british airways really don't care
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America West
I don't take anything personal. I'm just trying to give my perspective on the service I receive.
The last time I flew BA was from Manchester to JFK with a stop at Prestwick to pick up more passengers. That might age some of you. The plane was 25% full, if that. We were served lunch about an hour out of Prestwick and that was it. Nothing else the whole flight. 20 years later, I can still remember the grandma about 4 or 5 rows back pleading with the Flight Attendant for some biscuits as she was starving to death...obviously an exagerration, but she was definitely hungry. The reponse was "we'll be landing in a couple of hours and you can get some food then. We're finished serving for the flight"
As the saying goes,money talks and sh*t walks. Well after the flight I walked. The difference between BA and America West or any US airline is expectations. When you pay top $$$ to fly BA, you expect to be treated like a valued customer and receive compensatory service. When flying America West or any other US airline, you expect little or nothing and that's what you get on these 2 -4 hour flights. Flying coast to coast is a 6 hour jaunt for me and I usually receive a meal and a snack. But I don't expect anything more.
Hope that clears it up.
Newarksmells.
The last time I flew BA was from Manchester to JFK with a stop at Prestwick to pick up more passengers. That might age some of you. The plane was 25% full, if that. We were served lunch about an hour out of Prestwick and that was it. Nothing else the whole flight. 20 years later, I can still remember the grandma about 4 or 5 rows back pleading with the Flight Attendant for some biscuits as she was starving to death...obviously an exagerration, but she was definitely hungry. The reponse was "we'll be landing in a couple of hours and you can get some food then. We're finished serving for the flight"
As the saying goes,money talks and sh*t walks. Well after the flight I walked. The difference between BA and America West or any US airline is expectations. When you pay top $$$ to fly BA, you expect to be treated like a valued customer and receive compensatory service. When flying America West or any other US airline, you expect little or nothing and that's what you get on these 2 -4 hour flights. Flying coast to coast is a 6 hour jaunt for me and I usually receive a meal and a snack. But I don't expect anything more.
Hope that clears it up.
Newarksmells.
The SN family flew with America West a couple of years ago, Newark to Colombus, Ohio on a 757, then Colombus to La Guardia on a CRJ, and we were perfectly happy with the flights. Neither flight was very long in duration and the in flight service was what we expected. The Cabin crew were friendly and efficient on both sectors; so I suppose we were lucky twice over 
Back in UK there used to be an airline called British Caledonian and this airline had a fantastic reputation for its crews attitude to pax. However I experienced a flight back from the States where the crew were far from endearing. It seems that they hadn't had a good stop over and the rankles were being carried into the work place. Moral of the story...... don't condemn an airline on the basis of one bad flight, you might be unlucky enough to be on the one flight a year where standards aren't what they should be.
Back in UK there used to be an airline called British Caledonian and this airline had a fantastic reputation for its crews attitude to pax. However I experienced a flight back from the States where the crew were far from endearing. It seems that they hadn't had a good stop over and the rankles were being carried into the work place. Moral of the story...... don't condemn an airline on the basis of one bad flight, you might be unlucky enough to be on the one flight a year where standards aren't what they should be.
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A lot of people on here seem to have forgotten that air travel is nowadays synonymous with bus travel! Free "collect the token" flights to the US, 99p trips with Ryanair, £175 flights across the pond etc......come on, you are not really entitled to anything much!
If, however, you've paid (not been upgraded!!!) to travel First or Business, it's a different story!
If, however, you've paid (not been upgraded!!!) to travel First or Business, it's a different story!
Nigerian In Law
Some years ago I flew LGW-DFW on BA economy, returning three days later in business. Both ways the service was good for the class I was in.
Until three years ago I regularly travelled LGW-LOS-LGW on BA economy and they were consistently the worst flights I've ever done in terms of service, courtesy, information etc. This from the ground staff as well as the cabin crew. Very rarely did I meet someone who actually seemed happy in their work, it all seemed like a chore.
I can only speculate, but that route is dominated by "Oilfield Trash" in economy and rich Nigerians in First and Business who pay for (and get) the service they want. The staff know that the majority of economy passengers don't pay for their own tickets and as such maybe an element of respect is lost ?
Two months ago my wife and I flew to Frankfurt on BA. We were offered a cling flimed piece of cake and one drink. My wife asked for a glass of water as well as her cup of tea and the flight attendant ran off to ask her supervisor if this was OK !! This was on a full fare, so-called full service flight.
I have switched to Virgin LHR-LOS-LHR, as the service is far better and almost all the staff are consistently polite, cheerful and helpful.
Sorry for BA, but they have lost it. Maybe a morale problem ?
Until three years ago I regularly travelled LGW-LOS-LGW on BA economy and they were consistently the worst flights I've ever done in terms of service, courtesy, information etc. This from the ground staff as well as the cabin crew. Very rarely did I meet someone who actually seemed happy in their work, it all seemed like a chore.
I can only speculate, but that route is dominated by "Oilfield Trash" in economy and rich Nigerians in First and Business who pay for (and get) the service they want. The staff know that the majority of economy passengers don't pay for their own tickets and as such maybe an element of respect is lost ?
Two months ago my wife and I flew to Frankfurt on BA. We were offered a cling flimed piece of cake and one drink. My wife asked for a glass of water as well as her cup of tea and the flight attendant ran off to ask her supervisor if this was OK !! This was on a full fare, so-called full service flight.
I have switched to Virgin LHR-LOS-LHR, as the service is far better and almost all the staff are consistently polite, cheerful and helpful.
Sorry for BA, but they have lost it. Maybe a morale problem ?
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N E O - I think the problem you encountered on the BA LOS flights is one of cultural ignorance and general route disdain!
I worked for BA on 747 routes and remember the LOS trip on rosters being met with, "oh no, not another bl**dy Lagos!" If I'm honest, in my day (!) the crew found the pax over demanding and quite rude. Add to the equation a vile, smelly Sheraton in Lagos and a huge problem with credit card fraud on the duty free rounds and you might see that crews generally hated the trip and so probably did see it as a chore!
On the other spectrum, a NRT (Tokyo) or SIN (Singapore) was always met with absolute joy - Japanese pax, as an example, were (past tense as I no longer fly!!) extremely polite, grateful, tidy and the destination meant you could leave the hotel without fear of being mugged or shot! (When I worked for BA we were literally confined to the Sheraton in Lagos!).
Unfortunately, there was a surprising lack of cultural awareness at BA and the fact that you choose to fly VS to Nigeria is possibly because they employ Nigeria based crew, who can fully understand and meet the pax needs!
Am I providing an excuse for BA? Certainly not, but I'm providing an honest answer to your post!
As for the BA flight to FRA, all I can say is crew receive memos from management and one that goes around now is how much each pax is entitled to in their respective cabin, i.e the set down service guideline for shorthaul economy paxs is: a snack followed by tea/coffee OR a drink from bar, DO NOT offer both!!
Maybe people should remember that if a crew give very little, they are doing it generally because "management" have told them what the pax is allowed to get!!!!
I worked for BA on 747 routes and remember the LOS trip on rosters being met with, "oh no, not another bl**dy Lagos!" If I'm honest, in my day (!) the crew found the pax over demanding and quite rude. Add to the equation a vile, smelly Sheraton in Lagos and a huge problem with credit card fraud on the duty free rounds and you might see that crews generally hated the trip and so probably did see it as a chore!
On the other spectrum, a NRT (Tokyo) or SIN (Singapore) was always met with absolute joy - Japanese pax, as an example, were (past tense as I no longer fly!!) extremely polite, grateful, tidy and the destination meant you could leave the hotel without fear of being mugged or shot! (When I worked for BA we were literally confined to the Sheraton in Lagos!).
Unfortunately, there was a surprising lack of cultural awareness at BA and the fact that you choose to fly VS to Nigeria is possibly because they employ Nigeria based crew, who can fully understand and meet the pax needs!
Am I providing an excuse for BA? Certainly not, but I'm providing an honest answer to your post!
As for the BA flight to FRA, all I can say is crew receive memos from management and one that goes around now is how much each pax is entitled to in their respective cabin, i.e the set down service guideline for shorthaul economy paxs is: a snack followed by tea/coffee OR a drink from bar, DO NOT offer both!!
Maybe people should remember that if a crew give very little, they are doing it generally because "management" have told them what the pax is allowed to get!!!!
Last edited by jerrystinger; 15th Oct 2004 at 08:46.
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Have things really changed that much recently in Euro Traveller? Last time I flew with them in August from LGW-BCN, they did a bar round and I asked for (and got) a beer and a glass of water... maybe they just liked my face...
Then they did tea after 'all day deli' and I had 2 cups of tea - no questions asked. In any case if a pot of tea is made I can't really see them turning down somebody's request for tea because they've already had juice and then throwing away half a pot down the sink... a pot of tea costs pennies to make anyway!
By the way, does anybody take their own flasks of tea on no service carriers or is this not allowed on the grounds that you could disable a cabin crew member by scalding them with it?
Then they did tea after 'all day deli' and I had 2 cups of tea - no questions asked. In any case if a pot of tea is made I can't really see them turning down somebody's request for tea because they've already had juice and then throwing away half a pot down the sink... a pot of tea costs pennies to make anyway!
By the way, does anybody take their own flasks of tea on no service carriers or is this not allowed on the grounds that you could disable a cabin crew member by scalding them with it?
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Atco-matic:
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By the way, does anybody take their own flasks of tea on no service carriers or is this not allowed on the grounds that you could disable a cabin crew member by scalding them with it?
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I recently flew first time with Ryanair , Luton-Milan Bergamo round trip. Enjoyed it lots, clean aircraft , crew were very nice and friendly - but the poor girls looked very tired. When the trolley arrived - I did feel a bit peckish but resisted but I think next time I shall smuggle a sarnie and a flask in - but like you I'm not sure if my secret mini hamper will get "confiscated" once spotted.
PS, a tip for those wishing to get a bit of comfort on low cost flights, look like a muslim and grow a long beard like ZZ Tops. That way no will sit next to you and you will have 3 seats to yourself like I did, on both flights...
PS PS: Im not sure if I was being paranoid, but at check ins, lots of people in the queue stared at me - was it out of fear , I dunno, I should have gone upto them and said "woof woof" and watched them jump...but that would have been cruel. Would you be scared to fly if a Muslim with a long beard sat next to you ? just curious
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By the way, does anybody take their own flasks of tea on no service carriers or is this not allowed on the grounds that you could disable a cabin crew member by scalding them with it?
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I recently flew first time with Ryanair , Luton-Milan Bergamo round trip. Enjoyed it lots, clean aircraft , crew were very nice and friendly - but the poor girls looked very tired. When the trolley arrived - I did feel a bit peckish but resisted but I think next time I shall smuggle a sarnie and a flask in - but like you I'm not sure if my secret mini hamper will get "confiscated" once spotted.
PS, a tip for those wishing to get a bit of comfort on low cost flights, look like a muslim and grow a long beard like ZZ Tops. That way no will sit next to you and you will have 3 seats to yourself like I did, on both flights...
PS PS: Im not sure if I was being paranoid, but at check ins, lots of people in the queue stared at me - was it out of fear , I dunno, I should have gone upto them and said "woof woof" and watched them jump...but that would have been cruel. Would you be scared to fly if a Muslim with a long beard sat next to you ? just curious
Paxing All Over The World
PsychedelicGoat: I doubt that I would be any more scared to sit next to you than you would be to sit next to a clean shaven atheist?
As I recall, those that were involved in the 9/11 events were in regular wetern clothes? But the human being is a tribal animal and the mob like simple statements and GWB gives them just that. I do like your way of getting extra seats, though.
As to taking your own refreshments on board ... I never use FR so cannot comment. EZY do not have any statement (that I can find) on their web site to prevent this. In the past, I have brought sandwich, water and choccie bar and no one has said anything. A flask of tea might be considered more risky.
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"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
As I recall, those that were involved in the 9/11 events were in regular wetern clothes? But the human being is a tribal animal and the mob like simple statements and GWB gives them just that. I do like your way of getting extra seats, though.
As to taking your own refreshments on board ... I never use FR so cannot comment. EZY do not have any statement (that I can find) on their web site to prevent this. In the past, I have brought sandwich, water and choccie bar and no one has said anything. A flask of tea might be considered more risky.
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"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
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I haven't flown EZY yet , their prices seem pricier than Ryanairs (both are low cost so why pay more thats my logic) - I am instead thinking of flying with BA to Milan this time just to check out their service, but I'm only "thinking", I've heard of BA planes getting delayed as well so weighing up the pros and cos, - a return with BA ~ approx £100, and Ryanair approx £37 (plus another £30 to get you back and fro from the airport !)...
Problem with ryanair is that the airport in Milan is actually MILES away from the city.
..But I'll keep my sarnie on standby till I make up my mind
Problem with ryanair is that the airport in Milan is actually MILES away from the city.
..But I'll keep my sarnie on standby till I make up my mind
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I reckon both Bergamo ('Milan' in FR-speak) and Malpensa are about 30 miles from central Milan (Linate is 6 miles). BA fly to both Malpensa and Linate, so check which one your flight is going to .
I always use Linate, so I can't comment on actual travel times (I believe Malpensa has a fast train link).
.I always use Linate, so I can't comment on actual travel times (I believe Malpensa has a fast train link).
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By the way, does anybody take their own flasks of tea on no service carriers or is this not allowed on the grounds that you could disable a cabin crew member by scalding them with it?
Pax always argue the weight of their handbaggage as well, "it might weigh 10kgs now, but it will weigh nothing when we arrive."
Paxing All Over The World
Since this thread is titled as it is - I thought that I would add a compliment to BA. In another thread, about baggage, I mentioned that my case was 24 hours late back from Rome in September but it was delivered the next day and all contents OK. Save for having had to have the suit pressed!
However, the case was badly damaged and today I have received the compensation payment which is fair and covers the dry cleaning and hassle. Much appreciated and I can now go and look for a new case.
Well DONE to customer relations and I must drop them a note of thanks.
However, the case was badly damaged and today I have received the compensation payment which is fair and covers the dry cleaning and hassle. Much appreciated and I can now go and look for a new case.
Well DONE to customer relations and I must drop them a note of thanks.
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“British Airways don’t really care.” That is far from true. Having read many of the letters having a go at BA I felt I must come to their defence. I have been involved in aviation for some 40+ years and flown world wide with many carriers as a fare paying passenger including several no frills airlines and at some time in all classes of cabin. Of all the airlines I have flown with I will say that BA has always been at the top along with the likes of Singapore Airlines. I have always found the cabin staff extremely efficient, polite and helpful and before restrictions came into force I found the Aircrew always made one welcome on the flight deck. Perhaps I have been fortunate but never has my baggage gone astray during a flight it has always appeared on the carousel at the end of the trip.
A short time ago I was travelling to Tel Aviv with the mother of a friend of mine who was in her 80s unfortunately we arrived at Gatwick without her suitcase. I informed the girl on BA’s check in desk of the problem and explained that I had telephoned the lady’s daughter to arrange for the suitcase to be brought to the airport. The lady lived but 30 minutes from the airport. I was told not to worry and to return at a set time just before the check in closed. Unfortunately, that time arrived and we had to check in without the case. The girl said that if it arrived in time it would be checked in and put on the flight. We boarded and had an excellent flight to Tel Aviv. On arrival we were met by a BA representative, who explained that the bag had arrived but it was too late to be put on the aircraft and would be arriving on the next flight. We were instructed to report it to the staff in the baggage hall who assisted in clearing the bag with customs for delivery to the house when it arrived. Next day the suitcase was delivered to the lady’s house free of charge. BA’s service was excellent. They would have been in their rights to have charged us the delivery of the case as it was our own error it wasn’t checked in not theirs. I will always fly with BA if they operate on the route I need to travel.
A short time ago I was travelling to Tel Aviv with the mother of a friend of mine who was in her 80s unfortunately we arrived at Gatwick without her suitcase. I informed the girl on BA’s check in desk of the problem and explained that I had telephoned the lady’s daughter to arrange for the suitcase to be brought to the airport. The lady lived but 30 minutes from the airport. I was told not to worry and to return at a set time just before the check in closed. Unfortunately, that time arrived and we had to check in without the case. The girl said that if it arrived in time it would be checked in and put on the flight. We boarded and had an excellent flight to Tel Aviv. On arrival we were met by a BA representative, who explained that the bag had arrived but it was too late to be put on the aircraft and would be arriving on the next flight. We were instructed to report it to the staff in the baggage hall who assisted in clearing the bag with customs for delivery to the house when it arrived. Next day the suitcase was delivered to the lady’s house free of charge. BA’s service was excellent. They would have been in their rights to have charged us the delivery of the case as it was our own error it wasn’t checked in not theirs. I will always fly with BA if they operate on the route I need to travel.
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It just goes to show what a poor standard of service we have come to accept from airlines when some are congratulating them for not charging us for reuniting us with baggage the airline has lost, and are compensating us for damage to our property that's in the airline's care.
BA once lost my luggage for over two weeks, I was away from home and had to purchase a whole new set of clothes at considerable expense, all I got was a (cheap) overnight toiletry kit when I reported it lost. But yes, when it was found they did ship it free of charge, to the wrong address.
BA once lost my luggage for over two weeks, I was away from home and had to purchase a whole new set of clothes at considerable expense, all I got was a (cheap) overnight toiletry kit when I reported it lost. But yes, when it was found they did ship it free of charge, to the wrong address.
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It just goes to show what a poor standard of service we have come to accept from airlines when some are congratulating them for not charging us for reuniting us with baggage the airline has lost
BA once lost my luggage for over two weeks, I was away from home and had to purchase a whole new set of clothes at considerable expense, all I got was a (cheap) overnight toiletry kit when I reported it lost
If you don't have Travel Insurance, beware! The cost of taking you home on a stretcher following an accident (eg slipping on an icy pavement) can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds!!! (Ryanair and Easyjet "cheapo" pax, take note!)
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I disagree bealine. I think that when it comes to loss of personal property, travel insurance is to pay out in the event of my negligence, not the airlines. Another example of a dreadful attitude from an airline, you are telling me that I should spend my money to protect against bad airline service, essentially offloading your responsibilities onto me.
Now if my name was Posh Spice....
Now if my name was Posh Spice....
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I disagree bealine. I think that when it comes to loss of personal property, travel insurance is to pay out in the event of my negligence, not the airlines. Another example of a dreadful attitude from an airline, you are telling me that I should spend my money to protect against bad airline service, essentially offloading your responsibilities onto me.
However, there are many. many reasons for lost/misplaced/damaged baggage and "bad airline service" accounts for fewer than 0.01% of baggage incidents involving British Airways' passengers. Because the investigations take time, and often involve third party claims (eg Airport Operators' Baggage Belt system failure (regular occurrence at Gatwick) results in BA's making a claim against the airport operator. Therefore, it is the individual's responsibility to claim from his/her Travel Insurers, who the claim from BA who, in turn, counter-claim from those responsible.
If we were to do as you suggest, and compensate all and sundry without question, airline tickets would not be sold quite as cheaply as they are now! You can't have it both ways!
Bealine,
Are you saying that once baggage has been handed to the airline, it is not their responsibility to pay for it and emergency replacement if lost/damaged by virtue of their, or someone acting on their behalf's, negligence?
I'va always worked on the basis that insurance for baggage is for baggage lost/stolen/damaged while in the passengers care, not in the airlines. Maybe I need to read the conditions of carriage....
The worst for losing my baggage is United (12 times in 36 flights): for damage, American and America West have it pretty equal. BA have managed to lose my bags once in I can't think how many flights and over 20 years - I've done over over 50 BA flights in the past year alone. Even then, it followed me home in under 12 hours. Discounting the times it never made the transfer at CDG.....even then BA have always been quick at getting it back.
Are you saying that once baggage has been handed to the airline, it is not their responsibility to pay for it and emergency replacement if lost/damaged by virtue of their, or someone acting on their behalf's, negligence?
I'va always worked on the basis that insurance for baggage is for baggage lost/stolen/damaged while in the passengers care, not in the airlines. Maybe I need to read the conditions of carriage....
The worst for losing my baggage is United (12 times in 36 flights): for damage, American and America West have it pretty equal. BA have managed to lose my bags once in I can't think how many flights and over 20 years - I've done over over 50 BA flights in the past year alone. Even then, it followed me home in under 12 hours. Discounting the times it never made the transfer at CDG.....even then BA have always been quick at getting it back.