FlyerTalk Forums

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)
-   British Airways | Executive Club (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club-446/)
-   -   Ask the staffer (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1949283-ask-staffer.html)

Prospero Jan 5, 2019 2:41 am

Ask the staffer
 
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7...thestaffer.jpg

This thread is a continuation of the ever popular https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...k-staffer.html thread.

We are incredibly fortunate on the BA Board to have a number of staff members among us who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. We have pilots and cabin crew, ground crew, lounge staff, check in staff, air traffic controllers and even an ex-military ATC with a bear fixation!

Remember: No question is stupid here, and nothing is too geeky! So please ask anything you like, with one exception. No questions about security please.

Happy new year all

TrainDriverSparky Jan 5, 2019 3:48 am

When positioning, are members of flight or cabin crew allocated crew meals or regular passenger meals?

Apologies if this has been asked and answered previously.

Can I help you Jan 5, 2019 3:52 am

Passenger meals.

ChrL Jan 5, 2019 4:11 am

Shown to seat in first?
 
When do you get shown to your seat in first vs having to find it yourself? On my past few flights I’ve had a personal welcome at the door and either been escorted from the door to the seat or had an appology and been given directions. Today I was just told to turn left. No issue just interested.

MFCC Jan 5, 2019 4:15 am


Originally Posted by ChrL (Post 30612859)
When do you get shown to your seat in first vs having to find it yourself? On my past few flights I’ve had a personal welcome at the door and either been escorted from the door to the seat or had an appology and been given directions. Today I was just told to turn left. No issue just interested.

If there's a crew member available to do so then you'll be shown to your seat. There should be an F crew member at the boarding door for this purpose, but if they're otherwise engaged then it will fall to one of the other crew boarding (CSM/D and a WT crew member). It might be that one of these is off already or assisting PRMs etc so it's not always possible. If there's someone around to show you then you will be; but an open passenger door can never be left unattended so you may need to find your own way at times.

ChrL Jan 5, 2019 4:22 am


Originally Posted by MFCC (Post 30612873)
If there's a crew member available to do so then you'll be shown to your seat. There should be an F crew member at the boarding door for this purpose, but if they're otherwise engaged then it will fall to one of the other crew boarding (CSM/D and a WT crew member). It might be that one of these is off already or assisting PRMs etc so it's not always possible. If there's someone around to show you then you will be; but an open passenger door can never be left unattended so you may need to find your own way at times.

Thanks. I managed to find the seat. :-) I guess this is the first time I actually boarded with group 1 so it makes sense that they were busy.

What is a PRM?

Can I help you Jan 5, 2019 4:30 am

PRM, Passenger with Reduced Mobilty.
As MFCC says if there are two crew at the door one of them will escort customers in First to their seats, if there is not you will just be directed.

likethis Jan 5, 2019 4:32 am

From a passenger perspective, it feels like some crews are friendlier than others. I’m wondering from a cabin crew perspective if a) they feel that’s true, and b) whether they similarly find some passenger groups (as in, averaged over the whole plane) better sometimes than others?

If so, do you have any theories as to why?

Can I help you Jan 5, 2019 4:37 am

I don’t think we can or should generalise, I am upbeat and friendly to everyone and find that my customers are the same back to me.

likethis Jan 5, 2019 4:37 am

Also, I’m terrible about complaining on board without sounding like an entitled ****. Some people seem to have a knack.

Wondering again from crew perspective what makes a complaint reasonable and most likely to result in a resolution without upsetting anyone? What gets your back up, and on the flip side, what makes you more inclined to help? Of course I’m assuming there’s a difference in cabins (e.g. I wouldn’t complain the sparkling wine was not up to scratch in economy, where I usually travel).

Can I help you Jan 5, 2019 4:50 am

Well like any feedback it should be polite, timely and unemotional, I am more likely to think positively if demands are not made and the customer knows what I can and cannot do.
If I cannot rectify the issue I will get CR to contact the customer as I will not waste my energy on people that make outrageous demands, I will let CR know exactly what had been said and offered and if I believe the customer is entitled to more than I can offer or is taking the P.:D

Waterhorse Jan 5, 2019 6:07 am


Originally Posted by Can I help you (Post 30612938)
Well like any feedback it should be polite, timely and unemotional, I am more likely to think positively if demands are not made and the customer knows what I can and cannot do.
If I cannot rectify the issue I will get CR to contact the customer as I will not waste my energy on people that make outrageous demands, I will let CR know exactly what had been said and offered and if I believe the customer is entitled to more than I can offer or is taking the P.:D

Absolutely, complaints are a vital way to give feedback; without feedback we do not improve or standards can easily slip. So we “need” your complaints but we need them to be, as CIHY says polite and to the point. Complaining to the crew about things beyond their control is wasted energy, there is only so much we can do, redirecting your complaint will help but only eventually not immediately. Let us know in time and within our ability to change things for you and any complaint would not only help you but help us too, allowing us to deliver a better service.

ChrL Jan 5, 2019 7:18 pm

I have a family member traveling next month in CW on BA from LHR to the USA. She is vegetarian and has also been diagnosed as having a gluten intolerance which does make food somewhat tricky. BA have a gluten free option, a vegetarian option but not a gluten free vegetarian option. So there isn't really a simple solution other than taking her own food.

I expect some of the vegetarian meal may happen to be gluten free and some of the gluten free meal may happen to be vegetarian. Does BA have the ingredients/allergen list for their meals (eg could we look at the VLML ingredients list to see whether there are any gluten containing ingredients)? Is this information available in advance?

Are there any other suggestions anyone has for dealing with this situation? I was wondering whether she should take a lunch box and fill it up in the lounge (if the food there is well labelled).

PETER01 Jan 9, 2019 10:07 am

When planes get flown to Manila/Cardiff/elsewhere etc for maintenance are there specific crews for that on a rota or is it just part of being say an A380/A32X pilot etc and all pilots will at some point go there and back?

Also on the longer hauls is there a member of CC too?

Curious as always, thanks!

Pete

Can I help you Jan 9, 2019 10:14 am

I can answer the second question, there are no cabin crew onboard.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 9:05 pm.


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.