Jul 20, 2019, 3:27 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
Quick answers to FAQ:
Help! What do I do now?
Most importantly, don't panic and don't do anything in haste. Read these FAQ. Read the thread, particularly the posts starting from the time that the strike dates were announced. Identify your options. Think about what works for you. Then take action. If you do anything in haste, you may have thrown away good options, or you may have thrown away money that you needn't have spent.
NOTE: Some emails have been sent out by mistake notifying the cancellation of flights on 8 September and other dates. If your booking still looks OK in MMB then you don't need to take further action. A cancelled flight should be shown in MMB with struck-through text. If your flight details are not struck through, then it probably hasn't actually been cancelled. You could check ba.com to see whether BA is still taking reservations for the flight in question. If so, then the flight has not been cancelled. You may also try checking on ExpertFlyer, if you have access, to see whether your flight appears still to be operating and whether BA is still taking reservations. However, some afternoon/evening flights on 8 September have genuinely been cancelled. See main thread for details.
Has a strike been called yet?
Yes. BALPA, the pilots' union, has voted in favour of strike action, and the Court of Appeal has rejected BA's submission to have the poll set aside, so the legal process is now over. The two parties went back into talks after the legal proceedings and those talks were expected to continue into the week of 5 August.
BALPA on 23 Aug announced strikes on Monday 9 September Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September.
Any further strikes normally require 2 weeks notice under UK legislation.
What flights may be affected?
LHR and LGW based flights. Not LCY or STN flights. Both cabin and flight crew are in dispute with BA, but the pilots (captains, senior first officers, first officers) are closest to strike action.
How long would a strike last?
The initial strikes are for two days the a single day, with normal working in between. Any other strikes could be of any length. It would be rare in the UK for there to be a full time strike.
What would happen to my flights if it is a strike day?
A range of options have been announced, see post 1551 below for more information: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...l#post31451055
and BA Trade Site guidance here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=7594
Rebooking is now allowed on Iberia, AA, Finnair, JAL and Qatar. Within Europe EI and Vueling are also allowed. This is for both revenue and redemption flights.
and the FAQ on BA.com here (this includes information on BA Holidays bookings which are substantially different): https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...st-information
Can I do anything with an existing booking now?
Yes. Your options are different depending on whether your flights are currently showing as cancelled or not. See the links above.
What about Heathrow staff - aren't their strikes planned there too?
Yes there is a separate dispute at the moment between Heathrow Airport (HAL) and their staff such as those who operate the security checkpoints. See the separate thread on the issue.
Am I protected by EC261 if there is a problem?
You are always covered by the Right to Care provisions of Regulation EC261. You could potentially be able to claim compensation for delays, cancellations and downgrades caused by BA staff action too, but not for HAL strikes (for cancellations only if there is flight is less than 14 day’s notice). See the main EC261 thread in the BA Forum Dashboard.
Help! What do I do now?
Most importantly, don't panic and don't do anything in haste. Read these FAQ. Read the thread, particularly the posts starting from the time that the strike dates were announced. Identify your options. Think about what works for you. Then take action. If you do anything in haste, you may have thrown away good options, or you may have thrown away money that you needn't have spent.
NOTE: Some emails have been sent out by mistake notifying the cancellation of flights on 8 September and other dates. If your booking still looks OK in MMB then you don't need to take further action. A cancelled flight should be shown in MMB with struck-through text. If your flight details are not struck through, then it probably hasn't actually been cancelled. You could check ba.com to see whether BA is still taking reservations for the flight in question. If so, then the flight has not been cancelled. You may also try checking on ExpertFlyer, if you have access, to see whether your flight appears still to be operating and whether BA is still taking reservations. However, some afternoon/evening flights on 8 September have genuinely been cancelled. See main thread for details.
Has a strike been called yet?
Yes. BALPA, the pilots' union, has voted in favour of strike action, and the Court of Appeal has rejected BA's submission to have the poll set aside, so the legal process is now over. The two parties went back into talks after the legal proceedings and those talks were expected to continue into the week of 5 August.
BALPA on 23 Aug announced strikes on Monday 9 September Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September.
Any further strikes normally require 2 weeks notice under UK legislation.
What flights may be affected?
LHR and LGW based flights. Not LCY or STN flights. Both cabin and flight crew are in dispute with BA, but the pilots (captains, senior first officers, first officers) are closest to strike action.
How long would a strike last?
The initial strikes are for two days the a single day, with normal working in between. Any other strikes could be of any length. It would be rare in the UK for there to be a full time strike.
What would happen to my flights if it is a strike day?
A range of options have been announced, see post 1551 below for more information: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...l#post31451055
and BA Trade Site guidance here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=7594
Rebooking is now allowed on Iberia, AA, Finnair, JAL and Qatar. Within Europe EI and Vueling are also allowed. This is for both revenue and redemption flights.
and the FAQ on BA.com here (this includes information on BA Holidays bookings which are substantially different): https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...st-information
Can I do anything with an existing booking now?
Yes. Your options are different depending on whether your flights are currently showing as cancelled or not. See the links above.
What about Heathrow staff - aren't their strikes planned there too?
Yes there is a separate dispute at the moment between Heathrow Airport (HAL) and their staff such as those who operate the security checkpoints. See the separate thread on the issue.
Am I protected by EC261 if there is a problem?
You are always covered by the Right to Care provisions of Regulation EC261. You could potentially be able to claim compensation for delays, cancellations and downgrades caused by BA staff action too, but not for HAL strikes (for cancellations only if there is flight is less than 14 day’s notice). See the main EC261 thread in the BA Forum Dashboard.
LHR/LGW pilots (BALPA) industrial action 9 Sep, 10 Sep, and 27 Sep
Sep 14, 2019, 1:39 pm
#2101
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Sep 14, 2019, 9:29 pm
#2102
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,732
BALPA doesn’t appear to be in the mood to settle (as per BALPA’s FT branch) and the mood music from Waterside seems similar, so how long do we think this will go on for? How deep are the pilot’s pockets and how deep will BA delve?
Im interested in what BA are thinking here, what’s the strategy? Could they be trying to force out a top layer of senior, recalcitrant captains, leaving them with a less restrictive workforce?
Im interested in what BA are thinking here, what’s the strategy? Could they be trying to force out a top layer of senior, recalcitrant captains, leaving them with a less restrictive workforce?
Sep 14, 2019, 9:42 pm
#2104
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,732
Sep 14, 2019, 11:57 pm
#2105
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,374
Sure, speculate away. But when people say 'I'm with the pilots,' I wonder whether it's because they think that BA is in the wrong simply because it is BA and it is in vogue to dislike the company on Flyertalk. How can one say that BA should just give the pilots what they want without knowing what it is that they want?
Sep 15, 2019, 12:01 am
#2106
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,374
this is ridiculous, they are paid well and they know very well a pilots life takes you away from home, I even spoke with a ba captain who tells me he does short haul because he wants to be with his family more!
They might as well strike because ba is becoming worse and worse in some areas, they might get more public sympathy then!
They might as well strike because ba is becoming worse and worse in some areas, they might get more public sympathy then!
Sep 15, 2019, 1:27 am
#2107
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
But what would I know?
Last edited by Grace B; Sep 15, 2019 at 1:28 am Reason: Fattish fingers
Sep 15, 2019, 1:46 am
#2108
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
BALPA doesn’t appear to be in the mood to settle (as per BALPA’s FT branch) and the mood music from Waterside seems similar, so how long do we think this will go on for? How deep are the pilot’s pockets and how deep will BA delve?
Im interested in what BA are thinking here, what’s the strategy? Could they be trying to force out a top layer of senior, recalcitrant captains, leaving them with a less restrictive workforce?
Im interested in what BA are thinking here, what’s the strategy? Could they be trying to force out a top layer of senior, recalcitrant captains, leaving them with a less restrictive workforce?
Sep 15, 2019, 3:27 am
#2109
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Gold member Marriott Platinum
Posts: 281
I expect this to go on for some time. BA are clearly using it as a way to get the higher paid pilots off the books. Then they will simply hire new pilots on the cheaper contracts. This is very similar to mixed fleet crew a few years back.
Sep 15, 2019, 3:39 am
#2110
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,626
In most walks of life it's difficult when you're just starting out. I can still remember my first job following 4 years at college getting my degree, where Sunday lunch was a cheese and onion roll and a pint of larger. 40 years on following lots of hard work and zero strikes I fly around the world in business class watching England play cricket.
Why should those who aspire to being a pilot be any different?
Sep 15, 2019, 3:48 am
#2111
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,838
But how long do they stay on £27k, and how quick is progression up the ladder to the £160k a year jobs?
In most walks of life it's difficult when you're just starting out. I can still remember my first job following 4 years at college getting my degree, where Sunday lunch was a cheese and onion roll and a pint of larger. 40 years on following lots of hard work and zero strikes I fly around the world in business class watching England play cricket.
Why should those who aspire to being a pilot be any different?
In most walks of life it's difficult when you're just starting out. I can still remember my first job following 4 years at college getting my degree, where Sunday lunch was a cheese and onion roll and a pint of larger. 40 years on following lots of hard work and zero strikes I fly around the world in business class watching England play cricket.
Why should those who aspire to being a pilot be any different?
Surely progress means that people should at least eat 3 healthy meals a day regardless of seniority, have time for leisure pursuits etc.
Sep 15, 2019, 5:07 am
#2112
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,603
But when people say 'I'm with BA' I wonder whether it's because they think that BALPA is in the wrong simply because it is BALPA and it is in vogue to disagree with any criticism of BA from the BA cheerleaders on Flyertalk.
Sep 15, 2019, 5:12 am
#2113
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
BA is a little bit interesting in that many/most legacy airlines have a regional subsidiary (which may or may not be subcontracted) which takes the junior pilots on a poorer contract while long waits to get into mainline result in more experienced pilots at higher rates.
To the best of my knowledge (please correct me) BACF doesn’t really fill that role? There also isn’t a low cost subsidiary of BA unlike some other mainline carriers
not sure where i’m going with this in terms of the current dispute just sort of thinking out loud. I suppose it means the pilot group is more cohesive in bargaining and the option of using the regional carrier to strikebreak a mainline strike doesn’t exist
To the best of my knowledge (please correct me) BACF doesn’t really fill that role? There also isn’t a low cost subsidiary of BA unlike some other mainline carriers
not sure where i’m going with this in terms of the current dispute just sort of thinking out loud. I suppose it means the pilot group is more cohesive in bargaining and the option of using the regional carrier to strikebreak a mainline strike doesn’t exist
Sep 15, 2019, 5:23 am
#2114
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
BA is a little bit interesting in that many/most legacy airlines have a regional subsidiary (which may or may not be subcontracted) which takes the junior pilots on a poorer contract while long waits to get into mainline result in more experienced pilots at higher rates.
To the best of my knowledge (please correct me) BACF doesn’t really fill that role? There also isn’t a low cost subsidiary of BA unlike some other mainline carriers
not sure where i’m going with this in terms of the current dispute just sort of thinking out loud. I suppose it means the pilot group is more cohesive in bargaining and the option of using the regional carrier to strikebreak a mainline strike doesn’t exist
To the best of my knowledge (please correct me) BACF doesn’t really fill that role? There also isn’t a low cost subsidiary of BA unlike some other mainline carriers
not sure where i’m going with this in terms of the current dispute just sort of thinking out loud. I suppose it means the pilot group is more cohesive in bargaining and the option of using the regional carrier to strikebreak a mainline strike doesn’t exist
Sep 15, 2019, 5:42 am
#2115
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Emirates Skywards Silver
Posts: 170
Having just got back home after flying a total of 10 flights within the past 6 days, that included 5 BA flights of which 3 flights were severely disrupted due to the pilots strike, my personal opinion is that BA is right in maintaining their stand vis a vis BALPA.
After all, if the pilots are not happy with their salary package and conditions, they are free to explore the market and migrate elsewhere if they think they can command a better package. I believe the airline industry will sooner or later enter into an economic downturn and many pilots and crews will be out of their jobs. When (not If) this happens, I sincerely hope BALPA will be able to guarantee a monthly income to the unfortunate pilots.
I would have sympathised with the pilots had the focus of their strike action been mainly to protect their jobs or current level remunerations bearing well in mind the volatile airline environment.
BALPA PILOTS, BE HAPPY YOU STILL HAVE A JOB... IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY AT BA, THEN LOOK ELSEWHERE. NOBODY IS FORCING YOU TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR BA.
After all, if the pilots are not happy with their salary package and conditions, they are free to explore the market and migrate elsewhere if they think they can command a better package. I believe the airline industry will sooner or later enter into an economic downturn and many pilots and crews will be out of their jobs. When (not If) this happens, I sincerely hope BALPA will be able to guarantee a monthly income to the unfortunate pilots.
I would have sympathised with the pilots had the focus of their strike action been mainly to protect their jobs or current level remunerations bearing well in mind the volatile airline environment.
BALPA PILOTS, BE HAPPY YOU STILL HAVE A JOB... IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY AT BA, THEN LOOK ELSEWHERE. NOBODY IS FORCING YOU TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR BA.
Last edited by lall; Sep 15, 2019 at 6:20 am