British Airways - CC Industrial Relations Mk V
PPRuNe Person
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: see roster
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have flown BA longhaul as a passenger within the past week and the service was very pleasant and friendly. There was no hint of any 'attitude'.
At T5 in the midst of the disruption, the ground staff were pulling out all the stops to ensure that passengers were re-booked, on BA and other carriers.
There are plenty of people who like to rubbish BA at the first opportunity.
As 28L says, give us a chance, we have an excellent product - T5 is great as well!
At T5 in the midst of the disruption, the ground staff were pulling out all the stops to ensure that passengers were re-booked, on BA and other carriers.
There are plenty of people who like to rubbish BA at the first opportunity.
As 28L says, give us a chance, we have an excellent product - T5 is great as well!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A friend of mine flew in on BA last night and was full of nothing but praise for the CC. His only complaint was the general nature of the movies on the IFE, but I suspect that's because he's seen most of them on the cheapy chinese DVDs available in the local market 
So fair's fair, well done to those that flew LHR-BAH yesterday.
So fair's fair, well done to those that flew LHR-BAH yesterday.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, just for what it's worth, BA remain my favourite carrier to fly on, bar none. It doesn't mean much, except to say that there are some of us who do still think this way.
And flying from Delhi, I still wanted to kiss and hug the CSD at the door when I finally made it through the hell of the airport!
And flying from Delhi, I still wanted to kiss and hug the CSD at the door when I finally made it through the hell of the airport!
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: An anger-management clinic.
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm delighted to hear that BA CC, and indeed ground staff, are not letting the "issues" affect their relationship with the paying public. You would hope for nothing less, but given the vitriol that has been seen here, that reassurance is a comfort. Emotions have clearly been running high behind the scenes, but at least those who pay the wages haven't been penalised yet.
However, 28L notes:
I would guess that depends on whether the flights people have planned and booked actually take place. It would be interesting to see how forward bookings have been affected since this sad story reached the ears of the travelling public. The issue is not standards of service, but whether there is any service at all.
Good luck to those involved, and even more to the uninvolved who will be the inevitable victims if BA/Unite cannot sort something out soon..
However, 28L notes:
Maybe see how your next two flights go before dumping us?
Good luck to those involved, and even more to the uninvolved who will be the inevitable victims if BA/Unite cannot sort something out soon..
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SALISBURY
Age: 77
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA 59 20 Dec / BA 58 11 Jan
I'm delighted to report that both flights were absolutely perfect. Despite the fact that J was full both ways there was the usual high standard of service delivered with a smile by all the CC with whom we came into contact. There certainly seemed to be a degree of bewilderment at the union's tactics.
It is worth noting that the CSDs on both flights seemd very young to be filling such an important role. Maybe that's why they had such a positive attitude.
Anyway, thanks to all concerned for making our special trip such a great experience. I have already contacted BA directly with my individual congratulatory reports.
It is worth noting that the CSDs on both flights seemd very young to be filling such an important role. Maybe that's why they had such a positive attitude.
Anyway, thanks to all concerned for making our special trip such a great experience. I have already contacted BA directly with my individual congratulatory reports.
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: here, there & everywhere
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think the problem with BA's cabin crew IS and HAS been consistancy.
In the last 10 years that I have been within the industry, the airlines I have primarily flown have been Emirates and BA (with a little bit of Etihad and BMI on occasion).
What I have found with EK is that they are far more consistantly good. The crew generally seem fresh, enthusiastic, and eager. On the other hand with BA, I find it quite frustrating, in terms of consistancy; when I fly, to quote Forrest Gump "...is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get". I have had flights where the service has been outstanding, and I really wish that will be the case the next time I travel. But then I unfortunately find I'm on more flights where I have been less than impressed.
But this is the problem for BA that they urgently need to rectify; firstly distnguishing the deadwood from the good crew. And secondly, getting rid of this deadwood!
In the last 10 years that I have been within the industry, the airlines I have primarily flown have been Emirates and BA (with a little bit of Etihad and BMI on occasion).
What I have found with EK is that they are far more consistantly good. The crew generally seem fresh, enthusiastic, and eager. On the other hand with BA, I find it quite frustrating, in terms of consistancy; when I fly, to quote Forrest Gump "...is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get". I have had flights where the service has been outstanding, and I really wish that will be the case the next time I travel. But then I unfortunately find I'm on more flights where I have been less than impressed.
But this is the problem for BA that they urgently need to rectify; firstly distnguishing the deadwood from the good crew. And secondly, getting rid of this deadwood!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: 35,000 ft
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fincastle - Happy New Year and Welcome Back - we missed you! Glad it all went well, after all the stress you were put through.
I would concur with what others have said - some of the rather unpleasant and unfortunate attitudes shown here by some of my colleagues would most certainly never be found on board a BA plane (certainly not one I was on anyway!!). There is a lot of huffing and puffing on here, but I hope that 101917 and others will judge us, like Fincastle did, on the standards onboard, and not upon regrettable and ill-judged comments made on a public forum.
I am BA cabin crew, and this is my own view and not that of BA.
I would concur with what others have said - some of the rather unpleasant and unfortunate attitudes shown here by some of my colleagues would most certainly never be found on board a BA plane (certainly not one I was on anyway!!). There is a lot of huffing and puffing on here, but I hope that 101917 and others will judge us, like Fincastle did, on the standards onboard, and not upon regrettable and ill-judged comments made on a public forum.
I am BA cabin crew, and this is my own view and not that of BA.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Canterbury
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are BA cabin crew, go to the ESS forum and read the thread on there about disruption. I don't wish to wash our dirty laundry in public, but a WW CSD has confirmed that after speaking to ops, there are no flights leaving with crew members down and, as a CSD, was particularly advised not to leave with less than the required complement. So it appears, contrary to the BASSA spin machine, that BA are doing their utmost to keep the operation going while complying to the usual agreements.
It makes a bit sense now why they served free tea and coffee the other day at CRC!
Very poor taste BASSA - this is unadulterated rabble-rousing and proves you have stooped to new lows. BASSA have now proved themselves capable of being underhand, unprofessional, lying and even acting illegally (asking non members to vote).
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SALISBURY
Age: 77
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whilst on our celebratory trip we were staying in a great B&B in Camps Bay. We became friends with another Brit family who were over for the Newlands Test (well played England!)
Mrs ? was ex BA CC who retired nearly 30 years ago but is a BA pensioner. Without prompting she informed us that she had received a letter from Bassa inviting her to vote for a strike. She assured me that she was never a member of ANY union!
Mrs ? was ex BA CC who retired nearly 30 years ago but is a BA pensioner. Without prompting she informed us that she had received a letter from Bassa inviting her to vote for a strike. She assured me that she was never a member of ANY union!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: london
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Miss M
If you are BA cabin crew, go to the ESS forum and read the thread on there about disruption. I don't wish to wash our dirty laundry in public, but a WW CSD has confirmed that after speaking to ops, there are no flights leaving with crew members down and, as a CSD, was particularly advised not to leave with less than the required complement. So it appears, contrary to the BASSA spin machine, that BA are doing their utmost to keep the operation going while complying to the usual agreements.
If that's the case I can't actually understand why BA asked for the disruption agreement in the first place
If that's the case I can't actually understand why BA asked for the disruption agreement in the first place
Perhaps services left with the correct numbers of crew because displaced crew were shipped to the Park Inn and used to back fill operating services where crew failed to report, good for BA, at least they have now shown they have the balls to run the operation without any meddling from BASSA.
No need because BA seems to take matters into their own hands and not care about what agreements are and what they actually stand for. For you customers, don't worry because you will be getting to your destination at the expense of BA completely ignoring current agreements for their cabin crew!
Despite what you may think or be told by BASSA, the traveling public (you customers as you put it) simply don't care about your cushy, gravy train agreements, they just want to get from A to B.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: An anger-management clinic.
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MissM, it seems nobody can win an intellectual argument with you.
Perhaps you could consider that BA were sticking to THEIR side of the agreement regarding disruption, whereas BASSA refused to implement it. It must be most uncomfortable trying to sit on both sides of the fence whilst being so adamantly pro-BASSA.
If that's the case I can't actually understand why BA asked for the disruption agreement in the first place. To be honest I can't even understand why they would ask for it because they seem to impose things as they go along. Second thought. Maybe they wanted to be a gentleman and honour our agreements.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To be honest I can't even understand why they would ask for it because they seem to impose things as they go along
I think when you've lost hundreds of millions of pounds and see no sign of any willingness to face reality from the other side, the imposition was nothing more than the only way out.
And having spent so long trying to get something fruitful out of the BASSA amateurs, why waste another ten months negotiating over disruption when action is needed NOW. I expect asking was probably common courtesy, but of course we all know BASSA were going to be a bunch of awkward numpties so I applaud BA for taking decisive action to help their customers.
And BAW175 all of the information you need is available on the back posts of this and its mother thread. 'Nuff said
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As I'm sure you are aware, the BA staff posting on this forum are only a fraction of the number employed by BA.
FWIW my impression (as a BA jumbo Captain) is that the majority of BA Cabin Crew are very angry with BA and intend to vote in favour of a strike. However whilst onboard they continue to provide service as normal.
FWIW my impression (as a BA jumbo Captain) is that the majority of BA Cabin Crew are very angry with BA and intend to vote in favour of a strike. However whilst onboard they continue to provide service as normal.
Yes, you are absolutelly right the majority of us are angry at the way we are being treated. We are a group of professional people and will always be professional while on board an aircraft.
We will show our anger again in the new ballot.
Last edited by romans44; 13th Jan 2010 at 00:16.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And having spent so long trying to get something fruitful out of the BASSA amateurs, why waste another ten months negotiating over disruption when action is needed NOW. I expect asking was probably common courtesy, but of course we all know BASSA were going to be a bunch of awkward numpties so I applaud BA for taking decisive action to help their customers.
The fact remains that our agreement was broken again. The whole Country knew it was going to snow, it would have cost the company nothing to simply inform BASSA of their intetion of implement the disruption agreement.
What is the point in agreeing to an agreement when you have no intention of respecting it?
Sadly this will only work against the company, as people are now begining to see the true colours of the future.
Last edited by romans44; 13th Jan 2010 at 00:23.
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I began taking an interest in this and the previous thread, along with many other sources on the dispute sometime ago. I approached from a position of neutrality on the basis that there were two sides to the argument.
Over the last few years I have used every class that BA had to offer, including Concorde. However, after my next two flights, which were booked well before the dispute became public, I will not be using the airline for a considerable period.
I began loosing my neutrality a couple of weeks ago and, leaving aside the extremely vitriolic submissions by both sides and concentrating on the core arguments, it is my view that the pro Bassa supporters have not even come close to winning the debate.
In fact post number 1622 has finally convinced me there is really only one side to the squabble.
It is to be hoped, for all employees of BA, that Unite (not Bassa) have seen the light and that is why they have returned to the table, with the threat of imposition still in place
Over the last few years I have used every class that BA had to offer, including Concorde. However, after my next two flights, which were booked well before the dispute became public, I will not be using the airline for a considerable period.
I began loosing my neutrality a couple of weeks ago and, leaving aside the extremely vitriolic submissions by both sides and concentrating on the core arguments, it is my view that the pro Bassa supporters have not even come close to winning the debate.
In fact post number 1622 has finally convinced me there is really only one side to the squabble.
It is to be hoped, for all employees of BA, that Unite (not Bassa) have seen the light and that is why they have returned to the table, with the threat of imposition still in place
Hi 101917,
Just like my Cabin Crew and Flight Crew colleagues, I hope you do give us a chance. It's sad that you've made your mind up just by reading some very unfortunate posts by a minority of crew who do our airline and themselves no favours at all.
During your travels with BA having experienced every class of travel including Concorde, I'm sure you'll agree we have brilliant people all across the airline and some of your experiences must have been memorable. I hope you remember those rather than some of the provocative and unfortunate posts here.
I'm confident that an industrial dispute will not take place, BA and Unite are talking and I'm optimistic that a workable solution will be reached soon.
In the meantime, watch the space and here's hoping you stay with us.
I'm BA Cabin Crew and the above represent my personal views and not those of BA.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Romans,
I'm sorry Romans, this makes no sense whatsoever. Everything BA has done so far has done nothing but gain the sympathy of the business community and the general public.
Telling its staff what to do to minimise the impact on its' customers is the very least they would expect.
Who are the "people" to whom you refer in the above statement?
Because if it's CC, then I think you'll find we've already established in this thread that BASSA are like the Iranian Guardian Council and BA are their "Great Satan", so I doubt BA really give a monkeys what BASSA think of them after they way they have behaved in the last 12 months.
You may be right, in a way, that 'people' are beginning to see BA's true colours. They are not going to be BASSA's biatch any more, and they have the support of most outside BASSA.
Sadly this will only work against the company, as people are now begining to see the true colours of the future.
Telling its staff what to do to minimise the impact on its' customers is the very least they would expect.
Who are the "people" to whom you refer in the above statement?
Because if it's CC, then I think you'll find we've already established in this thread that BASSA are like the Iranian Guardian Council and BA are their "Great Satan", so I doubt BA really give a monkeys what BASSA think of them after they way they have behaved in the last 12 months.
You may be right, in a way, that 'people' are beginning to see BA's true colours. They are not going to be BASSA's biatch any more, and they have the support of most outside BASSA.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ask OPS!
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
it would have cost the company nothing to simply inform BASSA of their intetion of implement the disruption agreement.
BASSA refused every single time so the company has to take measures to protect its customers from a single department of its own workforce due to an idiotic thick skinned Union official.
Quite amazing really.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Romans said:
it would have cost the company nothing to simply inform BASSA of their intetion of implement the disruption agreement.
Wobble2Plank replied:
They did. No less than 6 times. They 'requested', in accordance with the agreements, from BASSA that the disruption agreement be implemented.
it would have cost the company nothing to simply inform BASSA of their intetion of implement the disruption agreement.
Wobble2Plank replied:
They did. No less than 6 times. They 'requested', in accordance with the agreements, from BASSA that the disruption agreement be implemented.
Or were you aware of it and trying to pull the wool over our eyes?
Or is Wobble making it up?
I think we should know the truth. What say you Romans44? Wobble, do you have a source please?
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Surrey
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Miss M
Ah, but BASSA were asked so they had every chance to act like responsible adults and give BA no reason whatsoever to impose. Guess what, they passed up that opportunity.
Romans
BASSA were asked to help out by activating the DA. They refused. BASSA broke the intentions of the "agreement" first, by refusing to implement it in precisely the circumstances for which it was intended. BA then had no choice but to impose the DA to help out our business and our customers.
I think it's shameful that BASSA wouldn't activate the DA. Shows exactly how much they really care about their passengers. Indefensible.
If that's the case I can't actually understand why BA asked for the disruption agreement in the first place. To be honest I can't even understand why they would ask for it because they seem to impose things as they go along
Romans
The fact remains that our agreement was broken again. The whole Country knew it was going to snow, it would have cost the company nothing to simply inform BASSA of their intetion of implement the disruption agreement.
I think it's shameful that BASSA wouldn't activate the DA. Shows exactly how much they really care about their passengers. Indefensible.