Programs: BA Gold, BMI , AF, VS, AA, Amex Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 7,115
Poor crew behaviour
Flew on a LGW transatlantic flight recent and observed some very interesting crew behaviour.
After take-off when the crew are allowed to walk around but pax are not, quiet a few crew gathered at the forward galley of the 777 (behind cockpit) for a long chat. Did not look like crew briefing to me with one member of crew eating a sandwich, another two having a cup of coffee/tea. So much for preparing for an early service so that pax can get a longer sleep period on board. Curtains were drawn but I could observe the goings-on from my seat.
While preparing for landing (in the last 20 mins when pax are told to buckle up), I could not believe that one member of male cabin crew member was demonstrating (or selling) make-up brushes to a female cabin crew member while squating / kneeling in the area by the toilets after the curtains were secured; so in full view of all pax seated on the aisle. Not very professional at all (and these were not young crew members either). I would not have any issues if crew were seated at jump seat stations but not in the aisle or by the toilets.
CSD did not come around to introduce herself to Gold members (not something I expect or want but it gives a clue on how the CSD manages the cabin crew team). Also, the CSD was handling out water bottles to CW pax while talking to another crew member so no customer eye contact. Shocking for a premium cabin.
I know I have paid for the seat, enhanced food and drink and lower pax-to-toilet ratio but the service level on this flight was little different to economy. BA challenge remains their soft product given variable staff. I have had good teams, inexperienced team (which I am more forgiving of) and weak teams. Luck of the draw.
Having said that LGW immigration was a breeze and all priority bags were first out on the carousel.
...CSD did not come around to introduce herself to Gold members (not something I expect or want but it gives a clue on how the CSD manages the cabin crew team).
On my last 6 flights (in a mix of First and Club World), the CSD did not come by for the entire duration of the flight. I'm wondering if any of them bother any more?
On my last 6 flights (in a mix of First and Club World), the CSD did not come by for the entire duration of the flight. I'm wondering if any of them bother any more?
only ever happened to me once in the same number of flights, not been a GCH before last year so I didnt realise it was part of the "routine"
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On my last 6 flights (in a mix of First and Club World), the CSD did not come by for the entire duration of the flight. I'm wondering if any of them bother any more?
Last 6 flights for me - 5 of them in F, 1 in J. The only time I was greeted by CSD was when in was in J. Poor, in my view.
On my last 6 flights (in a mix of First and Club World), the CSD did not come by for the entire duration of the flight. I'm wondering if any of them bother any more?
Sounds familiar. At the beginning of last year, I remember CSDs coming to shake my hand when I was in CW but thereafter of the 10 flights or so, the CSD has only come and said hello once, and that was in F.
I hope it's not a LGW thing. I had my first terrible flight in about five years out of there recently. This, frankly, came as a big shock.
The worst BA flight in terms of 'disorganised' looking crew so far has been ex-LGW too. I was quite amazed as to how disorganised they seemed to be in CE.
Anyway, it sounds like the OP observed some inappropriate crew behaviour and I hope he passes his observations onto BA.
Best CC I've had recently was DME. Is that WW, EF or MF?
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In my recent GCH greeting experience, this seems only to occur on MF routes. The WW fleet dont seem to bother at all.
Agree, back in the summer I had 4 flights in F with MF. On every occasion, the CSD greeted me, and took huge pride in doing so. Pity that pride doesn't extend to the WW fleet.
Agree, back in the summer I had 4 flights in F with MF. On every occasion, the CSD greeted me, and took huge pride in doing so. Pity that pride doesn't extend to the WW fleet.
I tend to get them but both fleets have missed one recently. Then again I tend to sleep on flights so they simply might not have found me awake.
Programs: BA Gold; Flying Blue Platinum for life; LH Senator; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 3,767
I get greeted on about half of flights. It seems to go in waves, depending, I guess, whether it has been mentioned in briefings or not, and it's less likely on the short trans Atlantics. MF, on the other hand, is near 100%, even on MAN domestics! It's difficult not to get a warm fuzzy feeling when this happens, even though I'm normally a defender of WW and EF crews.
I've also had the occasional special nod on NCL-LHR and EDI-LHR, which is EF.
LGW is not high on my list, I'm afraid, but I suspect they have had years of demotivating treatment (which unfortunately could prove self remedying).
What may change this, over time, is the new SMS/email feedback and iPad loop. Crews are getting feedback about the welcome they give on their return sectors.
Programs: BA Gold, EK Gold, FB Plat, LH Sen, IC Ambass, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 630
There should be some sort of service standard on this and I have written in to BA to say so but with no response. Either crew greet or do not greet (and I´m not bothered either way) but those who do it inadvertently end up showing up those who do not.
No greeting in F from CSD a few weeks back on SEA-LHR.
There should be some sort of service standard on this and I have written in to BA to say so but with no response. Either crew greet or do not greet (and I´m not bothered either way) but those who do it inadvertently end up showing up those who do not.
No greeting in F from CSD a few weeks back on SEA-LHR.
I agree. Airlines like CX just get this right...if you are OneWorld Emerald, you get greeted. Costs nothing.
I would have thought for someone in a customer facing role, this was the best part of the job, speaking to your best customers?
