Severance for BA Captains
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 473
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From: Uk
Supposedly a imbalance of captains vs FO's. Apparently over on captains and under on FO's. Makes sense to pay off those that want to go. The business case pays back quickly, it generates a new command and a new FO position. Maybe if there is not sufficient uptake it maybe offered on other fleets or lead to demotions to get the required establishment. That's about it.

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
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From: The Winchester
It's not going to generate any F.O. "upgrades" in the foreseeable future, it's simply an attempt at a tweak to reduce captain numbers by a very small amount on a couple of fleets. Despite what the OP claims and As bylgw has implied it's actually a very basic severance package compared with what's been offered to some others in the BA flying community so I don't think there are going to be many takers.
Last edited by wiggy; 15th December 2012 at 16:29.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 148
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From: UK
The pay off is 6 months basic. About £70,000.
Couldn't numbers be reduced through natural wastage? But I forget, two years ago BA was in a "fight for survival". Now IAG has the cash to buy BMI, Vueling and are taking on the Iberia pilots and cabin crew.
Who believed that? Surely not the BA flight crews who served drinks in the cabins during the cabin crew dispute?
Couldn't numbers be reduced through natural wastage? But I forget, two years ago BA was in a "fight for survival". Now IAG has the cash to buy BMI, Vueling and are taking on the Iberia pilots and cabin crew.
Who believed that? Surely not the BA flight crews who served drinks in the cabins during the cabin crew dispute?
Last edited by Count Niemantznarr; 15th December 2012 at 16:57.
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 65
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From: Manchester
I think it's just cost cutting. I've heard they're slightly over crewed at the top end of the pay scale. This along with redundencies in the cabin will trim the fat nicely.
90 day consolation period not relevant for flight crew though.
90 day consolation period not relevant for flight crew though.

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 361
Likes: 2
From: europe
The costs of a Captain at BA are high at the top (final salary pension etc etc), I can see what the company are doing here, they are reducing long term costs at minimal expense (redundancies are tax deductable etc). The quicker they can get a majority of BAP pilots into the fold the sooner they can address the costs of NAPS and APS (and of course the new PP schedule agreed for the integration of BMI). Once the NAPS / APS pilots become a minority it will be hammered!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 148
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From: UK
The costs of BA Captains "at the top" are apparently not as high as their IAG colleagues at Iberia.
It doesn't look very good that whilst Iberia is in a "fight for survival" , IAG has the cash to sugar coat a golden departure for BA captains.
There is absolutely no business case for paying off BA Captains, who are going to retire anyway. It also seems perverse that Captains are being offered severance during a recruitment campaign.
Surely BA flight crew would want to support their peers at Iberia, and at least sign this petition as IB pilots have their livelihoods taken away from them.
http://www.change.org/petitions/mini...ento-de-iberia
"Fight for survival". Now where have I heard that before?
It doesn't look very good that whilst Iberia is in a "fight for survival" , IAG has the cash to sugar coat a golden departure for BA captains.
There is absolutely no business case for paying off BA Captains, who are going to retire anyway. It also seems perverse that Captains are being offered severance during a recruitment campaign.
Surely BA flight crew would want to support their peers at Iberia, and at least sign this petition as IB pilots have their livelihoods taken away from them.
http://www.change.org/petitions/mini...ento-de-iberia
"Fight for survival". Now where have I heard that before?
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,275
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From: Planet Moo Moo
There is absolutely no business case for paying off BA Captains, who are going to retire anyway
Hmm let me see?
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: Planet Moo Moo
Ahh, the petty name calling. Well done.
Whether it would be taken or not is irrelevant, the savings would be acceptable if someone were to take it. That's all that matters. Hence the word 'voluntary'.
Whether it would be taken or not is irrelevant, the savings would be acceptable if someone were to take it. That's all that matters. Hence the word 'voluntary'.
Last edited by Wirbelsturm; 16th December 2012 at 15:29.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 148
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From: UK
For any Captain to be encouraged to leave, it would have to be a shed load of dosh.
Those Captains over 55 can start drawing their pensions, take a 75% contract, and spend a little time now and again bidding away from any trips to do the bare minimum flying as they sit at the top of the bid line, whilst the other guys get the crumbs off of the table.
Why give that up for 6 months basic?
Those Captains over 55 can start drawing their pensions, take a 75% contract, and spend a little time now and again bidding away from any trips to do the bare minimum flying as they sit at the top of the bid line, whilst the other guys get the crumbs off of the table.
Why give that up for 6 months basic?
Last edited by Count Niemantznarr; 16th December 2012 at 19:48.

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 5
From: UK
Count
You're contradicting yourself. You describe the severance package as generous then point out, rightly in my opinion, that few pilots are likely to take up the offer (because its not generous enough).
You're contradicting yourself. You describe the severance package as generous then point out, rightly in my opinion, that few pilots are likely to take up the offer (because its not generous enough).
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 537
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From: The IMF.
Worth remembering that any amount over (I believe) £35,000 will be subjected to tax, whilst the initial £35,000 will be tax free.
So, 6 months money isn't so much after all.
I walked away from Virgin in 2010 with about £35,000 plus bits and bobs.
I was an FO with 3 1/2 years service - including the time I'd spent away on sabbatical. Worth taking in my case, as I'd moved on to other, better things.
But, if I was a long term BA Captain, I'd laugh this out of my email inbox.
What a joke.
So, 6 months money isn't so much after all.
I walked away from Virgin in 2010 with about £35,000 plus bits and bobs.
I was an FO with 3 1/2 years service - including the time I'd spent away on sabbatical. Worth taking in my case, as I'd moved on to other, better things.
But, if I was a long term BA Captain, I'd laugh this out of my email inbox.
What a joke.


Joined: Apr 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,647
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From: In front of a computer
Made worse by the payout being in this tax year thus pushing most recipients into the highest marginal rate.........
Why didn't they go for payout after April 6th 2013...
Why didn't they go for payout after April 6th 2013...



