British Airways - Crew Discussions II
Join Date: Sep 2003
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I agree with newbagr. After seeing what it is all about the really good ones soon fly the nest as the first opportunity arises, and with them anyone who has some sort of commitment (that is, family, mortgage etc). Those who have been there a long time and who are staying, are doing so for many many reasons. BA was my dream job since 1994 and I was 14, I worked so hard to get what I needed to be able,9 years later, to move to the UK and then work here, I was the most enthusiastic person in the world. And believe me, despite the c**p I still look like I am when I am at work. But unfortunately they have killed my passion for this airline, and I will definitely leave as soon as I have a clear idea of what can make me feel that I am a valued asset, needed, respected and that will give me the possibility to earn adequate money for my experience and efforts!!! 
Join Date: Sep 2006
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It really depends on your rosta for the month what you get paid. Usually, at a guess, between GBP1000 (rubbish rosta) and GBP 1600 (v good rosta, ie long trips). We still get breakfast allowance in Europe and Caribbean as well.
Why not just give it a try? You can read here and say you're not going to follow your plans because of what some people say on a forum. Or you can seize the day and give it a go and see how you like it. Remember that the first couple of months you'll only get paid basic salary, so if you haven't started saving - do it now.
Good luck and look forward to see you in Jubilee House (I'm one of the few still smiling, lol)
Gg
Why not just give it a try? You can read here and say you're not going to follow your plans because of what some people say on a forum. Or you can seize the day and give it a go and see how you like it. Remember that the first couple of months you'll only get paid basic salary, so if you haven't started saving - do it now.
Good luck and look forward to see you in Jubilee House (I'm one of the few still smiling, lol)
Gg
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gissabreak,
If things carry on as they are, you will hit 900 hours after about ten months. At that point you will effectively be on basic pay only so plan on £800 per month for a couple of months per year.
If things carry on as they are, you will hit 900 hours after about ten months. At that point you will effectively be on basic pay only so plan on £800 per month for a couple of months per year.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Well, they're fast tracking a lot of the training to get people online quicker but realistically, that's not going to happen until mid-Feb, which is going have consequences for the business. Looks like this slim-line LGW contract has turned out to be a false economy after all. All for the sake of an MBT and some hope of a LHR transfer.
This could actually be the catalyst for some improvement to the T&Cs for LGW crew - if the company pays attention and learns from its mistake.
This could actually be the catalyst for some improvement to the T&Cs for LGW crew - if the company pays attention and learns from its mistake.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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i am not sure they are learning though or keen to learn.....and resolve the situation....seems that Gatwick is on its deathbed somehow and the company dont really care to do much to save us...
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I have to say, myself and my colleague just read today the recent notice posted to all Gatwick Cabin Crew by their unions. It seems that the next few months are going to be very rocky indeed. The company have stately refused to even consider what terms the unions put forward. This shows how much they regard the Gatwick cabin crew.
I must say, I am not gatwick cabin crew, but gatwick flight crew. I work with these people every day and see what conditions they have to put up with compared to the likes of Heathrow. I think it is disgusting the way the company treats cabin crew at gatwick.
I personally believe that this is a turning point for you all. I have always believed that you never stand up enough and fight for what should be right i.e. you should never be on different terms and conditions to Heathrow. You operate a British Airways aircraft, you are British Airways Cabin Crew, you deliver a British Airways product and you wear the British Airways name badge. Therefore, that says to me, that you should be on EXACTLY the same terms as the LHR mob. I think it's about time somebody did something about this.
I also want to say that you have full backing, certainly from myself, and I know most of my colleagues about this situation. Good luck and I hope whatever comes out from this situation benefits the people who deserve it i.e. the Gatwick Cabin Crew.
I must say, I am not gatwick cabin crew, but gatwick flight crew. I work with these people every day and see what conditions they have to put up with compared to the likes of Heathrow. I think it is disgusting the way the company treats cabin crew at gatwick.
I personally believe that this is a turning point for you all. I have always believed that you never stand up enough and fight for what should be right i.e. you should never be on different terms and conditions to Heathrow. You operate a British Airways aircraft, you are British Airways Cabin Crew, you deliver a British Airways product and you wear the British Airways name badge. Therefore, that says to me, that you should be on EXACTLY the same terms as the LHR mob. I think it's about time somebody did something about this.
I also want to say that you have full backing, certainly from myself, and I know most of my colleagues about this situation. Good luck and I hope whatever comes out from this situation benefits the people who deserve it i.e. the Gatwick Cabin Crew.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Sya. totally agree with what you say but the problem LGW has is that BA have a little pet company sat in LCY called BA Cityflyer and its here that BA try out all its new ideas regarding management style and how it wants to deal with unions (ie. ignore them) before unleashing it on mainline.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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If this time nothing happens then we ll never manage to get anything out of this bullying and disrespectful company! If you read the internal forum it looks like a whole base in a grievance mode! How on earth can a base survive with pretty much the whole workforce so unhappy?And all that so they can save some millions(nothing compared to the fines they pay for malpractise) which in the end they pay back in order to get the company out of this mess that they brought themselves....not only we have to fight....but like we have to report to our managers for every little thing that happens ..THEY HAVE TO ANSWER AS WELL FOR THE MESS THEY CAUSED TO 1400 PEOPLE!
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Well said and someone MUST give a whole base some clear answers!!!!! Where the managers are (silence....silence....only silence from the 4th floor....) nobody knows or pretends not to know!!! Nobody is giving any sort of explanation!!
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Willie is going to be there next week, so this could be your chance. Perhaps it will come down a decision he makes personally, just like in February.
Remember, he was flight crew himself so there is a degree of empathy. You may not like some of this decisions but he is probably the most down to earth, approachable CEO the company has ever had.
One of the key issues he resolved back in February was the sickness issue. People in management were not aware of the difference between crew sickness and general staff sickness - because they hadn't flown. The company had to back down over this issue because he stepped in personally.
I believe that the man would listen to a well presented "grievence" from a LGW point of view with thought-out suggestions put to him at the forum - without interference from middle-management. I've got a few of my own that's for sure.
Remember, he was flight crew himself so there is a degree of empathy. You may not like some of this decisions but he is probably the most down to earth, approachable CEO the company has ever had.
One of the key issues he resolved back in February was the sickness issue. People in management were not aware of the difference between crew sickness and general staff sickness - because they hadn't flown. The company had to back down over this issue because he stepped in personally.
I believe that the man would listen to a well presented "grievence" from a LGW point of view with thought-out suggestions put to him at the forum - without interference from middle-management. I've got a few of my own that's for sure.
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I tend to disagree VS, when he came to LGW the first time, the crew (and ground staff) started asking him questions about why LGW was being let down so much (the worst was yet to happen then) and his reply was simply "Easyjet are recruiting just round the corner".
To me that's not an acceptable response from a CEO.
I do not like little willie, and I cannot wait to see him personally.
The only good thing is that if BA were to shut down LGW, because of our contract, they would have to either pay us to go, or give us another appropriate job within the airline. Which most likely would be fly out of LHR. Not that I would wish that myself, but something that the airline is aware of.
To me that's not an acceptable response from a CEO.
I do not like little willie, and I cannot wait to see him personally.
The only good thing is that if BA were to shut down LGW, because of our contract, they would have to either pay us to go, or give us another appropriate job within the airline. Which most likely would be fly out of LHR. Not that I would wish that myself, but something that the airline is aware of.
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Really? I would have expected better from him.
Mind you, as you say, the worst was yet to happen. I believe that a LGW people are in a position to do some bargaining. The attrition is having a serious financial impact on the company. As a business man he must see that this needs to be addressed in one way or another.
Either they improve terms and conditions or they accept the fact that people will leave after a few months and therefore recruit and hold (if need be) continually, like Virgin do.
Worst coming to worst, LGW could be shut down altogether, as you say. Everyone will be offered LHR, just like WW LGW. With open skies and T5, it could be feasible. What stops them right now, is the slots.
Mind you, as you say, the worst was yet to happen. I believe that a LGW people are in a position to do some bargaining. The attrition is having a serious financial impact on the company. As a business man he must see that this needs to be addressed in one way or another.
Either they improve terms and conditions or they accept the fact that people will leave after a few months and therefore recruit and hold (if need be) continually, like Virgin do.
Worst coming to worst, LGW could be shut down altogether, as you say. Everyone will be offered LHR, just like WW LGW. With open skies and T5, it could be feasible. What stops them right now, is the slots.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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*blueskybird*
for LGW the best places to live are Horley, three bridges and crawley (aka crawley international)
otherwise public transport from london is quite expensive even with airline discount. im talking about the gatwick express here, where i currently work until i join BA at LHR next month as ramp agent.
discount on gat exp day return is £10.70.
hope this helps.
p.s do u or anyone know if there is a forum for BA ramp agents? or any company to that matter? cheers
for LGW the best places to live are Horley, three bridges and crawley (aka crawley international)
otherwise public transport from london is quite expensive even with airline discount. im talking about the gatwick express here, where i currently work until i join BA at LHR next month as ramp agent.
discount on gat exp day return is £10.70.
hope this helps.
p.s do u or anyone know if there is a forum for BA ramp agents? or any company to that matter? cheers
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Just to echo Syawriahsitirb. Gatwick flight crew are rightly proud of the Gatwick cabin crew. What I see is hard working yet cheerful crew and we know that it ain't well paid. Also we fly staff travel so we know there is no professional difference between LGW and LHR crew. Likewise for all LGW ground staff.
The difference between our unions is that BALPA ,the pilots union, achieved the same pay deal for both bases, just capped at paypoint 10/16 FO/Cpt and our rostering is Carmen not Bidline. BASSA / CC89 seem to work for the company regarding SFG. But remember that commercially LGW protects those LHR jobs and the revenue that pays them. If we go, Easy expand to full schedule, and our LHR pax head down to Sussex. Then the Long Haul competion ramp up LGW flights to connect, there's plenty of room.
Willie is looking at a collossal bill for the out sourcing of all those LGW flights, it could reach £20M by the time his bonus is reviewed, and will continue into the summer as we take on the GB routes. He is notoriously fierce when questioned though I can't think of a better time to put your case.
You can expect support from the flight crews, we're effectively on strike anyway due to all the lost flights. To snub any rumours we don't get any variable pay if cancelled (unless for a training flight), so it's already hitting us in the wallet.
For anyone thinking of joining SFG it would be a really good offer as long as they increase the pay and deal with the time off between trips. BA is still an excellent company despite the goons who plan IFS.
Good luck
The difference between our unions is that BALPA ,the pilots union, achieved the same pay deal for both bases, just capped at paypoint 10/16 FO/Cpt and our rostering is Carmen not Bidline. BASSA / CC89 seem to work for the company regarding SFG. But remember that commercially LGW protects those LHR jobs and the revenue that pays them. If we go, Easy expand to full schedule, and our LHR pax head down to Sussex. Then the Long Haul competion ramp up LGW flights to connect, there's plenty of room.
Willie is looking at a collossal bill for the out sourcing of all those LGW flights, it could reach £20M by the time his bonus is reviewed, and will continue into the summer as we take on the GB routes. He is notoriously fierce when questioned though I can't think of a better time to put your case.
You can expect support from the flight crews, we're effectively on strike anyway due to all the lost flights. To snub any rumours we don't get any variable pay if cancelled (unless for a training flight), so it's already hitting us in the wallet.
For anyone thinking of joining SFG it would be a really good offer as long as they increase the pay and deal with the time off between trips. BA is still an excellent company despite the goons who plan IFS.
Good luck
Join Date: Dec 2007
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This is my first post so go easy guys and gals. 
Im going to say straight off the bat to all those people that are waiting for a course date or have applied to LGWSF, please do not disheartened by the news at LGW. Im not going to lie and say everything is hunky-dory because it is a very tough time. Because of a cock up in manpower we are running out of hours yes, but with the fuss (rightly so) we have kicked up the end game will result in better working conditions for old and new crew alike (Thats what we are gunning for fiercly).
BA is a good company and LGW is a brilliant base to work from, and because of the number of crew after a while you will start flying with some familiar faces so it does feel like a close knit community (This also means that any rumours tend to get back to base before you do so behave) I have worked for LGWSF for around 2 years now and I am really enjoying it, the routes are brilliant and the crew are brilliant
Dont let the talk put you off as BA is a great company to start out with, whether you want to stay or go else where its somthing to be proud of to have that on your CV.
All the best guys and gals.
x
Im going to say straight off the bat to all those people that are waiting for a course date or have applied to LGWSF, please do not disheartened by the news at LGW. Im not going to lie and say everything is hunky-dory because it is a very tough time. Because of a cock up in manpower we are running out of hours yes, but with the fuss (rightly so) we have kicked up the end game will result in better working conditions for old and new crew alike (Thats what we are gunning for fiercly).
BA is a good company and LGW is a brilliant base to work from, and because of the number of crew after a while you will start flying with some familiar faces so it does feel like a close knit community (This also means that any rumours tend to get back to base before you do so behave
) I have worked for LGWSF for around 2 years now and I am really enjoying it, the routes are brilliant and the crew are brilliant Dont let the talk put you off as BA is a great company to start out with, whether you want to stay or go else where its somthing to be proud of to have that on your CV.
All the best guys and gals.
x
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welcome to the forum:-) Can i ask though how exactly you think that BA will agree to improve our very poor working conditions?
I think the company have ignored all warnings for the current disaster we all go through and even now they choose to accept the problem and resolve it! They are greedy and thats how they got us into this mess, as if they had given us 3 days off after longhaul, had discussed transfer agreements and maybe give us a couple of p's an hour more then they wouldnt have to pay 1million pounds to wet lease per aircraft! But thats how BA is....they dont care what they do because noone ever takes the implications of their actions....its only us who have to live with the consequences!
I think the company have ignored all warnings for the current disaster we all go through and even now they choose to accept the problem and resolve it! They are greedy and thats how they got us into this mess, as if they had given us 3 days off after longhaul, had discussed transfer agreements and maybe give us a couple of p's an hour more then they wouldnt have to pay 1million pounds to wet lease per aircraft! But thats how BA is....they dont care what they do because noone ever takes the implications of their actions....its only us who have to live with the consequences!
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Moonchild and Blueskybird your more than welcome, and im looking forward to seeing some new faces around our little base. Moans and groans are part of life in the airline and its no different else where. With new shorthaul routes coming in next year, and providing this absolute balls-up with ManPower can be resolved asap LGWSF looks set for a nice bit of expansion.
Blueskybird Im glad you will be joining a union when you join as we need all the help we can get at the moment. The situation is critical but fingers crossed we can pull though it as one, and slowly start enstowing trust in the company again, although up until now it feels like we have been
over and over again.
We arent expecting a mircale any time soon, or to wake up the next day and realise its been all a horrible dream, this will be a drawn out procedure which will take its time, but like ive said aslong as we all join the unions and make our voices heard, an follow all routes nessesscery to make sure we are treated fairly things will start to slowly improve. With LHR WW and EF making some noise about our cause aswell, we will get their attention come hell or high water!!
Best of luck everyone and if you want to know anything then give me a shout and im sure NewBAgr wouldnt mind answering a few questions either.
Rob x
PS
As for your question regarding transfers to LHR WW, at the moment we dont have a set time period/number of crew to be moved up the road. I believe the old agreement meant you would wait around 2-4 years and then you would move, but at the moment people have waited for around 7 years (they left last month). At the moment, on the rare occasion that there is a movement of crew, we are offered LHR EF and not LHR WW. Once you have been there a few years you are then offered WW.
Blueskybird Im glad you will be joining a union when you join as we need all the help we can get at the moment. The situation is critical but fingers crossed we can pull though it as one, and slowly start enstowing trust in the company again, although up until now it feels like we have been
over and over again. We arent expecting a mircale any time soon, or to wake up the next day and realise its been all a horrible dream, this will be a drawn out procedure which will take its time, but like ive said aslong as we all join the unions and make our voices heard, an follow all routes nessesscery to make sure we are treated fairly things will start to slowly improve. With LHR WW and EF making some noise about our cause aswell, we will get their attention come hell or high water!!
Best of luck everyone and if you want to know anything then give me a shout and im sure NewBAgr wouldnt mind answering a few questions either.
Rob x
PS
As for your question regarding transfers to LHR WW, at the moment we dont have a set time period/number of crew to be moved up the road. I believe the old agreement meant you would wait around 2-4 years and then you would move, but at the moment people have waited for around 7 years (they left last month). At the moment, on the rare occasion that there is a movement of crew, we are offered LHR EF and not LHR WW. Once you have been there a few years you are then offered WW.
Last edited by TheLastSkaHero; 10th Dec 2007 at 22:57.
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Several posts deleted today. This thread is for those employed by BA as Cabin Crew only - the BA wannabees thread is available for those wishing to apply, in the process of applying, have just applied or are being trained - in fact anybody who is not employed by BA as Cabin Crew.