BA/bmi merger (was Virgin & Balpa - bmi next ?)
Shock and awe, it certainly is. All being conducted under the auspices of IAG, not BA. It seems, but I am not sure, that TUPE only applies when the remnants of BMI are handed over to BA? Blinking heck.
I hope the BMI pilots' Company Council, and those representing other BMI departments based at LHR, have some backup plans. If not, they are mincemeat!
I hope the BMI pilots' Company Council, and those representing other BMI departments based at LHR, have some backup plans. If not, they are mincemeat!
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Well this has certainly cast rather a gloom over proceedings.
Whilst few of us had imagined the IAG/BA management team would have arrived at the table emanating an aura of amiable empathy, we certainly hadn't envisaged them being fully versed in Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War!' This is a massacre. Over 40% in a very real danger of imminent redundancy.
Whilst there may have been some at BMI who were deluded enough to think this was going to be an amiable and symbiotic integration, I don't think anyone was expecting this to to resemble an assimilation by the Borg Collective!
It seems that the gloves are well and truly off, except that if this was a boxing match the referee would have stopped it almost immediately.
My sincerest commiseration's to those affected. So far.
Whilst few of us had imagined the IAG/BA management team would have arrived at the table emanating an aura of amiable empathy, we certainly hadn't envisaged them being fully versed in Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War!' This is a massacre. Over 40% in a very real danger of imminent redundancy.
Whilst there may have been some at BMI who were deluded enough to think this was going to be an amiable and symbiotic integration, I don't think anyone was expecting this to to resemble an assimilation by the Borg Collective!
It seems that the gloves are well and truly off, except that if this was a boxing match the referee would have stopped it almost immediately.
My sincerest commiseration's to those affected. So far.
When you are sat next to me and contempories (FO Airbus) how is your dissatisfaction at the outcome going to manifest itself? IE are you gonna be miserable *****s festering in the knowledge that my LH command will come before yours?
Or will you say that's life, let's get to Lisbon and blow the froth off a couple?
If the former please let me know whilst we sip our Costas and I'll spare myself the agro of going through security.
Or will you say that's life, let's get to Lisbon and blow the froth off a couple?
If the former please let me know whilst we sip our Costas and I'll spare myself the agro of going through security.
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Perhaps not, but I'd caution that even the survivors won't be safe until they've passed the sim checks and a line check. Negative attitude won't go down well, nor I suspect will nailing the blame on BA. You are where you are because BMI are broke, not because IAG has picked up some of the pieces. Unfortunate, but still true.
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Well thanks for that cm. Now we have something to look forward to. Decimation during conversion. Hopefully not using the Roman method. Most reassuring. Not!
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Carnage Matey - and over here it is. Do you not hold your seniority list dear? M.A. is just expressing his shock at the apparent disregard for seniority wouldn't you? Have some sympathy with your professional colleagues or perhaps you feel too safe for that.
Of course when the dust settles those ones who are lucky enough to escape will embrace BA in a totally professional manner because that's what we are. We are not worried about sim/line checks as like you we are professional pilots unless you are talking about constructive dismissal?
However your finger wagging tone is duly noted and is hardly welcoming and is tactless - thank you kind sir for your advice we read you 5's.
Of course when the dust settles those ones who are lucky enough to escape will embrace BA in a totally professional manner because that's what we are. We are not worried about sim/line checks as like you we are professional pilots unless you are talking about constructive dismissal?
However your finger wagging tone is duly noted and is hardly welcoming and is tactless - thank you kind sir for your advice we read you 5's.
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Why would I have a chip on my shoulder? I agree we will be very fortunate to work for BA instead of going down the plug hole. The welcome mat looks shrouded in mist from where I sit though, just a lot of finger wagging going on from some of you at the moment.
These are shocking events please just have a bit of understanding. Please, tell me Matey if your seniority list was s@%t on in hard times would you not feel a bit grumpy? Please answer.
We have no axe to grind with you guys, so just step back until the dust settles.
After all Max Angle just may be a training captain.
These are shocking events please just have a bit of understanding. Please, tell me Matey if your seniority list was s@%t on in hard times would you not feel a bit grumpy? Please answer.
We have no axe to grind with you guys, so just step back until the dust settles.
After all Max Angle just may be a training captain.
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Just to point out something. At least there are jobs for BMi pilots on this occasion. For those of us that were made redundant in 2010 by BMi management, there were not. It wasn't that long ago.
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I've been stuck in Cranebank on a course for the past few weeks and talking to the trainers about the situation, they just want to get all the BMI guys through as quickly and easily as possible. There is no agenda.
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There seems to be a lot of emphasis placed on the intial sim check/line check at BA. Well as far as I have noted from various postings on this thread. It even appears to be used as some sort of indirect threat to the bmi fraternity moving across. Now I am sitting out my fifth month in the BA DEP holding pool, and like so many caught up in this merger, staring at an abyss of uncertainty because of it. However this intial LPC/OPC and LCK sounds less and less like an LPC/OPC and LCK and more like an audition for the Krypton Factor. I currently fly for an organisation that bares no equivalent to BA, however sims and linechecks are treated as so - be professional and be prepared. Is there anything I'm missing here?
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Yes, I'd arguably feel a bit grumpy if our seniority list was sh@t on in hard times. However there are an awful lot of people who have very little confidence in BA, or indeed any other company, when the turd hits the fan. That lack of confidence has heavily influenced the career path of many people in BA, who could have earned a lot more but instead have opted to place themselves in the most recession/catastrophe proof positions in the company. I can fully understand disappointment that LIFO has not been observed, but I honestly can't express surprise.
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You have missed nothing and read the posts as I have and I'm sure (no, I know)
BA is as fair as anyone. Its just some posters ought to put their beers down and re-read their posts again and get off of their moral high ground and pick up a Human Factors book. BA is just fine I'm sure.
BA is as fair as anyone. Its just some posters ought to put their beers down and re-read their posts again and get off of their moral high ground and pick up a Human Factors book. BA is just fine I'm sure.
Indeed, if I could reiterate CM's postings, there are many pilots that do not trust BA as far as they could throw them. I think experience teaches that. However, to be fair to BA they have been very good once you are in and a BA pilot. Things have been given up,lost or sold off, however there are not many other places that are better to be, especially if you only speak English.
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Now Richard Branson is to appeal against the EU decision. He has written to the Daily Telegraph Why Virgin will continue to fight BA’s anti-competitive purchase of bmi - Telegraph
Will this drag things out further? It's bad enough for the BMI guys as it is.
Will this drag things out further? It's bad enough for the BMI guys as it is.
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I think he's trying to appear the great champion of consumerism whilst realising that his airline is going to be in for very tough times if something isn't done about it and quickly. I think he's missed the boat on this one a long time ago and probably thought he'd had a better chance with the competition authorities than what has occurred. In a nutshell, they saw through him...
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Read the replies to his letter....I think they sum up the general feeling quite well!