You need to re:read it Islandlad. I was pointing out the fact all CC serve more of a purpose than just serving T&C and escorting people to their seats. The crew with my outfit are very well trained and a few months ago I witnessed them in full CPR mode desperately trying to save the life of a customer. I was just highlighting to the uninitiated / plain ignorant* (* amend to suit) that the cabin crew are more valuable on board our aircraft that some think. I know that if I'm taken I'll, that there are 10 or so highly trained crew to hopefully sort me out.

Threat? - don't be silly. Just highlighting the ignorance of others'.

As one ex training Captain once told me early doors in my career, " Your steak can kiss the rim of a toilet before being presented with the sweetest of smiles". That advice has served me well.

Who is being disrepectful? I am friendly and polite to all waiters and waitresses. As Islandlad says, it's just not realistic to expect megabuck employment packages for jobs that add only centibuck value to (a) the employer and (b) the customer.

And given that my experience of BA cabin crew has found them arrogant, unhhelpful and rude (second only to AA in deservingness of a sound instructional thrashing) I remain to be convinced that they deserve salaries higher than (say) the waiting staff in the Hard Rock Cafe off Times Square (whose eagerness, helpfulness and enthusiasm add significant value to the evening). Virgin, Singapore and Delta CC were much better, so BA staff need to wind their necks in a bit IMHO.

PDR - I have no issue with you point regards to attitudes. You get that everywhere. My point is that the CC are very well trained and serve more of a purpose than serving T&C

Islandlad. No not food poisoning. It was a cardiac arrest with the crew performing CPR and using a de fib.

"3 or 4 CC on a 737 800". Couldn't answer that, we don't have tiddlers in my outfit.

The point my ex training Capt was making was that irrespective of whether being in the sharp end or not and regardless of our role, everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

No-ones being nasty, I'm not. I'm just pointing out that most, if not all crew, are highly trained beyond that of the obvious customer service. When you see 6 crew hands on trying to save someone's life with equipment strewn everywhere, you might appreciate what I'm saying. Obviously, not everyone gets to see or experience that and let's hope not. That said, it happens fairly regularly in LH.

PDR's experiences and comments on the attitude of crew he has met has resulted in him having a blinkered opinion of the real value of the cabin crew. I'm not taking about pay and salaries, I'm talking about the training and ability to look after someone in need or save a life especially when time is crucial

We're trying to rid the industry of this attitude as it's clearly not helpful or appreciated. Let's not cloud opinions based on whether someone smiles or not when offering a drink. Still doesn't make them less capable of saving a life.

I trust this concludes the discussion

I'm not. I took issue with PDR's personal opinion of cabin crew and responded accordingly. My argument isn't centred around pay or conditions. My argument is that PDR 1 totally underestimates the worth of a cabin crew member within their onboard role. To which, I have answered.

If you want me to express an opinion on BA MF terms and conditions, just say so. That said, that's about of much interest to me as your salary t&c's if you get my drift.

We're done I think

Well trained? IIRC the course has no academic entry requirements and lasts less than three months. Not exactly gruelling!

Yes, they do more than wait tables, but so do plenty of others. Swimming pool attendants do as much first aid training, as do many supermarket shelf-stackers and waiting staff in the larger chains. As far as I can see the only real justification for paying more than basic wages would be the anti-social work patterns, but again many shift workers have similarly anti-social patterns.

I think your figures are a tad exaggerated. I don't know of any cabin crew that earn up to £75K, however there were generous increments at the time which obviously help towards anyone's salary.

Well... everybody has been reporting everybody else this morning, so I've deleted a few posts that added little except heat to the conversation. Back on topic please folks.

My company offers First Aid training to all employees, and we have Defib machines dotted all over the place.

There is nothing magical about being trained in how to do CPR and use a Defribillator. More employers should offer it.

Fair point to a degree Chico however not in a metal tube, miles high in the sky with the nearest hospital potentially being hours away even if that airport can Handle that Aircraft type. Valid point about more employers jumping on board which I think is improving.

Tightslot - Ever the voice of reason. No worries

I just think it is very sad that people here seem to glory in the idea of airline staff being employed on rubbish contracts with crap pay.
These people generally do a decent days work-they don't lie for a living like journos, they dont steal your pension money like banks and financial advisors and insurance companies, they don't run the NHS into the ground for the sake of their bonus like NHS managers, they don't chase ambulances or rip people off with fees like lawyers. They don't impact your lives much at all.

Its a free country-just about and if they want to strike to draw attention to their situation they are entitled to. If we keep on depressing the wages and conditions of people in jobs where they are one of several thousand like these folks, Amazon workers, council contractors you are creating a society out of Dickens where the majority cannot afford even the sinmplest luxury and that in itself is enough to destroy overall prosperity

I started my career operating the Vickers Viscount in two roles, flight deck and cabin crew. I still think this taught me one heck of a lot about life in the industry. And as a bonus it was great fun, always being the 'baby' of the crew. Perhaps this should be made compulsory??

CC earning £21- £25k and striking in the very same industry that pilots pay to fly. Madness.

They're not earning £21-25k!

If they're earning 12k my point still stands - it's madness

I read earlier that cabin crew will strike for 24 hours on 25th December. Not sure how accurate but probably reasonable assumption.

How much do you think they are earning T250? Also, what do you think would be a fair salary for the job?

Sky News are saying Xmas Day, and Boxing Day for the first strikes. BA "determined the strike will fail"!

Hope Unite have explained to these young folks how these things play out!

For example, they WILL be threatened with the sack. Though to be honest, I suspect this particular section of the workforce will be far less concerned with that prospect, than most BA have previously dealt with.

I still support them though!!!

LCC are the cause. Directors of companies like BA and Cathay have allowed themselves to be ruled by accountants and, as someone just said, you get what you pay for.

It's such a shame for these youngsters who are being used as cannon fodder by Len McClunky & his bunch of Unite thugs.

The last time that they tried to take on WW they lost as they will again. :ugh:

It's just a shame that 1,000s of pax will be caused unnecessary worry & stress & the CC members will have their careers ruined by union militancy.