brightstar100

That is different, that was someone coming to help out. In this case, BA sent out 50pc of its First crew without the relevant training even to know that you had to get the screens out for the safety briefing. We aren’t talking “nuance”, we are talking the most basic hygiene factor.

Trident 3B

Fully agree with the above. Yet another example of BA treating it's customers in general and those in premium cabins in particular with total utter contempt as a result of completely indifferent and indeed incompetent management at a senior level. The customer should get what they have paid for which in this case ( with no offence to the CC member concerned ) they did not. Given BA's snake oil type advertising of it's premium product then it is clearly breach of reasonable expectations on behalf of the customer and if it had been me who had spent my hard earned shilling on an F seat on BA ( not a chance in hell) then I would have no hesitation in seeking recompense through legal means.

KARFA

Obviously it isn't ideal to have someone non F trained serving in F - and that is very much BA's issue to sort out. However, what were the alternatives on the day if no F trained standby were left available? I think if done with the right intention and the cc member was genuinely trying to do her best (which is sounds like from the OP's story) I would be ok with that.

I am more concerned with supposedly F trained crew who simply can't be bothered

HIDDY

What's the difference between a CW trained crew member and an F one anyway?

FlightDetective

The F trained crew have been taught to curtsy correctly when greeting passengers at the door and to genuflect periodically during the flight, particularly when getting out the entertainment screens for the safety demonstration.

Rubecula

That is not an F specific training item. My best and worst experiences with BA F are way apart. I would not base my view on one flight.

Sigwx

Well at least it is “I’m not first trained” as opposed to, “I’m not qualified to land this thing”.

A legacy of the staffing issues and policy change some years back not to train new recruits on all cabins during their ‘initials’ training.

‘twas always thus prior to the birth of MF, but a significant staffing shortage never really existed at any period prior to their creation.

Greenpen

More to the point brightstar100, are you first trained?

We’ve had so many threads about feet, shouting into phones, snoring, rudeness, bad behaviour, drunkenness, shorts, flip flops, body odour etc over the year. I hope all F passengers mind their Ps and Qs and hold the relevant certificate for travel.

bisonrav

Maybe I’m not doing F right, but I’d have reassured the crew member, and attempted to put them at their ease. I’ve always felt it’s better not to appear over-entitled, even I that means me having to unstow my own screen.

brightstar100

That’s exactly what I did!

That’s exactly what I did!

bisonrav

Then I don’t see the problem. It might be worth filling in a feedback form to BA if the resulting service was substandard?

I’ve had plenty of poor service from presumably F trained staff in BA cabins. Service is much more attitude than training anyway.

Flumps

I think there are 2, distinct, issues here - both of which (surprise !) are down to BA.

The first is, as an employer they've failed their employee by putting that person in a difficult/awkward situation for which they're not properly trained and which is customer-facing. You can bet your last cent who'd get the blame if things went wrong and someone complained.

The second is, that as a business they've failed their customer by not really providing the advertised service. This won't come as a surprise to anyone - especially if they saw the disgusting lettuce on the First dining thread - and is simply more of the same.

I'm sure the crewmember did their best, and that's commendable, but it's down to them having some nous and a bit of 'can do'.

I did note the 'robotic service' trope surfaced again in this thread as 'automatons' (it's actually automata - FYI). I'd like to know which airlines employ these menials who've had the consciousness sucked out of them like some sort of 'Zombies Served My Lunch at 40,000 Feet' B-flick

Waterhorse

If it was a last minute call out for the crew, then all the F trained crew who are not available is a red herring. You play the cards you are dealt, not what is still in the card factory. It’s far from ideal and I’m sure they were being supported by the IFM. It’s not a bad thing that they told you, as you would be well within your rights to be very irritated should you get sub standard service with no explanation. You may still be irritated as you didn’t get (quite) what you paid for, but I’m sure most would happily go on schedule than wait several hours for a suitably qualified crew member. This is the real world as opposed to an ideal one. That said if you are a lawyer or from the “wrong”🤪 side of the pond, such subtleties may be a little over your head. And yes that is me being patronising😂

bisonrav

The service doesn't seem to have been deficient though? And this is not exactly a regular event so it's quite a long stretch to go from someone showing anxiety and a little humility (and, it would appear, delivering good service regardless) to the conclusion that BA F service is going to hell in a handcart.

flybymonkey

I feel sorry for the crew member in question being shamed. Whilst we don't know the full outcome of how or why he/she was working the cabin to start with everything was otherwise fine and am sure being supported and aided by qualified crew within the cabin. Personally I would have sent a 'well done' post flight as quite clearly the staff member in question has a knack for working in First.