British Airways - CC Industrial Relations & Negotiations
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So what are Bassa's plans to deal with the reduction in capacity this winter? They seem to be up in arms about the proposed 2000 MPE reduction, suggesting that BA might have to recruit to fill these positions "They will either have to drastically cut the flying programme (unlikely), recruit 1000s of new crew...."
Where do they get that idea from?
Has anyone told them that 16 aircraft, 747s and 767s are being stood down? The company is shrinking to minimise losses, and cut manpower costs proportionately. Approximately 200 pilots are expected to leave the business, and yet Bassa seem to feel they should be unaffected by these capacity reductions.
Can anyone find out what Bassa's suggestions are to deal with the excess of manpower in IFCE? I've seen none so far.
Where do they get that idea from?
Has anyone told them that 16 aircraft, 747s and 767s are being stood down? The company is shrinking to minimise losses, and cut manpower costs proportionately. Approximately 200 pilots are expected to leave the business, and yet Bassa seem to feel they should be unaffected by these capacity reductions.
Can anyone find out what Bassa's suggestions are to deal with the excess of manpower in IFCE? I've seen none so far.
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Quite true, gg all of the temporary crew have had a group Email sent to them, saying that by the end of October their fixed term contracts will be ended prematurely. However in the background over 200 ex temporary crew are still being actively chased for references!
Typical that BASSA failed to mention anything about temperate crew in their latest offering.. Yet they are keen to take our money from us!
It just makes you wonder what British Airways have up their sleeves given original number of 2000 crew, the half published by roster, the number of crew they are still actively reference checking and the fact that in light of their new commercial they are still looking to reduce the number of aircraft for the winter period.
While I will be sad to leave British Airways in October, I hope that there is some grand plan going on in the background so that I can return on the new contract. To be honest even the proposed contract by Bill Francis, is much better than any other contract currently offered within the United Kingdom!
I certainly do not trust BASSA, yet I do believe that BA have something up their sleeve... Here's hoping
Typical that BASSA failed to mention anything about temperate crew in their latest offering.. Yet they are keen to take our money from us!
It just makes you wonder what British Airways have up their sleeves given original number of 2000 crew, the half published by roster, the number of crew they are still actively reference checking and the fact that in light of their new commercial they are still looking to reduce the number of aircraft for the winter period.
While I will be sad to leave British Airways in October, I hope that there is some grand plan going on in the background so that I can return on the new contract. To be honest even the proposed contract by Bill Francis, is much better than any other contract currently offered within the United Kingdom!
I certainly do not trust BASSA, yet I do believe that BA have something up their sleeve... Here's hoping
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BASSA and their porky pies
I nearly let a bit of wee out when I read this latest BASSA gem!:
"The “smash and grab” raid on crews’ terms and conditions has backfired spectacularly - the business is turning around, the recession is in decline and all the devious plans hatched by the most unscrupulous management in a generation are unravelling with every day."
In response to this ludicrous exaggeration from the Dave Spart-style BASSA leaders, I wonder if someone could actually cross-post these up-to-date figures into one of their inner domains of utter tripe, so at least their members know they are talking out of their, er ,ears:
"GENEVA: World airlines face losses of $27.8 billion for 2008 and 2009 as the global economic downturn takes a heavier toll than the September 11 attacks, industry association IATA warned yesterday.
"That is larger than the losses of $24.3bn the industry lost in 2001 and 2002 after the attacks of September 11," said International Air Transport Association head Giovanni Bisignani.
As the economic crisis put the brakes on travel, losses booked by airlines around the world reached $16.8bn last year. IATA raised its loss forecast for this year to $11bn from the $9bn forecast earlier while a $3.8bn deficit was predicted for next year.
"The outlook for 2010 is for more widespread, but still weak, economic growth ... Losses will diminish but a recovery to net profit looks unlikely until 2011," IATA said.
Bisignani said that passenger volumes are expected to improve, showing a decline of four per cent for the year, up from a June forecast for a fall of 8pc.
"Unfortunately, these better volumes have a limited impact on the bottomline ... the reason is that the yield has fallen dramatically," he said.
"Prices of fuel are increasing in anticipation of the recovery that we do not see in our business," said Bisignani.
"Even with better volumes, we don't see industry revenues returning to 2008 levels until 2012-2013," he said, pointing out that following the September 11 attacks, it took 3.5 years to recover lost revenues.
European carriers are expected to be worst hit this year, with losses of $3.8b, twice as much as the $1.8bn initially predicted as long-haul markets are hit badly. North American carriers should lose $2.6bn, more than twice the earlier estimate of $1bn, said IATA.
Middle Eastern and African airlines are each expected to lose $500 million while Latin American carriers should break even. Asian-Pacific airlines should post losses of $3.6bn, slightly up from the previous forecast of $3.3bn. "
"The “smash and grab” raid on crews’ terms and conditions has backfired spectacularly - the business is turning around, the recession is in decline and all the devious plans hatched by the most unscrupulous management in a generation are unravelling with every day."
In response to this ludicrous exaggeration from the Dave Spart-style BASSA leaders, I wonder if someone could actually cross-post these up-to-date figures into one of their inner domains of utter tripe, so at least their members know they are talking out of their, er ,ears:
"GENEVA: World airlines face losses of $27.8 billion for 2008 and 2009 as the global economic downturn takes a heavier toll than the September 11 attacks, industry association IATA warned yesterday.
"That is larger than the losses of $24.3bn the industry lost in 2001 and 2002 after the attacks of September 11," said International Air Transport Association head Giovanni Bisignani.
As the economic crisis put the brakes on travel, losses booked by airlines around the world reached $16.8bn last year. IATA raised its loss forecast for this year to $11bn from the $9bn forecast earlier while a $3.8bn deficit was predicted for next year.
"The outlook for 2010 is for more widespread, but still weak, economic growth ... Losses will diminish but a recovery to net profit looks unlikely until 2011," IATA said.
Bisignani said that passenger volumes are expected to improve, showing a decline of four per cent for the year, up from a June forecast for a fall of 8pc.
"Unfortunately, these better volumes have a limited impact on the bottomline ... the reason is that the yield has fallen dramatically," he said.
"Prices of fuel are increasing in anticipation of the recovery that we do not see in our business," said Bisignani.
"Even with better volumes, we don't see industry revenues returning to 2008 levels until 2012-2013," he said, pointing out that following the September 11 attacks, it took 3.5 years to recover lost revenues.
European carriers are expected to be worst hit this year, with losses of $3.8b, twice as much as the $1.8bn initially predicted as long-haul markets are hit badly. North American carriers should lose $2.6bn, more than twice the earlier estimate of $1bn, said IATA.
Middle Eastern and African airlines are each expected to lose $500 million while Latin American carriers should break even. Asian-Pacific airlines should post losses of $3.6bn, slightly up from the previous forecast of $3.3bn. "
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It's worse then that he's dead Jim, dead!
From IATA. An organisation that obviously knows less than BASSA about the state of the global aviation community.
But then yield and the concept of yield has never figured in BASSA land. According to BASSA if the airline has bums on seats then they must be raking it in. The spin placed upon the current situation is almost as laughable as their 'Disruption agreement' cost saving figures. Not quite though.
2010 will be a very, very difficult year. Without the reduction in capacity, grounding empty aircraft, phasing out of older, inefficient airframes and the absolute necessity to reduce costs many airlines will not see the year out.
Can someone also clarify;
Who are they talking about again? I am certain that this sentence was used about BASSA a while back. Perhaps the unwillingness of BA to meet on the 14th had something to do with not allowing BASSA/UNITE something to go tub thumping with to the Union meetings in Liverpool with? Surely not!
IATA increases airline losses forecast to £11bn
Continuing weakness in demand, pressure on yields and rising fuel prices will lead the world's airlines to lose $11bn in 2009.
That's the stark warning from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its latest global financial forecast, which blames the worsening losses – up $2bn on their previous forecast – on rising oil prices and exceptionally weak yields.
Passenger yields are expected to fall 12 per cent over the year, led by a 20 per cent fall in premium demand, while cargo yields are expected to fall 15 per cent.
IATA also predicts industry revenue will be down $80bn or 15 per cent by the end of the year and revenues may not return to 2008 levels until 1212.
Losses are expected to continue into 2010 to the tune of $3.8bn.
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “This is not a short-term shock. $80bn will disappear from the industry’s top line. That 15 per cent of lost revenue will take years to recover.
“Conserving cash, careful capacity management and cutting costs are the keys to survival. The global economic storm may be abating, but airlines have not yet found safe harbour. The crisis continues.”
That's the stark warning from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its latest global financial forecast, which blames the worsening losses – up $2bn on their previous forecast – on rising oil prices and exceptionally weak yields.
Passenger yields are expected to fall 12 per cent over the year, led by a 20 per cent fall in premium demand, while cargo yields are expected to fall 15 per cent.
IATA also predicts industry revenue will be down $80bn or 15 per cent by the end of the year and revenues may not return to 2008 levels until 1212.
Losses are expected to continue into 2010 to the tune of $3.8bn.
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “This is not a short-term shock. $80bn will disappear from the industry’s top line. That 15 per cent of lost revenue will take years to recover.
“Conserving cash, careful capacity management and cutting costs are the keys to survival. The global economic storm may be abating, but airlines have not yet found safe harbour. The crisis continues.”
2010 will be a very, very difficult year. Without the reduction in capacity, grounding empty aircraft, phasing out of older, inefficient airframes and the absolute necessity to reduce costs many airlines will not see the year out.
Can someone also clarify;
they haven’t a clue, and they can’t even get the date of the meetings right, let alone sensible workable solutions
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Approx 200 CSDs and PSRs have been given VR without any concessions from BASSA.
I'd say that's 1-0 to BASSA at the moment.
Compare that with what BALPA had to give up for 78 VRs - changes to bidline which will be with us permanently, working harder with less pilots.
I'd say that's 1-0 to BASSA at the moment.
Compare that with what BALPA had to give up for 78 VRs - changes to bidline which will be with us permanently, working harder with less pilots.
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Changes to Bidline? What was requested was simply a productivity increase and an amendment to report times that were under review anyway since the move to T5. Those only added an extra hour a week in average. The monetary changes were to provide the savings required of each department.
That the company can let a bunch of CSD's and Pursers go without concession just proves the companies point about over manning whereas within the flight ops department the manning levels were obviously correct at the time the VR was made.
Oddly enough, if I were in the position of having to save money I would want to get rid of the top level, most expensive first.
Just a thought.
That the company can let a bunch of CSD's and Pursers go without concession just proves the companies point about over manning whereas within the flight ops department the manning levels were obviously correct at the time the VR was made.
Oddly enough, if I were in the position of having to save money I would want to get rid of the top level, most expensive first.
Just a thought.
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The big difference in the deals is that BALPAs VR is done and dusted as part of the business plan talks. I know what it's going to cost me. BASSA have got 140 people VR'ed with no real idea of what price they will have to pay for it when the final deal is hammered out. Do you think BASSA are going to walk away from the present business plan without making any sacrifices?
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Latest from the mad house:
BA - A COMPANY IN CRISIS!
Sep 16th, 2009 by admin
BA’s announcement on VR earlier this week, which left hundreds of cabin crew in limbo while simultaneously exposing frightening inadequacies in their “one step forward, two step back” management and “back of a fag packet” planning, is a shocking indication of just how much this once proud airline of ours is in turmoil.
We now have a moribund company caught frozen between the tail lights of a rapidly disappearing recession and the morally bankrupt headlights that have got stuck on full beam.
Make no mistake it is not BA that is in financial crisis but a discredited management that knows not which way to turn. Of course the blame must lie at the top. It was Willie Walsh who started the whole ball rolling using the same template he wielded while decimating Aer Lingus. He does not care one fig about BA’s future, he knows he will not be part of it, instead he lives for today and every decision is about cutting costs now and to hell what the company will look like in 5 years time. Well, he might not care where BA will be in 5 years but we do.
All respected analysts say that for blue chip companies such as British Airways to survive during recessions, they must continue to invest in their brand (especially if it involves customer service) because it is that, which will get them through the hard times. BA, under the governance of Walsh, have done the complete opposite because they have attacked the very core of what made them global aviation leaders in the first place. Front line ground staff and cabin crew have been the target of a full-on assault and is it little wonder morale has hit rock bottom and many are now saying they would sooner see the company go under than be forced to accept the draconian proposed new terms and conditions. What sort of company is it that ignores common sense and behaves in such a manner that alienates its front line customer service staff in such a fashion?
Even in (what we then thought were) the bad old days of Lord King, Sir Colin Marshall, Robert Ayling, Martyn Bridger, Joy Hordern etc etc we all had some sort of grudging respect for our leadership, believing they had the best interests of BA at heart, but today the chilling truth is no one has any faith in the powers that be. Self-interest and self-preservation are the only gods they have.
Just look at the two men Walsh employed to front up his industrial relations less than 12 months ago. Tony McCarthy and James Ferran were plucked from the evolving and continuing disaster that is the Royal Mail (bet their CVs make no mention of that mess they helped create there) and given the task of dismantling an organisation that once, with some justification, laid claim to be the world’s favourite airline. Before they sharpened their axes did either man stop and wonder, what actually made BA the “world’s favourite airline”?
Neither man has a clue about the airline industry and less so the culture - as far as we know neither has set foot on a BA a/c in the last 12 months - indeed it has sometimes been frightening to listen to them attempt to negotiate on something they are utterly clueless about. Ferran wouldn’t know what MBT or 6 and 3 was if they fell on his head, while McCarthy is far better suited to subterfuge and dirty tricks - two tactics he honed and perfected at his previous work place. In short - and as a consequence - these whole negotiations have been one long farce. If you doubt us just ask ACAS.
Bill Francis, a man with a vague and distant background in cabin services, was also drafted in to front up IFCE but in reality he was just McCarthy and Ferran’s stooge. Approachable and presentable he has not been given any real power of his own. Many times BASSA offered to meet him on a one to one basis to see if we could find common ground but he never had the confidence to accept. Hands tied, increasingly he has become a puppet like figure leading a demoralised and uninformed IFCE management team whose morale is only a fraction higher than those they purport to manage. It is little wonder then that we are where we are this autumn. IFCE is in complete disarray. Those who want to leave, can’t (despite lots of encouragement) and those who want to stay have no idea what the future holds. On board, cabin service routines are now being reduced to pathetic levels, catering is in decline, the aircraft are falling apart, there is no back up or credible management structure to sort out the mess and wherever you are in the world no one cares about BA anymore. We are a skeleton airline, running on a shoestring budget, governed by a second string management.
We simply cannot go on like this, the passengers are not mugs - they will not be fooled by glib advertising and empty words. They know that cabin crew (who more often than not are the reason they choose to fly BA) are being undermined and being deprived of the essential tools that help make their journeys that much more pleasurable. They don’t want a Ryan Air type experience when they clamber on a British Airways jet but if Walsh, McCarthy and Ferran have their way that is precisely what they will get and there will not be any going back.
Over the last 12 months BASSA have shown that we are prepared to make sacrifices and contribute to help BA combat the global downturn but all our offers have been thrown back in our faces because it did not quite match the sums envisaged by the greedy mandarins at the top - who not only saw their chance to “save a few bob” but who were intent on finally dismantling union power too.
The true depth of BA’s skulduggery is yet to emerge but, in the meantime, BASSA would like to send a message to the Board. Please come to your senses - this airline is now in a terminal decline and unless someone quickly oversees a change in philosophy there will be no respite. The vast majority of your customer service staff still care deeply and passionately about the people they serve, tap into that passion - reward them, give them back their tools of the trade, embrace their enthusiasm, restore their belief and respect and above all treat them like human beings. You might be pleasantly surprised just how quickly this airline returns to its glory days. But you have got to act fast - the sands of time are fast running out.
Please note: This message should not be copied, circulated or published without express prior agreement with BASSA.
My bold in there. I'd personally like to thank all our cabin crew and ground staff for being the only reason anyone flies with BA. I'd also like to thank BASSA for not wasting time finding solutions to the problems facing the business but instead concentrating on the important business of levelling schoolyard insults at the people running BA.
Maybe it's just me but with their increasingly desperate missives it sounds to me like BASSA are the ones running out of ideas, not BAs managers.
BA - A COMPANY IN CRISIS!
Sep 16th, 2009 by admin
BA’s announcement on VR earlier this week, which left hundreds of cabin crew in limbo while simultaneously exposing frightening inadequacies in their “one step forward, two step back” management and “back of a fag packet” planning, is a shocking indication of just how much this once proud airline of ours is in turmoil.
We now have a moribund company caught frozen between the tail lights of a rapidly disappearing recession and the morally bankrupt headlights that have got stuck on full beam.
Make no mistake it is not BA that is in financial crisis but a discredited management that knows not which way to turn. Of course the blame must lie at the top. It was Willie Walsh who started the whole ball rolling using the same template he wielded while decimating Aer Lingus. He does not care one fig about BA’s future, he knows he will not be part of it, instead he lives for today and every decision is about cutting costs now and to hell what the company will look like in 5 years time. Well, he might not care where BA will be in 5 years but we do.
All respected analysts say that for blue chip companies such as British Airways to survive during recessions, they must continue to invest in their brand (especially if it involves customer service) because it is that, which will get them through the hard times. BA, under the governance of Walsh, have done the complete opposite because they have attacked the very core of what made them global aviation leaders in the first place. Front line ground staff and cabin crew have been the target of a full-on assault and is it little wonder morale has hit rock bottom and many are now saying they would sooner see the company go under than be forced to accept the draconian proposed new terms and conditions. What sort of company is it that ignores common sense and behaves in such a manner that alienates its front line customer service staff in such a fashion?
Even in (what we then thought were) the bad old days of Lord King, Sir Colin Marshall, Robert Ayling, Martyn Bridger, Joy Hordern etc etc we all had some sort of grudging respect for our leadership, believing they had the best interests of BA at heart, but today the chilling truth is no one has any faith in the powers that be. Self-interest and self-preservation are the only gods they have.
Just look at the two men Walsh employed to front up his industrial relations less than 12 months ago. Tony McCarthy and James Ferran were plucked from the evolving and continuing disaster that is the Royal Mail (bet their CVs make no mention of that mess they helped create there) and given the task of dismantling an organisation that once, with some justification, laid claim to be the world’s favourite airline. Before they sharpened their axes did either man stop and wonder, what actually made BA the “world’s favourite airline”?
Neither man has a clue about the airline industry and less so the culture - as far as we know neither has set foot on a BA a/c in the last 12 months - indeed it has sometimes been frightening to listen to them attempt to negotiate on something they are utterly clueless about. Ferran wouldn’t know what MBT or 6 and 3 was if they fell on his head, while McCarthy is far better suited to subterfuge and dirty tricks - two tactics he honed and perfected at his previous work place. In short - and as a consequence - these whole negotiations have been one long farce. If you doubt us just ask ACAS.
Bill Francis, a man with a vague and distant background in cabin services, was also drafted in to front up IFCE but in reality he was just McCarthy and Ferran’s stooge. Approachable and presentable he has not been given any real power of his own. Many times BASSA offered to meet him on a one to one basis to see if we could find common ground but he never had the confidence to accept. Hands tied, increasingly he has become a puppet like figure leading a demoralised and uninformed IFCE management team whose morale is only a fraction higher than those they purport to manage. It is little wonder then that we are where we are this autumn. IFCE is in complete disarray. Those who want to leave, can’t (despite lots of encouragement) and those who want to stay have no idea what the future holds. On board, cabin service routines are now being reduced to pathetic levels, catering is in decline, the aircraft are falling apart, there is no back up or credible management structure to sort out the mess and wherever you are in the world no one cares about BA anymore. We are a skeleton airline, running on a shoestring budget, governed by a second string management.
We simply cannot go on like this, the passengers are not mugs - they will not be fooled by glib advertising and empty words. They know that cabin crew (who more often than not are the reason they choose to fly BA) are being undermined and being deprived of the essential tools that help make their journeys that much more pleasurable. They don’t want a Ryan Air type experience when they clamber on a British Airways jet but if Walsh, McCarthy and Ferran have their way that is precisely what they will get and there will not be any going back.
Over the last 12 months BASSA have shown that we are prepared to make sacrifices and contribute to help BA combat the global downturn but all our offers have been thrown back in our faces because it did not quite match the sums envisaged by the greedy mandarins at the top - who not only saw their chance to “save a few bob” but who were intent on finally dismantling union power too.
The true depth of BA’s skulduggery is yet to emerge but, in the meantime, BASSA would like to send a message to the Board. Please come to your senses - this airline is now in a terminal decline and unless someone quickly oversees a change in philosophy there will be no respite. The vast majority of your customer service staff still care deeply and passionately about the people they serve, tap into that passion - reward them, give them back their tools of the trade, embrace their enthusiasm, restore their belief and respect and above all treat them like human beings. You might be pleasantly surprised just how quickly this airline returns to its glory days. But you have got to act fast - the sands of time are fast running out.
Please note: This message should not be copied, circulated or published without express prior agreement with BASSA.
My bold in there. I'd personally like to thank all our cabin crew and ground staff for being the only reason anyone flies with BA. I'd also like to thank BASSA for not wasting time finding solutions to the problems facing the business but instead concentrating on the important business of levelling schoolyard insults at the people running BA.
Maybe it's just me but with their increasingly desperate missives it sounds to me like BASSA are the ones running out of ideas, not BAs managers.
Carnage,
I take it that you received BASSA's approval to copy and paste, lol?
The sooner that BASSA, in its current guise, collapses and dies the better. Then BA can get on with doing business, without the restrictive practices of the Soviet-like dinosaur that claims to be a 'union'.
I take it that you received BASSA's approval to copy and paste, lol?
The sooner that BASSA, in its current guise, collapses and dies the better. Then BA can get on with doing business, without the restrictive practices of the Soviet-like dinosaur that claims to be a 'union'.
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Over on the mad house forum they are praising this latest release as eloquent and accurate, and suggesting that it should be released to the wider world or even placed as a press ad so the public can see what's happening in BA. Personally I think it's a great idea, although I suspect when the general public see what kind of union reps BA are having to deal with it won't have the effect BASSA thought it might.
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"They know that cabin crew (who more often than not are the reason they choose to fly BA) are being undermined and being deprived of the essential tools that help make their journeys that much more pleasurable"
What rubbish! The travelling public has a little more intelligence!
I am ex BA cabin crew, left in 2002 after many brilliant years and set up a successful overseas events company with my partner. We take around 8 - 10 groups every year to India, China, Singapore and Dubai, 30-40 pax at a time, mainly J class. BA were always our airline of choice but we stopped booking them over 12 months ago. The main reason being BA's arrogance, we now use Virgin, Singapore Airlines and Emirates. I'm sorry to say this but my last flights with BA to and from Beijing at the end of last year were dreadful. Please be under no illusion that I or anybody I know would not book with BA (or any other airline for that matter) simply because of the cabin crew, particularly in the premium cabins. I believe BA does have a very good business class product, but the service delivery is often lacking. In my opinion the likes of Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific leave BA standing in terms of cabin service. Again I'm sorry to say it but some BA crew give the impression they are doing you a favour being there, I appreciate this is the minority but it is these individuals that leave a lasting impression.
Several of my clients have commented that BA flights can be very hit and miss, some are very enjoyable but some downright appalling.
Just a few comments from an ex BA customer and to those BA crew that now want to burn me at the stake for daring to be critical of you, let me advise in advance -
I am ex BA crew so been there, done it!
I have not applied to be BA crew and been turned down so I'm not bitter!
I don't work for another airline and am gagging to be BA crew!
I do genuinely hope a win win solution is found for both sides but in the mean time, remember those people that are sitting in the seats that they have often paid a lot of money for; you'd be very surprised what they can hear of your conversations in the galley!!
What rubbish! The travelling public has a little more intelligence!
I am ex BA cabin crew, left in 2002 after many brilliant years and set up a successful overseas events company with my partner. We take around 8 - 10 groups every year to India, China, Singapore and Dubai, 30-40 pax at a time, mainly J class. BA were always our airline of choice but we stopped booking them over 12 months ago. The main reason being BA's arrogance, we now use Virgin, Singapore Airlines and Emirates. I'm sorry to say this but my last flights with BA to and from Beijing at the end of last year were dreadful. Please be under no illusion that I or anybody I know would not book with BA (or any other airline for that matter) simply because of the cabin crew, particularly in the premium cabins. I believe BA does have a very good business class product, but the service delivery is often lacking. In my opinion the likes of Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific leave BA standing in terms of cabin service. Again I'm sorry to say it but some BA crew give the impression they are doing you a favour being there, I appreciate this is the minority but it is these individuals that leave a lasting impression.
Several of my clients have commented that BA flights can be very hit and miss, some are very enjoyable but some downright appalling.
Just a few comments from an ex BA customer and to those BA crew that now want to burn me at the stake for daring to be critical of you, let me advise in advance -
I am ex BA crew so been there, done it!
I have not applied to be BA crew and been turned down so I'm not bitter!
I don't work for another airline and am gagging to be BA crew!
I do genuinely hope a win win solution is found for both sides but in the mean time, remember those people that are sitting in the seats that they have often paid a lot of money for; you'd be very surprised what they can hear of your conversations in the galley!!
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I'm always mortified when some crew claim that it is because of the CC that people choose to fly with us. Get real. Yes, most of us do a great job, but it isn't consistent, unfortunately. I've been on the receiving end of the not so great service, and it's not pleasant.
It isn't difficult doing the job, as such. Yes, we get jet lagged, yes, we sometimes have a pax who is (in our opinion) a PITA. It is difficult not being able to spend Christmas/New Year/weddings/birthdays/
christenings/anniversaries/parties/wimbledon/ olympics/world cup/duvet days etc with our loved ones, but that's part of what we signed up to. It isn't the passenger's fault.
I try my very best to treat my passengers as if they were family. Seeing a colleague rolling their eyes in the galley because someone would like a glass of wine or whatever is not acceptable.
People choose to fly with us for various reasons. Whether it's price, network, schedule or reputation. Some people like the crew, some don't. That's the way the cookie crumbles.
Yes, we are on board primarily for safety, but comfort (ie service) is a big part of it too. Passengers don't particularly care whether you like the CEO/managers or not. They want to get from A to B safely with a smile (or indeed several).
I know that catering has been cut. At LGW we work the best we can with minimum crew on board. It isn't the passenger's fault. Be nice, treat them with respect, make them want to come back to us. The more passengers we get to return, the more money comes in, and the safer our jobs are.
Sorry to rant, but I had to get that off my chest.
As for the rest of Bassa's latest publication, I can't help but laugh. It's full of
Gg
It isn't difficult doing the job, as such. Yes, we get jet lagged, yes, we sometimes have a pax who is (in our opinion) a PITA. It is difficult not being able to spend Christmas/New Year/weddings/birthdays/
christenings/anniversaries/parties/wimbledon/ olympics/world cup/duvet days etc with our loved ones, but that's part of what we signed up to. It isn't the passenger's fault.
I try my very best to treat my passengers as if they were family. Seeing a colleague rolling their eyes in the galley because someone would like a glass of wine or whatever is not acceptable.
People choose to fly with us for various reasons. Whether it's price, network, schedule or reputation. Some people like the crew, some don't. That's the way the cookie crumbles.
Yes, we are on board primarily for safety, but comfort (ie service) is a big part of it too. Passengers don't particularly care whether you like the CEO/managers or not. They want to get from A to B safely with a smile (or indeed several).
I know that catering has been cut. At LGW we work the best we can with minimum crew on board. It isn't the passenger's fault. Be nice, treat them with respect, make them want to come back to us. The more passengers we get to return, the more money comes in, and the safer our jobs are.
Sorry to rant, but I had to get that off my chest.
As for the rest of Bassa's latest publication, I can't help but laugh. It's full of
Gg
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Passengers fly BA because of the cabin crew first? Nope.
Amongst your high yield passengers (remember them? That dwindling bunch that pay the bills?) it's:
1. Network from London
2. Club World flat bed (NOT Club World food or service)
3. Frequent flier points and miles
4. Reputation for safety
Somewhere far below that is the person who provides coffee in the mornings, tea in the afternoons and a G&T in the evenings.
Amongst your high yield passengers (remember them? That dwindling bunch that pay the bills?) it's:
1. Network from London
2. Club World flat bed (NOT Club World food or service)
3. Frequent flier points and miles
4. Reputation for safety
Somewhere far below that is the person who provides coffee in the mornings, tea in the afternoons and a G&T in the evenings.
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From an aviation outsider, whoever is writing BASSA's missives is seriously deluded and needs a rocket up their backside.
To say that the recession is "rapidly disappearing" is complete and utter nonsense.
All that appears to be happening is that the decline is bottoming out, ie the economy has stopped detoriating further. And remember, this was done by central banks pumping billions into the economy - something that can't go on much further.
Things are not getting better, let alone returning to a state where BA can obtain the bumper premium yields of a couple of years ago.
The economy remains extremely fragile and corporates are still battening down the hatches. From where I'm standing I see no prospect of recovery until very late into 2010 at the earliest (whatever politicians may say of "green shoots").
To say that the recession is "rapidly disappearing" is complete and utter nonsense.
All that appears to be happening is that the decline is bottoming out, ie the economy has stopped detoriating further. And remember, this was done by central banks pumping billions into the economy - something that can't go on much further.
Things are not getting better, let alone returning to a state where BA can obtain the bumper premium yields of a couple of years ago.
The economy remains extremely fragile and corporates are still battening down the hatches. From where I'm standing I see no prospect of recovery until very late into 2010 at the earliest (whatever politicians may say of "green shoots").
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Just what century are BASSA and their members living in? Have any of them ever given a moment's thought on what's involved in running a multinational business, because it sounds as if you are all living in the 1950's. It's tough out there - wake up and face reality and stop risking the future of a great airline by such amateur and puerile postings that take no account of the real world!
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Gg,
As ever, an impeccable response. You hit the nail squarely upon the head.
Meanwhile the inchoate rantings that emanate from BASSA continue to provide a modicum of amusement; if only the intent behind them wasn't so full of unjustified self-belief.
Mr B
As ever, an impeccable response. You hit the nail squarely upon the head.
Meanwhile the inchoate rantings that emanate from BASSA continue to provide a modicum of amusement; if only the intent behind them wasn't so full of unjustified self-belief.
Mr B