Social life at BA?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Germany
Social life at BA?
As it seems to be quite popular to open new threaths about the social life in different airlines, I thought one of BA is missing to make it complete! 
So, how is the social life at BA, esp. longhaul? How are the stops with the crew? Spending most of the time together with the flightdeck crew on the golf course, sightseeing, in a pub, ....? Cabin crew is out for shoppping and u see them again at pick up?
How is the social life at the homebase?
Thanks!
So, how is the social life at BA, esp. longhaul? How are the stops with the crew? Spending most of the time together with the flightdeck crew on the golf course, sightseeing, in a pub, ....? Cabin crew is out for shoppping and u see them again at pick up?
How is the social life at the homebase?
Thanks!
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: UK
Flight crew almost always go out for a drink or social activities, cabin crew almost never. You won't see the cabin crew out anywhere on a nightstop and only rarely on the second night of a longer slip. There is a high proportion of Spanish and Italian cabin crew and you have more chance of seeing a unicorn downroute than one of those. The French are similar but not quite so bad. If you attempt to organise some sort of activity do not be surprised to see nobody but the flight crew turn up, despite assurances to the contrary.
The cabin crew have many phrases for 'no' including:
I'll see how I feel.
If I'm there I'm there.
I got up really early.
I just need to wash my hair first.
I have to ring my boyfriend (note works for both sexes)
They all mean they're not coming out but they don't want to say it.
On the plus side if the flight crew say they'll be there then they'll be there, on time, and possibly with some extra mates. There's always someone to have a beer with, they are generally willing to try new ideas, golfing, sailing, go-karting, etc are always popular downroute and you can find you end up spending a lot of cash having a great day out. Just occasionally you might even get some of the crew out then its even more fun.
On shorthaul you'll spend your days arriving everywhere late then having a couple of beers whilst looking intently at your watch to make sure you are way below the legal alcohol limit when you report the next day. Chances are you will not arrive with the cabin crew you'll depart with and they may be in a different hotel. Generally they are of the same breed as on long haul but as you have fewer of them you are less likely to see one socialising.
The cabin crew have many phrases for 'no' including:
I'll see how I feel.
If I'm there I'm there.
I got up really early.
I just need to wash my hair first.
I have to ring my boyfriend (note works for both sexes)
They all mean they're not coming out but they don't want to say it.
On the plus side if the flight crew say they'll be there then they'll be there, on time, and possibly with some extra mates. There's always someone to have a beer with, they are generally willing to try new ideas, golfing, sailing, go-karting, etc are always popular downroute and you can find you end up spending a lot of cash having a great day out. Just occasionally you might even get some of the crew out then its even more fun.
On shorthaul you'll spend your days arriving everywhere late then having a couple of beers whilst looking intently at your watch to make sure you are way below the legal alcohol limit when you report the next day. Chances are you will not arrive with the cabin crew you'll depart with and they may be in a different hotel. Generally they are of the same breed as on long haul but as you have fewer of them you are less likely to see one socialising.
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: In front of a computer
Carnage Matey! paints a pretty bleak picture of the social side of BA "off duty" but I guess he's using the wrong aftershave 
Truth to tell it's very dependant on the actual destination, the mix of cabin crew and how all the flight crew get on with everyone else. The mix can be so fragile that one mistimed quip can lead to a very lonely nightstop. However, in my experience, a normal social life is possible - it just needs a lot of effort.
The simple rule is:- single night in a well travelled destination (think JFK, BOS etc) then it's P1 + P2 + chicken wings and beer.
Two nights or more in nice surroundings (HKG, SIN , SFO etc) and given the right chemistry, the craic is fantastic.
Truth to tell it's very dependant on the actual destination, the mix of cabin crew and how all the flight crew get on with everyone else. The mix can be so fragile that one mistimed quip can lead to a very lonely nightstop. However, in my experience, a normal social life is possible - it just needs a lot of effort.
The simple rule is:- single night in a well travelled destination (think JFK, BOS etc) then it's P1 + P2 + chicken wings and beer.
Two nights or more in nice surroundings (HKG, SIN , SFO etc) and given the right chemistry, the craic is fantastic.
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Up in the air
Try to get a leg or two to Lagos.
Was based there for a few weeks this spring and the scenery and late night activities was very good. BA, Virgin and so on all RON at the Sheraton there and the flight deck and cabin crew mingle in Goodies, the bar in the lobby.
My copilot was getting lucky every night. I am over 50 so it was not a "target rich environment" for me like it was for him. Stay away from the local "working girls" and the cabin crew will keep you busy enough.
CD
Was based there for a few weeks this spring and the scenery and late night activities was very good. BA, Virgin and so on all RON at the Sheraton there and the flight deck and cabin crew mingle in Goodies, the bar in the lobby.
My copilot was getting lucky every night. I am over 50 so it was not a "target rich environment" for me like it was for him. Stay away from the local "working girls" and the cabin crew will keep you busy enough.
CD
Last edited by chandlers dad; 12th August 2006 at 20:45.
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: A normal Northern Land, with Uncle Sam's anarchy to the south...
Sounds like the Nigellas aren't the fun bunch I thought they were.
In the dead of winter here in YYZ, when the Speedbird crew arrive at T3 for the eastbound hop - and occasionally I arrive at the same time for work, it looks like the hosties have spent all day shopping, and the fellas in the pointy end probably ended up having the burger and beer before kip, and spending all day in....
The glamour of it all...just don't talk to me about day returns from YUL to SXM...
PS CD...50 is young mate...
In the dead of winter here in YYZ, when the Speedbird crew arrive at T3 for the eastbound hop - and occasionally I arrive at the same time for work, it looks like the hosties have spent all day shopping, and the fellas in the pointy end probably ended up having the burger and beer before kip, and spending all day in....
The glamour of it all...just don't talk to me about day returns from YUL to SXM...
PS CD...50 is young mate...
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From: Up in the air
Gc,
Have to agree with most of that but when most of the ladies in the cabin are mostly under 25 they pay a lot more attention to my copilot then they ever do to me!
Someday they will learn which one will take better care of them! My current lady friend is 28 (was not chasing her, she asked me out) and life is just fine mate!
Have to agree with most of that but when most of the ladies in the cabin are mostly under 25 they pay a lot more attention to my copilot then they ever do to me!
Someday they will learn which one will take better care of them! My current lady friend is 28 (was not chasing her, she asked me out) and life is just fine mate!
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: SE England
The comments about our CC are very true although there is seasonal variation in the way they socialise on SH. Invariably in the summer season they will join us for a few drinks and something to eat and it can be quite a good laugh. In the winter all you hear is "I'm just so tired / early night / too cold / don't want to go out / got no warm clothes / no other shoes.....etc" You get the picture!
Most are pretty good but some still adopt the them/us mentality towards the flight deck community and avoid us like the plague (probably with good reason in some cases).
The glory days of aviation where flying interrupted the socialising are long gone.
Most are pretty good but some still adopt the them/us mentality towards the flight deck community and avoid us like the plague (probably with good reason in some cases).
The glory days of aviation where flying interrupted the socialising are long gone.
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: UK
Originally Posted by chandlers dad
Gc,
Have to agree with most of that but when most of the ladies in the cabin are mostly under 25.......
Have to agree with most of that but when most of the ladies in the cabin are mostly under 25.......
ETOPS - are you on the triple as reports seem to indicate that the social side of things is better over there than on the 400. Anway you'll rarely get the crew out in HKG, too busy getting colonics!
Junior trash
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: UK
I've given up trying to drag em out, if they're the slam click brigade they wont exactly bring much to the party except encyclopeadic knowledge of macys, crate and barrel and cats. The ones that do come out are great but its sometimes difficult to get the critical mass.
Sightseeing etc i'm often alone but when the crew on the way back ask what you've done always a couple go "oh i'd have loved to do that"
The Temp crew on Worldwide LHR are a breath of fresh air, big range of ages and backgrounds but they all actually want to be there and are loving to opportunities that 80% of crew forgot existed.
Sightseeing etc i'm often alone but when the crew on the way back ask what you've done always a couple go "oh i'd have loved to do that"
The Temp crew on Worldwide LHR are a breath of fresh air, big range of ages and backgrounds but they all actually want to be there and are loving to opportunities that 80% of crew forgot existed.
Joined: Apr 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: In front of a computer
are you on the triple
No - came over to the dark side a while ago.........
Still have fun downroute though. It's all in the approach - chat up the CSD in the briefing and once the crew see that "Mum & Dad" are getting along, everyone relaxs a bit.
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Te Reti
Cornet bro
You will find our CC are great in many respects and normally on 777 the crew are tired. But with the contract crew breathing fresh air into old lungs its great. You get out what you put in mate. Particularly if your working weekends a Fri, Sat night in ORD,JFK,BOS,PHL,MCO,TPA,IAH barely,DFW are all great and with the single fleet crew coming into effect in LGW its going to be like a Kebab to a pi
head at 2am.
Enjoy you will not be lonely
You will find our CC are great in many respects and normally on 777 the crew are tired. But with the contract crew breathing fresh air into old lungs its great. You get out what you put in mate. Particularly if your working weekends a Fri, Sat night in ORD,JFK,BOS,PHL,MCO,TPA,IAH barely,DFW are all great and with the single fleet crew coming into effect in LGW its going to be like a Kebab to a pi
head at 2am. Enjoy you will not be lonely