BA faces lawsuit over pilot's behaviour

[Landflap]

I routinely operated in & out of Africa & know the Nairobi and Entebbe scene very well. I often socialised with the BA crews in Entebbe. If this guy was wearing a Captain's uniform (someone posted that there is TV evidence of this) it will have been noticed by other crew members on lay-over. How come no-one, including his fellow Captains never said anything to him ? Often, the greater majority and some times the entire BA crew would go off to some school or orphanage for this type of, heartfelt, off duty activity.Wood's activity, in going off to some school dressed as a Captain, would not have gone without notice to his fellow crew members.

While on lay-over. Technically, you still represent your Company & your activities should be conducted in that respect. In my Company, there was a time when long haul crews started to go a bit over the top down route. We were all sent a reminder of codes of conduct and a warning that certain crew members might be switched to short-haul only unless behaviour was moderated. Very next day, tumbled into bed after an overnighter but huge noise in the pool. Looked out to observe one of our Captains' dressed as a hostess & a Hostess dressed as a Captain, frolicking wildly about while other crew members looked on, noisely too. Yes, they were "moved" to short-haul after being reported by Hotel staff. My point being that odd behavior does not go with notice. I also have first hand evidece of a F/O who liked to dress up as a girl as soon as we hit the Hotels. EVERYONE noticed that one. Yes, we stopped him. It WAS inappropriate behaviour whilst representing the Company on lay-overs. (Before you freedom of rights, cross dressers, trans-whatevers, politically correctness lobbyists, etc, etc, jump all over me).

Finally, 15 years as a FO and doing his fave trips has nothing to do with it. And, disparaging remarks about his professionalism is hardly helpful. Being Senior, he will have had a bid-line of choice. Preferring to remain in the RHS is probably a good career decision for many. I have flown with many career First Officers &, by the way, JW411 & others of the same ilk, a damn fine job they do of being the "Second in Command" and "work" very hard indeed.

On thread, not condoning any of this guy's disgusting and disgraceful behaviour. I do wonder how it was not noticed by anyone.

[JW411]

Landflap:

I think you do me a dis-service. I do not recall making any disparaging comments about long term first officers. In fact I have flown with a fair few of them and they were all good. Most of them have their own reasons for staying where they are. One that I recall flew Lancasters in WW II, got shot down and ended up as one of Hitler's guests. He simply did not want the responsibility any more and was quite happy where he was.

[Yellow Pen]

If this guy was wearing a Captain's uniform (someone posted that there is TV evidence of this) it will have been noticed by other crew members on lay-over. How come no-one, including his fellow Captains never said anything to him ? Often, the greater majority and some times the entire BA crew would go off to some school or orphanage for this type of, heartfelt, off duty activity.Wood's activity, in going off to some school dressed as a Captain, would not have gone without notice to his fellow crew members.

This assumes he wore the bogus uniform around the hotel and other crew members and didn't simply change when he got to where he was going. I'm sure wearing a captains uniform around the hotel would have been a big red flag to others so why make such an elementary mistake given the lengths he'd already gone to to conceal his crimes? He might as well have worn a gold tracksuit and a Jim'll Fix It badge in the lobby.

[Sir Niall Dementia]

VCtenderness;

I also knew him for a very long time, shared meals, flights and laughs with him (not at BA) and had absolutely no idea. I believed him to be a gentle, rather religious character, now I wonder if I will ever understand my fellow men again.

Someone once told me that you never know what is going on behind another person's eyes, I get that concept now.

[Landflap]

Yes indeed, JW411. Unconditional apology. It was BOAC doing the trolling but I sometimes think of you when I read his comments.I will be MORE careful. Your admonishment ,clearly, from an Officer & Gentleman.And, I will not confuse posters.Ouch, sitting on the "embarassment chair" for the rest of the day!

[athonite]

Simon Wood Prior to joining BA had previously had worked as helicopter pilot on North Sea operations and as a freelance pilot on helicopters, including flying very senior politicians in the run up to one general election.

In the early nineties he was a Captain on Viscounts on mail flights between Edinburgh and Coventry, I think the company was British Air Ferries. After that he was a Captain on BAC 1-11 flying out of Edinburgh or Glasgow for a charter airline. After that I think he went to BA.

I was introduced to Simon Wood through a friend, who was a dietician, who worked on the same summer camps for a number of years for diabetic children.Simon would also turn up in a R22 to these summer camps and take both children and adults on pleasure flights

In the time I knew Simon Wood he never really seemed settled, he always seemed to want to change direction, despite being well qualified and experienced, at one stage he wanted to become an instructor at Oxford, and at another stage he considered taking taking up holy Orders. He was as I understand it similar to Jimmy Saville, a Roman catholic and I never was aware he was ever in a relationship with a woman or man.

But like the BBC, I'm not sure how nobody within BA as an organisation never became suspicious.

[Basil]

athonite,

I'm not sure how nobody within BA as an organisation never became suspicious.

I think it's because, even in the RAF and BA, we meet 'different' people and become accustomed to making allowances in order for our company to function. Being slightly 'odd' doesn't necessarily make them 'bad'.
I'm sure that our man covered up major pointers.

I'm sure, like me, you've occasionally thought; 'Is it him or is it me?' (That's rhetorical, BTW )

Old saying: All the world's queer, 'cept thee and me, but even thee's a little queer.

[Pontius]

I'm not sure how nobody within BA as an organisation never became suspicious.

There was never any questioning of his ability to do his job, so I would suggest it went something along the lines of:

1. Simon checks into the hotel as usual with the crew.
2. He's either told his colleagues that he's off to do a bit of charity work and will see them at pick-up or he's just said he's got things to do and will see them at pick-up. Nothing suspicious there and it happens every day. There is certainly no need for everybody to be welded to each other during a layover.
3. Dressed in shorts and t-shirt he makes his way to the orphanage with his bogus captain's uniform in a backpack.
4. Changing before he reaches the establishment, he appears before the welcoming committee as an airline captain, with shiny bars and everything.
5. Does what he does.
6. Reverses the fancy dress costume routine on the way back to the hotel.
7. Appears at pick-up on time and either doesn't discuss his supposed activities with his colleagues (and certainly doesn't discuss his real activities) or he chats about his charity work before the talk moves on to pensions and houses.

An extremely plausible and simple explanation that would lead to no suspicion from anyone. Why is it so difficult to comprehend that BA had no idea of his activities when the guys and girls sitting next to him on the flight deck would have had no idea either?

[J.O.]

Many times we have heard stories of people who have been able to keep personal traits such as alcoholism, drug use or criminal activity hidden from family, friends and colleagues for extended periods of time. When asked, folks say, "He was such a nice man", or "He was quiet and kept to himself, never caused any trouble".

I don't know why this would be any different. Let's face it, it's not like he's going to be regaling people with stories of his off duty diddling. In fact, given the social stigma that comes with such behaviour, he will have worked very hard to hide it. So how exactly would people know?

[Will Hung]

I would guess BA will pay some money over to victims in Africa to keep the lid on it.

Once the Hyenas have creamed-off their cut of course

[astir 8]

Just leave it all to BA's "Customer Relations" department. They're experts at denying anything and everything even when BA is responsible.

(speaking from experience)

[The Blu Riband]

He could have been visiting the orphanages on his days off rather than on layovers.

[racedo]

If he was arrested in 2000 then pretty unlikely that his employer did not know............getting arrested and charged with impact on life when it is going on is not something that can be hidden easily.

Given nature of what he was arrested for and close ties that have always been between BA and Met Police it is inconcievable that BA were unaware of his arrest even through unofficial channels.

Sadly this is likely to end with a load of white paint and an undisclosed settlement.

Question then is are there any more individuals doing this and what will BA now do regarding its staff during layovers.

[wiggy]

what will BA now do regarding its staff during layovers.

Well short of banning them from leaving the designated crew hotel and/or electronic tagging them I'm not sure what they can "do".......

My concern is that a lot of decent crew members who have have done and continue to do good work downroute will be banned from doing so.

[parabellum]

As far as naming BA in a court case is concerned they are possibly following the American practice of 'Deep Pockets', if that practice still exists. After it has been decided there is a case and damages are due they will be apportioned according the various defendants ability to pay rather than their level of liability.

[A Squared]

Originally Posted by racedo

Given nature of what he was arrested for and close ties that have always been between BA and Met Police it is inconcievable that BA were unaware of his arrest even through unofficial channels.

But again, so? So BA has knowledge that he was arrested, then all charges were dismissed.

Now based on an arrest with no resultant charges, let alone conviction, BA should:

Fire him?

Transfer him to Riyadh to throw baggage?

Force him into Short Haul?

[Yellow Pen]

Given the highly litigious nature of BAs lawyers I suspect they'll fight any claim of liability, no matter how tenuous. Coughing up cash to pay for the (unproven) criminal acts of an employee would set a dangerous and expensive precedent. Todays Daily Wail suggests some BA managers went down to one of the orphanages in July to advise them that Woods involvement was nothing to do with BA. Doesn't sound like the actions of a company preparing to roll over.

It seems to me that some of those involved in the orphanages thought Woods involvement was in someway endorsed by or associated with the airline. BA seem to be making it quite clear that this was an entirely freelance affair which they had no oversight over. Again, doesn't sound like a company preparing to roll over.

[Locked door]

It seems BA have issued a press statement, saying they were made aware of allegations via an anonymous letter, immediately sent a team to investigate and when cause for concern was found they alerted the police whereupon the individual was arrested.

I'd say BA have acted honourably and in a timely manner and have nothing to be ashamed of. They have dealt with this disgusting individual quickly, but first made sure it wasn't an innocent man having his life ruined.

[racedo]

But again, so? So BA has knowledge that he was arrested, then all charges were dismissed.

Now based on an arrest with no resultant charges, let alone conviction, BA should:

Fire him?

Nope BUT if they knew he had been arrested and charged with something like this then common sense suggests that they ensure he has NOTHING to do with any BA charitable work involving children.

Also ensuring that if he has layoffs that this also applies in a personal capacity as he flew in on BA.

[deeceethree]

Nope BUT if they knew he had been arrested and charged with something like this then common sense suggests that they ensure he has NOTHING to do with any BA charitable work involving children.

Also ensuring that if he has layoffs that this also applies in a personal capacity as he flew in on BA.

Pay attention, racedo. He wasn't doing "any BA Charitable work". That has been made clear here, several times. Furthermore, an employer cannot control what people do in their down-time, whether they got somewhere on their employers aircraft, bus or bicycle!