BA: Is It Really That Bad???
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Germany
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA: Is It Really That Bad???
Hi guys, me again!
on a threat called "Virgin vs. BA" here at pprune and some threats people donīt write very good about BA and even some guys want to go back to their old companys with a lot of cargo night flights for less money. Itīs not just one who is writing that, so my question:"IS BRITISH AIRWAYS REALLY THAT BAD????? I know pprune is of course a rumour network, and the pilots mentality, i guess, is that they are always unsatisfied with something in the company. If it wouldnīt be like that, than we would have anything to talk about during a long flight (of course there are some other very important topics, u know what i mean).
I would like to have some statements from BA pilots here. What do u think as pilots of a major-global-player compared to others?
This would be very interesting for me and a lot of other newjoiners. I work right now for a good but small airline with very good Tīs & Cīs but the managment is changing it. New entrys earn 35% less, and it will be just a matter of time until the older contracts will be terminated. I have a longhauloffer at BA, and it is a very big and lifechanging decision for me to take it or not. Iīll have to commute from europa mainland etc etc etc and iīm not a british guy! I know some will say: We had that topic already somewhere similar, so just use the search function - I did it and Iīm aware about the pension and the time to command etc. I just want to get an overall overview with collected (merged) statements from BA-pilots that also the others, who are in the same situation like me can use. Thanks to all!!!
PS: Would u join again?
on a threat called "Virgin vs. BA" here at pprune and some threats people donīt write very good about BA and even some guys want to go back to their old companys with a lot of cargo night flights for less money. Itīs not just one who is writing that, so my question:"IS BRITISH AIRWAYS REALLY THAT BAD????? I know pprune is of course a rumour network, and the pilots mentality, i guess, is that they are always unsatisfied with something in the company. If it wouldnīt be like that, than we would have anything to talk about during a long flight (of course there are some other very important topics, u know what i mean).
I would like to have some statements from BA pilots here. What do u think as pilots of a major-global-player compared to others?
This would be very interesting for me and a lot of other newjoiners. I work right now for a good but small airline with very good Tīs & Cīs but the managment is changing it. New entrys earn 35% less, and it will be just a matter of time until the older contracts will be terminated. I have a longhauloffer at BA, and it is a very big and lifechanging decision for me to take it or not. Iīll have to commute from europa mainland etc etc etc and iīm not a british guy! I know some will say: We had that topic already somewhere similar, so just use the search function - I did it and Iīm aware about the pension and the time to command etc. I just want to get an overall overview with collected (merged) statements from BA-pilots that also the others, who are in the same situation like me can use. Thanks to all!!!
PS: Would u join again?
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No its not that bad. I think it's pretty good overall but then I'm on the 747 which is largely insulated from the worst parts of the operation. What I can say is it's certainly not getting any better, and may get measurably worse in the next year. Management on the whole is very, very poor which creates a vicious circle because nobody decent wants to be a manager and work with the rest of them. On the whole keep your head down, get a seperate mobile phone so you can't be drafted, don't let the other departments p*** you off no matter how much they provoke you and you can have a pretty good time. Just don't fly the Airbus unless you want to be really tired and make sure you go out for a beer downroute or people will think you're a bit strange.
In fact you will be lucky to get a pension since the pension fund is underfunded to the tune of 66% of what BA is reputed to be actually worth.
In that, they are a national leader!
In that, they are a national leader!
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Three letters. LHR. That makes your home base worse than pretty much anywhere Easy operate to, and you'll be there 50% of the time. That gives you plenty of opportunity to interact with the more militant/inept/understaffed departments such as cabin crew, ground staff, dispatchers, tug drivers, bus drivers etc etc. Add in utterly unrealistic schedules (35 min turnaorund for a full 319 with cleaning and recatering) and you'll soon realise you're on a hiding to nothing for the rest of the day and the only way to reduce the stress level is to say "f*** the schedule" and work at your own pace. Sad but true.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At least BA look after their 777 longrange pilots??!!
You will have seen the superb rest facilities on the Boeing LR aircraft that flew into LHR today. BA were going to put the same on their 777's about five years ago, to try and improve the standard of the pilots rest facility to somewhere approaching that of the cabin crew.
Remind me, did it happen?
You will have seen the superb rest facilities on the Boeing LR aircraft that flew into LHR today. BA were going to put the same on their 777's about five years ago, to try and improve the standard of the pilots rest facility to somewhere approaching that of the cabin crew.
Remind me, did it happen?
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: uk
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And of course everything is just peachy in the LoCo world, charter world and Midland, who can barely get enough FO's to fly their programme.
The trouble with BA is that a lot of people don't know they are born because they've never worked for anyone else.
Even the ones who have soon get spoilt and turn into BALPA Forum moaners who make a conference of gay hairdressers seem unemotional.
If its so bad I don't know why these idiots stay, and don't say seniority, its a free world.
The trouble with BA is that a lot of people don't know they are born because they've never worked for anyone else.
Even the ones who have soon get spoilt and turn into BALPA Forum moaners who make a conference of gay hairdressers seem unemotional.
If its so bad I don't know why these idiots stay, and don't say seniority, its a free world.
Last edited by normal_nigel; 10th Nov 2005 at 20:21.
Couldonlyaffordafiver
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: The Twilight Zone near 30W
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If its so bad I don't know why these idiots stay, and don't say seniority, its a free world.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Heathrow
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to work for someone else, and even though I loved it, I am happy to be at BA. Would certainly not consider working for a loco now that I am where I am (unless I didn't have a choice). As far as longhaul goes, with the 767 picking up some of the East Coast routes, the 777 will have better rosters in 6 months to a years time I reckon. The Jumbo is the fleet to be on though I would say.
I fly the 767 and I love it - although I am on the newer side of things.
If you are aware of the pension and retirement age legislation possibilities and you have your eyes open, then I reckon BA may well be a good choice. It depends where you are now.
The atmosphere is good generally and when you are away from LHR it is as fun as you make it. At LHR things can go very well, but there are too many occasions of niggly annoying things. If you let it wash its OK, if you are prone to getting annoyed by it, then be aware!
I fly the 767 and I love it - although I am on the newer side of things.
If you are aware of the pension and retirement age legislation possibilities and you have your eyes open, then I reckon BA may well be a good choice. It depends where you are now.
The atmosphere is good generally and when you are away from LHR it is as fun as you make it. At LHR things can go very well, but there are too many occasions of niggly annoying things. If you let it wash its OK, if you are prone to getting annoyed by it, then be aware!
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
who can barely get enough FO's to fly their programme
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In fact you will be lucky to get a pension since the pension fund is underfunded to the tune of 66% of what BA is reputed to be actually worth.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The DC pension is underfunded because if the contribution rate cannot possibly produce a reasonable fund to purchase a pension, it is by definition underfunded. A not unreasonable Captain's pension might be Ģ25K with 20 years service. Say a Ģ5K annuity costs Ģ100K. The fund would therefore need to be Ģ500K. The current funding will provide Ģ300K, hence it is woefully underfunded. Cathay pay 15.5% of gross, Virgin pay 15% of basic. BA pay 12% of 75% of basic (9%).
If BA would just fix the DC pension to a realistic rather than penny pinching level I could whole heartedly say that BA is by far the best company to fly for.
If BA would just fix the DC pension to a realistic rather than penny pinching level I could whole heartedly say that BA is by far the best company to fly for.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ether
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whaaooo there boy!!!!
Did he actually say go to Virgin?!!!
I'd previously heard the response was along the lines of : 'Well, you knew the deal when you started.'
However, I hear more and more that the deal was NOT clear to new starters. It was only described as "Industry Leading".
Flying Tom: Do you have a reference for Cathay and Virgin figures? If these are true then BA members of BALPA should be outraged at how we have let down our new colleagues.
Did he actually say go to Virgin?!!!
I'd previously heard the response was along the lines of : 'Well, you knew the deal when you started.'
However, I hear more and more that the deal was NOT clear to new starters. It was only described as "Industry Leading".
Flying Tom: Do you have a reference for Cathay and Virgin figures? If these are true then BA members of BALPA should be outraged at how we have let down our new colleagues.
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
He certainly did use those words Finger Bob, I heard them myself! This was shortly after the CEO said the BARPS pension scheme was OK as he was on it - conveniently forgot to mention he's also on a 250% bonus! Either way they both adamant there would be no increase to the companys contribution rate to BARPS.
I was stood at the bus-stop yesterday (in the rain) when the self same Director of Flight crew drove past in his brand new Jaguar XK coupe. He gave me a cheery wave which I returned - well sort of 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The DC pension is underfunded because if the contribution rate cannot possibly produce a reasonable fund to purchase a pension, it is by definition underfunded.
BA have made no promises on what you shall get from BAPS - capitalism dictates that when the terms are insufficient that BA will not be able to hire the staff.
Last edited by Re-Heat; 11th Nov 2005 at 11:50.