FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - I booked a BA ticket and ended up flying on Ryanair.
Old Mar 25, 2010 | 5:45 am
  #105  
h15t0r1an
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Northern Italian Lakes
Programs: BA, *A, Hertz Goldstar, Mucci wannabee, Waitrose, safari Oleg
Posts: 1,545
Blocking seat rows out for cabin crew convenience is not "on"

Originally Posted by 747_not_777
On the flight up to MAN from LGW on Monday I was in 1C, and therefore chatting face-to-face with the Polish cabin crew on take-off and landing. I said I was suprised to see Ryanair operating a BA flight - she smiled, and asked if I was scared! To be fare, given the seat I was in, the flight was comfy, on time, and I was a happy punter.

What DID annoy me on the return was the cabin crew blocking off the 1st 8 and last 8 rows, despite the fact it was a BA booked service and people had therefore selected specific seats. It was not done to balance the aircraft - the middle of the plane was chocca with people all forced to sit six-across, for absolutely no reason. I know an aircraft can sometimes need to be balanced with certain loads, but this was not one of them I've ever seen a need for on a BA operated 737.

It was done to a) make it easier to clean the plane and b) make it easier for them to dish out the catering. And c) to show that with my 6ft 3" frame, I will never ever (not that I ever would have), ever, ever, ever choose to personally fly Ryanair. I'd rather leave early and walk.

Thanks BA for getting me there - I am indebted. I think that given the circumstances you've done an excellant job during the strike. But next time can you charter in something which a) isn't bright yellow inside, b) has professional cabin crew c) doesnt sell scratch cards mid-flight and d) doesn't play god awful fanfare rubbish on landing. Quite frankly, it's embarassing.

And talking about landings - my two on Monday were some of the roughest I've ever had. The cabin crew lady on the outbound even smiled and apologised to me as we were chatting as it happened. Where do these Irish pilots train - on Microsfot Flight Simulator on a Windows 3.1 operating system with a basic joystick and an VGA screen?
Blocking rows, especially up to 8 at the front as well as some at the rear, off seems to be done for cabin crew convenience. It's not for "load balancing" as they may try to tell you. It's because the ryanair ethic is to confine customers to an uncomfortable experience because "we can get away with it just because it's cheap". I used to fly a lot on ryanair when funding my personal travel but I gave it up after one too many nasty experiences caused by them and they just abandoned passengers and couldn't care less to clean up their own mess and assist passengers - they just abandoned us. I now fly less, but better on "real" airlines. so I hope BA wins out in the strike as the current packages enjoyed by cabin crew on BA are way out of whack with what the rest of the industry has become. sadly, but some adjustment is needed and cabin crew will have to accept this. Workers in many many other industries have had to accept similar for similar reasons, and this strike is not justified given the huge gap in BA cabin crew packages now against the rest of the industry. But me, I'd walk to Ireland from Heathrow sooner than get on any FR flight again.
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