bmi mass exodus
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Not sure whether this is a bash the management thread or Virgin Merger thread. The management hasn't changed in the last 20 years so there is nothing new there. The current Flight Ops Director and the current Operations Manager (whats his name again) are about as visible as the DoDo. It is clear that the current Flight Ops Director has had his wings clipped just like the last one. Don't know whether the Virgin merger would be good or bad for bmi but I do know that the benefits for Virgin are far greater than those for bmi.
Keep the blue side up !
Keep the blue side up !
Nom de PPRuNe
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The current Flight Ops Director....................about as visible as the DoDo.
It is clear that the current Flight Ops Director has had his wings clipped just like the last one.
As for the purpose of roadshows, have'nt you heard of brainwashing ?
A customer feedback snippet - the new Brize-MPA-Brize service operated by bmi in the Star Alliance-liveried A330 is going down very well indeed with the punters! The best trip they've ever experienced on that route, I'm told.
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Which is not saying a lot....
Nothing against BMI, more a comment on the, er, somewhat basic service offered on the RAF's L1011s! I doubt there's anyone left regularly transitting the South Atlantic who remembers Virgin's, Britannia's or BA's services on that route.
Sorry to digress....
Nothing against BMI, more a comment on the, er, somewhat basic service offered on the RAF's L1011s! I doubt there's anyone left regularly transitting the South Atlantic who remembers Virgin's, Britannia's or BA's services on that route.
Sorry to digress....
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Folks
There is a simple answer to all this:
1. With the number of A319s Easy are getting and the 737s are still arriving.
2. Ryanair want 737 crews.
3. Channel Express want crews (and that GLA op under their AOC).
4. Virgin looking for experienced crews.
5. Emirates looking.
Either get your BALPA Council to actually sort things or start filling in applications.
Donington has always taken time to realise it needs good guys on the line. They think they have you over a barrel, it is the other way!
This topic is about a mass exodus, it will happen at Baby as well if the Hall does not get user friendly and actually value its pilots.
There is a simple answer to all this:
1. With the number of A319s Easy are getting and the 737s are still arriving.
2. Ryanair want 737 crews.
3. Channel Express want crews (and that GLA op under their AOC).
4. Virgin looking for experienced crews.
5. Emirates looking.
Either get your BALPA Council to actually sort things or start filling in applications.
Donington has always taken time to realise it needs good guys on the line. They think they have you over a barrel, it is the other way!
This topic is about a mass exodus, it will happen at Baby as well if the Hall does not get user friendly and actually value its pilots.
BEagle,
Hardly surprising that the MPA trip is currently enjoyed. 216 'Lada' Sqn are not reknowned for their attitude towards self-loading cargo. Their jobs-worth mentality towards aviators (who, being familiar with the system, know they are talking out of their backsides) travelling in their aircraft beggars belief!
Hardly surprising that the MPA trip is currently enjoyed. 216 'Lada' Sqn are not reknowned for their attitude towards self-loading cargo. Their jobs-worth mentality towards aviators (who, being familiar with the system, know they are talking out of their backsides) travelling in their aircraft beggars belief!
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Nom de PPRuNe
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bmi management, especially at the very "top" have always been of the view that pilots grow on trees. Quick trip to the nearest forest, hold a sack under a tree and shake. Quality and experience has never been of any concern. The License pays the lip service to safety etc. Anyone in the job knows better, but they don't call the shots.
The same management have also always been of the view that there's no problem, no unhappiness and no impending exodus, because it's never, really, ever happened. The view is "If they're so unhappy, how come they're still here ?"
They know that BALPA are well tame, so any threat of a strike will be viewed with derision. Once again, "They've never gone on strike, so they never will. They're wimps !"
We're talking reactive management here, with never a hint of proactive management. Wait for the problem, then sort it out (or do a makeshift patch up after the horse has bolted, more likely).
One of these days they'll catch a cold they'll never recover from. I almost look forward to it.
PS -- Virgin merger.
If you really believe that's going to happen, then you'd better get into Virgin and get that 747 or A340 on your license sharpish. That's going to be the thing that protects your livelihood if there's a merger. bmi staff, especially pilots, will be the cannon fodder.
All IMHO, BTW. What's a few decades experience of the industry worth, though.
The same management have also always been of the view that there's no problem, no unhappiness and no impending exodus, because it's never, really, ever happened. The view is "If they're so unhappy, how come they're still here ?"
They know that BALPA are well tame, so any threat of a strike will be viewed with derision. Once again, "They've never gone on strike, so they never will. They're wimps !"
We're talking reactive management here, with never a hint of proactive management. Wait for the problem, then sort it out (or do a makeshift patch up after the horse has bolted, more likely).
One of these days they'll catch a cold they'll never recover from. I almost look forward to it.
PS -- Virgin merger.
If you really believe that's going to happen, then you'd better get into Virgin and get that 747 or A340 on your license sharpish. That's going to be the thing that protects your livelihood if there's a merger. bmi staff, especially pilots, will be the cannon fodder.
All IMHO, BTW. What's a few decades experience of the industry worth, though.
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Well, Antony, I think you are unnecessarily gloomy (do you have a reason for your sour grapes?) - remember one longhaul aircraft uses 20 pilots, and only two slots per day. Remember that a A340 is a few days in the classroom for A320 drivers. You don't have to use many of bmi's slots for longhaul to need all of their pilots - and then some - and they are currently on some of the cheapest terms and conditions in the market. And even if the slots are flogged, somebody is going to want to use them for something - and the bmi fleet is in the right place, with the right number of pilots, probably (looking at the number of A319/320/321's at LHR) the right aircraft, and the right reputation and experience. It would make really bad business sense to ignore what is already there and try and do something from scratch - unless you already have your own slack - and there aren't many airlines around like that at the moment.
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Hey, Paul?
It's no good asking Anthony about his sour grapes...
he has a vinyard full of em in his back garden..
As has been stated already..the only person who can rubber-stamp such a merger is Bish...and he has no need to
do so at the mo...so all this talk of merging seems to be Virgin dipping their toes in the water and us telling em the water is still too hot...or something......
Anthony....what we would give to see you smile...
It's no good asking Anthony about his sour grapes...
he has a vinyard full of em in his back garden..
As has been stated already..the only person who can rubber-stamp such a merger is Bish...and he has no need to
do so at the mo...so all this talk of merging seems to be Virgin dipping their toes in the water and us telling em the water is still too hot...or something......
Anthony....what we would give to see you smile...
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OK, well I'll defend bmi. It's a company that has been around since before MOL and Stelios were born. It has led the way in liberalisation of various markets since before Virgin Atlantic was a real player - BA's reaction to a rival on shorthaul was something along the lines of "How dare they??!!!" when they arrived on the scene (which makes it a bit disappointing that some of the reaction from employees to LoCo's has been the same). It has been largely profitable - at least to the extent that the shareholders have been willing to hold onto their investment (and their investment has held or increased its value). It has outlasted other airlines with various heritages - Laker (original), BCal, Sabena, Swissair, etc etc. The training within bmi seems to be widely regarded as benchmark standard. Most people at work are happy, conscientious (none of this quick cabin service - hide behind the curtain stuff), get on well with each other. The airline has consistently won travel awards for its shorthaul operation, bmibaby won its first award within 18 months of its first flight, and its longhaul product gets five stars. It has grown as fast as it has been able to grow its market - and the major restriction on growth has been regulation (regulated price/frequency market to key destinations from LHR, in the old days regulatory protection of BA, and most notably in the last 5 years Bermuda II).
Of course it has its problems - but frankly Pprune is bound to bring out the whingers. Most of the people who are happy to get on with their job don't bother speaking.
I am not a manager - and I am far from ignorant (or even unaffected!) by some of the problems in bmi. But lets get it in perspective.
Of course it has its problems - but frankly Pprune is bound to bring out the whingers. Most of the people who are happy to get on with their job don't bother speaking.
I am not a manager - and I am far from ignorant (or even unaffected!) by some of the problems in bmi. But lets get it in perspective.
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Hear hear, Paul...
I've been here 16 years in various guises, have worked all over the company network and if I didn't have a few gripes, then I wouldn't be normal..however, we are far from being the worst employer in the business...look at the history !!
The oh-so familiar whingers (..and u all know who u are) are only at their happiest when moaning..
If u can't stand the heat.......
Right, back to the slot desk....!
I've been here 16 years in various guises, have worked all over the company network and if I didn't have a few gripes, then I wouldn't be normal..however, we are far from being the worst employer in the business...look at the history !!
The oh-so familiar whingers (..and u all know who u are) are only at their happiest when moaning..
If u can't stand the heat.......
Right, back to the slot desk....!
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I too am very happy at bmi. The people I work with are excellent and do their up most to provide a high standard of service. Unfortunately there are problems that middle management seem unwilling to address preventing this company from excelling.
Most companies are having a difficult time with their staff and bmi is no exception, but it wouldn’t take much to change that.
Most companies are having a difficult time with their staff and bmi is no exception, but it wouldn’t take much to change that.
I'll also throw my hat into the ring.
Every company has their whingers who would not be happy no matter what was done, and their voices are the one you usually hear.
Through out this thread people have moaned about the raw deal they get, just moaning to others gets you nowhere. If you want results do something.
I wonder if the moaners are people that have been with company for many years and grown bitter for whatever reasons, and have nothing left to do but gripe at the company that has provided them with a career.
Every company has their whingers who would not be happy no matter what was done, and their voices are the one you usually hear.
Through out this thread people have moaned about the raw deal they get, just moaning to others gets you nowhere. If you want results do something.
I wonder if the moaners are people that have been with company for many years and grown bitter for whatever reasons, and have nothing left to do but gripe at the company that has provided them with a career.