Pondering leaving BA
 

Promise not trolling. I’m querying my choice and wondering about leaving.

Prior to cov was unsettled and on the fence. I’ve been there a few years. Then cov came along.

We have our er - challenges - currently going on. Sure when it blows over there’ll be the next time

I’m braced for a flame. Anyone else who works there feeling like this who will admit under the cover of darkness? I feel guilty for thinking of options outside. Not sure why.

Can’t answer this for you, and wouldn’t want to. I’ve worked at BA in the past and now have other operators to compare it to. It comes down to what you want out of flying.

The only thing I can suggest is that you pause for thought, and perhaps determine whether it’s worth sitting it out.

There’s an old saying about grass isn’t there ? I think everyone is struggling at the moment…

If it is airline flying you want, a lot will depend on your age and your position on the seniority list. Remember, there are many things which affect the quality of life than just the flying.

I think I'm on record as looking elsewhere (SH BA isn't as much fun as it was advertised). However at my age I really need to go in the next 18 months else there's not much point. I've got my CV in a few places, but as others have said there's not a lot out there.

For me I always thought BA would be corporate and somewhat uncaring, I just didn't quite realise how uncaring. I also didn't realise how uncaring the union would be, but that's perhaps for a different thread.

What are your options?

Out of the frying pan into the fire is what springs to mind…..we have all been searching the unicorn job of amazing salary, low caps, gorgeous single hosties, free house and company car . Where were you looking to go?

No none of those reasons. I’ve a couple of apps in. Jet2 etc. No offers, so no options really.

I feel what you’re saying there.

There’s not a lot out there. Moving is academic for me until I had any kind offer. I don’t know. It’s not been a sudden arrival to considering it. Wish I didn’t but is what it is.

I think many folks are disenchanted with Big Airlines. The opportunist grab on terms and conditions during Covid was the icing on the cake. The difficulty is that the same rush to the bottom has been widespread in the industry and most companies have stuffed their staff (not just pilots).
The result of course is the total chaos at airports this Summer which the Airlines and Airport owners are trying to blame on anyone except themselves.
I therefore understand your urge to move, if only 'to shove it to the man!'
That said the economy looks like tanking and once this Summer is over the customers may decide their fuel bills are more of a priority than their holidays so it may not be a good time to be at the bottom of a new jobs seniority list, and I suspect the grass will be brown on BOTH sides of the fence!

It’s a hard topic. COVID and connected measures have left a huge amount of bitterness. I am personally aware of high single figures short haul P1s applying to Jet2. Should EZY start looking for DECs at LGW I suspect that will increase markedly. The fact that pre COVID Heathrow Airbus commands hit 3800 on the MSL and Airbus P1s were bidding P2 LH was a red flag regarding QOL.

The big problem is after a few years, you’re committed to the seniority system and have invested in the future - it’s a very hard conversation with the family to walk away after putting up with juniority with the promised land in sight. I personally think it’s still worth sticking it out as the ultimate reward of a P1 long haul seat is still better than on offer anywhere else if that’s the destination you want. If you want to drive to work in under an hour from a decent sized house and be home every night, another airline might be for you.

For me the big problem is there are much more interesting jobs out there but none are well enough remunerated once you have the golden handcuffs on.

It’s horses for courses and you don’t give much away about your personal circumstances, but unless you live significantly closer to a Jet2 base than LHR, I don’t think it would be wise to give up (I assume, as you’re still there) a safe place on the BA seniority list to join an airline completely exposed at the lower end of the U.K. outbound leisure market going into a cost of living squeeze, flying an old, thirsty fleet of aircraft around during a period of fuel price volatility.

As mentioned above, there are very few unicorn jobs around and those that have them don’t give them up. I’d ride it out if I were you, at least for another year or so. But as I said, horses for courses.

Fantastic posts thanks..

I’m single simplifies family side. I’ve found it a very “intense” experience. I identified about 5 major points that I struggle with ..a lot. And most won’t ever change and I battle with trying to make myself work jelly mould like with these aspects. Might be I don’t sit with it. Stickle brick and lego. Good point vs handcuffs. I have and continue to ruminate on it. Very good points.

There’s other recent factors apart from the industrial er “troubles”, I won’t go into, amplifying things making it worse. It’s not about finding a unicorn job

Sorry I don’t give much away it’s just you can tell I’m not mega comfortable about putting too much info on

Twice in my life I have made a move from what were perceived as great (flying) jobs. Best decisions I’ve ever made. No regrets when (if) I am 80 and look back. Only life and experience

It's a tough call, I have my gripes like everyone else but can put up with the BS as being based at Heathrow on whatever fleet suits my family circumstances and I live close by. Saying that I jacked in two previous careers to get here, both seen as a safe(ish) option with pension etc at the end so I know where you're coming from.

If I was single and didnt have a family I'd have a different perspective.

Try going part time and do something else on the side?

Edited to add: in no way should you feel guilty about considering leaving. It's just a job, if its not working looking for other options is exactly what you should be doing.

I don't want to be seen to be preaching from the pulpit but I have had similar thoughts (non BA but fly for a legacy carrier) but disconnecting from work when the parking brake is set is paramount. Whilst feeling fulfilled at work certainly helps, it is not the key to overall fulfillment and populating your spare time with meaningful tasks that make you happy, can go a long way to offsetting any grumbles at work. As pilots, we still love flying but it is very easy to let workplace politics affect our enjoyment. If you can afford to go part-time then grab it with both hands.

You may know Simon:


He took the leap. I left two well established and desirable airlines because they weren’t for me and people there thought I was mad. But it did work out very well for me. If you aren’t happy now; do something about it - how do you think you will feel in a year if you don’t do something? The same, better or worse?

BD

I've never worked for BA but this is such a bad take I had to interject. If we hit the mother of all recessions in a year or two, given the level of debt and poor management at all levels of BA and how badly they treated everyone during Covid, I would wager there isn't a pilot in the country who would pick BA over Jet2 right now.

As for this guys place on the seniority list, plenty of pilots at TCX, Flybe and now Tui UK would trade their number for a spot in a well run airline

As many have done in an airline that specialises in not flying any passengers at all.

Is your salary at BA reasonably higher than at possible other options? And if yes, could you invest that salary in part-time? And if part-time and more time away from work, would that change the equation for you?

No firm views on this to a certain extent. I have had a nomadic career that has generally worked out ok. It would appear that some have entrenched views on the airline based oop north. I am biased for obvious reasons but being as objective as I can I would not choose BA over Jet2. J2 is a well run airline with 2 pay increases in recent month plus a small bonus for getting through the summer. Admittedly a no nonsense boss with Thatcherite views on unions but Balpa is hardly covering itself in glory particularly with the excruciatingly stupid rules on licensing post Brexit. Many brand new Airbuses on the way to complement a newish fleet of B737s and an admittedly ageing fleet of B757s winding down. Bases not generally stretching to the south except BRS and strong LGW rumours. It would not be a disaster moving to J2 unless you pine for long haul, bigger aircraft and jet lag. Good luck with your choices. I was many years ago in the left seat on a B747 negotiating my way around cbs on the South China Sea and deeply miserable with a perceived glamorous employer and associated lifestyle. I left and it all worked out in the end.