“I’m not First trained”
#61
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,216
At the end of the day I don't think I'd be the first one to raise their hand and volunteer but if the choice was letting the plane fly until it ran out of fuel and crashed, or attempting to land at an airport where you have emergency services available I'd probably pull on my big boy pants and give it a go. I think I'd rather be in command of my own destiny in a situation like that.
#62
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 569
#63
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci. And BA Gold – previous awards - Gold 11, Silver 7, Bronze 4.
Posts: 4,163
However as Waterhorse has pointed out it is MUCH more about the difference in moving from say a Boeing to an Airbus where the cockpit configuration, checklist and how the aircraft flies are different.
#64
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,210
Presumably this is highlighted in SCCM briefings right now and via PA “cabin crew please prepare for a video safety demonstration” would cover it?
#65
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cambridgeshire
Programs: Varies
Posts: 1,281
I was just on a flight in F. The pleasant young cabin crew member proactively told me that they had not been First trained. They did a great job so no complaints.
But what does it say about BA - deploying staff not trained in F on one of its premium heavy, status heavy routes? I suspect this was a route where many, like me, had paid cash to be in the F cabin.
But what does it say about BA - deploying staff not trained in F on one of its premium heavy, status heavy routes? I suspect this was a route where many, like me, had paid cash to be in the F cabin.
I spoke to a You First person afterwards and said I wouldn't want to fly F again, based on that experience. I think if I'd been told that they weren't trained it would have been less stressful for me; I'd have appreciated the honesty. As it was I didn't know why everything to do with me was going wrong while my husband was getting a First Class experience.
I know my place now - I'll fly CW in future where my expectations will be lower and might be met.
#66
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: north of heathrow
Posts: 1,104
Out of curiosity, which aircraft were you travelling on? I’m wondering if there were 2 or 3 crew working in F? If that crew member on your husband’s side had been me, I would have covered both sides, as many of us have done, many times. Even on a 747 or 777 where there would be 3 crew, they are (should be) a team. Boarding is a busy time and that crew member could’ve easily been caught up with something else.
#68
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cambridgeshire
Programs: Varies
Posts: 1,281
Out of curiosity, which aircraft were you travelling on? I’m wondering if there were 2 or 3 crew working in F? If that crew member on your husband’s side had been me, I would have covered both sides, as many of us have done, many times. Even on a 747 or 777 where there would be 3 crew, they are (should be) a team. Boarding is a busy time and that crew member could’ve easily been caught up with something else.
I did love the Concorde lounge though - the staff there were pure class who seemed to take great pride in their work.
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 18,975
There are only two crewmembers working in First on the B787, one does the cabin and the other the galley, the galley crewmember should where possible help in the cabin. Sounds like another crewmember came for one of the other cabins to help but then left to work in their rostered position.
#70
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: BA Gold for Life
Posts: 1,382
I would never judge an airline on one flight. My experience with BA F ranges from very poor (only 1 flight thankfully) to very good (quite a few times). At the time it is very difficult when you have paid for a premium service but get far less.
#71
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cambridgeshire
Programs: Varies
Posts: 1,281
But many of us don't get the chance to experience it multiple times. For many, it's the trip of a lifetime. I appreciate many are either better off than I am, or are in a job that allows them to fly First Class. I'm retired. I was only ever allowed to fly Club when I was working. So the one bad apple flight DOES have an impact. And if the treat that we'd planned for ourselves is staffed by someone who isn't trained in First Class, and gives substandard service that isn't corrected by other crew members (sorry, their "team") , then I feel I was cheated out of what we'd paid for.
And if it is the case that they have to use staff who aren't trained, then I would appreciate the honesty and I would appreciate knowing, in advance how I will be compensated. As it is I received a very sympathetic and professional phone call in response to my complaint. It made me feel that there are people in BA who care about the standard of service they offer. However, as they said, BA can't offer the hard product that some airlines can, so they try to compensate with excellent service. Having untrained staff (if that's what happened to me and IS what happened to the OP) is not how BA should compensate us for their poorer hard product. They can provide excellent service in the Concorde Lounge. They should be able to provide it in the air, no matter whether you fly F all the time or if it's a one-off treat.
But I'm happy that your experiences have tended to be better than mine. I'm not sure if that's supposed to make me feel better?
Last edited by ttama; May 26, 2023 at 11:57 am