Virgin Pay Deal
 

Hi,

I've tried searching for info on the subject of Virgin's recent pay deal but couldn't find anything. Perhaps someone in the know could give some idea what was gained, including future prospects. Any idea what the basic is now?

Also, does anyone have any (sensible) ideas/views on time to command? I know it seems to vary from week to week! Most seem to think it would be the thick end of 10 years but what about the future expansion plans? Didn't Sir Dickie just order a few more aircraft, plus the A380 turning up in 2006?

Also, what's the latest rumours on the potential bmi tie-up. Straight takeover, or equitable merger? Tricky one to sort out seniority lists I would think? Potential redundancies?

Would love to join but I'd be giving up a lot of seniority and a fairly good salary and need to know whether it's worth it. I know I'd be worse off short-term, but it would be a long-term move.

Cheers.
:confused:

A good place for most of your info was dealt with on a recent thread here:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=102859

Cheers
FF

Thanks Flyer Flier!

I couldn't find that thread in my search but had a lot of useful info. Sounds like the pay's got a lot better recently & would make a move easier to stomach despite the long time to command.

Would still be interested to hear the potential "merger" rumours from the Virgin end as I think it's not unusual to associate mergers with possible redundancies. Saw an interview with Steve Ridgeway (CEO) who reckoned Virgin were up for it, but it was bmi who walked away from the table.....

Off to polish the crystal ball. ;)

The deal between Virgin and BMI seems to be dead in the water for now. My own guess is that it will not be ressurrected until Sir Michael Bishop retires. I also believe that, whatever the public statements may have been, the deal was seen by Virgin as a takeover of BMI by Virgin Group, and by BMI as a merger between two equals. I think therein lay the major sticking point!

While there may be certain commercial 'synergies' :yuk: between the airlines, their commercial philosophies and attitudes are too far apart to be easily bridged. In fact, the airlines reflect quite accurately the differences in their respective majority shareholders!

Merging Seniority Lists
 

I think you're probably right Scroggs.

Another big issue would be resolving the merging of seniority lists. Does anyone have any idea what happened in previous recent mergers such as Easyjet/Go or Ryanair/Buzz. As these were actual takeovers, what happened to the pilots of the airline that was "taken over" e.g. did they join the bottom of the list, or were they integrated into the other list based on joining date?

Would be interested to know.

Thanks.

GGM,

There were no problems with the Seniority Lists at East/Go or Ryan/Buzz, they don't have any!

The norm in the States seems to be that the pilots in the company taken over go to the bottom of the others list. This meant a lot of very experienced guys from the likes of TWA getting the elbow post 9/11.

In Aus, the Qantas/Australian Airlines tie-up saw a type of merged list known as a "Y" seniority list. Basically, you kept your position in what was considered your side of the business(long haul or domestic), were at the bottom of the "other" sides list, with all subsequant joiners on one list behind the incumbents.

Not sure how various mergers have worked in the UK (E.G. BOAC/BEA?). Anyone care to enlighten us?

I didn't know that the "low-costs" didn't have seniority lists! Definitely has some advantages as I think they're a double-edged sword i.e. they can save you from demotion/redundancy, but they can also stop you from working for the company of your choice....:{

What happened with KLM/Air UK - I assume they stayed pretty much separate? Would also be interested to hear about BOAC/BEA and any other seniority list merging.

Wizofoz
The norm in the States seems to be that the pilots in the company taken over go to the bottom of the others list

.....only if it's a merger between a viable airline and a basket case.