BMI mainline pilots made redundant?

[Airbus Unplugged]

Without knowing what is being tabled for discussion, it's very difficult to offer any advice to our new colleagues, but there are some general principles that we have all entertained in managing our careers so far.

- Get on the BA MSL as soon as possible

- If TUPE means loss of command, but you still are pay protected with grandfather rights - take it!

Everyday I fly with people who are on their way up, across, winding down, swapping seats, going part time, people I've met before, people I've never met, people who were skippers with other airlines, people who used to run squadrons, people who were doctors, people who were city traders, people who used to teach me, people who are running their own businesses outside, lots of different people.

Just be one of us, managing our lifestyles to suit our families and time off to our best advantage. Status is really not the only thing in BA, your lifestyle is.

Welcome aboard, first beer's on me.

[Tay Cough]

I second what Airbus Unplugged says. Every word.

Looking forward to flying with you. I may even buy a round!

[speedbird320]

A warm welcome to the ex-bmi guys and girls-I look forward to flying with you and buying you a beer.

[bex88]

Well all I know is I am very pleased to have this opportunity to keep my job and transfer to BA. It will bring me what I have so desperately been missing.... Security. The finer points of the t&c's are to be thrashed out but to be honest apart from TUPE I am confused. The major concern has been answered and I look forward to flying in BA colours with you guys. Who knows if I can tame the moth in my wallet I may even buy you guys a round.

[Mungo Man]

And what of us Regional guys? Seems like Willie can't even be bothered to sell us now and may close us down. I genuinely wish all the mainline bods luck, but can't hide my frustration and sense of hopelessness with the way its panning out for Regional and Baby.

[CAT3C AUTOLAND]

Its nice to read the welcoming messages.

I will tell my Bmi Colleagues they have a lot of beer to drink .

[Enecosse]

I hope this bout of 'Hail fellow well met' will be moderated somewhat by reference to the likes of Mungo Man's post

[Flap 80]

I am ashamed to read the selfish puerile posts regarding back slapping social events when the lifechanging concerns of mungo man appear of litle concern to the BA joiners...good luck to them...but spare a thought for the way in which BA treats a minority and how upsetting this is to be excluded by virtue of being Embraer /737 rated.

[Shaka Zulu]

I am sure most of us haven't forgotten about them either. Knowing what the BACC is like, they will look at all avenues (creative etc) to help them out as much as they can. However, it is a business decision coming from the top so there isn't a lot any of us can do.

Here is hoping for a buyer....

[Van G]

Flap 80 - well said.

[Juan Tugoh]

How dare people be happy that their jobs are safe when others may lose theirs.

If we follow that logic we should never ever have a cause for any form of celebration as there is always someone whose livelihood is under threat. I am sure we are all aware of the woes of BMI regional and Baby pilots and wish nothing but the very best for them, indeed we all hope that some white knights come along and save them and their jobs. However to suggest that those fortunate to have a more secure future after a period of, no doubt, great stress and worry is frankly woefully petty.

[bex88]

May I just point out the thread is bmi mainline pilots made redundant. People now come on here and say its wrong that we are happy we have mitigated against these job losses and should not show any relief or positive communication to our new BA colleagues. I would like to point out that no pilot at baby or regional has been declared at risk of redundancy, whilst some at mainline have. We have had a great deal of stress and redundancy hanging over our heads. It is perfectly fair that we communicate our relief. No pilot has been left out because they are on a 737 or a emb 145. These pilots work for different companies which are owned by the same group (IAG) and were never going to be part of the integration to BA. Nobody wants to see anyone loose their jobs and at this point whilst the future of baby and regional is to be decided no pilot at these companies have been told they are at risk and sale options continue to be explored. Attacking mainline pilots is not exactly going to do anyone any good.

[Juan Tugoh]

Our main beef is that we are not valued because of the type we fly.

Actually no. You are not wanted because the business you work for is not wanted - this is nothing to do with the type you fly. Nor is it anything to do with personal value, it is all to do with the fact that the business for which you work has no value to IAG.

[bex88]

Baby and regional pilots at risk not so long ago? News to me and if so its not due to the IAG purchase. In 09-10 (not so long ago) mainline lost 129 pilots but that is a different topic to this as are the baby and regional ones I believe. I raise attention back to the title of the thread and emphasise that the loss of any job is awful. Optimism would help look at what is in the papers about regional and baby the sales process is still being explored and should be the focus. As for jet snobs I am sorry if you feel there are some but I have respect for you guys and I am very sure that is felt across the pilot workforce

[Juan Tugoh]

The fact is that if you lose your job that is a tragedy, both personally and for your family and I don't know any pilot, BA or otherwise that does not have immense sympathy for the BMIr and Baby pilots. Indeed, I think we all hope that BA will find a buyer for these businesses but I think most also recognise that this is about business, not personal worth or about how the aircraft you fly affects how your are valued. I think it is smarter and perhaps easier to bear if you recognise this does not reflect badly on the pilots under threat but that it is just business and that sometimes life is a bitch.

[SR71]

bex88,

These pilots work for different companies which are owned by the same group (IAG) and were never going to be part of the integration to BA.

Simplistic.

I'd hazard a guess some of them have contracts which say otherwise?

[bex88]

Well best of luck to them because they will have to take on a legal case against IAG and the argument for the case is weak at best. A old out of date contract is not worth much and it can be demonstrated an employee has accepted a new role and worked under t&c's of a different company within the group for a considerable period. As said any job loss is tragic and the focus should be on how to move forward not snipe at mainline guys. Lets face it would anyone not want IAG to find jobs for all of the baby and regional pilots. Did the very very limited number of guys who claim to have contracts with british midland get put at risk of redundancy in 2009-10 and if not why did you not stick your hand up and claim to be part of us then?

[SR71]

bex88,

Well best of luck to them because they will have to take on a legal case against IAG and the argument for the case is weak at best. A old out of date contract is not worth much and it can be demonstrated an employee has accepted a new role and worked under t&c's of a different company within the group for a considerable period.

Whose side are you on really?



You might find BALPA is already aware of the situation and indeed independent legal advice is being sought by pilots on the matter?

As said any job loss is tragic and the focus should be on how to move forward not snipe at mainline guys.

Actions speak louder than words.

You seem to forget that Regional and baby pilots have been flying for subsidiaries that have allowed Mainline to remain as "solvent" for as long as they have via all kinds of various mechanisms be it slot-filling, alleged inflated sub-leasing costs and ostensibly sequestering forward bookings revenue....

Did the very very limited number of guys who claim to have contracts with british midland get put at risk of redundancy in 2009-10 and if not why did you not stick your hand up and claim to be part of us then?

I'd always be first to volunteer to be shot when the opportunity arrives.



If an organisation is unable to keep track of which employees are on which contracts, is it the employees job to advise them?

You seem to forget how many years of redundancies the other subsidiaries were exposed to?

I'm super pleased that Mainline pilots are being transferred across to BA.

Its just a shame the solidarity does not extend further....

[bex88]

There are no sides to this. However going back this is about mainline pilots who are at risk of redundancy. Baby and regional pilots have not been issued at risk notices and the sales process continues so what has anyone lost at this point? There are guys who are still at risk so maybe thought and effort could be spared for them.

[Sporran]

The BBC is reporting that there may be good news for the guys in Regional!!

The previous deal that appeared to be on the back-burner would hopefully be in the final stages!

I certainly hope that my pilot colleagues in Regional get good news!!!