Where have all the BA staffers gone?
Dec 2, 2017, 2:20 pm
#76
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CWL
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Gold
Posts: 300
Let’s not forget that we all have the option to just scrolll on by and ignore the stuff that doesn’t interest us or arouse our own sense of humour. I’m a long time lurker, and have enjoyed this board, mucci’s and all, for a number of years. There are many elements that I don’t wish to read in full, and so I continue scrolling, however I would hate to remove those elements from someone else; they may be what keeps another Flyertalker reading and posting.
Humour changes, we all change, but rarely is it objectionable on here.
For the BA staffers on here, current and former (historic?!)!, thank you. I’ve learnt a lot from what you have to say, and I would readily hear more
Humour changes, we all change, but rarely is it objectionable on here.
For the BA staffers on here, current and former (historic?!)!, thank you. I’ve learnt a lot from what you have to say, and I would readily hear more
Dec 2, 2017, 6:18 pm
#77
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Silver, Mucci
Posts: 5,289
Dec 29, 2017, 1:05 pm
#79
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Heathrow
Posts: 218
Just found this thread so apologies for the bump, I’m still around (just!), and just about still a BA staff member until next month.
I have been made a top offer to stay on too, decisions!
I am more of a lurker now, I nervously check here every time I’m involved in recovering an aircraft with a severe delay. Total times it’s affected someone from FT badly enough for them to start a thread: Just 1 thankfully!
I have a few trips coming up on the network so maybe I’ll catch you out and about.
I have been made a top offer to stay on too, decisions!
I am more of a lurker now, I nervously check here every time I’m involved in recovering an aircraft with a severe delay. Total times it’s affected someone from FT badly enough for them to start a thread: Just 1 thankfully!
I have a few trips coming up on the network so maybe I’ll catch you out and about.
Dec 29, 2017, 2:18 pm
#81
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Heathrow
Posts: 218
Dec 29, 2017, 3:11 pm
#83
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 343
With the current direction of the thread mentioning leavers….add me to that pot!
7 years as CSM from the inception of Mixed Fleet = mental and physical exhaustion.
Honestly, if it wasn’t for the IA this year and having most of December off with annual leave, I don’t think I would have lasted this long. I am 37 years old, I used to be fit before this job ground me down and left me with no energy to exercise, and I am educated. I am an average Mixed Fleet employee, just to give you some perspective. I have been working as crew for 16 years now for scheduled, charter and low cost airlines, so feel I am in a position to comment.
I used to have the pride and passion to be an active, contributing member of the FT community. Trying to enhance the experience for other users. BA have destroyed that. They have, in seven years, turned what once was, a committed, devoted, pride filled dedicate into a husk of a man. I don’t use these words lightly, and yes, there are million of people on this planet in much worse situations than me. But. This is the United Kingdom and I work for who I once thought was THE top brand/airline/innovator/prestige company on the planet.
I really wouldn’t mind. But. At the crux of this issue is the complete imbalance between staff dedication to our employer, and the dedication show back to us in return. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t speak for other departments, but speaking from a Mixed Fleet perspective, they have abused my dedication for the last time. That’s what’s great about living in a free society I guess. Choice. I choose to leave.
But. That’s what they want. Isn’t it. They don’t want long serving, dedicated staff who are paid appropriately for their work and appreciated. They want lemming fodder. Get em in. Wear em down. Get em out. So, BA wins.
Who knows, I may return to the skies but I know that if I don’t try to jump now, I don’t think I ever will. BA may return to their glory days, but I doubt it.
One thing I will know is that I won’t be working for a company that thinks it is appropriate to use the ‘F’ word in public financial presentations, or that pays their CSMs a fraction of their previous annual bonus in a year when profits were the highest they have ever been. Or a company that expects you to work in First Class for economy money, or that builds into it’s day to day operation a culture of fear based on safety compromising unachievable targets. That knowledge, and my dignity, I will take with me and try not to take it all too seriously, because the only thing that comes from it is hurt.
Getting over BA has been the biggest challenge in my life. No question. I have a lifelong medical condition for which I take medication every day. That was easier to get over than my adoration for BA. Now, my mind is clear, the fog has lifted, and I wish everyone at BA that I leave behind, well.
The views above are my own and should in no way be associated with those of British Airways Plc.
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
7 years as CSM from the inception of Mixed Fleet = mental and physical exhaustion.
Honestly, if it wasn’t for the IA this year and having most of December off with annual leave, I don’t think I would have lasted this long. I am 37 years old, I used to be fit before this job ground me down and left me with no energy to exercise, and I am educated. I am an average Mixed Fleet employee, just to give you some perspective. I have been working as crew for 16 years now for scheduled, charter and low cost airlines, so feel I am in a position to comment.
I used to have the pride and passion to be an active, contributing member of the FT community. Trying to enhance the experience for other users. BA have destroyed that. They have, in seven years, turned what once was, a committed, devoted, pride filled dedicate into a husk of a man. I don’t use these words lightly, and yes, there are million of people on this planet in much worse situations than me. But. This is the United Kingdom and I work for who I once thought was THE top brand/airline/innovator/prestige company on the planet.
I really wouldn’t mind. But. At the crux of this issue is the complete imbalance between staff dedication to our employer, and the dedication show back to us in return. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t speak for other departments, but speaking from a Mixed Fleet perspective, they have abused my dedication for the last time. That’s what’s great about living in a free society I guess. Choice. I choose to leave.
But. That’s what they want. Isn’t it. They don’t want long serving, dedicated staff who are paid appropriately for their work and appreciated. They want lemming fodder. Get em in. Wear em down. Get em out. So, BA wins.
Who knows, I may return to the skies but I know that if I don’t try to jump now, I don’t think I ever will. BA may return to their glory days, but I doubt it.
One thing I will know is that I won’t be working for a company that thinks it is appropriate to use the ‘F’ word in public financial presentations, or that pays their CSMs a fraction of their previous annual bonus in a year when profits were the highest they have ever been. Or a company that expects you to work in First Class for economy money, or that builds into it’s day to day operation a culture of fear based on safety compromising unachievable targets. That knowledge, and my dignity, I will take with me and try not to take it all too seriously, because the only thing that comes from it is hurt.
Getting over BA has been the biggest challenge in my life. No question. I have a lifelong medical condition for which I take medication every day. That was easier to get over than my adoration for BA. Now, my mind is clear, the fog has lifted, and I wish everyone at BA that I leave behind, well.
The views above are my own and should in no way be associated with those of British Airways Plc.
Kind regards
BA.MF.CSM
Last edited by BA.MF.CSM; Dec 29, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Dec 29, 2017, 3:41 pm
#85
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,932
Thank you @BA.MF.CSM @Can I help you and @alextheengineer for all your contributions on FlyerTalk over the years. You have all been a great source of information and great ambassadors for British Airways, although at times they clearly haven't deserved it.
I wish you all every success for your futures, or indeed retirement if that is what it is.
Many, many thanks for all your contributions here. Hopefully you will all continue imparting your knowledge and wit with us ^
I wish you all every success for your futures, or indeed retirement if that is what it is.
Many, many thanks for all your contributions here. Hopefully you will all continue imparting your knowledge and wit with us ^
Dec 29, 2017, 3:49 pm
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,110
Just to be clear I’m not going anywhere just yet, as I have said many times before I enjoy being a thorn in BAs side.
I don’t want this to be about me, let’s focus on the lovely other two you mention.
I don’t want this to be about me, let’s focus on the lovely other two you mention.
Dec 29, 2017, 3:55 pm
#87
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,932
I'd put two and two together from your last couple of posts and ... well ... welcome back
Dec 29, 2017, 4:00 pm
#88
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,640
And secondly, if there must be a tech issue causing an extended arrival delay, we'd really appreciated it if you could make it, say, three hours and five minutes rather than two hours fifty five. For, err, reasons.
Dec 29, 2017, 4:07 pm
#89
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Heathrow
Posts: 218
I wish! Thanks for the post, though, but I’ve got a few more decades before that happens...
Sadly, I can’t afford to retire any more as Mr Cruz has helped himself to the pot being saved for such an occasion! It’s like an avios devaluation, but for your whole life.
I put my notice in due to a personal dispute with a manager who thought he was above company policy. He has now been removed elsewhere and re-aligned so actually not much reason to go now for me other than simple economics: other companies make better offers.
Sympathies with @BA.MF.CSM above though, I can 100% relate to that. I started off working for one of BA’s biggest suppliers, and was proud to become a BA employee directly. Nowadays, it’s hard work getting a job with BA experience on your CV.
Sadly, I can’t afford to retire any more as Mr Cruz has helped himself to the pot being saved for such an occasion! It’s like an avios devaluation, but for your whole life.
I put my notice in due to a personal dispute with a manager who thought he was above company policy. He has now been removed elsewhere and re-aligned so actually not much reason to go now for me other than simple economics: other companies make better offers.
Sympathies with @BA.MF.CSM above though, I can 100% relate to that. I started off working for one of BA’s biggest suppliers, and was proud to become a BA employee directly. Nowadays, it’s hard work getting a job with BA experience on your CV.
Dec 29, 2017, 4:11 pm
#90
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Heathrow
Posts: 218
Haha thanks for your kind words. I do my best on EU261, but what you really need is 3hrs 30 otherwise someone will get a faster flight plan off eurocontrol and race onto the arrival stand and fling open a door at 2h59.