m0hamed

In a country like UAE where most foreign workers are supporting their families back home with long hours and low wages, I always tip handsomely, but let's not derail this thread.

The Barber took so much care with me last time that he even took photos that I could show Barbers back home to do my 'Emirati' trim. He even showed me how to shave properly.

cairns

Fox news? How telling of you.

Did you ever stop to think that Etihad may have cancelled this service because so few were availing themselves of it? Most men I know shave themselves. They clip their own nails too.

And for what it's worth my previous post praised Etihad. But it's so much easier to whine about a service you "lost" that most never used.

Enjoy BA. And do let us know how wonderful their shaves and manicures are.

Dogmatick

I'm not on BA and if you stopped to notice for one second, it was my post that you thanked in your praise post..... I've no intention to switch to BA but don't let that fact get in the way of your bile

Also note that I didn't whine I complimented the service and lamented its loss. Lamented does not equate to whine, ergo you're certainly a Fox news aficionado

Recondite

Should also point out, in case it is referenced to me as well, my consideration for BA is a bundling of factors (as stated) and not merely cuts; just the more cuts there are, the less there is stopping myself (and others not in the UAE) from staying loyal

flying_fozzy

@cairns I think you're missing the point that many people on the board are making (not whining!).

The airline has gone from one that was world leading in terms of service and product (and cost in some instances), to one that really is mediocre. I am not all that shocked about the loss of the ladies beauty facility. Many of us that frequent the F lounge will know that it's essentially a gentlemen's club. The loss of the barber, whilst not the end of the world, does represent the death by a thousand small cuts approach that EY has taken. I use to use the barber because it was a) convenient and b) saved me having to find a decent barber in the city that wouldn't give me a US Marine buzz cut, but still charge me 300AED.

Whilst BA have their own unique issues, I would certainly fly them a lot more from AUH if the timing was more convenient to my main point of destination in Europe. That's why I am stuck with EY. I feel that BA would take much better care of me in an irreg op's situation compared to EY. I also think that BA (and several others) are waking up and listening to feedback from customers.

I feel genuinely sorry for the staff that take pride in their work at EY. They have had more and more and more of the tools at their disposal taken away. That said, I have had a few shining stars over the past few weeks that have gone the extra mile. It's pretty much a case of these few staff, and convenience, that keep me flying EY.
If I wanted to give them the finger I could easily drive to DXB and fly EK, BA (better proposition from DXB), LH or LX. Problem is, it's a pain in the neck. I will get fed up doing that after a few weeks, but I don't want EY being arrogant enough to think that they have AUH based people by the b@!!$

Dubh

To add to that I have 1 upcoming booked on EY. 7 upcoming booked on BA. It wouldn't have looked like that at this stage in any of my previous 8 years here. I can, more or less, get Club outbound and WT+ back for not much more than EY economy with leg room. The last straw was just before Christmas when I was literally thrown the pasta meal in economy without the guy even making eye contact or giving me a choice. EY, I'm afraid, have lost me. A nice lounge can only go so far. A Platinum card holder.

flying_fozzy

To be fair, balanced and unbiased, it’s worth pointing out that BA mixed fleet crew can be equally crap at times. Youngsters interested in making the instagram profile look interesting, rather than working in a service job.

EFATO

Similar story here. Bought 20+ EU-Australia round trips on EY last year between myself & the family (two of us Platinum); however am currently writing from the (amazing!) J lounge in Doha, won't look back. Have 4 upcoming returns booked with QR already.

Cut costs, lose customers, need to cut more costs, lose more customers...

flying_fozzy

Just remember that Doha is not the land of milk and honey. Ask QR cabin crew what happens if they are not home and wrapped up in bed before cut off time. Modern day slavery takes many forms. If you're happy to fund an oppressive work regime... well, just take a second to think how you'd feel.

At least EY treats staff with a certain level of humanity... for all their other failings.

m0hamed

Have you seen what BA pays its MF crew? £2.80 per hour. I dare say the ME3 have much better pay scales.

flying_fozzy

DatBoi

I wouldn't mind staff pay cuts is it led to an increase in service.

JayCee1966

Really? Pay cuts would likely reduce staff morale or mean less experienced/professional staff being recruited and lead to an overall drop in service levels. Short term it may free up money to restore/add services but the staff providing that service would likely be inferior so counter productive.

The path to better quality service is to invest not cut back.

Recondite

Cutting staff pay is virtually never going to increase service.

Crazy, crazy suggestion.

flying_fozzy

Yeah, I am kinda thinking it was not a real suggestion.

Little bit more customer focus all round wouldn't go amiss though. The staff in the lounge and check-in desk really seem oblivious to providing a friendly hello etc.. Feels like EY is the most expensive no-frills airline around.