Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > British Airways | Executive Club
Reload this Page >

Do BA own T5 lounges? Observing lounge staff

Do BA own T5 lounges? Observing lounge staff

Old Jul 3, 2010, 5:00 am
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,024
Do BA own T5 lounges? Observing lounge staff

For the past 2 months I have had a Silver card which has been handy with alot of early morning flights from T5.

I really do enjoy looking at a process and thinking could this be done better?

This has got me thinking.

Do BA own the lounges or do they pay a per entree fee to a 3rd party for each person who comes in? I assume if they own the lounges it makes sense for them to employ a 3rd party for staffing once inside the lounge.

Often I am one of the first in the lounge as it opens. I have come to notice that the staff inside the lounge are "missing in action" early doors. I have been amazed at the amount of food and drink which they take back into the kitchen for breakfast. As more staff arrive several pick up a newspaper from the lounge, make a cup of coffee and then head back into the kitchen.
Is breakfast part of their benefits and why is food not held back in the kitchen for them?

What is the cost of this missing food?
redsox1918 is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 5:12 am
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
FYI, like everything at Heathrow, T5 belongs entirely to BAA who rent the facilities to British Airways.

The staff at the front reception desks and "Guest Services" desks are British Airways' own staff. The brown uniformed catering staff are employed by Restaurant Associates (part of Compass Group).

BA staff are not permitted to help themselves to anything other than water from the lounges, despite the fact that our excessive price hike last year in the staff canteens run by Restaurant Associates goes to subsidise the free food in the T5 lounges. (Rather a sore point............)

British Airways' customers and entitled Executive Club cardholders are obviously self-financing. British Airways is entitled to charge One World airlines for each customer swiped into the entry system and this is partly the reason why we fastidiously stick to the "one guest" rule no matter how much our beloved Aadvantage Platinums stamp their feet! Whether BA applies the charge, or whether there are "contra" deals in place, I have no idea (but rather suspect there are).

Restaurant Associates' staff are not very well paid and I believe the odd bit of food and the read of a newspaper are little "perks" which, even if unofficial, I would not begrudge. Theirs is not the best job in the world, after all!
bealine is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 8:04 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Petit Four de Pucci, RedVee's Navigator Badge, BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
Originally Posted by bealine
British Airways is entitled to charge One World airlines for each customer swiped into the entry system and this is partly the reason why we fastidiously stick to the "one guest" rule no matter how much our beloved Aadvantage Platinums stamp their feet! Whether BA applies the charge, or whether there are "contra" deals in place, I have no idea (but rather suspect there are).
Presumably there is some kind of knock for knock at work here, as the motor insurance industry would say?
Fruitcake is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 8:11 am
  #4  
Suspended
Hilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,959
Originally Posted by Fruitcake
Presumably there is some kind of knock for knock at work here, as the motor insurance industry would say?
I would have thought BA would much rather fastidiously count the people through their lounge in terminal 3!
FlyerTalker6245 is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 1:29 pm
  #5  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,306
Originally Posted by bealine
despite the fact that our excessive price hike last year in the staff canteens run by Restaurant Associates goes to subsidise the free food in the T5 lounges. (Rather a sore point............)
I agree that price hikes in staff restaurants are wrong, but the 'free' food in the lounges are for paying passengers.

Countless times (across just two visits) to the T5 Flounge, staff were lifting soft drinks and crisps from the counter opposite the Gold Bar and taking it into the staff area. The man who sometimes mans the shower entrance in the North lounge stocks up on bacon butties and croissants of a morning, before all the pax get there. I think that is just unprofessional, and wrong.

In answer to the original question, BA have control over the lounge space and own everything inside eg. furniture etc., but the space is of course BAA's, as is the rest of the terminal infrastructure.
Genius1 is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 2:08 pm
  #6  
vla
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Europe
Programs: Mucci, BAEC Gold, Aegean Gold
Posts: 2,115
Originally Posted by Genius1
I think that is just unprofessional, and wrong.
If you were a manager, would you think it would matter in the big scheme of things?
vla is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 2:13 pm
  #7  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,306
Originally Posted by vla
If you were a manager, would you think it would matter in the big scheme of things?
Yes, of course it does.

To fund my studies, I work part time at a well-known national retailer, as a duty manager. Am I allowed to help myself to some own brand products on my break? No, of course I am not. If I saw any of my staff doing that, it would be treated as gross misconduct and they would be sacked. I am paid to be working, not paying to be there.
Genius1 is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 2:22 pm
  #8  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,167
One has to wonder where "the boss" is when all this grand nibble theft is going on? If the BA or contract staff are being left unsupervised then it's no wonder they do it....I would be tempted to do it myself especially with the smell of bacon wafting through the workplace.

Good luck to them if they can get away with it.....whilst the cat's away the mice will play.
HIDDY is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 2:33 pm
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,024
Glad others have spotted this.
redsox1918 is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 2:45 pm
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC, AA, Emirates, Hilton, Hyatt, Taj Hotels
Posts: 2,339
Originally Posted by Genius1
The man who sometimes mans the shower entrance in the North lounge stocks up on bacon butties and croissants of a morning, before all the pax get there. I think that is just unprofessional, and wrong.
Someone should have a word in his shell-like before he keels over with a coronary....('you are banned from eating bacon butties and croissants in the morning for Health and Safety reasons' should do it)

I still think my best spot was the old dear pouring herself a large vodka before going for a 'rest'.......at c. 9am. Quite impressive really
Betteronacamel is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 3:07 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 9,236
Originally Posted by HIDDY
One has to wonder where "the boss" is when all this grand nibble theft is going on? If the BA or contract staff are being left unsupervised then it's no wonder they do it....I would be tempted to do it myself especially with the smell of bacon wafting through the workplace.

Good luck to them if they can get away with it.....whilst the cat's away the mice will play.
Your attitude would indicate that it is okay to steal from your employers and disobey rules about use of customers' provisions.

I completely disagree and find this behaviour (and, honestly, support for it) shameful.
ajax is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 3:32 pm
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,306
Originally Posted by ajax
Your attitude would indicate that it is okay to steal from your employers and disobey rules about use of customers' provisions.
Why do you think HIDDY's now exiled to Argentina?
Genius1 is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 3:38 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 9,236
Originally Posted by Genius1
Why do you think HIDDY's now exiled to Argentina?
I reckon soon he'll be off to Uruguay!
ajax is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 4:19 pm
  #14  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
Programs: BAEC: Silver - Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 12,086
BingBongBoy is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2010, 4:26 pm
  #15  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,306
Originally Posted by BingBongBoy
Which part do you disagree with?
Genius1 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.