With the prospect of possibly standing down pilots and removing aircraft, will somebody please explain to me how on earth the BA pilots have managed to obtain such large pay and benefit increases which especially enhances the final salary pension over a twenty year period. Please don't tell me that they haven't as I have seen the relevant documents detailing the changes.

This at a time when traffic is decreasing and BA still has a huge debt of £5billion. Don't get me wrong good luck to them its just those of us in BA CitiExpress would quite like your negotiators on our side.

As for recruitment can't quite see it for a long time, I really don't see politically how you can potentially stand down pilots in one part of the company whilst recruiting for another part. As pilots we seem to put up with a lot but sooner or later a line will be drawn and it will mean we all get back round the table and start talking again.

Well, I was at a 'group hug' about a month ago, and our fearless leader was talking about a small number of DEPs towards the end of the year.

CPB

Amazon Man,

With regard to the pension question you raised. During the pay talks BA were unwilling to fund a higher pension bill for the pilots, due to the well advertised shortfall in the fund. They have obviously increased basic pay but pensionable pay is to be only 80% of the basic pay figure. There will be very little increase in pension for anyone.

cheers

zzz

"However the rest of the flight crew will be fighting tooth and nail to make sure new joiners get a final salary pension scheme"

The guy's in BA are great!