BA Strike - Your Thoughts & Questions

[pj67coll]

Have I made a mistake?

I've been a lurker for a while, (since AF447) and this is my first post.

Unfortunately I'm wondering if I've made a serious mistake. My wife and I are flying to LHR from PHX in June for a sort of combined delayed honeymoon, family reunion, holliday and we booked BA. Mostly because as our time is limited - you can't do nearly as much as we'd like in only two weeks - we wanted to maximise our time in Britain and minimise our time travelling. So getting on a plane in Phoenix and off in London ten hours later and vice versa seemed the best option all round even though there were cheaper alternatives out there.

Then I saw the BA strike thread. I have not flown for a decade, and never before on BA so I can't comment on the state of the company but it certainly saddens me to read what I've read on this forum.

I'm stunned at the so called "arguments" made by the strikers and their supposed beef with management. Both my wife and I have survived the first round of job cuts at our employer (we both work for the same organisation) but could both be out of a job, and our house, within the next six months. So to say that I have zero sympathy for the strikers is putting it mildly (and politely for that matter).

This isn't a trip we'll likely be able to make again for the forseeable future so I really hope this striking bs wont wreck out introduction to Britain.

- Peter.

[Pilot Positive]

Landroger

Yes, its not particularly endemic to the UK - and Europeans will always console their brothers? Not sure how any strike by the ITF will transfer weight to BA CC's cause either unless they picket and refuse handling on BA flights into Northern Europe...



PP

[wascrew]

no way

PP
Can I tell you to have no fears.
Most, if not all of our customers from the USA enjoy their experience with BA for a multitude of reasons.
Most if not all of our crew will not let the dispute affect their performance at work
Caveat is sometimes you do get crews on any airline who are not that good quite frankly.

Enjoy your trip just hope that spring has sprung by the time you get here!!
And of course your dollar will go a long way versus the GB peso (used to be a valued currency called the pound !!)

[Pilot Positive]

Am I having a holiday?

Wascrew - wish I was going to Las Vegas for a holiday...!

If only I could take a break from sitting in terminal buildings and playing with this new fangled iphone device thingy... !!

Northern Europe v North America??? Check post #706...

[call100]

Originally Posted by oggers

I don't think they're concerned about a levy per se. This 'war chest' isn't appearing by magic. It is members' money one way or another and many are rather bovvered about where it's going, and the way the union has conducted itself.

You may or may not be right. I am not trying to defend either side. As I said I'm not impressed with the conduct of either side. However, it is essential that the distortions should be corrected wherever possible. Most members would not have even heard of Branch funds unless they were helped in some way by them.
As this thread is riddled with rubbish sometimes it's best to point people in the right directions for their moans as and when one can.

[wascrew]

oops

pp
sorry!!
post was intended for pj67coll

lesson for me ===== don`t multi task shudda stuck to the footie!!

[Pilot Positive]

I bought a great pair of sunglasses for the trip

...what! You mean the holiday isnt for me? I'll have to take my very expensive sunglasses back to the exclusive high street market stall I bought them from now.

[Dawdler]

BASSA Membership.

I am not allowed to contribute (now) to the BA CC thread (to which I have been posting for the past few months). I understand the reasons even though it is a bit irritating. However TOM100 put a question on there to which I have the answer, I just hope he/she sees it here. If you click: •*BASSA•*About us you will see a number given for the membership of BASSA. It must be an automatic counter as it has been going down for some time, accelerating since the "levy" issue was raised. I have pm'd the OP but perhaps someone who has access to that forum could post a link so that it can become more generally known.

I would do it myself but the mods would simply delete it.

[scotbill]

Crew cooperation

There has been much on these forums of the better working atmosphere between flightdeck and cabin crew as a result of the strike.
Yet BBC Radio 4 this am has anonymous striking cabin staff claiming that pilot strike breakers have created an irrepairable rift between the two groups. This is to be the subject of a programme tonight apparently.
Can those who have some experience of the real situation get their viewpoint across to the BBC before then? Presumably they would be granted the same anonymity(actor voices etc.) as the strikers are enjoying.

SB

[manintheback]

From BASSA/UNITE

The Easter break will be a time for reflection for everyone but for one person, Willie Walsh, his next move is crucial. If he continues along his dogmatic path he has so far followed, i.e. the dismantling of this proud company and its cabin crew work force,then that will be met with greater determination. If however he now realises that confrontation is not the best way to go forward and that your Union will not be neutralised then there is some hope still that a way can be found out of this mess. The joint General Secretaries of Unite will eagerly be waiting and watching for his next move. The spotlight is well and truly on him. ?

Of course if WW does, well nothing at all which he clearly doesnt have to - whos court will the ball be in then? Hook line and u know wot.

[ChicoG]

Great to see Simpson so committed to negotiating a settlement that he has the time to go into whore bars in Bangkok.

Derek Simpson: Union boss behind BA strikes admits visit to Bangkok go-go bar | Mail Online

[Andy D]

I heard the BBC piece and was livid, it seams the BBC have just become the voice of Unite and the strikers and seem completely incapable of presenting both sides or even performing critical analysis on the claims of either side e.g. the 20 jets at Cardiff

[oldflyboy]

Now I'm Getting Angry!!

As an ex BA cabin crew member of some 40 years and now retired, I am getting increasingly angry about the actions of the Militant Tendency in BASSA, with their piggy masks and piggy thoughts. The interview with 'pig woman' on youtube, coupled with the battle bus rants and the parade down the Bath Road etc. has brought me firmly down on the side of Mr Walsh and BA. The woman has evidently not read anything sent to them through their company emails, indeed I know that many pro BASSA crew ALWAYS delete them before reading as it is 'Company Propoganda', for there is no way she is going to lose 40% of her income, and does she really believe BA are flying circuits with aircraft to 'keep the slots'???

I have always believed that everyone has a right to strike, (even if their union is acting like idiots in their negotiations), but as BASSA now seem intent on destroying both BA and Mr Walsh, I'm afraid my allegience is now firmly on the side of the Company.

So Mr Walsh, I hope you keep the Big Boots on and don't let the rants of the hardliners push you from your path. If you have to, sack the strikers, I am sure the rest of BA will support you, as well as the many loyal customers who have posted on this thread.

I did before today have a lot of sympathy towards those who took action over the last two weeks, but the reports of intimidation from returning strikers to those who chose to operate during the action I am hearing have changed my feelings towards you. I may lose friends after I post this on Facebook, but Guys, you are in the wrong and should be ashamed of yourselves!!

Rant Over from Oldflyboy!

[Mariner9]

I await the BBC report mentioned, but if the CC featured feel that CRM wll be damaged to an extent that flght safety will be compromised, then surely he/she has no option other than to resign

[call100]

Originally Posted by Andy D

I heard the BBC piece and was livid, it seams the BBC have just become the voice of Unite and the strikers and seem completely incapable of presenting both sides or even performing critical analysis on the claims of either side e.g. the 20 jets at Cardiff

That sounds a bit like the postings on here!! I don't think anyone has been capable of presenting both sides in an even and critical way anywhere....

[Final 3 Greens]

Call100

It is difficult to be even when both sides are playing hardball and supporting their positions with spin.

Ultimately, I am a believer in management's need to manage, balanced by good representation for the workforce.

If both factors had applied at BA since privatisation, we wouldn't be where we are.

I'm no big fan of Walsh, the ground service and the product at BA has gone down noticeably under his tenure (in fairness it had started to decline before), but he has to stand firm now.

As for BASSA, 'We killed the golden goose' may be a fitting epitaph.

[call100]

Final 3 Geeens.

We may agree on those points.......It's time the grown up's came back!!

[Low Flier]

Oh, how BA management must regret this advert in the context of the "volunteer" "cabin crew"!

[Basil]

the product at BA has gone down noticeably under his tenure

It is with regret that I have to agree.
First: No canapes with the Champers. Food not great.
Business: Food poor.
WT & WT+: Food dire.

CC service varies from great to "WTF did you just say to me, steward?!"

Willie Walsh! You need to get on top of the foregoing!

[emanresuym]

Basil,

With respect I think you need to get your priorities right.

The first thing WW must do is provide us with a service that we can rely upon. If we book flights with BA, we need to know that they will actually transport us from A to B without disruption.

Fortunately, WW seems to be addressing this issue