Originally Posted by
trueblu
I don't have a problem with the OP asking a question which is relevant only for certain people on the FT board: the endless GGL introspection comes to mind as a similar example.
What I do have a problem with is couching the enquiry in terms that only the cognoscenti can see the full picture...then it stops becoming informative or entertaining (which is the purpose of a public message board?) for the great unwashed to which the scenario doesn't apply.
I haven't flown F for years, but I still read the occasional F-related thread, same goes for most Avios-related queries, even though I actually credit flights to AA despite flying frequently on BA. But in all those threads, the particulars are made open and clear -- or at least the OP tends to clarify if asked.
If the OP wants to ask about staff travel, go ahead. But should the curious want to know the particulars, I would argue it is in the spirit of the forum to then answer fully. If the OP or other contributors aren't prepared to do so, then yes, it's better off posting to a dedicated staff board.
tb
Staff travel on BA comes in 3 forms:
1) Basic standby - M is the class of entitlement, works with a system of hierarchy, or pecking order if you will, where longer-serving staff members have priority over newer, and staff has priority over companions travelling alone. Price is 10% of fare plus all taxes (often the cheapest HBO on short haul is £10 cheaper than SBY)
2) Premium standby - as above, but for the fact that the cabin entitlement is C/J. Major drawback, if you don't get J you lose the delta between the Premium fare and the non premium fare
3) Annual 'firms' - one or two tickets/year, with J or F priority depending on the colleague. They're discounted in the sense that most taxes are waived. Unlike the standby, they can 'firm' up in the sense that, if you're confirmed ahead of travel, you can check-in. There are some funny bugs in the check-in system (a recurrent one is that it says you're in Economy but then your correct cabin, be it F or J, appears) that no one is ever going to solve because, let's face it, it's staff.
There's also interline staff travel, i.e. flying on other airlines, but T&Cs vary considerably. In my experience Air Canada and KLM are the best in giving access, information and supporting staff from other airlines, whilst CX has always been incredible in their snobbery.
One interesting point of staff travel is that you can make a booking, get a PNR, but not ticket. When you pay your flight gets ticketed on 125 stock.
That's pretty much about it, really.