stress of a commute to/from The Base .
Although most of our flights depart from LHR you will be probably be rostered a fair amount of LGW flights as well because of the high number of Cabin Crew (formerly known as Junior) positions on the LGW based 747s.
Virgin operate an hourly shuttle bus service between the LHR and LGW so it's not too difficult to get from one airport to the other.
Hope this helps
Congratulations on getting the job
We are dual based at LGW and LHR. There is no easy answer to the question of where is the best place to live as we have crew who live all over the UK (and some even further afield).
For the training course I would advise staying close to LGW as there is a lot to take in everyday without the added stress of a commute to/from The Base .
Although most of our flights depart from LHR you will be probably be rostered a fair amount of LGW flights as well because of the high number of Cabin Crew (formerly known as Junior) positions on the LGW based 747s.
Virgin operate an hourly shuttle bus service between the LHR and LGW so it's not too difficult to get from one airport to the other.
Hope this helps
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Thank you! 
And thanks for the help - that has definitely eased my mind! Just getting a bit stressed with the old relocation stuff! Lol
I'd completely forgotten about the shuttle in between, that was a great help to know, makes me worry a lot less. Will take your advice and look for somewhere as close as possible to the Base as I don't want the added stress, you're right. Is the Base far from the terminal? And the Office? Or is that the same thing, lol.
Well I'm off to look for somewhere to stay, again, thanks for your help
And thanks for the help - that has definitely eased my mind! Just getting a bit stressed with the old relocation stuff! Lol I'd completely forgotten about the shuttle in between, that was a great help to know, makes me worry a lot less. Will take your advice and look for somewhere as close as possible to the Base as I don't want the added stress, you're right. Is the Base far from the terminal? And the Office? Or is that the same thing, lol.Well I'm off to look for somewhere to stay, again, thanks for your help