BA Cabin Crew
Join Date: Jun 2001
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By and large, I find the male CC on BA more courteous than their female counterparts, but I've yet to find any of them being rude.
It's fair to assume that if the person with whom the CC dealt with one, three, five, seven or ten minutes earlier was ghastly, even if you're at your most charming, that horrible little grey cloud will follow her around.
Trying to stand up straight on a narrow wobbling walkway, trying not to spill other people's drinks whilst dodging inebriates and being ogled to boot is just fine for me on Christmas Eve, but not five times a day, four times a week.
The demeanour of CC is palpably different earlier in the day than that dreaded last leg home. Sometime they'll be weary and grumpy, others will be looking forward, as I am, to getting out of that tin can.
It's fair to assume that if the person with whom the CC dealt with one, three, five, seven or ten minutes earlier was ghastly, even if you're at your most charming, that horrible little grey cloud will follow her around.
Trying to stand up straight on a narrow wobbling walkway, trying not to spill other people's drinks whilst dodging inebriates and being ogled to boot is just fine for me on Christmas Eve, but not five times a day, four times a week.
The demeanour of CC is palpably different earlier in the day than that dreaded last leg home. Sometime they'll be weary and grumpy, others will be looking forward, as I am, to getting out of that tin can.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Lichfield UK
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I flew to LHR to Nice last week - first BA flight for some time and it was OK. CC were reasonably professional, friendly...but for some, while the smile said one thing the body language was saying something else.
That said, I have always found the Gatwick crews (LH and SH) warmer and more enthuiastic.
Best of all, in my experience, were the CC of the BA francises. The GB crew at Gatwick were brilliant and the Maersk crews at Birmingham even better.
Worst experience was on a flight to Mauritius 3/4 years back which got of to a bad start at the gate. A member of ground staff (complete b*sta*d), kicked off. We were called to the gate before he and his accomplices had chance to set up the desk for F and Club - He rudely told the first few who got there and were waiting to board that they were at the wrong desk and to get to the back of the WT queue. A Mauritian guy smiled and explained that the desk had not been signposted so no one knew. Our BA friend snatched his boarding pass and SHOUTED that he wasn't being allowed to board. The Ba***rd) then proceeded to do the same to the next passenger who intervened and objected.
A great start to a holiday (not) that leaves a nasty taste to this day. It didn't improve en route when the CSD (?) started throwing her weight around - didn't stop her grabbing a hug with an Irish boy band celebrity passenger as we disembarked the following morning.
I seem to recall (from the now closed BA Industrial Relations thread) that MRS was not CCs favourite gig. It showed.
That said, I have always found the Gatwick crews (LH and SH) warmer and more enthuiastic.
Best of all, in my experience, were the CC of the BA francises. The GB crew at Gatwick were brilliant and the Maersk crews at Birmingham even better.
Worst experience was on a flight to Mauritius 3/4 years back which got of to a bad start at the gate. A member of ground staff (complete b*sta*d), kicked off. We were called to the gate before he and his accomplices had chance to set up the desk for F and Club - He rudely told the first few who got there and were waiting to board that they were at the wrong desk and to get to the back of the WT queue. A Mauritian guy smiled and explained that the desk had not been signposted so no one knew. Our BA friend snatched his boarding pass and SHOUTED that he wasn't being allowed to board. The Ba***rd) then proceeded to do the same to the next passenger who intervened and objected.
A great start to a holiday (not) that leaves a nasty taste to this day. It didn't improve en route when the CSD (?) started throwing her weight around - didn't stop her grabbing a hug with an Irish boy band celebrity passenger as we disembarked the following morning.
I seem to recall (from the now closed BA Industrial Relations thread) that MRS was not CCs favourite gig. It showed.
Join Date: Jul 2010
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My first flight with BA (BOAC) was 45 years ago from Karachi. I was travelling with a three week old baby and the crew were magnificent. It was such a pleasant experience that ever since, whenever possible, I flew BA. My love affair with BA came to a screeching halt in January of this year on a flight LAX/LHR. The FA was so rude I will never fly BA again.
I flew to CPH on Wednesday. Very pleasant purser who kept plying me with champagne. Came back Friday. 45 minutes late because original aircraft tech at LHR with non-functional lavatories. As I walk on, same purser and 'Hello Mr. radeng! Nice to see you again. Did you have a good week?'
Then more champagne.....although some of it got spilt on my trousers by the inadvertent move by the young lady in the adjacent seat - and not a Slasher type move, either!
Then more champagne.....although some of it got spilt on my trousers by the inadvertent move by the young lady in the adjacent seat - and not a Slasher type move, either!
Last summer I used the case of BA purser, I had on my last flight to LHR, to point out the incredible ability of BA to be efficient, professional with an excellent sense of humor.
However when the issues of bad crew appear I am always wonder whether the airline allows them some latitude to handle the issue at hand or they may be accountable for any problem appears from a relaxed approach to the situation.
However when the issues of bad crew appear I am always wonder whether the airline allows them some latitude to handle the issue at hand or they may be accountable for any problem appears from a relaxed approach to the situation.
Join Date: Sep 2011
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I generally find BA cabin crew to be excellent, on both long and short haul. On a trip back from Tokyo yesterday they weren't so great, though. Big saturday night out in Roppongi?
Having just been on a long business trip on BA, Quantas and Cathay, I found the Cathay cabin crew to be by far the best.
Having just been on a long business trip on BA, Quantas and Cathay, I found the Cathay cabin crew to be by far the best.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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perhaps it is something to do with mauritius flights, two years ago we were also called to the gate before the desks were set up which led to a fair bit of angst.
the outbound crew were excellent in all aspects and a credit to BA, the return crew a fortnight later were having what appeared to be a bad day which they decided to share with one and all .
the outbound crew were excellent in all aspects and a credit to BA, the return crew a fortnight later were having what appeared to be a bad day which they decided to share with one and all .
the return crew a fortnight later were having what appeared to be a bad day which they decided to share with one and all
First rule should be never take your problems into work and that should apply to most jobs out there.
I agree but I also find it hard to believe that an entire 777 crew were so unprofessional and as described. Perhaps it shows that one or two bad apples can bring down an entire crew?
Join Date: Jul 2006
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I used to work for the cruise lines as an Officer, and had to regularly do safety briefs with guests, as well as stopping half way through a fire drill (in full fire kit) to explain politely to people what was happening if they hadn't heard the announcements.
Taking your attitude to work and being impolite or too brusk would have resulted in a disciplinary. But then working on the offshore rules they could be more strict without fear of comeback.
You learn't how to manage a crowd of people in a friendly and polite way, whilst affirming your authority and ensuring they understand the safety standards.
Now I work in yachting, and have to be even nicer!!!
Taking your attitude to work and being impolite or too brusk would have resulted in a disciplinary. But then working on the offshore rules they could be more strict without fear of comeback.
You learn't how to manage a crowd of people in a friendly and polite way, whilst affirming your authority and ensuring they understand the safety standards.
Now I work in yachting, and have to be even nicer!!!
Do not fly so much now but always been interested in these discussions. In my opinion BA CC would rate overall (1m air miles with them) as pretty good. Over that amount of flights that’s ok in my book-yes there are bad experiences but they occur everywhere. A telling point for me was travelling to Grenada some years ago and BA had disgracefully outsourced the cabin crew ops to another UK charter airline. They were pleasant and friendly boys and girls but within minutes of being on board I had this sense of something not right-not quite BA and it showed in a lack of professionalism.
As for good experiences elsewhere SAS in the early 1990s with a wonderful selection of silvery grey hostiles who were very good but usually much older than the flight deck. Malaysian who are friendlier than other Asian Airlines and Lauda-small airline unique style.
I think with BA the problem is that they are British and as a nation we are friendly most of the time but we can be very bloody minded and awkward- its kept us an independent nation for a thousand years so that’s not something we can easily disavow. As some posters have said the world is changing and T&Cs from the past don't work well or are hard to afford in today’s world. The problem comes when people are forced to concede status perks and money by people who are not in any way sharing the pain-in fact who are getting more money, perks and status. In this sort of situation our natural bloody mindedness kicks in and does sometimes show up as rudeness or poor service. I am not saying some crew are not to blame but just making an observation.
BA and UK are not alone in this Look at Qantas –oddly enough another nation with a stubborn streak – and read some of the threads on PPRUNE about how their management are regarded and what that has done to relationships and service and indeed is bringing the airline slowly to its knees.
As for good experiences elsewhere SAS in the early 1990s with a wonderful selection of silvery grey hostiles who were very good but usually much older than the flight deck. Malaysian who are friendlier than other Asian Airlines and Lauda-small airline unique style.
I think with BA the problem is that they are British and as a nation we are friendly most of the time but we can be very bloody minded and awkward- its kept us an independent nation for a thousand years so that’s not something we can easily disavow. As some posters have said the world is changing and T&Cs from the past don't work well or are hard to afford in today’s world. The problem comes when people are forced to concede status perks and money by people who are not in any way sharing the pain-in fact who are getting more money, perks and status. In this sort of situation our natural bloody mindedness kicks in and does sometimes show up as rudeness or poor service. I am not saying some crew are not to blame but just making an observation.
BA and UK are not alone in this Look at Qantas –oddly enough another nation with a stubborn streak – and read some of the threads on PPRUNE about how their management are regarded and what that has done to relationships and service and indeed is bringing the airline slowly to its knees.
There is history, and there is now.
On the historic side, BA CC were the best mix of professionalism and service for me back in the 90s when I did two to four l/h per month. Whilst the asian carriers tried harder, the BA crew were just more professional. (I was BA gold and SQ gold).
However, time moves on, and all airlines are only as good as the CC were on your/my last flight. As the consultants point out, every "moment of truth" counts. So the lgw crew might be universally brilliant, but if you experience an lhr group on a bad day, then that is your memory of the airline.
On the historic side, BA CC were the best mix of professionalism and service for me back in the 90s when I did two to four l/h per month. Whilst the asian carriers tried harder, the BA crew were just more professional. (I was BA gold and SQ gold).
However, time moves on, and all airlines are only as good as the CC were on your/my last flight. As the consultants point out, every "moment of truth" counts. So the lgw crew might be universally brilliant, but if you experience an lhr group on a bad day, then that is your memory of the airline.
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Shouldn't be a problem now the route has moved to LGW 
I fully understood what thumbwell has said. All I was pointing out was that the move to LGW shouldn't make any difference as it's been a mixed fleet route of LHR. A rather crass generalisation is that Mixed fleet and single fleet LGW have a very similar mentality/ethos.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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I think the "British" attitude sums it up very well with BA Cabin Crew. I've always found the cabin service routine to be very efficient and you notice the difference for example with many Gulf carriers where service can seem more enthusiastic but less efficient.
However, that British bloody mindedness unfortunately can and does kick in from time to time. I've never forgotten for example after a 6 hour delay out of Sao Paulo to Heathrow a few years back when the senior cabin crew member announced over the p.a. that the crew weren't going to serve breakfast before arrival because the crew had exceeded their contract duty time and didn't have to! No sugaring of the pill there; just straightforward crumby industrial relations flashed in the faces of the poor punter (dare I use the word Customer??).
The same unfortunately goes for other BA staff too - it's not just the crew. Anyone remember the check-in staff strike/go-slow a few years back and the marquees on the roof of Terminal 4 car park? Not forgetting queuing for hours at check-in for flights which had already departed empty? Distasteful and insulting!
I don't think BA staff are uniquely bad nor outstandingly good. What I really dislike intensely is being used as a fee-paying pawn in their IR games. I do have a choice however so while I don't specifically avoid BA, I will happily use other carriers if the ticket price and shedule are right.
However, that British bloody mindedness unfortunately can and does kick in from time to time. I've never forgotten for example after a 6 hour delay out of Sao Paulo to Heathrow a few years back when the senior cabin crew member announced over the p.a. that the crew weren't going to serve breakfast before arrival because the crew had exceeded their contract duty time and didn't have to! No sugaring of the pill there; just straightforward crumby industrial relations flashed in the faces of the poor punter (dare I use the word Customer??).
The same unfortunately goes for other BA staff too - it's not just the crew. Anyone remember the check-in staff strike/go-slow a few years back and the marquees on the roof of Terminal 4 car park? Not forgetting queuing for hours at check-in for flights which had already departed empty? Distasteful and insulting!
I don't think BA staff are uniquely bad nor outstandingly good. What I really dislike intensely is being used as a fee-paying pawn in their IR games. I do have a choice however so while I don't specifically avoid BA, I will happily use other carriers if the ticket price and shedule are right.
Join Date: Apr 2004
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I have to agree with an earlier poster that in general the short haul CC do seem to be a lot friendlier than Long Haul.
I have flown several times over the last year with BA to Hong Kong and always have this overwhelming feeling on the flight to/from Heathrow/Hong Kong that the CC are doing me a great favour allowing me to fly with them.
Given that and the fact the insistance on using BA from on high has gone my next two trips are booked on EK. So I would suggest I am a fine example of people voting with their feet.
I have flown several times over the last year with BA to Hong Kong and always have this overwhelming feeling on the flight to/from Heathrow/Hong Kong that the CC are doing me a great favour allowing me to fly with them.
Given that and the fact the insistance on using BA from on high has gone my next two trips are booked on EK. So I would suggest I am a fine example of people voting with their feet.
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Every flight, every airline.
Board, stash bag, sit down, set watch to destination time, phones on, listen to musak / watch video, accept everything offered, dont ask for anything else, eat it / drink it, go for a **** (beat the queue), sleep, land, let every else bugger off (unless in a hurry), collect bag, disembark with sickly grin and a "thank you".
Works every time !!
Board, stash bag, sit down, set watch to destination time, phones on, listen to musak / watch video, accept everything offered, dont ask for anything else, eat it / drink it, go for a **** (beat the queue), sleep, land, let every else bugger off (unless in a hurry), collect bag, disembark with sickly grin and a "thank you".
Works every time !!
Board, stash bag, sit down, set watch to destination time, phones on, listen to musak / watch video, accept everything offered, dont ask for anything else, eat it / drink it, go for a **** (beat the queue), sleep, land, let every else bugger off (unless in a hurry), collect bag, disembark with sickly grin and a "thank you".
