Think it depends on the person you get, some are lovely, others are just not, i did it a couple of times on my monthly standby and they were fine with me, tho i find sometimes if your lovely to them then they are the same!

What I kinda thought. Never had any trouble with crewing in 13 years, always been lovely, but then so have I!!!!
hey thats the name of the game, no-one forces me to do a job I love!

new virgin uniforms?
 

does anybody know when virgin are due a new uniform as they seem to have had the current one for many years now?

They are designing it just now,im sure its supposed to be out next year

Commuting?
 

hello all,Wondering if you can help me... I just got a job with VS and am so excited! I live in Glasgow and have just bought my first house. I'm planning on moving for the six weeks of my training. After that I plan to commute from GLA. Could anyone tell me of their experiences and tell me if it is, infact, possible? How much is it likely to cost me, and am I stupid to think that it's possible? Any benefits or discounts I can get in my first six months?

Virgin Glasgow
 

hi there, i too have applied for virgin yet i live up north (about 40mins from MAN). I would also be commuting down there if i got the job, I think roughly it will cost around £200 - £300 per month based on 4 - 5 flights down tho london per month. The other option is the train, you get 40% discount after 6 mths, but if your under 25 u can get a young persons railcard which gives u 1/3 off. I have got a specific thread about commuting, u mite want to have a read. I think there are lots of commuters so i can be done, the only thing i worry about is this monthly standby thing that vs are now doing. I havent got the job yet, but i have put off applying for so long as i was unsure if i could commute, ive decided just to go for it! :)

Hi Pink,

I commute from MAN and it's not really a problem but far from ideal.
Just so you know, we're eligible for a Tribe card which enitles us to discounts on the train from day 1. It's just staff travel that you have to wait 6 months for.
I personally find it easiest to take the train down as it guarantees me getting there then jump on the first flight back up.
I'm on the Airbus so luckily most of our flights are in the evening and ex LHR which suits the commute. However, according to some of my friends it isn't too difficult to swap with crew that prefer the LGW flights.
Good luck with the application

Cheers:)

car park pass
 

thanks for your comments AFA :p

i really have been thinking long and hard about the whole commuting thing, ive done lots of reseach on internet today!

Just another few questions i have, if you dont mind

* is it true that if you have a car park pass for say MAN or LHR, and u are rostered a flight that leaves EX-LGW, that u can park there also? just incase i wanted to drive 4 looong hours, which would be last resort

*When u get the train do u get the heathrow express coach from watford, that seems to be the only way yo get to LHR from up here

*AND finally, when u have a really early check in (say 7am, no time for the train that morning), where do u stay the nite before? ive heard virgin crew get good rates on ibis etc, do u know?

anymore info u cud give me wud be great x
thanks

No, you now get one parking pass and one pass only. If you choose a MAN pass intending to fly down most of the time, then that's all you get. It's a sore point as if your pass is for LHR and you have a LGW flight, you have to catch the crew bus which runs every 90 mins or so, and adds hours to each day you work.

Staff travel tickets are now £58 each, so it's a chunk out of your salary each month.

Yeah, that's true. Only one carpark pass issued now i think. In your case the easiest thing to do would be to arrive at LHR whichever way you choose then catch the Virgin bus to LGW. You can buy another pass for about £40 per month but it's hardly worth it.
For early check in's however you would obviously need to be there the night before. For the few early flights out of LHR (MIA, JFK, IAD) it is possible to catch the 1st flight down but otherwise i normally stay at either the Crown Plaza or the Holiday Inn both of which do a crew rate. Not sure about LGW as we never fly out of there on my fleet but i heard the Ibis is ok.
Yes, it's best to get the train to Watford Junction then catch the Virgin bus to LHR. It's really good actually as they depart about 10 mins after the trains arrive (and every half hour) and stop right opposite the crew room. Plus most importantly it's free for us!
The commute is a big chunk out of the salary and the sby tickets are now £58 as has been mentioned. However the train tickets can be as little as £12 each way which really cuts down the costs. Not sure which part of MAN you're from but if you're near Manchester Picadilly, Stockport or Macclesfield
it's very convenient. The commute costs me far less than the increased mortgage payments i would incur if i decided to move back down south.
Worth it for me but see how you feel after 6 months. You can apply for the MAN base or become an honorary Southerner!
Feel free to pm me if you have anymore questions. If i don't know the answer cos it's LGW or specific cc stuff i'll find out.
Cheers

Virgin IBT
 

I'm afraid it's not possible to buy another parking pass, I tried that and was told I couldn't. My commuting days are now over, hallelujah. I tried catching a flight a few times from Manchester, but couldn't get on serveral times, so gave up. Even trying to get there for the 9.30 LA proved impossible. It was quicker to drive than sit around for hours waiting to get on a flight in the end. I once allowed six and a half hours at Manchester airport to operate the Jo'burg, and got there with one minute to spare!

Hi

Honestly it will be more expensive during your first 6 months before you receive your BA/BMI concessions. I commuted from Glasgow after probabtion, but know people who moved straight back after training. They just had to book flights as soon as they received their roster - and it worked out quite dear, but they were confirmed seats - also you will have to give yourself plenty of time at the LHR/LGW side incase of any delays with the VS inbound flight which could end up costing you a small fortune trying to get home.

I think it is worth it though - it's 4 months realistically of doing this - 5 at a push - and you'll get used to it pretty quickly - if you are really brave you could always consider the bus?! National Express from Buchanan Street to Heathrow every night - if you get there early for flight - sneak into the crew sleeping chairs and rest up before check in. Don't be surprised at the lengths some crew go and travel to get to work - says a lot about the great job!!!

When your probation is up, and you get concessions - v important dont go sick at all in first 6 months as it'll knock getting your concessions back - not nice - use your concessions and buy 5 tickets a month - roughly £270, standby - but be ready for the performance it can mean trying to get to work form Glasgow standby especially as a Virgin Junior - good luck - you probably will be taking that bus every time! There are just a lot of BA staff who commute and take up loads of spare seats - then VS lot - but again - worth it - and you'll always have an airport pal to chat to!!

Hope it all works out well!!

virgin pay deal
 

has anyone had any update on our pay talks ??

bring on industrial action thats what i say!! they have been taking the mickey out of us with our pay way too long!!

Pay Talks
 

The union is not endorsing the unofficial action planned by militants on the 9th of June.It's in our best interest's to allow due process even though it takes an age.Rumour control latest is an increase on route pay not basic.

well i certainly wont be going in on the 9th we have to take a stand:ok:

9th June is the date bandied about for UNOFFICIAL strike action, which would be foolish. Not only would you lose money, you stand to lose your job too. Besides, I'm on standby that day :( So few would take unofficial action, it would be a complete waste of effort.
Wait for news from the union about official strike action if the talks don't make any satisfactory progress. If the rumour is right about no rise in basic, well .... :mad:

If you participate in an illegal strike your union will lose all credibility with the management and they will have NO chance of negotiating a decent deal.
One of the bargaining chips you have is that the company are desperate to avoid the negative publicity of industrial action and you will throw that away by doing this.
Let the union try and do the job you pay them for, don't screw them & your colleagues like Tea or Coffee over by striking against their advice.
I really want you guys to get the deal you deserve but idiocy like this makes me wonder what some of you are thinking.

I know we are all desperate to get a pay rise.

Bills, Mortgages, Rent, Commuting Expenses all add up, and that's before you even have a chance to enjoy your life.

It's all well and good us getting 7 free flights per year, but I don't know anyone who can afford to go on a holiday 7 times a year, let alon afford to pay the taxes.

But... We all have to be patient. Getting VAA to change their management practices is going to be a long and slow process.

Rather than promoting unofficial strike action, we should be promoting union membership. I have flown with several crew both CC and SCC who are not even members, some who have been around for over two years!!!

I want to see more text messages promoting union membership!!!

virgin atlantic all-business aircraft
 

hi found this interesting!
Virgin Atlantic Airways Plans Business-Class Airline (Update1)

By Tracy Alloway and David Mildenberg

June 4 (Bloomberg) -- Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., the U.K. carrier controlled by billionaire Richard Branson, plans to start a business-class airline within the next 18 months that would increase competition for higher-fare travelers.

The new carrier will fly from cities including Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, London and Zurich nonstop to New York and other destinations, the London-based company said today in an e-mailed statement. The new airline will fly under the Virgin brand.

The Virgin entry will compete for corporate travelers with traditional airlines such as British Airways Plc and new business-class carriers such as Silverjet Plc, MAXjet Airlines Inc. and Eos Airlines. Premium travel is the most lucrative for trans-Atlantic airlines, generating about 60 percent of British Airways' sales.

``This is going to create big problems for the legacy carriers because international business travel is where they make their money,'' said George Hamlin, managing director of Airline Capital Associates in Fairfax, Virginia. ``The whole trick for Virgin is making sure their equipment isn't too big.''

Virgin Atlantic has had ``preliminary discussions with a number of manufacturers for an order that could be up to $700 million,'' spokeswoman Brooke Lawer said. She declined to give further details, saying the plans ``are in the earliest stages.''

Heathrow Slots

The airline controls key landing slots at London's Heathrow airport, the world's busiest international airport, that it might transfer to its new business-class airline, Hamlin said. That would be an edge over Eos, MAXjet and Silverjet, which use London's Stansted or Luton airports.

Virgin Atlantic's plan comes after the U.S. and the European Union in March reached an ``open skies'' agreement that lets carriers fly from any European city to any U.S. destination. British Airways may start all-premium flights between the U.S. and Europe, the Financial Times reported May 19.

The move is separate from Virgin America Inc., a new low- cost carrier backed by Branson. Virgin America last month won final U.S. approval to begin U.S. flights and plans to start New York-San Francisco service later this year after it receives safety permits. Branson's closely held Virgin Group Ltd. put up 25 percent of the initial $177 million investment for Virgin America, plus a $53 million loan.

so what airport do you think they will fly from i guess it will be stansted!

Back to striking
 

Sorry to not comment on last post re: Business airline.

I really do not think that the strike of June 9th will happen. I've not heard a thing anyway, but found out about it on here.
I really hope that it doesnt happen and wonder who the 'Rebels' are. Does anyone else know who is behind the texts/emails/fliers? I've no idea, so best to stick with official Union!

Where on iFly did you see it? I havent seen it on there, which is quite worrying :uhoh:

Virgin Atlantic strike rumours
 

I am hearing rumours of an unofficial strike tomorrow by some Cabin Crew of Virgin Atlantic. Crewing are also starting to receive calls from crew reporting sick in far higher numbers than normal.

Looks like the BA summer malaise is contagious !!!! :)

Isn't that illegal in the UK?

yes... but going sick isn't

Great staff travel, not that hard work and great destinations but your pay is 5hite. In these days of equality, the Branson magic just don't wash. You have got some great shiny buildings for your exec's, but if you can't afford to holiday on your 5 year firms then whats the point?

You should be the brand that takes on BA. You should be paid the same money. Forget the chrome trim on the window blinds and give it to the crew.

Your drivers compete directly with Big Airways money, so should the crew. If you are taking action (24hr bug) then well done.

Thanks to the moderators for moving you off the front page. Why that would be I don't know, still fast track to the 4th stripe is worth it!

Virgin FBT
 

Hey
Just wondering what sort of tests the FBTs go through on their interviews for Virgin - anyone got any idea what practical stuff they have to do?

cheers :ok:
FF

I have read all these postings regarding pay etc....I can only come to the conclusion that if you don't like it ...you know where the door is. If it is such a poorly paid job that you can't afford to live etc why join VS ? Plenty of people do apply and join and I personally know of several who have been unsuccesfull when applying to VS but will reaply as soon as they can, as they really want to work for VS. They know the pay and conditions, (one even has a relative already employed there) If BA is so good join them...

Maybe, when people join, they join for a certain lifestyle. They stay there for a few years and they enjoy the people they work with and want to make a career of it. This is when the financial reward becomes the main driver. This is when staff travel and staff parties become less important, than having the means to pay for a mortgage.

The flight deck appear to be paid a healthy market rate, engineering are near enough at the start and are well paid with a bit of service, but the crew have been left behind.

can you believe the latest update from the mangagement is now inorder for crew to get a descent pay increse they are going to try and take away our staff travel and requests and private health care can you believe this... this is going to create a holy war between management and crew... remember stick together crew we will win this time...

Hmm I've just read the update on ifly. Let's see. Management now want us to put back the date of our next pay negotiations to later in the year, but isn't that what they wanted the first time, an 18 month pay agreement? It seems that hasn't changed. Then there's something about wanting the agreement to last three years, with only year three guaranteed to match inflation. Is that supposed to be an improvement? And now talks of losing staff travel concessions, which they seem to think only Virgin offers. I'm totally confused, I think we are moving backwards. I can see ballot papers popping through our letterbox soon and I know where I'll be putting my cross again.

All this time, Virgin is getting interest on the pay increase we should have had by now. :mad:

no staff travel and medical.

Who do these jessie's think they are ?? do they really think we are so stupid that we will go for that.... its got to be about 60% of commuters use staff tickets to get to work

I cant wait to get that form through the door.. the sooner this madness gets sorted the better

time to stick together !!! time to strike !! time to take action... taking our benefits away!!! staff travel medical plans etc... our airshare was rubbish but you know where all the money we were ment to recieve went from the airshare it went into the base!!!! they did the same when the renovated the club house!!!

Crew benefits during initial probation period???
 

Hi Virgin crew.

Coming away from my interview I am a little unsure of what benefits I get during my probation and what kicks in after the 6mnths?

Apart from basic wage and downroute pay for food etc do I also get trip pay straight away? Also the tribe card??? Can I get discounted trains straight away. Of course free flights is after probation I expect?? Can I take someone with me on a trip during probation??

Can someone put me more in the picture.
Thanks.

IFBT's
 

Hi FF,

I understand that the written exam covers loads of anatomy and physiology with a 88% pass mark and practicals you have to perform back massage and manicure.
Hope it helps

Hi, all i have recently set up a google groups site especially for commuters MAN-LHR-MAN to arrange car share for cost or just company.....its was mainly for BA staff but since a load of ground staff from MAN are going flying at LHR(73 new + current commuters) I guess it might be more difficult for VS crew to commute on the shuttles and might want to car share....anyway here is the link.
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/ba-...mmuters/?hl=en

Cheers Jarvis


any questions pm me

Seen the latest letter? If not... go to iFly...

2% was rejected, why would 2.6% be accepted?

Vote NO!

Hi fellow slaves,

I hope everybody has received the latest ballot paper from the union.



VOTE NO!!!!!