You're very welcome :)

I can totally understand the stress of relocating and taking on a new job :eek:

The Base is a short bus journey from Gatwick. Virgin operate their own bus service plus there are regular public services as well.

The Office is just across the road from The Base.

Good luck with your accommodation search. If there's anything else you want to ask, please give me a shout.

Hi high as a kite,

I do very much love galley FM, it's amazing ehat you hear sitting on boxes in the galley in the middle of the night! Heard some wild things last night too.

HIgh as a Kite
 

Hi High as a Kite... just wondering about that bus you mentioned from Gatwick to The Base... where does it leave from or how frequently does it run? Thanks...

Hi r.s.

What sort of wild things?! Do share.......

Hi GTCrew,
The Virgin operated bus leaves from Concorde House every 20 minutes from 07:40am to 12:40pm.

There are also public services from the South Terminal bus station. Timetables for service number 10 and 100 can be found on http://www.metrobus.co.uk

High as a Kite - thank you SO much for your support, it's great to talk to someone who has been there! The bus info is extremely useful as I'll need to find that for my uniform fitting - have just looked up that website, thanks so much for that :ok: I should just stop worrying really, thousands of other crew have managed, lol. :uhoh: Can't wait to just get to London and find my feet!

Thanks for everything, I really appreciate it :)

Jill

Just happy to help
 

Hi Jill,

No problem. It might have been a "few" years ago when I joined but I still remember what it was like.

Good luck with your move and the training.

See you onboard soon :ok: :ok:

Cheers Marc

Hi Virgin Guys,

Question for you lot, and maybe you can help.

I used to fly with some great guys at Flybe and a few years ago moved to Virgin. I just wondered if any of you who know them...........
Ryan Johnston and Joanne Cavey,

Both were ex flybe crew based out of Jersey.

If you know them would you be so kind as to say hello for old times. Thank
you.

Marc,

Sorry to bug you again :p - just a quick question... is the virgin-run bus free? Can trainees use it? Your advice re the buses was fantastic, I got timetables from the website you gave and I had no problem getting to the base the other day for my fitting, so thanks! :)

Just hoping I don't have to pay three quid every day for a bus (aswell as my train fare, argh!)

Thanks,
Jill x

Suitcase Sizes....
 

Hi Jill,

No worries. You can ask me as many questions as you like :)

The Virgin operated bus is free of charge and you can use it from day one onwards.

Until you get issued with your ID you will need to show the driver some sort of proof that you are employed by Virgin (like the letter offering you the job).

Seats on the bus are on a first come, first served basis so you may want to arrive a little bit earlier in case you don't manage to get on the first one.

Wishing you lots and lots of luck with your training. Let me know if you've got any more questions.

Take care.

Cheers Marc :ok:

Hi Jenn,

Although the case you've got looks huge, it's amazing how quickly it's fills up with the many changes of outfit you might want to bring on a trip plus all the lovely bargains you pick up at the shops whilst you're away ;)

You might want to invest in a smaller case for night stops.

Cheers Marc :ok:

Hi Marc,

Thanks so much for that, I really appreciate it - hate feeling in the dark about everything! That bus sounds great, might not risk it on the first day, but at least it'll save a bit of money!

Thanks for all your help :p

Jill x

(SPANNER IN THE WORKS) My what an old fanny you are! LOL
I'd slaughter my husband if he interfered in my work as you do.
I really don't think air crew is the job for your fiancee....hang on let me rephrase that. I really dont think air crew is the job that your fiancee should do if she is to spend her life with you.

Lets get something straight on this thread. Being is aircrew is unpredicatable and exciting. Thats why we do it. All other airlines have the same policies with leave, bids etc, just not as flexible as Virgin. If you want a safe job where you can plan where you are going to be one month to the next and have weekends off, then find an office!

In 13 years I have never heard of anyone being refused wedding leave, but appreciate that to a newbie the CSMs comments are misleading.

So there! :}

Hi Guys, sorry to bring conversation of topic slightly but I have a personal issue that I really need to bring up with the union (I am a member) However I really dont know who to get hold of or how to as I dont have a list of contacts, if anyone could help me please could you PM or email me, obviously I dont expect anyone to post peoples personal details publicly on here.
Many Thanks, suki :ok:

Air Southwest Staff Travel for VS
 

Hi Folks,
Just a quickie to find out if Virgin crew get any concessionary travel with Air Southwest. I'm looking to commute possibly from Plymouth.

Thanks

virgin atlantic offers it crew yet another disgraceful pay offer we need your support
 

well ladies and gents here we go another terrible pay offer by the virgin atlantic establishment here is what the company has offered its cabin crew and to say the least this is an outrage

"Pay Offer Information for non CC89/Amicus members
You will be aware that we have been negotiating terms and conditions of pay with CC89/Amicus. We have now concluded our discussions and presented a final offer of a twelve month deal.

For those non-members here are the details on the offer as ultimately you will be affected. The offer is currently being voted on by CC89/Amicus members. The ballot will close on 20 April 2007.

1. Basic Pay

2% uplift on basic pay with effect from 1 April 2007, for 12 months. This is in line with the award made to other staff groups.

We would keep new entrant salaries at the existing rates.

2. Trip Pay

A 2% uplift on Trip pay for all ranks with effect from 1 April 2007 for 12 months.

3. Monthly standby

In order for us to continue with the system of monthly standby we need the following changes to the Agreement.
- Crew to be rostered 6 blocks of standby in 3 years
- We need to reset the standby counts to zero for newly promoted crew
- Change 4 hour call outs to have an AV day before the 4 hour block
- The guaranteed weekend off to become guaranteed time off
- Staggered start dates (throughout the month) for the standby period with protection around Christmas/New Year
- Crew who are sick on a standby month will be re-rostered their standby month

4. Promotional Pay Review

On promotion with effect from 1 April 2007 all ranks of crew will receive the basic rate of pay for their new rank at March 2007’s pay rates. After 12 months of successful performance they will move to the rate of pay uplifted by 2%.


If you have any further questions please feel free to talk to your manager.

Jenny Crinnion
Head of Cabin Services

www.britishairwaysjobs.com :}

Hi sorry to sound dumb but I am due to start with Virgin in May.. so does this offer mean people have to vote and if everyone is against it, it doesnt happen ??

Pay rise is due 1st April, which I think says it all really! I know which box I'll be putting my cross in :mad:

hey loopy
the payrise is an absolute disgrace !! as a new crew member the payrise would not affect you in the short term anyway as your pay is frozen for a year at £10851 which is terrible. this was never the way before after six month you use to get a pay increase this however is nolonger the case. my advice for you loopy is to join the union the minute you have the opportunity whilst you are doing your training as i can see these pay talks getting rather nasty in virgin after all we did get screwed over in the last talks and to be honest crew moral is at an all time low with crew down shortages and the introduction of variable manned flights.

ha, even less than that, its £10,185 I think.

union ? do u have to pay for this lol ?

so, is this def going to happen then ? the weekend thing annoys me a bit, the non guaranteed thingy.

Tell you what guys and girls, at least you get the chance to vote. Other departments in this airline get given the 2% like it or lump it - theres no vote.

Weekends - whats a weekend? When the flightcrews break the plane, people often lose their days off to come and fix it. Try working 16-20hour days for four days in a row, then a couple of days off (if you don't end up coming back in to help out due to shortages - eg crew check in at the moment). If you guys go crew down out of spite, you cause problems for your colleagues. If we don't go to work, our aeroplanes don't fly, we don't make any money, airline stops, people lose jobs.

Be thankful you have a union on your side, you work in a very fragile industry, don't make it harder than it already is. If you don't like it then leave and stop causing problems for the others that are there to pick up the pieces.

Its the same throughout the whole industry, every company is in the same situation. We are lucky that we have as many extra perks as we do, some companies I've worked for don't even come close.

For the work load that is asked for us all under normal circumstances, we are well looked after, when people start to be bitchy, thats when it falls apart and gets harder. Today I heard nothing but complaints - but they were all caused by your colleagues trying to be militant - its called teamwork - if you all turn up to work, your job will get easier. If flights go to plan we'll make more money therefore we all get rewarded each airshare. Cause problems, we lose money, things get cut back, people lose jobs - I've seen it happen before.

If you feel strongly enough to strike, then you'll feel strongly enough to leave. I'm sure there are plenty of youngsters out there willing to take your place instead.

Like it or lump it???
 

Fournier Boy... we had this same debate between ba crew and groundstaff and to be honest why shouldn't crew get the pay rise they deserve like it has been said 2% is not even close to inflation. Now I don't know how the pay scales on the ground are at virgin compared to ba but I know ba groundstaff where paid alot more than crew(oh and i'm at lgw not the golden runaway) so therefore crew are probably paid alot less. I know Virgin crew and compared to the amount of work they do they don't get paid alot.
Oh and this whole attitude of well if you don't like it leave.....WHY??? what has happened with the fighting spirit of getting paid the amount people should... we are all in the same fragile airline industry regardless of what job we do..however the one's that seem to be in pocket are the managers.... i'm sure it's the same at Virgin..... and why haven't you got a union??? why don't you get out there and fight for one as opposed to sitting back and saying at least the crew have one.... form one your in your right to do so in the meantime I would suggest you try and support your colleagues as one day you might just need them to do the same for you!!!!!!!!!!!:ugh:

FB,
I am afraid I have to disagree with your sentiments. Not all of the industry is fragile. Only the companies that are poorly run i.e. companies like VA. Virgin is a shadow of its former self, and that is because of very very poor management. An example of this is the shockingly high lease rates on the ex-Alitalia aircraft. Why should the crew or even you pay for their ineptitude. In fact standing upto them may result in a deadwood clearout, and possibly an improvement in how the company fares.
I myself remember fondly the once proud airline that was a trendsetter. I fear VA has become the type of airline it was designed to usurp.

Our NEW head of cabin services is obviously after a nice fat bonus from her boss, id actually prefer she came and slapped me in the face for working EVERY flight this year crew down! Cheers for your thanks its REALLY NOT! appreciated!. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: oh and fournier_boy are you for real?

Coz its a bit controversial about VS, so best bury it!

As a Senior CCM for VAA, I decided to post my first reply to a thread on here in response to the very emotive topic of the pay discussions.

I don't expect this to go down v well but as am employee of the company and a reg member of this Forum, I am entitled to post my opinion.

I earned what I consider a decent basic salary last year (just short of £20k + about £5k trip allowances). Now as a mid 30's guy who used to work as a Recruitment Consultant, I consider that to be fair, based on the hours per month I work.

I agree with FB regarding our right to vote - other areas of the company simply accept what they are given in relation to pay rises. And they can see the bigger picture.

Crew down has been a major issue, but we should not lay all responsibilty on the company - we all know that people call in sick with great ease - and in a large proportion of cases, trips are fully rostered, it is sickness which results in flights going crew down.

Whilst I would never tell someone to simply move to another company if they are dissatisfied with their employment conditions, it has to be pointed out that we all knew the rates of pay and conditions of employment when we signed our contracts. What has changed since then??

Comparing us to other airlines will not achieve very much - charter work longer hours and don't really have the lifestyle we do in terms of trips away and days off. BA is in a league of their own in terms of size, schedules and route networks, and VAA cannot compete with them on a fair basis money wise. They simply make a lot more money so have more to dish out.

VAA is still a great place to work - I dont know of any other airline which gives employees the benefits we have.

I just thought I should perhaps be the lone voice on this post stating that we have to look at the bigger picture - we are paid fairly for our roles, and negative crew who do not enhance a customer's experience really only damage their own prospects as that person will not fly with VAA again, which obv equates to reduced profits.

Perhaps if some of the people who work for VAA were as vocal in their committment to providing excellent service to passengers on board, as they are on here, then we would not be in the middle of a slanging match regarding what they consider to be unfair conditions of employment.

RPI is 4.6% at the moment, so a 2% pay increase equates to being 2.6% worse off on where you were last year. Not good in any way.

But in doing what you have done, Tight Slot, you have removed the impact factor of the original post. I believe it was made to draw attention to the alleged plight of VS cabin crew, but it appears that you have decided that it should not be seen in that way.
Only my opinion though!

Not sure your getting the right line, jcdcon are you a CCM as in Cabin Crew Member or CCM as in Cabin Crew Manager. I would guess the former if you earned £20k+!!!

Somebody mentioned the leases on the B744's that Alitalia cancelled, worth checking up, but i think VS bought these & subsequently made a few million US$'s by selling them to a leasing company & leasing them back. Short term gain!!!!

Guys, is part of your crew shortage down to the 900 hours rule too? We have had quite a few problems with it at BA and (we are lucky in that) our rest periods seem to be longer than some of your's. 2dmoon said that you are working more and more, surely you would be reaching that limit?

Get right behind your union and I hope that they will come up for the goods for you.

Good luck to you all and see you down route for a pint!:ok:

Denzil,
Spot on. The upshot is that "Virgin Atlantic" who now plead poverty are paying way over the market rate for these aircraft. Meanwhile the "third parties" made a killing on the "sale" of these aircraft. :ugh:
2dmoon,
You are correct about the delayed report, you can only be delayed at home. I would suggest next time you you send in an ASR.

hi everyone.

I love our fabulous airline but Im frankly shocked by this very cheeckie offer by our managment. To me the worst thing by far is 6 standby months every 3yrs. Starts again if move rank( which is highly likely) with just 2 guaranteed days off in those months, so basically the whole month is screwed and u can plan nothing!

And Im really dissapointed Ive just worked my arse off preparing for my CSS interview for the last 6 weeks after finally meeting the required performance monitoring scores and getting the job and now gonna have to wait for months and months for a course and then dont qualify for any new pay deal increase. WHAT A LOAD OF OLD ****!

NRT
 

Just wondering, does the NRT flight have only one UK based CC? Thanks.

Where does Virgin Atlantic have crew based around the world.

Thanks

Hi to answer the above question, VS have crew based in PVG,HKG,SYD,LOS,DEL,BOM,MAN and of course LHR/LGW. Generally on NRT flights we only have one or two western CC members plus a couple of SCC members, normally one CSS a western FSM although this isnt always the case and of course the IFBT is western. The NRT crew are based in LHR and not NRT and they also sometimes operate EWR/JFK flights!

New to this monthly stand by lark and having a mare with it. Have not yet been given a flight a few days or day before. Everything is a mad dash to the airport. Anyway, quick question.........
Can I call crewing at say 5am to see if thay have a flight for me or is this a big no no?:=
Just that that extra hour would help enormously. Ta!