British Airways mixed fleet/worldwide fleet
Jul 19, 2015, 5:31 am
#106
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Programs: Tufty Club (Gold), BAGA Gymnastics level 4, 440yds swimming certificate
Posts: 2,533
Jul 19, 2015, 11:33 am
#107
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: BA
Posts: 346
I agree with D1L. The competent, well-trained members of the MF are excellent. BA has, however, saved huge amounts by indiscriminately and irresponsibly accepting some 'great-looking' young people whose motivation and interest in the nature of the job is highly questionable. On my flight back from Rio I learnt that the MF cabin crew from the latter group on this flight had done nothing but long haul flights: Tokyo, Miami, Sydney in very quick succession.The young man who seved me on the flight from Rio was obviously hung over-- in spite of the breath mints. I am ultimately uncomfortable about safety issues: this is not a joke job. If applicants had to pass an English test ensuring that they are articulate, if they were required to speak a foreign language and have two or three A levels, a different kind of group would emerge. And I am sorry: WW and Eurofleet staff may be unfriendly and in a bad mood at times but they are not unsafe. I have never ever come across anyone who smelled of booze on either of these fleets.
Jul 19, 2015, 2:00 pm
#108
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,174
I agree with D1L. The competent, well-trained members of the MF are excellent. BA has, however, saved huge amounts by indiscriminately and irresponsibly accepting some 'great-looking' young people whose motivation and interest in the nature of the job is highly questionable. On my flight back from Rio I learnt that the MF cabin crew from the latter group on this flight had done nothing but long haul flights: Tokyo, Miami, Sydney in very quick succession.The young man who seved me on the flight from Rio was obviously hung over-- in spite of the breath mints. I am ultimately uncomfortable about safety issues: this is not a joke job. If applicants had to pass an English test ensuring that they are articulate, if they were required to speak a foreign language and have two or three A levels, a different kind of group would emerge. And I am sorry: WW and Eurofleet staff may be unfriendly and in a bad mood at times but they are not unsafe. I have never ever come across anyone who smelled of booze on either of these fleets.
However I have also met and personally know some people who are MF - who quite honestly are some of the most unprofessional, classless and uneducated people I have ever met. For example a MF CC member that I know, up until about 2 years ago was unable to spell the word Exit (im not joking!) along with the fact she looked like a tomato with the amount of fake tan she used to wear.
What I am saying is in agreement, that BA need to perhaps raise the bar of its standards of recruitment and perhaps just take a look at a candidates FB page to see if that is someone they want representing BA and in a part the Flag of the UK?
It is also true that most people who had A - Levels, spoke a MFL would be kind of out of their mind to work on BA's pay and contract terms, as said above - leading to a number (not all) recruits being as they are - often straight off Hair and Beauty courses.....
Although perhaps a bit more controversial it does seem that BA is turning even more into Ryanair bit by bit, in this case the CC. Given that on a number of BA MF flights the crew doing the announcements were not from the UK and spoke inaudible English - to the point they were struggling to pronounce basic words.
Sorry if it offends people, but im not lying...
Jul 19, 2015, 2:11 pm
#109
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
I shall not even begin to speculate upon that which you witnessed but I suggest that your move to Lufthansa is a wise one. No, I shall not be following you. I'd sooner walk after the way that I was treated by them. In any event, if you are off to Lufthansa what do you care?
Jul 19, 2015, 11:04 pm
#110
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: London Heathrow
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 173
I agree with D1L. The competent, well-trained members of the MF are excellent. BA has, however, saved huge amounts by indiscriminately and irresponsibly accepting some 'great-looking' young people whose motivation and interest in the nature of the job is highly questionable. On my flight back from Rio I learnt that the MF cabin crew from the latter group on this flight had done nothing but long haul flights: Tokyo, Miami, Sydney in very quick succession.The young man who seved me on the flight from Rio was obviously hung over-- in spite of the breath mints. I am ultimately uncomfortable about safety issues: this is not a joke job. If applicants had to pass an English test ensuring that they are articulate, if they were required to speak a foreign language and have two or three A levels, a different kind of group would emerge. And I am sorry: WW and Eurofleet staff may be unfriendly and in a bad mood at times but they are not unsafe. I have never ever come across anyone who smelled of booze on either of these fleets.
As a note, there a strict regulations that dictate how much alcohol we are permitted to consume prior to a flying or standby duty and it is less than the drink/drive limits in the UK. Some countries have even lower limits and crew can be frequently breathalysed without question or warning (Scandinavia, Australia and Holland spring to mind). Failure of tests will result in criminal prosecution. I take this very seriously, as do the majority of MF, WW, EF, SFLGW and LCY BA crews. It's a shame this individual allegedly did not.
Kind regards
D1L
These views are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.
Jul 25, 2015, 10:23 am
#111
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 49
Now I have read everything. We now apparently have quasi-drunks serving in whichever cabin this took place.
I shall not even begin to speculate upon that which you witnessed but I suggest that your move to Lufthansa is a wise one. No, I shall not be following you. I'd sooner walk after the way that I was treated by them. In any event, if you are off to Lufthansa what do you care?
I shall not even begin to speculate upon that which you witnessed but I suggest that your move to Lufthansa is a wise one. No, I shall not be following you. I'd sooner walk after the way that I was treated by them. In any event, if you are off to Lufthansa what do you care?
Jul 25, 2015, 10:32 am
#112
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 49
I do not like your tone. Apart from the fact that I still have four long-haul flights left on BA, I am entiled to my views re experiences on flights which cost a lot of money. Unlike some of the contributors (like presumably you) I am not a BA executive and do not get special treatment. If I did, presumably on a 10 hour flight in Club, my dinner service would not be prefaced by 'would you like to eat ANYTHING AT ALL, prior to learning in the second row of the cabin --being number three to be served --that my choice is 'no longer available: sowwy'
Jul 25, 2015, 10:47 am
#113
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 870
I do not like your tone. Apart from the fact that I still have four long-haul flights left on BA, I am entiled to my views re experiences on flights which cost a lot of money. Unlike some of the contributors (like presumably you) I am not a BA executive and do not get special treatment. If I did, presumably on a 10 hour flight in Club, my dinner service would not be prefaced by 'would you like to eat ANYTHING AT ALL, prior to learning in the second row of the cabin --being number three to be served --that my choice is 'no longer available: sowwy'
Also, your position in the cabin does not determine your meal choice. That will have been decided in the galley via means of the status of customer on board. Whatever it was you didn't get, third to be served, you can be assured the gold card holder, thirty fifth to be served, did.
Jul 26, 2015, 9:08 am
#114
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Lon
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 151
The point about grasp of English is an important one. I have had several crews lately where some crew members' English was poor, or so heavily accented to be hard to comprehend for native Emglish speakers, let alone any other passengers. Lets down the majority of MF who are excellent
Jul 27, 2015, 6:46 am
#115
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: bmi DC, BAEC
Posts: 1,108
boarding a (presumably MF) flight to Vienna recently ... a very happy FA greeted me with "awwwright" !
i thought I'd boarded an Easyjet flight by accident
i thought I'd boarded an Easyjet flight by accident
Jul 27, 2015, 8:08 am
#117
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 343
I will try greeting all my customers today with "good day to you sir/madam". That premium enough for you?
Sheesh......
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
Jul 27, 2015, 9:13 am
#118
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR; TK Elite; ITA Executive; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,551
So the fact that the crew member sounds like a friendly chap/lady goes unnoticed. There are plenty of crew on ALL fleets that greet customers in that way. Some folk, it would seem, are never satisfied.
I will try greeting all my customers today with "good day to you sir/madam". That premium enough for you?
Sheesh......
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
I will try greeting all my customers today with "good day to you sir/madam". That premium enough for you?
Sheesh......
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
Jul 27, 2015, 9:43 am
#119
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 932
That wouldn't bother me at all. I'd much rather CC were happy and cheery than worry about their accent. IMHO MF and Easyjet CC usually are happy and cheery.
Jul 27, 2015, 11:17 am
#120
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CWL
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Gold
Posts: 300
I had a really good flight in F back from DFW last week. Our cabin crew were warm, welcoming and keen to provide a good service. There were a couple of areas where it could have been better (for example being a little more proactive with the drinks and meal service) but in all the service was attentive and provided with enthusiasm.
The cc member serving my area mentioned he didn't have much experience serving First, however I thought with a few more flights he would have it nailed.
Times like this remind me we all have to learn our jobs, and the correct attitude goes a long way. Well done submitted.
The cc member serving my area mentioned he didn't have much experience serving First, however I thought with a few more flights he would have it nailed.
Times like this remind me we all have to learn our jobs, and the correct attitude goes a long way. Well done submitted.