Originally Posted by IAMORGAN

Just come across this new title - it struck me that we've gone from 4 Pursers and a CSD on a 747 to a CSD and 2 CSLs. (Or 1 CSM and for now a FTCSM on MF).

What worries me is that we're going to a mixed fleet model of having just one SCCM. On a 4 class aircraft, it's not enough UNLESS you take the CSD/M away from all service duties so they can move between cabins (as used to be the case). The CSD has become the de facto Club Purser.

It upsets me that BA don't value their senior crew, as many of them have 20+ years' service and bring a whole host of experience to the team. Anybody can muddle through the service, but I really think it's a skill to get everything just right - I really believe the senior crew can motivate or demotivate an entire team. I've seen it both ways, and if you have a stroppy Purser you end up with a slightly cold and clumsy service. M

Was chatting to the CSL in my cabin. His view was very clear - BA don't value him and want to get rid of the Purser/CSL position altogether in favour of just one SCCM. He thought this change in name was part of that.

On MF, I think the CSMs are being expected to work miracles. I was on a LAX flight a few months ago in WTP - there was a seating cock up that the crew couldn't solve - CSM had to come and sort it. The IFE kept cutting out - so the CSM had to resolve it. I also heard there was a problem with an oven
- I suspect the CSM had to deal with that. A passenger's special meal wasn't loaded - who came? The CSM. All in Traveller. Quite right, you might think - but every time they did this, they have to leave their service position in CW.

If BA care about "To Fly. To Serve." they should give their crew the resources they need. A single onboard management position, with service responsibilities, just isn't enough.

You can train crew as much as you like, but you need people who've been there, seen that, in order to deliver a truly premium service.

Sorry for the rant, but they can cut too much.