easyJet buys GB Airways
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GB Guys, and Girls
I can understand and sympathise with your position, never great being treated like mushrooms.
But as some have already alluded to, uncertainty ends here and the "rumours" about working for EZY are often unfounded. I'm not a management stooge, I've worked elsewhere for charter, scheduled and a national carrier. EZY suits me and it is the best job I have had. Give it a chance, stable rosters, nice new Airbus, I can plan a life 18 months in advance with 5/3/5/4 and my annual accumulator is about 700h, had been at 800h once and has never been at 900h.
I hope it all goes well for you, whatever you decide to do.
I can understand and sympathise with your position, never great being treated like mushrooms.
But as some have already alluded to, uncertainty ends here and the "rumours" about working for EZY are often unfounded. I'm not a management stooge, I've worked elsewhere for charter, scheduled and a national carrier. EZY suits me and it is the best job I have had. Give it a chance, stable rosters, nice new Airbus, I can plan a life 18 months in advance with 5/3/5/4 and my annual accumulator is about 700h, had been at 800h once and has never been at 900h.
I hope it all goes well for you, whatever you decide to do.
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Some routes yes, some routes no. As a regular GB pax in Club to AGP I will be really sad to see that service disappear although I suppose BA could always operate the route themselves. I think the bigger issue is slots. GB and Easy combined will have a significant portion of the LGW slots. I don't know the exact figure but if 'Flightrider' is around he could tell us.
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Staff Memo at BA
Below is the notice sent to all BA staff this morning.
Franchise Announcement
British Airways is to end its franchise agreements with both GB Airways and Loganair.
From March 2008 BA plans to start services on some of the routes operated under the GB Airways franchise, while British Airways’ code will be placed on Loganair flights when that franchise ends on October 25, 2008.
Chief executive Willie Walsh said: “UK franchises have outlived their purpose for British Airways. easyJet has made an offer to buy GB Airways and this has enabled us to end the franchise agreement two years early. We have an option to buy GB Airways but we rejected it. We have a significant base at Gatwick and our focus will be on maintaining and developing it as an integral part of our business.
“Regrettably the loss of ground handling activity for GB Airways at Gatwick will mean a reduction in staff numbers. We want to achieve these reductions using voluntary means and will be discussing this will the trade unions.”
There will be a transition period until March 29, 2008 during which GB Airways will continue to operate as BA’s franchise partner on their existing network to destinations in Europe and North Africa.
British Airways is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for passengers during this period. Customers will be able to rebook onto easyJet or get a refund.
Franchise Announcement
British Airways is to end its franchise agreements with both GB Airways and Loganair.
From March 2008 BA plans to start services on some of the routes operated under the GB Airways franchise, while British Airways’ code will be placed on Loganair flights when that franchise ends on October 25, 2008.
Chief executive Willie Walsh said: “UK franchises have outlived their purpose for British Airways. easyJet has made an offer to buy GB Airways and this has enabled us to end the franchise agreement two years early. We have an option to buy GB Airways but we rejected it. We have a significant base at Gatwick and our focus will be on maintaining and developing it as an integral part of our business.
“Regrettably the loss of ground handling activity for GB Airways at Gatwick will mean a reduction in staff numbers. We want to achieve these reductions using voluntary means and will be discussing this will the trade unions.”
There will be a transition period until March 29, 2008 during which GB Airways will continue to operate as BA’s franchise partner on their existing network to destinations in Europe and North Africa.
British Airways is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for passengers during this period. Customers will be able to rebook onto easyJet or get a refund.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Easy buys GB airways
What dreadful news for all you GB guys and gals,not to mention the poor cabin crew in ORANGE kit...ugh!!I worked for GO and stayed during transition period with Easy but not prepared to accept their orange culture(b....it).You WILL work your socks off ,be screwed by some Liberated crewing chappie who happens to hate pilots.I could go on and on but best advice is get out now before the big Orange day arrives.....believe me,
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If EZY buy BMIBaby then that really would be the most amazing network coverage ever achieved by any airline in the UK.
May I be the first on this thread to welcome all GB employees to the company. The future really is bright.
PS
May I be the first on this thread to welcome all GB employees to the company. The future really is bright.
PS
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I think this is amazing news!
I joined Easyjet from another BA Franchise, and I can tell you... EASYJET is 10x the airline!
Welcome GB Airways.... You will Love it!!
I joined Easyjet from another BA Franchise, and I can tell you... EASYJET is 10x the airline!
Welcome GB Airways.... You will Love it!!
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who do you work for ,no more nite flights?
im sure from what you say that you fly 10 days a month and 500 hrs a year with plenty of cash in your pocket as well, and upgrade in 3 years.
beat it man, if you have to write, write something useful for the rest of us. give an option, and say where you would go for example.
im sure from what you say that you fly 10 days a month and 500 hrs a year with plenty of cash in your pocket as well, and upgrade in 3 years.
beat it man, if you have to write, write something useful for the rest of us. give an option, and say where you would go for example.
5150, I have to agree with you. Some people just cannot look past the low-cost tag and develop a mature attitude.
I jumped ship from that other unloved part of the BA brand (BA Connect) being treated like second class citizens, and although I admit to still being in the 'honeymoon' period, I have no regrets and wish I'd made the move sooner.
I love being able to actually plan my life with the 5/3/5/4 roster pattern. Yes, the days can be relatively long, but roster stability seems pretty good so far.
RM
I jumped ship from that other unloved part of the BA brand (BA Connect) being treated like second class citizens, and although I admit to still being in the 'honeymoon' period, I have no regrets and wish I'd made the move sooner.
I love being able to actually plan my life with the 5/3/5/4 roster pattern. Yes, the days can be relatively long, but roster stability seems pretty good so far.
RM
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ETOPS. The LHR slots are surely "owned" by GB Airways. They will presumably sell them or lease them to the highest bidder. There are plenty of people wanting slots at LHR so presumably the owners of GB will get a high price for these too.
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Easy buys GB
Fifty fifty1...from the tone of your comments ..man... I guess you are a wanabee..myself flownViscount to B747 and everything in between.Currently flying BBJ ex DXB.After 29yrs commercial flying think I know a bad deal !!Good luck to GB guys you will need it...6 sector days here we come.....!!
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found this on the GB Airways site, and gives some indication as to what will become of the slots at LHR
GB Airways’ Heathrow slots will be exchanged under three separate agreements, the consideration for which will be passed on to the Bland Group (net of costs) on receipt. Completion is subject to the usual conditions, including approval from the relevant regulatory authorities. The transaction is expected to complete no later than 31st January 2008.
Hope that helps
GB Airways’ Heathrow slots will be exchanged under three separate agreements, the consideration for which will be passed on to the Bland Group (net of costs) on receipt. Completion is subject to the usual conditions, including approval from the relevant regulatory authorities. The transaction is expected to complete no later than 31st January 2008.
Hope that helps
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I too jumped ship just under a year ago, and have no regrets at all. You cannot put a price on the fixed roster and my family have benefited it from this greatly. Some of the days are long, but heck, name an airline where you don’t work hard. We get good benefits; just the other day we were all given free shares worth around 2 weeks wages. I'm in my 30's and plan to see out the rest of my flying career at easy.
Oh yeh the cabin crew don’t wear those awful uniforms anymore, in fact are dressed to kill now !
Good move easy and I’m sure the vast majority of GB staff will do better under this company !
Oh yeh the cabin crew don’t wear those awful uniforms anymore, in fact are dressed to kill now !
Good move easy and I’m sure the vast majority of GB staff will do better under this company !
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If orange does not appeal to you you can always apply to BA.You will find the days longer not to mention overnights. Its time to learn to speak without the golf ball in your mouth.
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As an ex GOer I can only add my sincerest commiserations to the victims of this mugging. I just hope that it goes better and with more consideration than the last one did. (fat chance). Be prepared to see everything you've worked for over the years destroyed and trashed as worthless by the "not invented here" orange brigade who will be "rolling out" their "inspirational initiatives" to help you "engage" in the "orange culture" (Jesus - what a misuse of that word) and try to sell you the concept of a scuzzy backstreet takeaway image being somehow better than something with a bit of quality, drowning you in moronic badly written orange propaganda and talking down to you (in meaningless management w@nkspeak) in the patronising way of a sociologist to a naughty five year old.
I hope it won't be like this, I really do, but don't hold your breath.
I hope it won't be like this, I really do, but don't hold your breath.
Last edited by Agaricus bisporus; 25th Oct 2007 at 10:25.
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Firstly nomorenightflights.....from what your name suggests you obviously dont like night flights...Easyjet rarely fly through the night, if at all over the winter! So how is it a bad place? think what your saying is a load of
For a start, you're talking about the dodgy orange cabin crew uniform....take it you haven't seen the new one then! You say you stayed for the transition period then left....how can you expect any transition like that to flow completely smoothly? All I can say is that I have flown with quite a few ex Go people and they seem to be enjoying life here.
Anyway guys at GB, just for my 2 pence worth... easy has definately got better over the last couple of years...the fixed roster is great and crewing are quite happy to try to get you on a similar roster to your mates if you ask, if at all possible...same days off with mates = £30 return staff travel for a couple nights on the lash somewhere in europe!
The leave system is great...on 3 occasions I have logged online and dates I have wanted have been red meaning not available...however you call the leave office and everytime they have managed to move things around so I got the exact days I wanted...so they are more than helpful.
This 900hr low cost vision is just a number that people associate with low cost!!! Put it this way, this month I am working 60 hrs, last month I did 75 and the month before I did 55. And I have not had a change to my roster for nearly 6 months! So its not a bad place to be at all! Everyone is great to work with, both flight deck and crew, and 99% of people I fly with are happy at easyjet...me personally, I have no children/not married etc and still enjoy it....for the guys that do have children I can think of no better place to be...you are home much more of the time being on the fixed pattern. And the good news...because we're overcrewed at moment you rarely get called on standby days too
To put it in perspective, you are going to be flying new aircraft, to a variety of new destinatins, quick command for FO's, (The company hopes to be double its current size in 5 years so outlook is good!). Easyjet has a strong position in the industry and the way things are going its a pretty secure job. No brainer really!
The company has changed massively since the days of the GO transition!
For a start, you're talking about the dodgy orange cabin crew uniform....take it you haven't seen the new one then! You say you stayed for the transition period then left....how can you expect any transition like that to flow completely smoothly? All I can say is that I have flown with quite a few ex Go people and they seem to be enjoying life here.
Anyway guys at GB, just for my 2 pence worth... easy has definately got better over the last couple of years...the fixed roster is great and crewing are quite happy to try to get you on a similar roster to your mates if you ask, if at all possible...same days off with mates = £30 return staff travel for a couple nights on the lash somewhere in europe!
The leave system is great...on 3 occasions I have logged online and dates I have wanted have been red meaning not available...however you call the leave office and everytime they have managed to move things around so I got the exact days I wanted...so they are more than helpful.
This 900hr low cost vision is just a number that people associate with low cost!!! Put it this way, this month I am working 60 hrs, last month I did 75 and the month before I did 55. And I have not had a change to my roster for nearly 6 months! So its not a bad place to be at all! Everyone is great to work with, both flight deck and crew, and 99% of people I fly with are happy at easyjet...me personally, I have no children/not married etc and still enjoy it....for the guys that do have children I can think of no better place to be...you are home much more of the time being on the fixed pattern. And the good news...because we're overcrewed at moment you rarely get called on standby days too
To put it in perspective, you are going to be flying new aircraft, to a variety of new destinatins, quick command for FO's, (The company hopes to be double its current size in 5 years so outlook is good!). Easyjet has a strong position in the industry and the way things are going its a pretty secure job. No brainer really!
The company has changed massively since the days of the GO transition!
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From a personal point of view I think this is a fantastic move for EasyJet!
For anyone worried about becoming part of easyjet, dont believe everything that people say about the airline...Most of these comments were probably valid 2 years ago. A lot of the opinions already posted in this thread are not current problems. It is a different airline now. Pay, rosters,award winning share schemes good staff travel ( better now ) etc etc. Cabin Crew new uniforms, all small things but collectively trying to improve the image of Easy.
Sure there are annoying things but dont tell me its all rosy anywhere else. EasyJet may not suit some of you but before you write it off as just another loco do yourself a favour and do your homework...You may just be on to a good thing!
As of this winter 6 sector days are no longer an issue...Thank God.
All in all I find it an extremely good and happy place to work. Just my two pence worth, but its not all that bad!
For anyone worried about becoming part of easyjet, dont believe everything that people say about the airline...Most of these comments were probably valid 2 years ago. A lot of the opinions already posted in this thread are not current problems. It is a different airline now. Pay, rosters,award winning share schemes good staff travel ( better now ) etc etc. Cabin Crew new uniforms, all small things but collectively trying to improve the image of Easy.
Sure there are annoying things but dont tell me its all rosy anywhere else. EasyJet may not suit some of you but before you write it off as just another loco do yourself a favour and do your homework...You may just be on to a good thing!
As of this winter 6 sector days are no longer an issue...Thank God.
All in all I find it an extremely good and happy place to work. Just my two pence worth, but its not all that bad!