First impressions of Virgin as a PAX
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Essex
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Virgin Cabin Crew
Lots of comments both good and bad - well after 10 years of working for Virgin as a Hostie, I do have to agree and disagree with some points mentioned.
Virgin like most airlines, likes their hosties to look good - god forbid you get beyond thirty you are classified as Mature cabin crew. The upper recruiting age for abinitio's is 33! is that really old in this day and age? Obviously people over 33 have had it, cant deal with people - no hope in this aging population then.
Getting past 30 in Virgin made you paranoid - checking in for a flight and the 19 year olds, just out of school saying wow are you really that old didnt do much for your ego. Yes I have been to that bar in Narita that was mentioned in one comment, but lets not forget the flight deck - they do not always act the most 'mature' either - so please its not just the cabin crew.
The pilot from Virgin who mentioned that the crew get paid and take home on £850 pounds per months. Is that really a bad salary? lets not forget the perks - 7 free staff tickets, discounts in any number of places - days off down route and plenty at home - the job of safety is paramount and yes a very important role - but comparing it to jobs on the ground it is actually quite well paid - particularly if you are straight out of college. As a graduate and trying to get a job with my countless experience, the salaries I was being offered were starting at 12,000 after three years training so the salary of a hostie, really isnt that bad - lets face it, it isnt rocket science! Crew do have to travel long distances, but they dont have to do it every day - since working back in an office - I have to say that the life of a hostie is much better than that of the drudgery of 9-5!
I do have a degree, which surprises a lot of people, at one point at Virgin we even had a Doctor working as crew, there are also a lot of nurses and other professionals who want a job where they can see the world - yes there are also the inevitable airheads, but they do have to pass strict exams set by the CAA before they are allowed to fly!
I would like to see older hosties, people who are just starting out, in their 30's and 40's even 50's. Why not? I think a mixed age group on a flight would stop bitching, and allow people with 'life' experience to handle stressful situations such as little brats running around your feet, that a 19 year old wouldnt necessarily wouldnt be able to handle.
I can see the men now writhing in their seats going older hosties - lets not forget that lots of women travel nowadays, and there should be an even balance of ages and sexes - this would warrant a more professional atmosphere and start recognising this as a serious career, rather than portraying the image of that shown on that lovely new series 'Fresh Air'.
Virgin like most airlines, likes their hosties to look good - god forbid you get beyond thirty you are classified as Mature cabin crew. The upper recruiting age for abinitio's is 33! is that really old in this day and age? Obviously people over 33 have had it, cant deal with people - no hope in this aging population then.
Getting past 30 in Virgin made you paranoid - checking in for a flight and the 19 year olds, just out of school saying wow are you really that old didnt do much for your ego. Yes I have been to that bar in Narita that was mentioned in one comment, but lets not forget the flight deck - they do not always act the most 'mature' either - so please its not just the cabin crew.
The pilot from Virgin who mentioned that the crew get paid and take home on £850 pounds per months. Is that really a bad salary? lets not forget the perks - 7 free staff tickets, discounts in any number of places - days off down route and plenty at home - the job of safety is paramount and yes a very important role - but comparing it to jobs on the ground it is actually quite well paid - particularly if you are straight out of college. As a graduate and trying to get a job with my countless experience, the salaries I was being offered were starting at 12,000 after three years training so the salary of a hostie, really isnt that bad - lets face it, it isnt rocket science! Crew do have to travel long distances, but they dont have to do it every day - since working back in an office - I have to say that the life of a hostie is much better than that of the drudgery of 9-5!
I do have a degree, which surprises a lot of people, at one point at Virgin we even had a Doctor working as crew, there are also a lot of nurses and other professionals who want a job where they can see the world - yes there are also the inevitable airheads, but they do have to pass strict exams set by the CAA before they are allowed to fly!
I would like to see older hosties, people who are just starting out, in their 30's and 40's even 50's. Why not? I think a mixed age group on a flight would stop bitching, and allow people with 'life' experience to handle stressful situations such as little brats running around your feet, that a 19 year old wouldnt necessarily wouldnt be able to handle.
I can see the men now writhing in their seats going older hosties - lets not forget that lots of women travel nowadays, and there should be an even balance of ages and sexes - this would warrant a more professional atmosphere and start recognising this as a serious career, rather than portraying the image of that shown on that lovely new series 'Fresh Air'.
Paxing All Over The World
The age of the cabin crew is irrelevant! Can they do the job physically - including the stress of emergency procedures, as far as can be assesed during simulation - and can they be polite for as long as humanly possible? If the answer to the two questions is Yes - then step forward!
I am saddened to hear of the age ceiling in VS. I am a long term fan of the carrier and they are my first choice for long haul but they should not be doing this.
Bad experiences on VS? I am a regular but not frequent traveller over 16 years and have been in all cabins and (almost) always paying my own way. No bad experiences to record, one irritation with the schedulers bringing forward departure time and not advising me is all.
Of course that cannot make up for one hideous experience as viewed through the eyes of the pax. I have that feeling about RyanAir!!
I am saddened to hear of the age ceiling in VS. I am a long term fan of the carrier and they are my first choice for long haul but they should not be doing this.
Bad experiences on VS? I am a regular but not frequent traveller over 16 years and have been in all cabins and (almost) always paying my own way. No bad experiences to record, one irritation with the schedulers bringing forward departure time and not advising me is all.
Of course that cannot make up for one hideous experience as viewed through the eyes of the pax. I have that feeling about RyanAir!!
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Chennai (MAA)
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Air Head Hostie
Going off topic a little
****
I would like to see older hosties, people who are just starting out, in their 30's and 40's even 50's. Why not? I think a mixed age group on a flight would stop bitching, and allow people with 'life' experience to handle stressful situations such as little brats running around your feet, that a 19 year old wouldnt necessarily wouldnt be able to handle.
*****
Ome of Virgin's code share partners Air India has retirement age at 58 for hosties. That said, I had the privilege of ending up flying with a distiguished gentleman who was a steward in the late 40s/early 50s (age) on two international flights within a week of each other on sister airline Indian Airlines. His service was efficient and professional and he was equally efficient with a flight with quiet a few toddlers on the Chennai (MAA) SIN sector and a delayed flight full of irritated and rowdy passengers on Bangkok Chennai sector. The way he was handling the situations with tact and unfailing charm is something which will always remind me of exceptional service (in an airline which isnt necessarily reknowned for it). Needless to say a few words of appreciation was emailed from my side the very next day through the airlines website.
Off topic a little since you are talking Virgin, but I have to agree with your point on mature cabin crew.
Cheers
Going off topic a little
****
I would like to see older hosties, people who are just starting out, in their 30's and 40's even 50's. Why not? I think a mixed age group on a flight would stop bitching, and allow people with 'life' experience to handle stressful situations such as little brats running around your feet, that a 19 year old wouldnt necessarily wouldnt be able to handle.
*****
Ome of Virgin's code share partners Air India has retirement age at 58 for hosties. That said, I had the privilege of ending up flying with a distiguished gentleman who was a steward in the late 40s/early 50s (age) on two international flights within a week of each other on sister airline Indian Airlines. His service was efficient and professional and he was equally efficient with a flight with quiet a few toddlers on the Chennai (MAA) SIN sector and a delayed flight full of irritated and rowdy passengers on Bangkok Chennai sector. The way he was handling the situations with tact and unfailing charm is something which will always remind me of exceptional service (in an airline which isnt necessarily reknowned for it). Needless to say a few words of appreciation was emailed from my side the very next day through the airlines website.
Off topic a little since you are talking Virgin, but I have to agree with your point on mature cabin crew.
Cheers
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As both a Captain and a regular passenger on flights to the USA I sympathise with VMC on the frustration and annoyance of the feeling of being "processed" at airports. we are all well aware of many of the reasons for this, but it is nontheless a generally unpleasant and stressful experience. Having to report in excess of 3 hours before a flight ( only to find the thing often delayed ). Standing in slow moving miserable lines for check in. Then standing in slow lines for security. Then again to enter a lounge full of 400 people and 150 seats. Then again to board the aircraft. By the time you actually sit down in a cramped little seat with a wannabe sumo wrestler spilling over the seat next to you and somebody elses over excited sprogg kicking the seatback from the row behind, it is no wonder some passengers blood pressure is so high.
On the other hand travelling in Business or first class is an altogether more relaxing experience. Short (if any) lines for check in. Often a fast pass through security. Comfortable lounge and space to relax. Ushered onto the flight with minimum fuss and then a wide comfortable seat with lots of leg room. A crewmember who seems to know your name with a tray of cool drinks to greet your arrival. A world away from the situation behind the curtain, but obviously a world that normally comes at a price.
Last year I travelled on 18 revenue sectors as a passenger. This included 3 sectors on Cordorde, 2 in business class and all the rest in economy. It is interesting how perceptions of a crew change depending on the class of travel. On one sector (JFK-LHR) the pursor was moaning to one of her colleagues about her roster and general lot in life. I have reservations about the wisdom of this being done within ear shot of passengers. I found it quite amusing to listen to whilst settled comfortably quaffing caviar and vintage champagne. The same situation would have irritated me to high heaven whilst squashed into the middle seat down the back of a 747 from SFO !
with the work hat back on, I agree with the reply that Pnooze gave you. In addition I would add that Saturday is a busy day for holiday travel. MCO is the prime holiday route between the UK and US and the day most likely to attract the highest volume of family travellers. As you will know from your background weekends also tend to be the time most staff "sickness" occurs and reults in staff shortages or folk being called in to cover other peoples programmes. Given the realities it is often a busy frustrating day for staff as well as passengers. It is not a time when anybody really has the luxury to indulge " sulky" passengers demanding free upgrades. It is understandable that crew or check in staff may need to be curt in these circumstances. Crews are often under the added pressure of the Captain breathing down their necks to get 400 passengers seated in order to make a slot, when the initial delay was not their fault to begin with. Obviously non of this makes for great customer relations but it is the only way to survive the reality of operating in the current economic and security environment.
You can travel on the same airline on 3 different occaisions and have 3 quite dissimiliar experiences. We could be sat three rows apart and while you are having a great flight, I am having the worst. The same crew member who in my irritated state I find scruffy, you find hard working and charming. She is fed up that having had to get up 4 hours ago to make herself up she then trips over somebodys ill placed bag and has laddered her stockings and scuffed her shoes. it is all a matter of perception.
They say that first impressions are important. You pays your money and takes your choice. Nevertheless I do believe all airlines operate within the same constraints and it is often a matter of luck how your own flight turns out.
On the other hand travelling in Business or first class is an altogether more relaxing experience. Short (if any) lines for check in. Often a fast pass through security. Comfortable lounge and space to relax. Ushered onto the flight with minimum fuss and then a wide comfortable seat with lots of leg room. A crewmember who seems to know your name with a tray of cool drinks to greet your arrival. A world away from the situation behind the curtain, but obviously a world that normally comes at a price.
Last year I travelled on 18 revenue sectors as a passenger. This included 3 sectors on Cordorde, 2 in business class and all the rest in economy. It is interesting how perceptions of a crew change depending on the class of travel. On one sector (JFK-LHR) the pursor was moaning to one of her colleagues about her roster and general lot in life. I have reservations about the wisdom of this being done within ear shot of passengers. I found it quite amusing to listen to whilst settled comfortably quaffing caviar and vintage champagne. The same situation would have irritated me to high heaven whilst squashed into the middle seat down the back of a 747 from SFO !
with the work hat back on, I agree with the reply that Pnooze gave you. In addition I would add that Saturday is a busy day for holiday travel. MCO is the prime holiday route between the UK and US and the day most likely to attract the highest volume of family travellers. As you will know from your background weekends also tend to be the time most staff "sickness" occurs and reults in staff shortages or folk being called in to cover other peoples programmes. Given the realities it is often a busy frustrating day for staff as well as passengers. It is not a time when anybody really has the luxury to indulge " sulky" passengers demanding free upgrades. It is understandable that crew or check in staff may need to be curt in these circumstances. Crews are often under the added pressure of the Captain breathing down their necks to get 400 passengers seated in order to make a slot, when the initial delay was not their fault to begin with. Obviously non of this makes for great customer relations but it is the only way to survive the reality of operating in the current economic and security environment.
You can travel on the same airline on 3 different occaisions and have 3 quite dissimiliar experiences. We could be sat three rows apart and while you are having a great flight, I am having the worst. The same crew member who in my irritated state I find scruffy, you find hard working and charming. She is fed up that having had to get up 4 hours ago to make herself up she then trips over somebodys ill placed bag and has laddered her stockings and scuffed her shoes. it is all a matter of perception.
They say that first impressions are important. You pays your money and takes your choice. Nevertheless I do believe all airlines operate within the same constraints and it is often a matter of luck how your own flight turns out.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I too have only flown VS twice, but been impressed on both occasions. However if people want to complain about what cabin crew do or do not do, you have to bear in mind that they are working for under 1000 per month. Why is this when your safety is placed in the hands that works for about 12k a year. You cant live the champagne lifestyle with the lemonade pay packet
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: He's on the limb to nowhere
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I remember sitting in the back row on a VS flight from LAX, and we had lined up on final approach to Heathrow. The boys and girls had strapped in at the back and were loudly chattering away. Plenty of flowery details on who was shagging who, and stories of drunkenness and buffoonery down route. Best part was when somebody said the first-officer had never landed an A340 before in the real, and to get ready for a rough ride.
Didn't bother me, I was happy to hear they were normal people who liked to have fun. But it might have bothered others.
Didn't bother me, I was happy to hear they were normal people who liked to have fun. But it might have bothered others.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I first flew on Virgin in 1992 to LHR-LAX. Since then I have had the pleasure of flying them many more times, mainly SFO. I have not flown BA to the USA since then and have gone out of my way and paid more to fly VSand will continue to do so. I will not say that the crew have been great all of the time as we all know everybody has their bad days, but what I can say is that 98% of the time the service has been beyond excellent. Wish I could have said the same for the service at Bad Attitude.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Daventry UK
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I flew LGW - MCO with Virgin on a Friday in March this year with an unreasonable amount of luggage.
VS could not have been more helpful which was just as well because on the return leg I was subjected to ludicrous behaviour by TSA because I needed to clear my luggage. I was only protected by the diligence, nay courage, of the VS rep who stood up to the bolshie TSA at the risk of his personal liberty (Local police were actually called!).
VS staff on the ground and in the air were universally excellent, especially considering that I must have represented a 'problem' pax, loaded with large cardboard boxes! The MCO flight is a 'holiday' flight and anyone using it should take that into account - it's not Virgins' fault that families go to Disney.
My only sadness is that my letter addressed to Branson asking him to commend the staff member who rescued me from the TSA met with an innapropiate boilerplate reply from someone in the PR department who had not bothered to read my story.
If anyone from VS reads this, I would like to get that little defect rectified. [email protected].
VS could not have been more helpful which was just as well because on the return leg I was subjected to ludicrous behaviour by TSA because I needed to clear my luggage. I was only protected by the diligence, nay courage, of the VS rep who stood up to the bolshie TSA at the risk of his personal liberty (Local police were actually called!).
VS staff on the ground and in the air were universally excellent, especially considering that I must have represented a 'problem' pax, loaded with large cardboard boxes! The MCO flight is a 'holiday' flight and anyone using it should take that into account - it's not Virgins' fault that families go to Disney.
My only sadness is that my letter addressed to Branson asking him to commend the staff member who rescued me from the TSA met with an innapropiate boilerplate reply from someone in the PR department who had not bothered to read my story.
If anyone from VS reads this, I would like to get that little defect rectified. [email protected].
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Falkirk,Stirlingshire,Scotland
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi david viewing,
You could nominate the VS person as well for a Virgin Atlantic " Hero award"
as per this link
http://www.iflyvirginatlantic.com/main47.htm.
Although the closing date for this round has clsoed ,there should be another round shortly.
Whenever I have written in to VS to compliment a member of the cabin crew or ground staff, I have received a reply that mentions that the comment will be passed on to the crew concerned.
Regards
TBS
You could nominate the VS person as well for a Virgin Atlantic " Hero award"
as per this link
http://www.iflyvirginatlantic.com/main47.htm.
Although the closing date for this round has clsoed ,there should be another round shortly.
Whenever I have written in to VS to compliment a member of the cabin crew or ground staff, I have received a reply that mentions that the comment will be passed on to the crew concerned.
Regards
TBS
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Daventry UK
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Banking Scot
Thanks for that - form completed. He deserves to win.
There was no mention of passing the comment on in the reply that I got, but then as I said the person replying obviously hadn't read my letter anyway.
David
Thanks for that - form completed. He deserves to win.
There was no mention of passing the comment on in the reply that I got, but then as I said the person replying obviously hadn't read my letter anyway.
David
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: North Oxfordshire
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Irony
Life's so funny - Virgin Atlantic offered me a job on Friday. Not flying, unfortunately, but one I'd enjoy.
How's that for a poignant completion to my story on this thread?
VMC
How's that for a poignant completion to my story on this thread?
VMC
Guest
Posts: n/a
Interesting thread.
As a frequent flyer, I see a lot of different cc.
BA and LH, IMHO, are more consistent in the way they provide service of the carriers I use, so expectations are set and generally delivered, although any flight can suffer from poor team dynamics for a variety of reasons.
My experience with Virgin is that the crews delivery of service levels tends to be more variable, perhaps for the reasons Pnooze stated. At the top end it can be very warm and friendly and at the bottom appear chaotic, although I am not judging safety here, just my perception of the way the service is delivered.
As a result, other frequent flyers love or hate the experience(s) - I'd tend to take BA when I travel long haul, because I'm usually either getting my head ready for a challenging piece of work or coming back very tired...... so professional, consistent service levels are attractive
As a frequent flyer, I see a lot of different cc.
BA and LH, IMHO, are more consistent in the way they provide service of the carriers I use, so expectations are set and generally delivered, although any flight can suffer from poor team dynamics for a variety of reasons.
My experience with Virgin is that the crews delivery of service levels tends to be more variable, perhaps for the reasons Pnooze stated. At the top end it can be very warm and friendly and at the bottom appear chaotic, although I am not judging safety here, just my perception of the way the service is delivered.
As a result, other frequent flyers love or hate the experience(s) - I'd tend to take BA when I travel long haul, because I'm usually either getting my head ready for a challenging piece of work or coming back very tired...... so professional, consistent service levels are attractive
