BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions
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T-T-B
How the CC manage it, I don't know, but IMO that's a serious positive for the BA CC operating out of LGW. They are amazing.
PS As to your earlier remark about we retired folk booking early, we've just snagged our Amex J freebies to GND for March '11. Must be our military training.
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Here is the latest work of fiction from Unite:
BA: United we stand
16:30, 28 March 2010 - Day two of second strike
Unite estimates that on a normal working day 2100 crew are rostered to work.
During the strike, BA has significantly reduced the number of crew rostered to work.
Up to now, 359 crew have reported for duty. This includes 100 International Cabin Crew, who are not on strike. That leaves BA with 259 crew at work today.
But 331 have declared themselves to be on strike and a further 21 are sick.
So, more than 50% of those rostered to work are on strike.
This is before the numbers of crew who were not rostered and are also backing the strike are taken into consideration.
So BA's claim that most crew are working is another distortion.
Unite believes that today BA is trying to run its service with only around 15% of cabin crew who should be working normally.
Baggage - reports suggest v few bags being loaded onto the BA aircraft all day. Heavy reliance on the wet leased planes to maintain European service.
Reports also indicate that BA flights are leaving empty. They set off for a destination, expected to be a European city, switch planes and return. This is to keep up the pretence of planes taking off and landing as normal.
Most long haul flights are running with 2 fewer crew.
Unite estimates that on a normal working day 2100 crew are rostered to work.
During the strike, BA has significantly reduced the number of crew rostered to work.
Up to now, 359 crew have reported for duty. This includes 100 International Cabin Crew, who are not on strike. That leaves BA with 259 crew at work today.
But 331 have declared themselves to be on strike and a further 21 are sick.
So, more than 50% of those rostered to work are on strike.
This is before the numbers of crew who were not rostered and are also backing the strike are taken into consideration.
So BA's claim that most crew are working is another distortion.
Unite believes that today BA is trying to run its service with only around 15% of cabin crew who should be working normally.
Baggage - reports suggest v few bags being loaded onto the BA aircraft all day. Heavy reliance on the wet leased planes to maintain European service.
Reports also indicate that BA flights are leaving empty. They set off for a destination, expected to be a European city, switch planes and return. This is to keep up the pretence of planes taking off and landing as normal.
Most long haul flights are running with 2 fewer crew.
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As ever, Finky, we are flying in close formation!
Every flight I have had from LGW, on Domestic and European has been GOOD.
Every flight I have had from LHR, on LH has been 'disappointing'.
Funny thing, it's the same Airline. I wonder what's wrong?
PS - next IAD booking will be for Sep, probably make that in May as soon as we get back! And 97% certain it will be with BA.
Every flight I have had from LGW, on Domestic and European has been GOOD.
Every flight I have had from LHR, on LH has been 'disappointing'.
Funny thing, it's the same Airline. I wonder what's wrong?
PS - next IAD booking will be for Sep, probably make that in May as soon as we get back! And 97% certain it will be with BA.
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TTB My point exactly!!! The LGW crew seem to manage what the LHR crew cannot.....service with a reduced crew on an extremly short flight. Except at LHR their flights are mainly long haul are they not?? Those are the flights where they have loads more time and scope to achieve the service levels even with a reduced crew compliment.
I've never travelled club but in economy at least the product was delivered on the particular route I travelled.
I just feel IMHO that if WW wants to keep up the service rather than product levels on some rotes he needs to take a look at the service levels vs expectations of the travelling pax. Personally I don't care if I don't get a "free" bacon baggette and drink "tossed" on such a short route. Some might however and be happy to wolfe down on descent. Others like myself may be happy to be offered the option on board and pay as we go.
Horses for courses I guess.
The LGW crews do a great job but wear the same BA uniform. Some SLF tar them with the same brush as their counterparts at LHR. Please don't.
I've never travelled club but in economy at least the product was delivered on the particular route I travelled.
I just feel IMHO that if WW wants to keep up the service rather than product levels on some rotes he needs to take a look at the service levels vs expectations of the travelling pax. Personally I don't care if I don't get a "free" bacon baggette and drink "tossed" on such a short route. Some might however and be happy to wolfe down on descent. Others like myself may be happy to be offered the option on board and pay as we go.
Horses for courses I guess.
The LGW crews do a great job but wear the same BA uniform. Some SLF tar them with the same brush as their counterparts at LHR. Please don't.
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Weird ... who are these people who are not on strike?
Whichever, as usual it's complete borrocks. Although the Unite Broadcasting Service [aka BBC] said something a few minutes ago about only 50% of CC working.
I'm sure they checked those numbers before transmitting to the Nation, of course. The BBC wouldn't lie to their licence payers, would they?
Up to now, 359 crew have reported for duty. This includes 100 International Cabin Crew, who are not on strike. That leaves BA with 259 crew at work today.
I'm sure they checked those numbers before transmitting to the Nation, of course. The BBC wouldn't lie to their licence payers, would they?
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Diplome
Yes, this is a very difficult time - I do see many friends still at BA feeling that they are between a rock and a hard place.
On the one hand there is a growing realisation that BASSA has sold them a pup, on the other there is genuine fear about the consequences if they work and then found out to have done so which I can understand. It can be a very lonley place if your on a 4 day trip and you are ignored or even attacked by so called colleagues.
Consistently I hear that if Unite had put the deal offered by BA to members the reality is it would have been accepted. How in the name of god could Loony Len then go ahead and announce strike dates well knowing that that would scupper the deal that had been dependant on no annoucement? The reason as I see it is internal Unite politics with their internal elections pending.
I'm left of centre politically but do believe that this is a situation that WW must be allowed to manage to its conclusion
On the one hand there is a growing realisation that BASSA has sold them a pup, on the other there is genuine fear about the consequences if they work and then found out to have done so which I can understand. It can be a very lonley place if your on a 4 day trip and you are ignored or even attacked by so called colleagues.
Consistently I hear that if Unite had put the deal offered by BA to members the reality is it would have been accepted. How in the name of god could Loony Len then go ahead and announce strike dates well knowing that that would scupper the deal that had been dependant on no annoucement? The reason as I see it is internal Unite politics with their internal elections pending.
I'm left of centre politically but do believe that this is a situation that WW must be allowed to manage to its conclusion
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For anyone looking for clues that Unite knows its in trouble their latest communication is revealing.
Unite is no longer in a "only 6 crossed the picket lines" mode, but is now desperately trying to skew numbers to make it appear that they have over 50% support of their own membership.
They don't...and the heat is on.
Unite is no longer in a "only 6 crossed the picket lines" mode, but is now desperately trying to skew numbers to make it appear that they have over 50% support of their own membership.
They don't...and the heat is on.
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well, i agree, short term prices airlines are based on loadings, I have been traveling plenty to realise that.
However, the same flights are available using some of my miles for free, so that would lead me to believe that the load factor on that route isnt that high.
However, the same flights are available using some of my miles for free, so that would lead me to believe that the load factor on that route isnt that high.
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Excuse me Jethro - this just in from the CC Thread ...
Where did you get your figures from. Here are the planned and cancelled flights between 0600 and 1200 today from LHR (excludes codeshares on IB, AY, etc):
Time Total Cancelled
0600-0700 3 1
0700-0800 22 9
0800-0900 19 2
0900-1000 24 8
1000-1100 16 4
1100-1200 22 8
Total planned flights 106, total cancellations 32. So, BA operated 74 flights or 70% of flights, which is better than the plan.
Time Total Cancelled
0600-0700 3 1
0700-0800 22 9
0800-0900 19 2
0900-1000 24 8
1000-1100 16 4
1100-1200 22 8
Total planned flights 106, total cancellations 32. So, BA operated 74 flights or 70% of flights, which is better than the plan.
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You have to hand it to British Airways, and I don't just mean management, I mean ground crew, engineering, flight deck, cabin crew, etc., etc., they have done an incredible job of facing this challenge to their existence.
I wasn't sure if they were going to be able to pull it off. The logistics alone, when faced with an unsure labor source, etc., was daunting.
But they BA flag still flies...with no apologies.
I wasn't sure if they were going to be able to pull it off. The logistics alone, when faced with an unsure labor source, etc., was daunting.
But they BA flag still flies...with no apologies.
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T-T-B
Every flight I have had from LHR, on LH has been 'disappointing'
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fincastle84
That may be a factor. LHR-IAD may not be popular for a variety of complex reasons.
Just checking my 'travel diary' ...
07-1 - "Food 3/10, staff 4/10".
07-2 - "No canapes, late start of DVD".
08 - Upper deck 744. Missed parts of service to the OH seated outboard both outbound and inbound.
09 - OH ticked off by CSD because her seat wouldn't motor upright. Missed parts of service. Warm white wine. Inedible bacon rolls on return.
It just doesn't seem to deliver on that sector ... the rest of the time, on other sectors, it's GREAT.
Just checking my 'travel diary' ...
07-1 - "Food 3/10, staff 4/10".
07-2 - "No canapes, late start of DVD".
08 - Upper deck 744. Missed parts of service to the OH seated outboard both outbound and inbound.
09 - OH ticked off by CSD because her seat wouldn't motor upright. Missed parts of service. Warm white wine. Inedible bacon rolls on return.
It just doesn't seem to deliver on that sector ... the rest of the time, on other sectors, it's GREAT.
)
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Originally Posted by Diplome
For heaven's sake. Its WHITE wine..if its warm ask for a few ice cubes.
Diplome (who drinks white wine, but has absolutely no respect for it )
Diplome (who drinks white wine, but has absolutely no respect for it )
... however, we digress from the Thread Topic.
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Two-Tone-Blue:
On a more serious note...it is interesting that you are being delivered less than standard service on this one particular flight.
Perhaps a letter to BA may be in order as it does seem to be a bit of an anomaly regarding your whole BA experience.
On a more serious note...it is interesting that you are being delivered less than standard service on this one particular flight.
Perhaps a letter to BA may be in order as it does seem to be a bit of an anomaly regarding your whole BA experience.
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It's not as though it's 'The End of the World'. Despite what some might think from some of my comments on PPRuNe, I'm not a serial complainer.
The revelations of the last few months on the CC Thread, and a few PMs, have given me a reasonable idea about the 'whys and wherefores'. So ... I/we are really looking forward to next month's trip under 'interesting circumstances', and we'll be going again in Sep [when hopefully a revitalised BA is operating]. Then I will make a judgement - at the moment there are (a) too many variables, and (b) we fly infrequently, so may have just been unlucky.
[Although it was never like that with MaxJet, which was always 100%+
I'll never forgive them for over-expanding too soon - the best flying experience we have ever had, and they've gone
]
The revelations of the last few months on the CC Thread, and a few PMs, have given me a reasonable idea about the 'whys and wherefores'. So ... I/we are really looking forward to next month's trip under 'interesting circumstances', and we'll be going again in Sep [when hopefully a revitalised BA is operating]. Then I will make a judgement - at the moment there are (a) too many variables, and (b) we fly infrequently, so may have just been unlucky.
[Although it was never like that with MaxJet, which was always 100%+
I'll never forgive them for over-expanding too soon - the best flying experience we have ever had, and they've gone
]
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Diplome
Full Service Breakfast on a 40 minute flight?
Crew used to hate it (understandably), but my, they were good at it.