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BA to close HKG base [confirmed for Cabin Crew]

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Old Sep 29, 2018, 10:12 am
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BA to close HKG base [confirmed for Cabin Crew]

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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:05 am
  #46  
 
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Does anyone flying to HK actually choose to fly BA over Cathay? I can't imagine so.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:06 am
  #47  
 
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
Does anyone flying to HK actually choose to fly BA over Cathay? I can't imagine so.
A B77W and an A380s worth, every day.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:07 am
  #48  
 
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That letter is appalling and it's pretty much saying, get effed right now.
My BA HKG flights have been the most memorable and that's purely due to the crew. I really do feel for them
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:07 am
  #49  
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Of course they do, what a stupid thing to say!
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:10 am
  #50  
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
Does anyone flying to HK actually choose to fly BA over Cathay? I can't imagine so.
My Flightpath says I've made 48 trips on BA to Hong Kong since 1990, and presumably a similar number in return. The actual number will be somewhat higher. BA is able to fill A380 services to HKG without too much difficulty.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:11 am
  #51  
 
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
Does anyone flying to HK actually choose to fly BA over Cathay? I can't imagine so.
Considering equipment used, frequency of flights and the amount of yield, quite obviously they do 🙄 The vast majority of air travellers don’t frequent the rarefied world of this forum you know.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:13 am
  #52  
 
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Originally Posted by Can I help you
Of course they do, what a stupid thing to say!
Just surprising is all.
And not surprising that BA are closing down there.
That's what happens when you are consistently bested by a better product. Feel very bad for the BA staff.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:14 am
  #53  
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
Just surprising is all.
You seem to be the only person surprised by it.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:17 am
  #54  
 
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Originally Posted by Globaliser
You seem to be the only person surprised by it.
Probably not surprising as we are on the "BA forum".
Yet, in the real world they clearly can't compete with Cathay. Which to me, is not in the least bit surprising.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:38 am
  #55  
sxc
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BA axes entire Hong Kong crew ahead of closure of base in city
https://sc.mp/2QZrN3h

Some coverage but nothing we don’t already know.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:40 am
  #56  
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
Yet, in the real world they clearly can't compete with Cathay.
Clearly not. The BA aircraft obviously operate empty. Every day.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:43 am
  #57  
 
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Originally Posted by flyuk
On a Japanese carrier the expectations are extremely high, on a non-Japanese carrier the expectations will be that the staff are able to communicate with them. The Japanese don't care if a foreigner gets their sonkeigo and kenjougo mixed up, as long as they don't use slang or sound offensive.
Therein lies my point.

Someone who has GCSE / A-Level Japanese will NOT be able to communicate effectively with a pax in a premium cabin. They might be able to get by in economy but not biz and especially not in first. For European languages it's pretty easy for most to pick up the grammar but to get even a basic level of fluency you need to have spent time in Japan.

If someone has been to university / spent time on study abroad in Japan they will certainly not want to work for BA. Even a JET teacher has a higher salary than a newly minted mixed fleet CC.

Even myself I've only JUST passed level N2 of the Japanese language proficiency test and that's after 4 years living here.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:45 am
  #58  
 
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Originally Posted by Globaliser
Clearly not. The BA aircraft obviously operate empty. Every day.
Clearly they don't operate a decent profit while Cathay do.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:50 am
  #59  
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Originally Posted by cupsandsaucers
Clearly they don't operate a decent profit while Cathay do.
You have absolutely no idea about either side.
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:59 am
  #60  
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Sad. I remember my first flight into Kai Tak in the 90's very fondly. My first ever op-up to F was also on HKG-LHR on BA!

Even though the "shareholder value maximization" part of me understands why BA did this, however the way they did this, especially through that callous letter, is a huge disappointment and certainly not fitting of any organization that respects its employees.

Here's wishing good luck to the wonderful HKG based crew and fingers crossed they get alternative employment options soon. The planes may not have been the shiniest and there may not have been fresh flowers at every seat in F, but your genuine warm smiles (accompanying the multiple cups of Earl Grey tea and shortbread!) made BA the preferred choice of so many expats on this route. Thank You for your service.
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