Cabin Crew making a point
Nov 21, 2009, 5:01 pm
#1
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Cabin Crew making a point
I came home last night on 188 EWR-LHR in CW, on the sleeper service. I was told by one of the FAs that it was the first trip they had done with the new (fewer) crew. They certainly made their feelings clear with what I though were rather petty gestures. My jacket was not picked up so I carried it to the galley, and was told that it was because there were fewer staff. Someone near me did not get a paper, and someone else no wash bag. Same excuse parroted out. Interestingly, the CSD in his announcement said "....and I (sigh) will be looking after Club World".
If felt a bit like a low-key dirty protest.
If felt a bit like a low-key dirty protest.
Nov 21, 2009, 5:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New York
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Given how high feelings are running about this and how it came about, I suspect that there are some that will make a point as publicly as possible that the new crewing levels don't work, regardless of whether they can in practice.
The Sleeper Service is much reduced service in CW in any event!
The union's lawyers are also asking crew to provide evidence on new crewing levels in preparation for the court case.
The Sleeper Service is much reduced service in CW in any event!
The union's lawyers are also asking crew to provide evidence on new crewing levels in preparation for the court case.
Nov 21, 2009, 6:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
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The tone and level of crew service is set by the CSD. Judging by the CSD announcement, your observations are not surprising. I suspect that if there were a full complement of crew, this is a CSD you would not be seeing around the plane doing much. It is a shame that there are senior staff like these still leading teams on board.
Dont get me wrong. The majority of my flight have had excellent staff and the common theme was CSD who was on the ball. However, I have had some flights where the crew service not up to very much.
Cabin crew need to be reminded like the UK postal staff. If pax change airlines, its them who will suffer, not their bosses and management. Other industries like mining, car manufacturers, etc have had to see change to their industry and work practice.
If the crew are really struggling, thats one thing and pax will show their support. In this situation, it appears that their actions were intentional and only put pax off the crew, not BA.
Dont get me wrong. The majority of my flight have had excellent staff and the common theme was CSD who was on the ball. However, I have had some flights where the crew service not up to very much.
Cabin crew need to be reminded like the UK postal staff. If pax change airlines, its them who will suffer, not their bosses and management. Other industries like mining, car manufacturers, etc have had to see change to their industry and work practice.
If the crew are really struggling, thats one thing and pax will show their support. In this situation, it appears that their actions were intentional and only put pax off the crew, not BA.
Nov 21, 2009, 6:35 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
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The tone and level of crew service is set by the CSD. Judging by the CSD announcement, your observations are not surprising. I suspect that if there were a full complement of crew, this is a CSD you would not be seeing around the plane doing much. It is a shame that there are senior staff like these still leading teams on board.
Dont get me wrong. The majority of my flight have had excellent staff and the common theme was CSD who was on the ball. However, I have had some flights where the crew service not up to very much.
Cabin crew need to be reminded like the UK postal staff. If pax change airlines, its them who will suffer, not their bosses and management. Other industries like mining, car manufacturers, etc have had to see change to their industry and work practice.
If the crew are really struggling, thats one thing and pax will show their support. In this situation, it appears that their actions were intentional and only put pax off the crew, not BA.
Dont get me wrong. The majority of my flight have had excellent staff and the common theme was CSD who was on the ball. However, I have had some flights where the crew service not up to very much.
Cabin crew need to be reminded like the UK postal staff. If pax change airlines, its them who will suffer, not their bosses and management. Other industries like mining, car manufacturers, etc have had to see change to their industry and work practice.
If the crew are really struggling, thats one thing and pax will show their support. In this situation, it appears that their actions were intentional and only put pax off the crew, not BA.
Nov 22, 2009, 1:32 am
#6
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
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I agree. If they cannot stay professional and if they are 'taking it out on passengers', they should not be in the service industry. Proper industrial action is one thing, but this kind of behaviour is totally another.
Nov 22, 2009, 2:23 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
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I have been asked to do a lot more with fewer colleagues. I have taken a slight reduction in status and a large reduction in remuneration. I have been just been grateful for keeping a job while many good friends have been made redundant. This situation is not unique to BA.
However, I do really enjoy what I do and that keeps me going. It is about making to most of the situation you are in. Life is too short to show that you miserable for a long period of time.
Just as well I use Pucci and BBB as my role models.
Nov 22, 2009, 2:56 am
#8
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Have you considered that theses service shortfalls might have been because there is one less crew in club for boarding? The CSD who is the fourth crewmember working in club is at the door boarding so can’t help. Personally I don’t think it was a protest just a result of the crew reductions.
Nov 22, 2009, 3:00 am
#9
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,959
I came home last night on 188 EWR-LHR in CW, on the sleeper service. I was told by one of the FAs that it was the first trip they had done with the new (fewer) crew. They certainly made their feelings clear with what I though were rather petty gestures. My jacket was not picked up so I carried it to the galley, and was told that it was because there were fewer staff. Someone near me did not get a paper, and someone else no wash bag. Same excuse parroted out. Interestingly, the CSD in his announcement said "....and I (sigh) will be looking after Club World".
If felt a bit like a low-key dirty protest.
If felt a bit like a low-key dirty protest.
I had thought (clearly incorrectly) that it was just on the 747s
Nov 22, 2009, 3:10 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Does that mean we shoulde expect n/s AVOD to stay that way for longer, as the CSD will be helping service one of the cabins? On the flights I have taken recently, dealing with dodgy AVOD seems to take a pretty large amount of the CSDs time.
Nov 22, 2009, 3:35 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Does the one-less crew bring it inline with LGW staff ? Or is this a further fleet wide reduction AND a CSD now being required to perform cabin service.
On the long haul out of there the Cabin Manager has recently always been part of the cabin service effort.
On the long haul out of there the Cabin Manager has recently always been part of the cabin service effort.
Nov 22, 2009, 3:49 am
#14
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2,774
It brings it in line with LGW. Despite the LHR rumour machine LGW crew score well with customer feedback and I can also say that I have never had a bad crew out of there either.
Nov 22, 2009, 4:06 am
#15
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Have you considered that theses service shortfalls might have been because there is one less crew in club for boarding? The CSD who is the fourth crewmember working in club is at the door boarding so can’t help. Personally I don’t think it was a protest just a result of the crew reductions.