Whats happening with Swissport at LGW?
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not going to be fixed overnight even if they threw resource at it, getting I.D. would take forever. Have to have some sympathy for the handling agents these days, airlines want it dirt cheap so out source to the lowest price. You pay for what you get. If you want to control it, use your own Staff, buy your own de-ice rigs. Who does that these days???. They should look at what Express package Companies do.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Swansea
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have to have some sympathy for the handling agents these days, airlines want it dirt cheap so out source to the lowest price. You pay for what you get.
I also have very little sympathy for either the airlines or for Gatwick, who are the ones who will principally suffer the public reputational damage. What sort of apologies for procurement and contract management processes are these companies running that have led them to allow a key part of the customer experience to be run by a company that has apparently failed to deliver to target on a persistent basis, and without the contract remedies in place either to enforce delivery or allow timely cessation?
I mean, the excuses that are coming out are risible: "Aircraft didn't land on schedule! It was the busiest weekend of the summer! It takes a long time to train people!" No sh*t, Sherlock! Nobody in the airline business could have seen those things coming, could they?
As for "you pay for what you get", what about the poor customer who isn't getting what he/she paid for? And is having their holiday ruined or business trip disrupted into the bargain?
Now, I`m no great lover of Swissport after the way they shafted their staff and suppliers at LHR 11 years ago. Nor do I consider zero hours contracts appropriate in a supposedly grown up economy, and nobody should be surprised if staff on these contracts decide to go home rather than unload late-arriving flights.
But, Swissport management cannot be that stupid in not foreseeing staffing problems in peak summer periods, when flights are normally delayed. I remember waiting for several hours a couple of summers ago when 3 or 4 EZY delayed flights all arrived within a few minutes of each other. Menzies did their best, but there were lengthy delays in getting bags, and GAL were not slow in letting everybody know which handler was at fault.
I am sure much of the problem relates to the delays in getting CRCs returned. Until you have the CRC you cannot even book in an appointment to get a pass. You would normally expect them turned around in 10 days or so, and so the recruitment of summer staff would be based on that sort of timescale.
It appears that disclosure Scotland are not turning the CRCs round for many weeks, and I can see this would cause huge problems in recruitment and training.
When I got my first pass nearly 30 yers ago, you just turned up on a Monday morning, got a polaroid taken, got your laminated pass and off you went. You were given on the job training with an old hand, and that was about it, you were semi-productive in a few hours. With the current inflexible dft rules, it can take months to fill a basic airside vacancy, so if staff leave with little or no notice, you are
But, Swissport management cannot be that stupid in not foreseeing staffing problems in peak summer periods, when flights are normally delayed. I remember waiting for several hours a couple of summers ago when 3 or 4 EZY delayed flights all arrived within a few minutes of each other. Menzies did their best, but there were lengthy delays in getting bags, and GAL were not slow in letting everybody know which handler was at fault.
I am sure much of the problem relates to the delays in getting CRCs returned. Until you have the CRC you cannot even book in an appointment to get a pass. You would normally expect them turned around in 10 days or so, and so the recruitment of summer staff would be based on that sort of timescale.
It appears that disclosure Scotland are not turning the CRCs round for many weeks, and I can see this would cause huge problems in recruitment and training.
When I got my first pass nearly 30 yers ago, you just turned up on a Monday morning, got a polaroid taken, got your laminated pass and off you went. You were given on the job training with an old hand, and that was about it, you were semi-productive in a few hours. With the current inflexible dft rules, it can take months to fill a basic airside vacancy, so if staff leave with little or no notice, you are
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you pay for what you get", what about the poor customer who isn't getting what he/she paid for
As a punter i'd avoid any big airport like the plague anyway.
CjHants yeah in the good old days if the Handlers went on strike (who remembers Gatwick Handling), the Office Staff got some overtime, drove a baggage trolley without any training or any idea how to get to the aircraft, no elf and safety and the only thing that needed to be avoided was the BCAL flight to Lagos as the bags weighed a tonne
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No change as far as I can see
When Swissport took Thomsonfly and First Chioce off Servisair 2009/10 ish they turned a 25 minuet offload into 1 and a half hours on a good night...some times they had no steps 20 minuets after the plane pulled on stand...so there is no NO CHANGE THERE THEN...like I said 4 years ago while working for Servisair...YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR......Swissport....cheap and nasty.
It's good to be back.
It's good to be back.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: W.Mids
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Going, going, gone.
Glad I left Swissport BHX 5 years ago when the cracks began to appear. Baggage problems, lack of departure and arrivals staff, aircraft on the ground waiting an eternity for steps etc etc etc. Not apportioning any blame whatsoever to ex-colleagues who I still remember fondly, but mismanagement at the highest levels.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stockport
Age: 67
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Talk about a fight to the bottom, anyone who works on 'a ramp' in the UK knows this has been on the cards for a long time. For the problem to get so large that the consequences are now national new headline is a dreadful indictment of all that is wrong in the relentless pursuit of low cost operation.
This debacle may well do wonders for the UK's own holiday industry, letting customers down on their much looked forward to summer holiday will leave a very bad taste in the mouthes of many thousands of customers who will think very seriously about their next holiday purchase decision.
The actions of a few people who have brought about this problem could have a long term and far reaching effect on all of us who's living depends on the successful operation of UK airports.
This debacle may well do wonders for the UK's own holiday industry, letting customers down on their much looked forward to summer holiday will leave a very bad taste in the mouthes of many thousands of customers who will think very seriously about their next holiday purchase decision.
The actions of a few people who have brought about this problem could have a long term and far reaching effect on all of us who's living depends on the successful operation of UK airports.
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Belfast
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Airlines are just as guilty they gave the likes of Swissport the contracts knowing that the service isn't going to be of the standard required.
Swissport not only a mess in LGW but BFS as well.
Apparently staff balloted for strike action with over 95% for action.
Swissport not only a mess in LGW but BFS as well.
Apparently staff balloted for strike action with over 95% for action.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1601
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whats happening with Swissport at LGW?
Ah grizzler.......welcome home. All we now is sat2 and we have the full compliment 
. I'm hearing your welsh ex shift mucker has made a return to STN.......maybe he heard that FR now only carry 30 bags instead of the 300 they used to load. You'll be back next
. I'm hearing your welsh ex shift mucker has made a return to STN.......maybe he heard that FR now only carry 30 bags instead of the 300 they used to load. You'll be back next
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
swissport
welcome back o grizzly one!!!
With the cost of reuniting bags with pax being so high,why not simply offer proper overtime? The result would be:service levels met,negative publicity removed and no more expensive taxis reuniting bags.Simples,and maybe swissport may keep hold of contracts.Spend a little to gain a lot.
With the cost of reuniting bags with pax being so high,why not simply offer proper overtime? The result would be:service levels met,negative publicity removed and no more expensive taxis reuniting bags.Simples,and maybe swissport may keep hold of contracts.Spend a little to gain a lot.
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Swissport
Maybe SAT1 If I got myself a van you could put a few bags my way..I could reunite them with there owners...then again maybe I would need a forty footer.....Its nice to know its S.S.D.D...It's like I have not been away.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
to be fair
To be fair to the current Swissport management,when Swissport and Servisair merged they had to dispose of Servisair Gatwick so the Swissport operation at Gatwick is exactly the same Swissport operation that was planned earlier in the year by the old swissport management.
When the merger happened Swissport were reversed into Servisair and the Servisair management took over they were obviously working on the integration and did not see the issues at Gatwick on the horizon. About June it became apparent that all was not well and a management "restructure" took place at Gatwick and Manchester on the same day, they have been playing catch up since then. I would imagine the available workforce around Gatwick that have a simple and therefore easily checkable work history are already working at the airport or don't want to work at the airport. This leaves Swissport having to ride the wave. They cant bring in staff from other airports like they used to as the current pass restrictions mean that you can have full access at Stansted or Heathrow for instance but that does not grant you access for Gatwick.
What Swissport are guilty of is running a very poor PR response to the issue, I have not seen response from Swissport. It seems that GAL are managing the PR response on their behalf and obviously doing that to put GAL into the best light. I don't believe the current management are culpable in this, beyond not checking what the old management had planned, but they are doing a very poor job of explaining why they cant recover the situation as quickly as they want and I believe others are to blame for that.
this will have a massively negative impact on Swissports reputation that will last just as long as it takes for the other handlers to raise their prices ........ or am I being cynical
When the merger happened Swissport were reversed into Servisair and the Servisair management took over they were obviously working on the integration and did not see the issues at Gatwick on the horizon. About June it became apparent that all was not well and a management "restructure" took place at Gatwick and Manchester on the same day, they have been playing catch up since then. I would imagine the available workforce around Gatwick that have a simple and therefore easily checkable work history are already working at the airport or don't want to work at the airport. This leaves Swissport having to ride the wave. They cant bring in staff from other airports like they used to as the current pass restrictions mean that you can have full access at Stansted or Heathrow for instance but that does not grant you access for Gatwick.
What Swissport are guilty of is running a very poor PR response to the issue, I have not seen response from Swissport. It seems that GAL are managing the PR response on their behalf and obviously doing that to put GAL into the best light. I don't believe the current management are culpable in this, beyond not checking what the old management had planned, but they are doing a very poor job of explaining why they cant recover the situation as quickly as they want and I believe others are to blame for that.
this will have a massively negative impact on Swissports reputation that will last just as long as it takes for the other handlers to raise their prices ........ or am I being cynical
Last edited by STN Ramp Rat; 2nd Aug 2014 at 20:28.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1601
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whats happening with Swissport at LGW?
MAN and LGW have been asking other stations to bail them out, but it's summer season, anyone who has spare heads to hire out must me overstaffed I'd say. And you can't blame Servisair management.....it was the Swissport manager that was escorted off site, and surely someone would have seen this coming ex Servisair manage my or not.
Grizzler......this app has missed your FFS too, welcome back
Grizzler......this app has missed your FFS too, welcome back
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK
Age: 39
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A screw up over voluntary redundancy led to 150(roughly) people leaving at the same time, from what i have heard.
There is staff from Swissport stations all over the world at LGW helping out.
Maybe monarch leaving will be a blessing and efforts can be focused on providing better service to the remaining customers.
There is staff from Swissport stations all over the world at LGW helping out.
Maybe monarch leaving will be a blessing and efforts can be focused on providing better service to the remaining customers.
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Swissport mess
Strange that things have not changed...I left Servisair STN in 2011...I had been with them since 1982...when I started with Servisair STN we where the only handlers there.....if a plane landed it was yours...it was a good job back in the day....then came Gatwick Handling...the slippery slope had started.
But Swissport has not changed...they where bad when I left in 2011 and it would seem that things have not changed...they are still bad....glad I got out when I did...but do miss the blokes and the airport...most of my working life has been at STN...to me it seems to have gone backwards there....ramble ramble...the good old days and all that..Grizzle Grizzle the end.
But Swissport has not changed...they where bad when I left in 2011 and it would seem that things have not changed...they are still bad....glad I got out when I did...but do miss the blokes and the airport...most of my working life has been at STN...to me it seems to have gone backwards there....ramble ramble...the good old days and all that..Grizzle Grizzle the end.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Airport in D'Sun
Age: 49
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To be fair to the current Swissport management,when Swissport and Servisair merged they had to dispose of Servisair Gatwick so the Swissport operation at Gatwick is exactly the same Swissport operation that was planned earlier in the year by the old swissport management.
When the merger happened Swissport were reversed into Servisair and the Servisair management took over they were obviously working on the integration and did not see the issues at Gatwick on the horizon. About June it became apparent that all was not well and a management "restructure" took place at Gatwick and Manchester on the same day, they have been playing catch up since then. I would imagine the available workforce around Gatwick that have a simple and therefore easily checkable work history are already working at the airport or don't want to work at the airport. This leaves Swissport having to ride the wave. They cant bring in staff from other airports like they used to as the current pass restrictions mean that you can have full access at Stansted or Heathrow for instance but that does not grant you access for Gatwick.
What Swissport are guilty of is running a very poor PR response to the issue, I have not seen response from Swissport. It seems that GAL are managing the PR response on their behalf and obviously doing that to put GAL into the best light. I don't believe the current management are culpable in this, beyond not checking what the old management had planned, but they are doing a very poor job of explaining why they cant recover the situation as quickly as they want and I believe others are to blame for that.
this will have a massively negative impact on Swissports reputation that will last just as long as it takes for the other handlers to raise their prices ........ or am I being cynical
When the merger happened Swissport were reversed into Servisair and the Servisair management took over they were obviously working on the integration and did not see the issues at Gatwick on the horizon. About June it became apparent that all was not well and a management "restructure" took place at Gatwick and Manchester on the same day, they have been playing catch up since then. I would imagine the available workforce around Gatwick that have a simple and therefore easily checkable work history are already working at the airport or don't want to work at the airport. This leaves Swissport having to ride the wave. They cant bring in staff from other airports like they used to as the current pass restrictions mean that you can have full access at Stansted or Heathrow for instance but that does not grant you access for Gatwick.
What Swissport are guilty of is running a very poor PR response to the issue, I have not seen response from Swissport. It seems that GAL are managing the PR response on their behalf and obviously doing that to put GAL into the best light. I don't believe the current management are culpable in this, beyond not checking what the old management had planned, but they are doing a very poor job of explaining why they cant recover the situation as quickly as they want and I believe others are to blame for that.
this will have a massively negative impact on Swissports reputation that will last just as long as it takes for the other handlers to raise their prices ........ or am I being cynical
A screw up over voluntary redundancy led to 150(roughly) people leaving at the same time, from what i have heard.
There is staff from Swissport stations all over the world at LGW helping out.
Maybe monarch leaving will be a blessing and efforts can be focused on providing better service to the remaining customers.
There is staff from Swissport stations all over the world at LGW helping out.
Maybe monarch leaving will be a blessing and efforts can be focused on providing better service to the remaining customers.
Good to see some peeps on here with something between their ears apart from steam and pink mist....
Next few weeks it will be Menzies or DNATA or ASIS getting it in the neck, swings and roundabouts... that's the business we are in...
'Working at an Airport would be great, if it wasn't for Aircraft & Passengers'
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1601
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whats happening with Swissport at LGW?
Any truth in the rumour that the MON move from "pisspoor" to Airlines services at LGW has gone sour due to lack of ground handling licence ?
Join Date: May 2013
Location: BFS
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BFS seems to be sorting itself out. Menzies BFS was a holiday camp with poor structure and discipline, most issues since TUPE have involved poor timekeeping and attendance, lack of interest in other airlines other than EZY and a core of mixers on old aviance contracts stirring up trouble to get redundancy.
Most staff have seen the disruptive minority for what they are and are working towards hitting all targets
Most staff have seen the disruptive minority for what they are and are working towards hitting all targets
