Also heard it was yesterday so I suspect there's a lot going on behind the scenes

Wow that is good to hear, maybe common sense and fairness will prevail? Hang in there BALPA.*Although we had all expected a much harder fight from the Virgin managers, and a lot more threats and bluffs! They havent even yet claimed that the airline is about to collapse because of the greedy Pilots, or that richard is now going to be forced to sell Virgin to Ryan Air to pay the bills! I was looking forward to a lot more drama and *exaggerated tales of doom from "The Office" . *After all, *Virgin are the masters of spin and deception, especially where money is concerned! *During the Cabin Crew dispute, the message was "take what's on offer or leave" why haven't the Pilots been given that message yet?*And I wonder what Singapore Airlines thinks of all this mess? I doubt if they are very impressed with how the money they invested is being frittered away and squandered by such an unnecessary public squabble. *And what will all those potential buyers that are hinted at by the management think ?*

Does anyone think they could close the airline down on a Friday and restart it on the following Monday with new contracts for everyone?? I suppose if that were possible Wille Walsh would have done it with BA a long time ago.*

However, talking to our passengers, they just want the service to run on time, as published with safe and happy Pilots! Most just think Richard will pay the earth to make sure he has the best Pilots he possibly could. After all didn't he offer to Double Capt Sully's salary if he came to Virgin ??*

Latest:

Turbulent times for Branson's racing mate - Business Analysis & Features, Business - The Independent

BALPA - BALPA DISAPPOINTED IN VIRGIN CEO'S COMMENTS

Hi Virgin Mary

I've been pondering on what you said too about Singapore Airlines, and it struck me that the interview in the Independent (link above ) was a bit passive agressive.... do you think Steve Ridgway actually wants a strike so he can a\ restructure or b\ devalue VS temporarily so that SIA will sell their stake for a lot less than its worth just to offload a liability and leave the door open for VS and\or other potential partners to buy their stake at a bargain price??

Hypocrisy from the Virgin Mill-Owner yet?
 

Has Billionaire Branson appealed to the pilots yet? His style is sneaky and always with P.R. in mind; I'm willing to bet that he'll start off telling the pilots that they are letting down a winning team, etc, etc,; If no success, he'll start to apply pressure and threats through his management as well as push for public/customer pressure against the pilots.

And this time, he could have met his match!

Not that I wish for this at all but I have a feeling the pilots will lose this battle.
I just hope that the BALPA subs will be money well spent for the VS pilots.

BALPA have said there will be a further announcement today.... judging by the lack of press coverage the negotiations must have been very serious the past few days..no idea which way it will go at this stage

BALPA - BALPA DISAPPOINTED IN VIRGIN CEO'S COMMENTS

Incidentally, I'm not sure this was a wise choice of words on Virgins Customer Help pages a few days ago, even if it was a direct response to a specific customer question

I am really angry that your pilots are affecting my holiday plans

If the VS pilots hold their nerve, they'll win out. Simple as that. Good luck folks, it'll be unlikely they ever get to action the strike.

BALPA - VIRGIN UPDATE

Not sure if this is good or bad...... will have to wait till Monday at least....

Not spotted and bridges nor foundations as yet. Maybe we all find other jobs by the time it's sorted :ugh:

Perhaps at this time of delicate discussions with VS management, BALPA should heed the wise words of a former IALPA rep who once sublety said: "A reasonable man gets nowhere in negotiations."

It is incredulous that Steve Ridgway does not view a below inflation rate as a pay cut. His slip is showing - in more ways than one.

Unless things ARE being effected in the background as they should be, even more incredulous is the fact that Ridgway is somehow coveniently ignoring a 97% stand up and be counted vote for industrial action. THAT is a massive vote against the managment of VA for a just and proper increase. It is certainly something for RB to act upon even if his 'mate' doesn't like it. The future of VA is at stake and it would not be the first time that someone has said that Ridgway is out of his depth.

Jim McAusian of BALPA says:
And how lacking in humility not to face the fact that 97% of his pilots chose to vote for industrial action for the first time in their history which has a whole lot to do with an antiquated and out of date management style at the top of his company.’

He doesn't just have a point. He has it in one. It means that unless Ridgway/Branson agree to meet the demands of the pilots, Virgin will be in very serious trouble. Better men than Ridgway have fallen in the wake of stupid mistakes.

Saying to pilots what they said to CC - 'if you don't like it, leave' - would be crass. Only pilots fly aeroplanes.

If there is an annoucement today, it had better be a good one!

That sounds threatening, I bet Mr Branson is quivering in his beard! Seriously though, Branson also has a bottom line to consider & if he decides that the wage demands cannot be afforded then maybe the strike will take place.

What happens next?????

If it turns in to a Mexican stand-off, of any notable length, then Virgin Atlantic will go t1ts up.

Book with BA? Err...no thanks.

As for Virgin, no problem with the Pilots. I am however furious with Virgin Management for seemingly allowing it to come to this.

In a nutshell from an outsider, it seems like Virgin were having a hard time during the recession (same as other companies), and they asked people to not have a payrise to help the company through troubled waters and that they would rectify this when these troubled waters were calm.

Pilots etc all stepped up to the plate to help the company thorugh. Seems like the company has now reneged on the deal and offered a seemingly lower than expected rate.

4% and with the rate of inflation at 5% is this not a 1% paycut this year? Is this a too simplictic view? Have I got this wrong? I am not in the profession myself but it just seems that people helped the company only to have this basically chucked back at them.

I do not want to fly with an airline that can do this to its own staff. I will fly Virgin this year (unless there is of course a strike) because I've already paid for it, but give Virgin anymore business? Definately not.

Personally, since the downturn in 2008 I had no rise in 09 and a 2.2% in 2010. In fairness my employer never said we were going to get more and maybe Virgin promised their pilots more and have rescinded. Its just the way the industry has been. Everyones feeling it.

I think VS went for 2 years without a rise which is quite a cut in real terms. That's why they're not happy with less than rpi/cpi whatever they use for this proposed deal. I don't the bearded one will let his beloved airline go t**s up!

How have senior management fared financially over the last three years?

"How have senior management fared financially over the last three years?"

Aha, well isn't that the million pound question...?!

It's a game of political will and VS management are playing their commercial trump card. It's an obvious but nasty tactic as far as the pilots are concerned. Branson wants the public to believe that his flight deck are holding the airlines fortune to ransom. What a load of bollocks! Mismanagement has VS in the precarious situation that it faces. This used to be a prestigious carrier that commercial pilots aspired to be part of. Now it isn't. That isn't the fault of the pilots. Keep your chin up guys, I wish you well. Good for you for showing your cojones!