BA - Should I complain?
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On balance I'm a bit of a git whinging about this
a question for the Easy fliers, when I booked last minute with them, I paid what I guess was their upper end fare. Was it a coincidence that I was called in the first batch to board (therefore a choice of seat)?
LCC pax sometimes span a 'broader section of society', ahem.
Shining Example, apparently...
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My experience of Easyjet is 110% perfect service
2am edit: Fair point about what makes good TV, but I've always been impressed with EZY's ground staff, dealing with oiks, ne'er do wells and the downright unlucky, with a level of professionalism I can only take my hat off to. And don't get me started on Ms Boulton...
Last edited by Crepello; 27th Mar 2004 at 07:26.
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On behalf of my colleagues at British Airways, I must just enter my twopennyworth!
Slim slag was quite right. In the good old days, we (the ground staff) were given a certain amount of discretion to make allowances for passenger error, "foreigner" problems (eg went to the wrong airport) etc. Unfortunately, the bean counters in their quest to Cut Costs have removed any initiative from us. Woe betide the agent who misses a change fee or excess baggage collection! In the present climate, the threat of disciplinaries or dismissal is a constant threat!
You've probably read in the news that Rod Eddington is appalled at sickness levels - 16.7 days sick per annum is the "average" that the bean-counters have thrown at us. Now, in any business there are lead-swingers, but by far the majority of my colleagues would only ever "no-show" if it was absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the nature of our business means (a) we have far more contact with people than those in other occupations, exposing us to unfamiliar microbes and (b) Flying crew have to be grounded for seemingly minor malasises - earache, common cold etc (Because of the high-risk of ear drum perforation). This obsession with absenteeism (wield a big stick instead of a carrot) shows a management totally out of touch with the front-line troops!!! Welcome to the 21st Century!
It is, however, this inflexibility and adherence to the "rules" that probably makes BA one of the safest carriers with which to fly - you can rely on the fact that everybody from the guy who sweeps the hangar upwards will follow the correct procedures to the letter when things go wrong!
I am indeed sorry to see an airline in which we had a real pride being slowly turned into a LCC with a few bolt-ons!
Slim slag was quite right. In the good old days, we (the ground staff) were given a certain amount of discretion to make allowances for passenger error, "foreigner" problems (eg went to the wrong airport) etc. Unfortunately, the bean counters in their quest to Cut Costs have removed any initiative from us. Woe betide the agent who misses a change fee or excess baggage collection! In the present climate, the threat of disciplinaries or dismissal is a constant threat!
You've probably read in the news that Rod Eddington is appalled at sickness levels - 16.7 days sick per annum is the "average" that the bean-counters have thrown at us. Now, in any business there are lead-swingers, but by far the majority of my colleagues would only ever "no-show" if it was absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the nature of our business means (a) we have far more contact with people than those in other occupations, exposing us to unfamiliar microbes and (b) Flying crew have to be grounded for seemingly minor malasises - earache, common cold etc (Because of the high-risk of ear drum perforation). This obsession with absenteeism (wield a big stick instead of a carrot) shows a management totally out of touch with the front-line troops!!! Welcome to the 21st Century!
It is, however, this inflexibility and adherence to the "rules" that probably makes BA one of the safest carriers with which to fly - you can rely on the fact that everybody from the guy who sweeps the hangar upwards will follow the correct procedures to the letter when things go wrong!
I am indeed sorry to see an airline in which we had a real pride being slowly turned into a LCC with a few bolt-ons!
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I went off BA long ago, and I could of course reiterate what I've said about that "little bit extra” that differentiates one company from another. However, from all that I've read on this thread, there's nothing that makes me feel like EVER giving BA another chance - whatever the ticket price. The 2003 Heathrow strike episodes reinforced that feeling, as I hate companies that shaft their staff.
One thing I have noticed from the Easyjet TV prog is that the genuine mistakes get VERY fair treatment from the desk staff. But maybe I should buy a shellsuit and look for the crack dealers to satisfy Creps little fantasy...
I ain't seen a shellsuit for decades Creps - do you get out much?
One thing I have noticed from the Easyjet TV prog is that the genuine mistakes get VERY fair treatment from the desk staff. But maybe I should buy a shellsuit and look for the crack dealers to satisfy Creps little fantasy...
I ain't seen a shellsuit for decades Creps - do you get out much?
Not sure how I rained on your parade, spork, but this isn't the place for a spat. Check your PMs.
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This obsession with absenteeism (wield a big stick instead of a carrot) shows a management totally out of touch with the front-line troops!!! Welcome to the 21st Century!
Apologies to BA management - looks like the messages about carrots and sticks are getting home!!!
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When all is said and done if a passenger wants to travel BEFORE his flight sector expiry date - and there is a seat available when the passenger attempts to check in - surely it makes sense to let the passenger travel... on any fare.
It does any airline no good if aircraft are flying around with empty seats... and you can soon pick out the people that do it regularly and put a stop to it.
Just like the people who book P/F then when they come to ticket say that they booked Y hoping that Y is full!! And then I don't think I've seen it all the attempted frauds!!
It does any airline no good if aircraft are flying around with empty seats... and you can soon pick out the people that do it regularly and put a stop to it.
Just like the people who book P/F then when they come to ticket say that they booked Y hoping that Y is full!! And then I don't think I've seen it all the attempted frauds!!
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If you were BA management, how much would you pay to stop headlines appearing over Easter like those during the last "strike"? £150 per head to the most wage exploited staff sounds like quite a reasonable price to pay in attempting to rebuild BA's shattered image. Just me being cynical I suppose...
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Please forgive me, but I still don't understand why you have to bribe employees to turn up for work - the 150 pound business - not the "one cabin crew down" business.
You accept a job at a certain wage for which you have agreed to carry out certain duties. Have I missed something?
You accept a job at a certain wage for which you have agreed to carry out certain duties. Have I missed something?
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Old Boy, this subject (and the crew pay supplement) is being strangled to death at:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...5&pagenumber=1
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...5&pagenumber=1
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I made a bit of a bodge booking a ticket with 'Airline Network' from London to Malta via Milan with Alitalia.
I somehow ended up booking the only flight that required a mad cross-city dash! The outgoing flight landed at Milan Linate at 10am and the-Malta bound flight departed from Milan Malpensa less than three hours later.
I didn't even notice this until the tickets had arrived. A quick call to the said bucket shop to ask whether the transfer was possible resulted in me being told that the time between the two was 'an hour'. Mmmm, fighting through Monday morning rush hour traffic between two airports at my own expense. Great. I've seen the Italian Job, this wasn't gonna be fun.
Thankfully on check-in the agent frowned at my ticket and said 'they shouldn't have issued this' and put us on the Malpensa flight, which departed just a few minutes before the Linate. Phew.
By the way, the term for 'dubious, shell suited oiks' is now accepted as 'chav'. Find a tongue in cheek guide to 'Britain's burgeoning peasant underclass' here
I somehow ended up booking the only flight that required a mad cross-city dash! The outgoing flight landed at Milan Linate at 10am and the-Malta bound flight departed from Milan Malpensa less than three hours later.
I didn't even notice this until the tickets had arrived. A quick call to the said bucket shop to ask whether the transfer was possible resulted in me being told that the time between the two was 'an hour'. Mmmm, fighting through Monday morning rush hour traffic between two airports at my own expense. Great. I've seen the Italian Job, this wasn't gonna be fun.
Thankfully on check-in the agent frowned at my ticket and said 'they shouldn't have issued this' and put us on the Malpensa flight, which departed just a few minutes before the Linate. Phew.
By the way, the term for 'dubious, shell suited oiks' is now accepted as 'chav'. Find a tongue in cheek guide to 'Britain's burgeoning peasant underclass' here
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You accept a job at a certain wage for which you have agreed to carry out certain duties.
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Just my two penneth worth.....
On two seperate occasions I have been able to change my return ticket with BA, one long haul, one from europe, not only for myself but for the rest of my family. The reason? I received a 'phone call during my holidays that meant I had to return to UK to support UK military deployments, other than passport and driving licence no ID or proof. however, the BA desk attitude was that 'we will do anything we can to help British military and their contractors'
no problems, no fuss (no upgrades either....). OK, I admit i'm a sad ba$tard for taking 'phone calls on holiday BUT, it pays the wages... and, although an infrequent paying pax, i'll fly BA where possible, the foods got better too....
Cheers,
10forcash
On two seperate occasions I have been able to change my return ticket with BA, one long haul, one from europe, not only for myself but for the rest of my family. The reason? I received a 'phone call during my holidays that meant I had to return to UK to support UK military deployments, other than passport and driving licence no ID or proof. however, the BA desk attitude was that 'we will do anything we can to help British military and their contractors'
no problems, no fuss (no upgrades either....). OK, I admit i'm a sad ba$tard for taking 'phone calls on holiday BUT, it pays the wages... and, although an infrequent paying pax, i'll fly BA where possible, the foods got better too....
Cheers,
10forcash
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I admit to only seeing part of this thread. However. I have read the original post.
You made a mistake. As many Airmiles as you may have accrued, it is YOUR mistake.
We have all done it. Live with it.
You had an unflexible ticket which you personally purchased and therefore were bound by the terms and conditions.You agreed to those terms and conditions at the time - perhaps you didn't read them ?
To me, this thread smacks of BA bashing and/or someone who has a grudge.
Why should BA or any other airline pick up the pieces ? Was there a TV crew around making another series of Airline at the time ?
Totally pathetic.
You made a mistake. As many Airmiles as you may have accrued, it is YOUR mistake.
We have all done it. Live with it.
You had an unflexible ticket which you personally purchased and therefore were bound by the terms and conditions.You agreed to those terms and conditions at the time - perhaps you didn't read them ?
To me, this thread smacks of BA bashing and/or someone who has a grudge.
Why should BA or any other airline pick up the pieces ? Was there a TV crew around making another series of Airline at the time ?
Totally pathetic.
Thread Starter
BA Bashing?
left_your brain behind
Thanks for repeating everything I said in my original post, it'll help those like yourself who don't bother reading the whole thread but somehow find the time to express an opinion.
If you read my posts in this thread you'll note that I point out myself that I booked a ticket, cocked it up, my mistake etc etc... what's your point exactly? I'm not bashing BA, normally I'd do quite the opposite, I was simply asking for opinion, seeing if I might have handled the situation differently, could there have been a different outcome? From a customers point of view should there have been a different outcome?
I'm a BA passenger, shareholder etc etc. But just in case you are a bit confused, BA is a commercial business, owned and used by people like me, it is NOT some form of holy grail which thou shalt not speak against. The attitude of 'you made a mistake booking your ticket so put up or shut up' is rather endearing and terribly 'English' but just doesn't cut it when the airline is competing for my money against other carriers and the only thing you can shove between them is a.....? Well, I guess that's my point.
I take your point about the ticket price (another point I made myself in the original post).
It's the opinion of people like me - a customer - that help define the service levels provided by the business - a supplier.
What's so 'pathetic' about that?
The idea of debating an issue is to have a discussion, a 'forum' is presumably the best place to do that. (That's 'forum', you might like to look that one up in a dictionary, or even an encyclopaedia should you own one).
By the way - thank's for bringing the thread back on topic.
Thanks for repeating everything I said in my original post, it'll help those like yourself who don't bother reading the whole thread but somehow find the time to express an opinion.
If you read my posts in this thread you'll note that I point out myself that I booked a ticket, cocked it up, my mistake etc etc... what's your point exactly? I'm not bashing BA, normally I'd do quite the opposite, I was simply asking for opinion, seeing if I might have handled the situation differently, could there have been a different outcome? From a customers point of view should there have been a different outcome?
I'm a BA passenger, shareholder etc etc. But just in case you are a bit confused, BA is a commercial business, owned and used by people like me, it is NOT some form of holy grail which thou shalt not speak against. The attitude of 'you made a mistake booking your ticket so put up or shut up' is rather endearing and terribly 'English' but just doesn't cut it when the airline is competing for my money against other carriers and the only thing you can shove between them is a.....? Well, I guess that's my point.
I take your point about the ticket price (another point I made myself in the original post).
It's the opinion of people like me - a customer - that help define the service levels provided by the business - a supplier.
What's so 'pathetic' about that?
The idea of debating an issue is to have a discussion, a 'forum' is presumably the best place to do that. (That's 'forum', you might like to look that one up in a dictionary, or even an encyclopaedia should you own one).
By the way - thank's for bringing the thread back on topic.
Last edited by bizflyer; 1st Apr 2004 at 22:34.
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I am indeed sorry to see an airline in which we had a real pride being slowly turned into a LCC with a few bolt-ons!
Maybe in the future, things will change again and full service will be valued, until then, if people wish to pay £69 return to Nice, they have to accept the downsides and full service isn't part of the deal.
I regularly trash intra European tickets (at my clients expense), because a meeting date changes or I need to extend a visit. The airlines have every right to refuse changes on a non changeable ticket, after all Caveat Emptor is a salient principle of UK law.
I also travel mainly business class outside Europe and receive very high levels of service, so you truly pay for what you receive.
Those who think that airlines will treat them as premium pax, because they buy lots of cheap tickets are really engaging in self delusion, since this purchasing habit is sending a message of buying on price grounds - why provide expensive service to someone who will make the next decision based on price, not quality?
Michael O'Leary understands this principle very well, if you listen to his interviews. I don't warm to his style, but the logic and message is clear.
Bizflyer
I have been a FQTV for over 20 years and the thought of leaving home with a maxed out credit card leaves me feeling very cold, since all kinds of disruption can occur and require payment. Sure, some of it may be covered by insurance afterwards, but you still need to pay up front in many cases.
I'd really suggest that you try and get a separate credit card, keep it empty and be reassured that you can always get home.
Do you have a complaint against the airline? No.
Would they have left you at the airport if you hadn't booked easy? - No, they would have honoured their contract with you and flown you home on the agreed date.