-
Some of you long standing HfPers may recall me asking for advice in 2022 when I made the decision to apply to BA for a cabin crew position. I received some fantastic advice and can happily report I have been online in the skies for nearly a year. Even received Golden tickets!
Just read a post where some comments were very derogatory about us- dishonest and lazy seemed to be thoughts of some posters, including longstanding members on here.
I just want to share my experiences – 99% of the time I work with committed, enthusiastic and honest people who have the most amazing skills in teamwork and customer service and sometimes face very difficult challenges onboard. As a seasoned senior leader in another profession I can honestly say that the training tested every fibre of my being.
Yes, as in every job, not everyone works to the highest standard at all times but to stereotype us as dishonest and lazy is untrue. The passengers who are incredibly rude to us onboard may believe that but in an emergency we would put our lives on the line to save everyone.
The pay, with allowances isnt too bad, the job takes you around the world. I have met the most wonderful passengers who have brightened my day.I am genuinely glad you are having a good time. Do you mind sharing a bit more about your circumstances? Because I really struggle to understand how someone can live within a reasonable distance of LHR/LGW, afford a car and rent/a mortgage on the BA cabin crew salary. And have anything left to enjoy oneself when away or at home.
My understanding is that this is why there is such huge churn of cabin crew at BA – but maybe I am wrong!
I am genuinely glad you are having a good time. Do you mind sharing a bit more about your circumstances? Because I really struggle to understand how someone can live within a reasonable distance of LHR/LGW, afford a car and rent/a mortgage on the BA cabin crew salary. And have anything left to enjoy oneself when away or at home.
My understanding is that this is why there is such huge churn of cabin crew at BA – but maybe I am wrong!
Obviously I wont share too much but what I will say is that my monthly take home pay enables me to commute from 2 hours away and enjoy life at home and when away.
The basic is low but with good trips allowances make it a respectable salary.
There is a churn of crew, as you are not just taking a job but also adopting a lifestyle which is not for everyone. Some see it as a short term chance to see the world, others join after a long career elsewhere and so have a limited time with Ba, but many are still flying 5/10/15 and 35 years later.@njb I sit at the front and I couldn’t put up with half of what the crew have to put up with. Some say it’s just like any job, but it really isn’t, once the doors are closed you have to rely completely on those around you, freeloaders (who are extremely rare fortunately) don’t last long and can’t cover for their inadequacies. Also, knowing that the one time you have to rely on your training that there will be no second chance and taking that responsibility seriously. I never cease to be amazed by the tenacity of young people in their early 20s, those returning to flying after a long break or those who have the urge to do it as a career change. Welcome to the club, if it wasn’t for those we worked with we wouldn’t put up with the 1% of customers who try their hardest to make our job more difficult than it already is.
Fair enough – glad it’s working out for you! Long commute though!
Those who’ve been around for 35 years used to be on very different salaries to what Mixed Fleet is today, though…
Fair enough – glad it’s working out for you! Long commute though!
Those who’ve been around for 35 years used to be on very different salaries to what Mixed Fleet is today, though…
Yes they did, but every profession has changed and adapted. There is no mixed fleet anymore – we are one fleet, HCC. Some old, some new and young and some old but new like me – ex doctors/nurses/headteachers/police inspectors who all had a dream to take to the skies.
I love it!
@strickers Its all about teamwork, mutual respect and a commitment to your role – from the front of the plane to the very back!
As a career change at 60 crew member I got a bit infuriated with comments on another post about dishonest and lazy crew – not my experience at all.
Fair enough – glad it’s working out for you! Long commute though!
Those who’ve been around for 35 years used to be on very different salaries to what Mixed Fleet is today, though…
Yes they did, but every profession has changed and adapted. There is no mixed fleet anymore – we are one fleet, HCC. Some old, some new and young and some old but new like me – ex doctors/nurses/headteachers/police inspectors who all had a dream to take to the skies.
I love it!
Now I am starting to think you are BA PR! 🙂
As a career change at 60 crew member
So the house is paid off? And you had a car already? Changes the equation a bit in my mind…
@PeteM
Then my salary would be a lot more !! 😂@njb I’ve been flying for 37 years, 19 military and 18 commercial, I can count in single digits the number of lazy and dishonest crew I’ve come across. Some aren’t up to the job, some make stupid mistakes, some are dragging themselves through fatigue and burnout but very few are lazy or dishonest.
I am fortunate enough to nearly always fly in the front of the plane, and I invariably find BA crew to be great. The thing I enjoy is that you are evidently trained to be yourself; I hate being served by a robot-like, obsequious corporate clone, and a little humour and chat between fellow human beings outweighs the service inconsistencies.
I sometimes see fellow passengers becoming frustrated with new crew who are learning the ropes. I don’t understand that attitude as everyone is inexperienced at some point in their career.
Of course mistakes happen, and some crew are clearly better organised overall. But, in the round, I think you all do a great job and I enjoy my friendly interactions with your colleagues, many of whom have taught me a great deal of interesting things about places where BA fly.
So I would like to tank you, and I am sorry for any unpleasant passengers who fail to appreciate what you do.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it and doing an amazing job! It’s not for everyone but sounds like you’re loving it!
@jj I hope to serve you one day although I might and we wouldn’t know – HfP needs its own little pin badge!
Thanks to HfP I have sat in the front and very front many a time before joining BA. However serving in Club initially is quite daunting. As a new entrant you are processing so much new information, most of it safety related. You are also trying to build relationships with customers and have conversations when possible. Suddenly remembering whether somebody asked for still or sparking water becomes difficult!
We want to give you a comfortable and safe flight experience- whether you want to be left alone or like lots of top ups – just a little bit of patience with new crew is sometimes needed.Lots of top ups please, I’m not allowed any in row zero for some reason?
Glad you’re loving your ‘new’ role njb and that the pay isn’t as punitive as it initially appears. It used to be my (second) job to assess crew/planes/airport experience for BA and Virgin (and others) which I really miss doing. I don’t know of any airline currently running a mystery flyer project so I do hotels now. I have always appreciated cabin crew and think the job requires incredibly tenacity, diplomacy and patience. How you deal with needlessly rude passengers is beyond me. I am sure I could chat to you for hours fascinated by you and your colleagues coping mechanisms! Such a career change later in life is daunting but sounds like you’ve grabbed it by the horns and are making the most of it. I’ve got quite a few BA flights booked in the next 6 months and I hope I am lucky enough to encounter you on one of them.
Well done @njb and sounds like a great career move (if you are enjoying it, it’s no longer a job) and TY if you’ve been on one of my flights. Never had any issues with BA staff who have the patience of Saints and always manage a smile.
I am fortunate enough to nearly always fly in the front of the plane, and I invariably find BA crew to be great. The thing I enjoy is that you are evidently trained to be yourself; I hate being served by a robot-like, obsequious corporate clone, and a little humour and chat between fellow human beings outweighs the service inconsistencies.
I sometimes see fellow passengers becoming frustrated with new crew who are learning the ropes. I don’t understand that attitude as everyone is inexperienced at some point in their career.
Of course mistakes happen, and some crew are clearly better organised overall. But, in the round, I think you all do a great job and I enjoy my friendly interactions with your colleagues, many of whom have taught me a great deal of interesting things about places where BA fly.
So I would like to tank you, and I am sorry for any unpleasant passengers who fail to appreciate what you do.
I totally agree.
I have had many frustrations with BA on my last trip, worst ever for cancellations, delays and poor communication. MAN ground experience is appalling, from DGAF Menzies to chaotic boarding and the dump that is T3 at MAN.
But, every BA crew have been hard working and helpful, especially BA1399 12 June. 4 hours on the ground due to weather delay, Crew worked hard to make things as easy as could be. BA2037 14 June, good flight with excellent Crew and LGW ground staff. Also despite BA making it difficult to contact them, 5 call centre agents who all owned my problems with me, one even bothering to call me back with an improvement to what she could at first offer.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
