Suprised at lack of BA benefits for Pilots
Oct 12, 2007, 5:37 am
#1
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Suprised at lack of BA benefits for Pilots
I was talking to a mate who drives 777s, and I was expecting him to say that he could hitch a lift with BA anytime anywhere (or at least for a very nominal fee). But they only get 1 NCW ticket per year (or 1 F ticket if >10yrs service). Bit tight if you ask me.
Is that the same on all carriers?
Is that the same on all carriers?
Oct 12, 2007, 5:40 am
#2
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Oct 12, 2007, 5:50 am
#6
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Thats what I am trying to find out. As my friend only mentioned the free ticket, I didnt know if that was the sum total of the benefits or whether they got others. i.e. I dont know whether he meant that they only get 1 free CW ticket (but lots of free WT tickets). He certainly wasnt complaining, it wasnt that sort of conversation; i just asked him if he gets to fly anywhere he wants in F. He said 1 free CW ticket. That was end of conversation. (then we talked about cars)
Oct 12, 2007, 5:51 am
#7
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Oct 12, 2007, 6:15 am
#8
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What he conveniently didn't mention was that because he knows so many operational staff etc, that he will stand a good chance of getting on flights standby when other staff don't. I've witnessed countless times where staff have been standing by for flights (all based on length of service etc etc) and an off duty pilot/or cabin crew has a word with the "right people" and manages to creep on. Very annoying for everyone else but it's life.
My sister has a friend who is a pilot and on a flight to Boston 2 years ago he'd had a word with his mate operating the flight. A World offer ticket of about Ł260 rtn to Boston in WT suddenly became a First Class seat - I kid you not.
I seem to remember a BA staff member saying it would all change with T5 because it will be automated etc. I guess if it truely works it will make it fairer for everyone.
Ultimately on ocassions, anything can become possible if you know the right people.
My sister has a friend who is a pilot and on a flight to Boston 2 years ago he'd had a word with his mate operating the flight. A World offer ticket of about Ł260 rtn to Boston in WT suddenly became a First Class seat - I kid you not.
I seem to remember a BA staff member saying it would all change with T5 because it will be automated etc. I guess if it truely works it will make it fairer for everyone.
Ultimately on ocassions, anything can become possible if you know the right people.
Oct 12, 2007, 6:39 am
#9
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I thought that the captain/pilot could do anything once taken off (ie upgrading people), hence a friend and her husband always get up'd from Y to F (after takeoff) everytime they fly due to her brother being a pilot. Thats on Malaysian Airlines mind. Additionally its not just when he'd flying the plane; when he's not, he just asks whoever is flying to upgrade them.
Oct 12, 2007, 6:48 am
#10
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Oct 12, 2007, 6:50 am
#11
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My uncle used to drive 744s for BA - before he retired, his kids and wife travelled in F most of the time dad was upstairs behind the stick. I was chatting to his wife at a wedding the other month, and she was moaning about the 'bad old days' of BA policy saying that no staff under-10s were allowed in F 
Oct 12, 2007, 7:04 am
#12
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But I guess what you're saying is that although BA dont officially take them anywhere in premium classes , they probably can get that effect through contacts anyway.
Oct 12, 2007, 7:06 am
#13
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Huh! I have a friend who's shacked up with a 747 captain and they are off every few weeks somewhere, traveling FIRST. When I was much younger my father was with Pan Am and the rule was anywhere in the world for 10% of the full fare. Only now do I appreciate such a benefit.
Oct 12, 2007, 7:12 am
#14
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Huh! I have a friend who's shacked up with a 747 captain and they are off every few weeks somewhere, traveling FIRST. When I was much younger my father was with Pan Am and the rule was anywhere in the world for 10% of the full fare. Only now do I appreciate such a benefit.
Oct 12, 2007, 7:12 am
#15
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You should browse PPRuNe to see the staff travel benefits - one/two free firms per year,plus ID90s, and 20 hotline bookings.
No onload occurs out of priority (in my experience) - it upsets too many people and groundcrew do not permit it - and indeed little shuffling around cabins unless with crew consent - again, it upsets too many people, and diminishes the experience of those paying for the cabin to get unruly children in the wrong cabin. Only out-of-priority onloads occur to keep family groups together, or get staff to base to work if holiday plans have gone awry.
Though the captain can do what he wants (and cabin crew think they can) - diplomacy rules otherwise!
No onload occurs out of priority (in my experience) - it upsets too many people and groundcrew do not permit it - and indeed little shuffling around cabins unless with crew consent - again, it upsets too many people, and diminishes the experience of those paying for the cabin to get unruly children in the wrong cabin. Only out-of-priority onloads occur to keep family groups together, or get staff to base to work if holiday plans have gone awry.
Though the captain can do what he wants (and cabin crew think they can) - diplomacy rules otherwise!