BA changes to longhaul economy

[miche2]

Eddy - As an ex-BA LHR longhaul gal I had to reply to your post(s). Firstly, I agree that there are a lot of bitter postings on here re BA, but I am also in the privileged position of knowing exactly what goes on as BA longhaul crew. If you do what you say you do, you are truly an asset to BA - and an exception. Bravo awards to you.

But, I disagree on one area;the main aim of the crew is to maximise their rest and it's been like that at BA for years - nothing to do with serving passengers meals quickly to get them ready for their long flight or even last minute to prepare them for their onward journey - if that were true why did I get my second meal on JAL 3 hours prior to arrival last month? Maybe it was to do with passenger's needing a service. All the crew on that flight did have bunk rest and also did a mini service in between. Nice try, though. I remember those longrange flights when the aim was to get the lights off asap and the breaks started. Please do not say you have not had regular experiences where that is the aim, as you'd be telling porkies.

Now, I still believe BA is one of the better airlines to fly (especially to Europe, US etc), but not to the Far East. And Eddy I left BA as there is only so much stacking juices in the galley at 2am I could cope with. I love flying...as a passenger ....and love this forum as I keep in touch with the crew world without the tedium of saying chicken or beef, tea or coffee 350 times.

Keep it up, old chap

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by miche2

But, I disagree on one area;the main aim of the crew is to maximise their rest and it's been like that at BA for years - nothing to do with serving passengers meals quickly to get them ready for their long flight or even last minute to prepare them for their onward journey - if that were true why did I get my second meal on JAL 3 hours prior to arrival last month? Maybe it was to do with passenger's needing a service. All the crew on that flight did have bunk rest and also did a mini service in between. Nice try, though. I remember those longrange flights when the aim was to get the lights off asap and the breaks started. Please do not say you have not had regular experiences where that is the aim, as you'd be telling porkies.

Thanks Miche!

Point taken about the rest. Perhaps this is the aim of some of my colleagues, but it certainly isn't mine (and I know it isn't the aim of another large portion of the workforce).

Another way of looking at this though is that if we were to bring the second service in to the middle of the flight then all that would happen is that second break would be extended until much closer to landing as there would be no service to perform at this late stage.

It's difficult to stretch our service out as people start getting restless with trays infront of them. We have to go and clear them in which we do, but then what? There really is no need for the entire crew to stay on duty after the clear in has been performed.

I could honestly say that I've never seen (or atleast noticed) a service being deliberately rushed to get breaks started but hell, even if it is, I'm going to take my time and talk to my passengers so even if everyone else is done in three minutes flat, they'll just have to wait for me.

All the best!