BA and Project Columbus III
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 102
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From: UK
Have been flying for BA for 22 years on LH, am a Purser and can say that I have never made such a PA or heard it done. Wine is offerred during the 1st bar service and also the meal service..........wine is placed on the the top of the food trolley...
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 132
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From: Tortola
The last flight i did with BA was a couple of months back, Cape Town - Heathrow, in WT+, we were clearly told at the first bar service if you want wine with your meal get it now as we will not be round again, at this point we had no idea what was on the menu to decide if we wanted red or white. Service standards have unfortunately declined, when travelling to UK now from Antigua i will not use BA, for many years BA was my carrier of choice on this route, VS now have a superior product. Apologies, as SLF here and maybe i shouldnt be commenting on this forum.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 170
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From: suffolk
Intortola,
I am very sorry that you feel service standards have gone down on BA LH routes
,however as crew working regularly the Anu route,I would just like to point out that on ALL the trips I have done (for all LH out of LGW) wine is offered during the first drinks round and then again during the meal round and if more is asked for it is never refused,as long as stocks remain.As we can only carry a limited supply of wine on the meal trolleys it is offered during the first drinks round in order to reduce the risk of running out of a product in mid meal service.It is service standard,and I would be shocked
if LH out of LHR didn,t opperate the same standard and offer choice of wine with the meal service.
I am very sorry that you feel service standards have gone down on BA LH routes
,however as crew working regularly the Anu route,I would just like to point out that on ALL the trips I have done (for all LH out of LGW) wine is offered during the first drinks round and then again during the meal round and if more is asked for it is never refused,as long as stocks remain.As we can only carry a limited supply of wine on the meal trolleys it is offered during the first drinks round in order to reduce the risk of running out of a product in mid meal service.It is service standard,and I would be shocked
if LH out of LHR didn,t opperate the same standard and offer choice of wine with the meal service.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 16
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From: London
Not everyone wants wine with thier meal so I assume if you want something different you have to order it 45 minutes before the meal and sit there with it. Not very convenient when the passenger next to you want you to move to let them out to go to the loo.
On short haul flights one would perhaps expect this but on 12 hour flights?
On short haul flights one would perhaps expect this but on 12 hour flights?
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 132
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From: Tortola
Thanks Tomkins, do appreciate your reply. I do miss the hot bacon roll when travelling in club world on that route though prior to arriving in London, it was always very good. Maybe i was just unfortunate on the flight ex Cape Town but it was definetly that way.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 280
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From: Scotland
So, project Columbus II will resolve the age old dilemma - whether to have white or red wine with your meal in in First Class. This could take months for BA senior management to resolve.
Whatever they decide will not be what the customers want ( or need) but they will have to accept it, no doubt at higher cost. I just love the F you management style that Michael O'Leary has brought into the aviation business. Do all passengers really respect being abused so?
What does the other dimunitive Irishman think?
Whatever they decide will not be what the customers want ( or need) but they will have to accept it, no doubt at higher cost. I just love the F you management style that Michael O'Leary has brought into the aviation business. Do all passengers really respect being abused so?
What does the other dimunitive Irishman think?
Last edited by Munnyspinner; 7th May 2009 at 21:52.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
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From: Europe
The service standard for WT and WT+ is: Choices of wine should be offered during first bar service AND meal service! This also applies in CW but that service is much more complex.
As mentioned, there are certain crew that do a shortcut and only offers it during the bar service as it saves them time. I think it's ridicilious not to offer it during the meal service. I usually also ask them whether they like Bordeaux or Chardonnay and the passengers seem to enjoy that choice! Still, I once had a purser that said I shouldn't do that as it takes far too much time...
As mentioned, there are certain crew that do a shortcut and only offers it during the bar service as it saves them time. I think it's ridicilious not to offer it during the meal service. I usually also ask them whether they like Bordeaux or Chardonnay and the passengers seem to enjoy that choice! Still, I once had a purser that said I shouldn't do that as it takes far too much time...

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: IOM
"2nd May 2009, 12:14 #259 (permalink)
cessnapete
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: pangbourne
Posts: 39
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Because BASSA threaten to "fine" them if they disobey their dictats. "
Been a BASSA member for the last 14 years & frequently disagree with overall policy, but I have NEVER been thereatened with a "fine" or any other type of union disciplinary measure, so I'm not quite sure where you got that one from
cessnapete
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: pangbourne
Posts: 39
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Because BASSA threaten to "fine" them if they disobey their dictats. "
Been a BASSA member for the last 14 years & frequently disagree with overall policy, but I have NEVER been thereatened with a "fine" or any other type of union disciplinary measure, so I'm not quite sure where you got that one from

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 259
Likes: 41
From: London
As mentioned, there are certain crew that do a shortcut and only offers it during the bar service as it saves them time. I think it's ridicilious not to offer it during the meal service. I usually also ask them whether they like Bordeaux or Chardonnay and the passengers seem to enjoy that choice! Still, I once had a purser that said I shouldn't do that as it takes far too much time...
On great days BA crews can be amongst the best in the world. However, they can be very inconsistent - even up the front.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 100
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From: Birmingham
Get Back On Track Folks!
WINE SERVICE, MEAL SERVICE STANDARDS? PLEASE CAN WE ALL GET BACK TO DISCUSSING THE CHANGES TO T&C's AND LEAVE SERVICE ROUTINES TO ANOTHER THREAD?! CAN MODERATORS PLEASE PUT THEIR FOOT (FEET?) DOWN AND BRING EVERYONE BACK INTO FOCUS?
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 280
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From: Scotland
At risk of sounding a bit picky,
Bordeaux is a region in France where both red and white wines are produced, many under AOC rules. A wide variety of grapes are used. Red wine is usually called Claret. Chardonnay is a grape variety more often associated with the Burgundy region in France
"Claret or Chardonnay?" would be usefully descriptive but "Red or White" better still.
However, do you really expect anyone to remember what this thread is about or, after 15 pages, actually care?
Tighslap, maybe time for Project Columbus III - The sequel.
Bordeaux is a region in France where both red and white wines are produced, many under AOC rules. A wide variety of grapes are used. Red wine is usually called Claret. Chardonnay is a grape variety more often associated with the Burgundy region in France
"Claret or Chardonnay?" would be usefully descriptive but "Red or White" better still.
However, do you really expect anyone to remember what this thread is about or, after 15 pages, actually care?
Tighslap, maybe time for Project Columbus III - The sequel.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 155
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From: london
I'm just wondering if this new mixed fleet is indeed planned, how many a/c types might they be training crew on? Surely, the 73 or the 320 can't quite be used on LH....or can they?
I am not BA crew (yet), am in holding pool and anxiously awaiting what type of contract I may be offered....
I do wish, though, that I did not have to accept any new contract that may be used to "intimidate" current c/c.
Hope this works out for all.
B
I am not BA crew (yet), am in holding pool and anxiously awaiting what type of contract I may be offered....
I do wish, though, that I did not have to accept any new contract that may be used to "intimidate" current c/c.
Hope this works out for all.
B
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: anywherebuthere
Single Fleet
Hi !
In one word answer....Yes. It did work very well. The Crew were always happy and it was a nice change to have a mix of flying. I can imagine nowadays (very different circumstances albeit) its more difficult to commute and look after families etc but I dont see why it cant work.
The bottom line is of course that in these uncertain times its good to have a job!
Cheers!
In one word answer....Yes. It did work very well. The Crew were always happy and it was a nice change to have a mix of flying. I can imagine nowadays (very different circumstances albeit) its more difficult to commute and look after families etc but I dont see why it cant work.
The bottom line is of course that in these uncertain times its good to have a job!
Cheers!




