British Airways - CC Industrial Relations Mk V
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BACrewBoy,
And when, exactly, was the deepest part of the recession? In order to maintain profitability throughout fluctuating revenue times the airline MUST have the ability to adapt rapidly.
During those times, bearing in mind that 'business traveler' is a retrospective publication, the banking/service industries (our main customers in First and Business) were facing an uncertain future. The airline had to take the forward view that the load factors might not return in the face of dwindling personal liquidity and rationalisation of Corporate travel accounts.
We are now seeing a slow return to increased personal liquidity and and increase of travel account allocation to major corporate customers. Once again the company must be proactive in their appraisal of future trends. This is why BA employs some of the best analysts in the world to look into what products will suit the future markets. Hence we are retrofitting all of our aircraft with a NEW First Class product.
The future could, can or maybe different from the past.
And when, exactly, was the deepest part of the recession? In order to maintain profitability throughout fluctuating revenue times the airline MUST have the ability to adapt rapidly.
During those times, bearing in mind that 'business traveler' is a retrospective publication, the banking/service industries (our main customers in First and Business) were facing an uncertain future. The airline had to take the forward view that the load factors might not return in the face of dwindling personal liquidity and rationalisation of Corporate travel accounts.
We are now seeing a slow return to increased personal liquidity and and increase of travel account allocation to major corporate customers. Once again the company must be proactive in their appraisal of future trends. This is why BA employs some of the best analysts in the world to look into what products will suit the future markets. Hence we are retrofitting all of our aircraft with a NEW First Class product.
The future could, can or maybe different from the past.
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why
quote BA crewboy
``The fact remains that, unlike with many other professions, I cannot afford to take more than 2 days of holiday in one month.``
Why is that? Are you living beyond your means?
Someone should tell all crew when they join that your variable pay is not guaranteed and you should plan your lifestyle on your basic salary.
Do you have sickness insurance to protect your allowances if you are sick?
If you vote to strike then I presume you wont be able to afford to strike either.
quote BA crewboy
``Lots of airlines are fading out FIRST in favour of J.. we won't be far behind. ``
The company have reviewd F/C many times there are sufficient routes where there is a demand and as someone said there will be a re-fitting programme soon for the new F/C seats.
All in all BAcrewboy you seem typical of the breed in that you are ill informed on so many issues here. No wonder you take in the BASSA mantra.
Have you read any of your customers posts?
Also look at all the advertising being done by your competitors on TV one in particular ends with...
``I THINK I`LL CHANGE MY TICKET``
Exactly what many of your customers are doing!
NO CUSTOMERS ==NO AIRLINE==NO JOB!!
``The fact remains that, unlike with many other professions, I cannot afford to take more than 2 days of holiday in one month.``
Why is that? Are you living beyond your means?
Someone should tell all crew when they join that your variable pay is not guaranteed and you should plan your lifestyle on your basic salary.
Do you have sickness insurance to protect your allowances if you are sick?
If you vote to strike then I presume you wont be able to afford to strike either.
quote BA crewboy
``Lots of airlines are fading out FIRST in favour of J.. we won't be far behind. ``
The company have reviewd F/C many times there are sufficient routes where there is a demand and as someone said there will be a re-fitting programme soon for the new F/C seats.
All in all BAcrewboy you seem typical of the breed in that you are ill informed on so many issues here. No wonder you take in the BASSA mantra.
Have you read any of your customers posts?
Also look at all the advertising being done by your competitors on TV one in particular ends with...
``I THINK I`LL CHANGE MY TICKET``
Exactly what many of your customers are doing!
NO CUSTOMERS ==NO AIRLINE==NO JOB!!
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As far as this 'phasing out First' waffle, it's true that you can't fit any more Club World seats than First to the front of a 747. But beyond this, Crewboy please realise that an airline is judged by the class of it's service. If BA told the world that it was ditching First, the perception would be that we are a second-class airline. It is shear lunacy to even suggest such an idea. It is only on a very few longhaul routes that there is no real market for First, as I'm sure you know we already have a small number of 777's (primarily LGW, and a few LHR). For the bulk of our fleet First will still remain of CRITICAL importance, (Witness the upcoming new PRIME brand).
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'Folies de Grandeur'??
The fact remains that, unlike with many other professions, I cannot afford to take more than 2 days of holiday in one month.
Medicine is a profession. Qualification as a doctor takes six years or more of unremitting hard study.
How long does it take to become a flight attendant? Six weeks, more or less?
If the writer cannot "afford to take more than 2 days of holiday in one month" perhaps he should reconsider his continuing employment in civil aviation.
He has told us he has a first class degree in "philosophy and economis" (sic): why does he not use that to earn his living?
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Wascrew - i take offence at your post - which shows that you have not read any of my previous posts on here.
I am not living beyond my means - but a basic take-home of 800 a month will buy very little.
We know that variable pay is not guaranteed.
I have no sickness insurance and have never taken a day sick.
If you had read my previous posts, you would have seen that I have resigned from the Union as I think a strike is wholly unreasonable.
There will indeed be a New FIRST roll-out over the coming months - but the fact remains the Club World is BY FAR our most profitable cabin.
I am not typical of any breed and believe that it is, indeed, your fine self who is misinformed.
My beliefs stray far from the BASSA mantra.
Not only have I read many posts from our customers, but I talk to them on a daily basis. I would like to add here a reminder that all decisions taken within the company are taken from outside of the crew community.
I am not living beyond my means - but a basic take-home of 800 a month will buy very little.
We know that variable pay is not guaranteed.
I have no sickness insurance and have never taken a day sick.
If you had read my previous posts, you would have seen that I have resigned from the Union as I think a strike is wholly unreasonable.
There will indeed be a New FIRST roll-out over the coming months - but the fact remains the Club World is BY FAR our most profitable cabin.
I am not typical of any breed and believe that it is, indeed, your fine self who is misinformed.
My beliefs stray far from the BASSA mantra.
Not only have I read many posts from our customers, but I talk to them on a daily basis. I would like to add here a reminder that all decisions taken within the company are taken from outside of the crew community.
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Wascrew - I think you should read this forum a little more carefully before launching such a tirade. Please keep the debate reasoned and rational. BACrewboy, myself and many others on this forum (some of whom have established the PCCC) do not share BASSAīs views and will be working thoughout March or whenever (and IF) there is industrial action.
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I eanr more than enough to cover my costs of living. Thanks for the concern. The Philosopher in me would like to direct you to several interesting articles by Alla Sheptun on the Philosophy of money.
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Is it bash BACrewboy day today?
I dont agree with every word he has written, but come on... I wish that BASSA had a few more like him in their ranks. I think some of the replies to his comments have been a tad on the blunt/rude side - I am sure that we can all do better than this.
I dont agree with every word he has written, but come on... I wish that BASSA had a few more like him in their ranks. I think some of the replies to his comments have been a tad on the blunt/rude side - I am sure that we can all do better than this.
Last edited by Snas; 25th Jan 2010 at 11:05. Reason: Cos I really, really cant spell for toffee.
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but the fact remains the Club World is BY FAR our most profitable cabin
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Thanks Snas
I think I represent a very small group of people here. I am proud of my job and will not have it belittled. I not support the current I.R. strategy of the Union and I am wholly on the side of the company. But will not be bullied into submission on every point.
I think I represent a very small group of people here. I am proud of my job and will not have it belittled. I not support the current I.R. strategy of the Union and I am wholly on the side of the company. But will not be bullied into submission on every point.
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Figures mean very little
Using reverse logic it is hard to dispute this assertion:
Aircraft are currently crewed assuming a full load ie 100% load factor
The current load factor is circa 78%
So the current crew compliment is globally (100-78)/78*100 = 28% over established for the current load factor.
Absolute rubbish I know, but it just illustrates that you can make any point you wish with selective mathematics.
The only true figures worth considering are "Operating Costs" and how we can keep them under control.
BAcrewboy
First of all, really respect all your posts. Keep them coming
I also confirm the other posts that the 744 floor footprint of the first class cabin is very difficult/restrictive and conversion to J class would not generate significantly more J or even W seats.
Aircraft are currently crewed assuming a full load ie 100% load factor
The current load factor is circa 78%
So the current crew compliment is globally (100-78)/78*100 = 28% over established for the current load factor.
Absolute rubbish I know, but it just illustrates that you can make any point you wish with selective mathematics.
The only true figures worth considering are "Operating Costs" and how we can keep them under control.
BAcrewboy
Truth be known, BA would love to get rid of FIRST altogether and get more J seats in!
I also confirm the other posts that the 744 floor footprint of the first class cabin is very difficult/restrictive and conversion to J class would not generate significantly more J or even W seats.
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BAcrewboy
Well said. You have taken a brave stance in leaving Bassa & putting forward your various observations in this OPEN forum. Instead of bashing you those who disagree should put forward their reasoned arguments as to their alternative view. This should be done in a polite & reasoned manner, otherwise they should keep quiet. 
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BACrewboyAlthough I disagree with much that you say, I think that you conduct yourself on this forum with honesty and dignity.
Like many of our readers I applaud your stance regarding the UNITE/BASSA debacle.
If there are a few more like you still within the onion (oops, I meant the union
), then perhaps sanity will prevail and this idiotic strike will be rejected.
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First Class
BA is spending Ģ100m in an upgrade of the First product. Hardly the work of a carrier thinking of going down market. Part ot the company's problem is the make up of the long haul fleet, too many B747-400's, not enough B777's especially -300's. That fact has a direct correlation to the First product as earlier contributors have noted. Zone A on the B747 cannot be configured to allow more J seats thus negating any benefit in revenue terms. I seem to recall being told that it was only around 10 or so routes that made any money in First. That picture I suspect may have deteriorated in the recession. However, in marketing terms a network carrier such as BA needs the kudos of having products that stand comparison with the best of its competitors We need only look at what is being offered by Middle and Far East carriers to understand the need for BA to compete.
A larger fleet of B777's in a 3 class config both at LHR as well as LGW on routes with low F demand would go some way to address the issue of lack of profitability BUT it does lead to an increase in fleet complexity which can be an issue when disruption looms.
A larger fleet of B777's in a 3 class config both at LHR as well as LGW on routes with low F demand would go some way to address the issue of lack of profitability BUT it does lead to an increase in fleet complexity which can be an issue when disruption looms.
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I don't agree with some of what BA Boy posts.However i do think that he some valid points, also he is ONE of the few cabin crew that CAN think for himself and does not sit on the fence like most cabin crew.
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Totally Agree with Fincastle.
We should all welcome Bacrewboy et al and respect their opinions and them personally.
This is not an Anit-CC thread, but, in general, a thread were we do not tolerate BASS/Unite lies and waffle, but are trying to debate this situation with facts and, were possible, without emotion.
We should not be be-little any of the hard-working professional crew who contribute to this forum. It is the profession that they have chosen, and one that enables millions of us to safely travel the world every year.
CB
We should all welcome Bacrewboy et al and respect their opinions and them personally.
This is not an Anit-CC thread, but, in general, a thread were we do not tolerate BASS/Unite lies and waffle, but are trying to debate this situation with facts and, were possible, without emotion.
We should not be be-little any of the hard-working professional crew who contribute to this forum. It is the profession that they have chosen, and one that enables millions of us to safely travel the world every year.
CB
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A link to the STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL document..........in the public domain.......
http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X4874...rwardcombi.pdf
http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X4874...rwardcombi.pdf