Alex Cruz responds to BA critics
Jun 14, 2020, 12:57 pm
#46
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Jun 14, 2020, 1:02 pm
#47
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I have given the slots some thought. If BA is genuinely saying they can’t employ the people for an airline of its size, then why should they keep the slots? Give them to airlines who can (and thus fly the route and aid UKs recovery) and to avoid other airlines slot hogging, have them capacity related, ie you need to fly x % load over a period, if not you lose them. If this leads to airlines dumping prices to fill the seat surely the market will take care of it by those airlines going out of business. Further restriction on those airlines which are stated owned. Simple.
Jun 14, 2020, 1:17 pm
#48
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While I understand AC was responding to critics & it is his job, at the same time BA, AC also have a responsibility towards their staff. It is these people who have also contributed to the growth & future of the airline, for which they are not getting their due. The legal aspect it one part , but what the management is trying to do is runaway from is the moral responsibilities.
He should take his millions and resign and stop talking.
Jun 14, 2020, 1:25 pm
#50
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I have given the slots some thought. If BA is genuinely saying they can’t employ the people for an airline of its size, then why should they keep the slots? Give them to airlines who can (and thus fly the route and aid UKs recovery) and to avoid other airlines slot hogging, have them capacity related, ie you need to fly x % load over a period, if not you lose them. If this leads to airlines dumping prices to fill the seat surely the market will take care of it by those airlines going out of business. Further restriction on those airlines which are stated owned. Simple.
Also, LHR is favoured to LGW, so any drop in traffic can be made up by moving routes up from LGW to fill the gap. Although I do accept that they would still need a full LHR crew pool for this which won’t be the case after redundancies. I imagine they’re hoping that the 80/20 rule won’t come into effect till S21. Even then they can lease some slots to Iberia, Qatar or maybe new entrants.
There is also the argument that it is IAG who own the slots at LHR and LGW. So even if BA shrink, Level or Vueling could expand and use the free slots.
Jun 14, 2020, 1:31 pm
#51
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Folks, there are very good reasons why we had no option but to close the thread on BA’s restructuring. If the same posters continue to over-engage in here we will need to take action.
There is absolutely no need to regurgitate the same arguments here as in the closed thread.
NWIFlyer
Moderator - BA forum
There is absolutely no need to regurgitate the same arguments here as in the closed thread.
NWIFlyer
Moderator - BA forum
Jun 14, 2020, 1:39 pm
#52
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I accept this is a huge problem for BA, same number of flights in a month they'd run in a morning normally. I accept demand may not return until 2024 and they, like many others, may need to (sadly) lay team members off.
What I can't accept is that Cruz and Walsh don't seem to have an once of empathy between them, nor that they seem to be using the situation to essentially bully the remaining staff into 'worse' contracts. That's just piss poor people management.
What I can't accept is that Cruz and Walsh don't seem to have an once of empathy between them, nor that they seem to be using the situation to essentially bully the remaining staff into 'worse' contracts. That's just piss poor people management.
Jun 14, 2020, 2:04 pm
#53
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In order to be a leader and not a mere manager you need a dose of charisma and ability to convey enthusiasm. I remember at one of my former employers there was a change of CEO from a rather charismatic guy to someone with the personality of your average clog. Don’t get me wrong - the replacement knew the business well, but he just did not connect nor was he a good communicator. The company was struggling, but instead of keeping employees informed and hopeful there was quiet and sudden unexplained updates to various internal policies. A lot of needless chatter and lowering of morale ensued. In a crisis this is even more important.
Jun 14, 2020, 2:31 pm
#54
Join Date: Jun 2015
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I wonder why ThisIsMoney was chosen as the PR outlet for making a statement after all this time?
Most of what is written in this article is, word for word, what WW has said in his public statements and interviews. It doesn’t come across as written by the BA CEO. It all seems a bit odd in my opinion.
Most of what is written in this article is, word for word, what WW has said in his public statements and interviews. It doesn’t come across as written by the BA CEO. It all seems a bit odd in my opinion.
Jun 14, 2020, 3:39 pm
#55
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This is a well run airline but by COVID. Jobs need to go.
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Jun 14, 2020 at 3:57 pm Reason: Rule 12
Jun 14, 2020, 3:54 pm
#56
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Jun 15, 2020, 12:58 am
#58
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Careful Flygirl, someone might suggest that would give you enough time to have a sleep, what more do you need! Oh yes, remember you also need to make enough time to get down to the supermarket to buy yourself some food to prepare, you don’t deserve to eat in a restaurant like ordinary people do, you are only cabin crew and eating in your room should be more than enough for you.
Jun 15, 2020, 1:29 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
I have given the slots some thought. If BA is genuinely saying they can’t employ the people for an airline of its size, then why should they keep the slots? Give them to airlines who can (and thus fly the route and aid UKs recovery) and to avoid other airlines slot hogging, have them capacity related, ie you need to fly x % load over a period, if not you lose them. If this leads to airlines dumping prices to fill the seat surely the market will take care of it by those airlines going out of business. Further restriction on those airlines which are stated owned. Simple.
If BA makes so many crew redundant that they cannot fly 80% then the slots go back in the pool. Any airline that wishes to fly services, including BA can apply for them. This will aid the UK recovery far more than allow BA to sit on slots they are not using, whilst laying off large numbers of staff.
BA's actions smack of having cake and eating it.
Jun 15, 2020, 1:48 am
#60
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Firing and re-hiring all staff at this point is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Cruz. For now, the unions are powerless as a strike would have no impact.
Cost will come down permanently. The new workforce will be on contracts that are so unattractive, that cabin crew is no longer a career for life, but rather something that you do for a few years to see the world. Which effectively blocks new union structures from forming.
I'm sure the guy creates a ton of bad karma for himself, will leave behind a great many heart broken crew and many passengers who will miss the good feeling of having an experienced crew member looking after them. But in the end, we should not forget that this is driven by people booking the cheapest airline, not the best.
Cost will come down permanently. The new workforce will be on contracts that are so unattractive, that cabin crew is no longer a career for life, but rather something that you do for a few years to see the world. Which effectively blocks new union structures from forming.
I'm sure the guy creates a ton of bad karma for himself, will leave behind a great many heart broken crew and many passengers who will miss the good feeling of having an experienced crew member looking after them. But in the end, we should not forget that this is driven by people booking the cheapest airline, not the best.