Thursday, 6 May 2010
Huge fears
It seems that since i have been diagnosed with Diabetes things have gone downhill, i have had this nagging ache in my left chest, radiating down my arm, have little feeling, numbness in my left hand.
I have a huge fear of dying young, not getting to say goodbye to people i love, not getting to enjoy life.
My diet has changed and i am learning to adapt to what i eat and when i eat it, i will now take medication for the rest of my life, only found out today it is free for Diabetics!
SO much i really want to do with my life, so many things left to see, i just hope i am overacting to all this but as i type this even my left side of my neck is hurting, always down the left,really must try and see a doctor soon!
The picture at the top of this entry was taken on a crew bus on way to the Hotel in Newark New Jersey USA, been off for two months so this was my first trip back, difficult to get into the swing of things. Don't enjoy my job anymore, things are not like they used to be and are only scheduled to get worse.
Still loathe living in the south and want to go home.
It seems i suffer with my illness in silence, no one calls to see if i am ok, no one asks, no one is bothered, well except mam and dad who check on me daily!
I wonder if any of my family really care anymore, i think of them daily and it brings a tear to my eye but best forgotten, the pain they have inflicted on others is beyond repair and forgiveness.
I have an extended family now who care more about me than others ever did, i am pleased i do not live in a world of selfishness and bitterness like some!
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
The Strike ( pasted copied from a national newspaper)
Taking action by a UNION for a strike or a series of strikes is not a decision taken lightly, it affects the airline, its bank balance, its crews, it also puts pressure on crew relations and crew/flight crew relations. However, people are under the impression that we are overpaid and underworked, this is not the case, some crew working at Gatwick earn so little they are on tax credits, the basic salary average at Heathrow is the same a Virgin. If you compare us with KLM, Lufthansa, Air France you will see the comparisons are similar, compare us with low cost carriers like Ryanair and easyjet there will be an obvious difference as they are low cost and we are a full service airline with an excellent reputation. I for one did not want a strike it does no one any favours and creates a dreadful "unease" but i for one could not agree to the offer that was tabled by our generous CEO, it meant longer days, shorter time off, less time away, less pay, no overtime, no long range payments, I was happy to show up on the picket line and do my thing in support of my union, my loyal colleagues in the fight to keep our terms and conditions by negotiation NOT imposition.
If BA get their way the job will not be worth doing anymore so it is all or nothing so worth the strike to at least get something in return and some improvement!
Lines of jets were not hard to miss at Heathrow as many other airlines were brought in to operate our flights. 
If BA get their way the job will not be worth doing anymore so it is all or nothing so worth the strike to at least get something in return and some improvement!
Lines of jets were not hard to miss at Heathrow as many other airlines were brought in to operate our flights. 
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
DIABETES
What a roller coaster ride i have been on the last 2 weeks, it started with a trip to the doctors as thought it was time i had a cholesterol check, the doctor said it had been so long since i had had any checks that i may as well be checked for everything.
The blood test was done the next day at an outpatients hospital and telephone message a few days later alerted me to the fact i had very high blood sugar ( glucose), i was unaware what the figure was at this time but was advised to go for another test, this one was not so simple.....on arrival i had fasted for about 14 hours so no food or liquids.....as i sat in the chair to have the blood taken i collapsed, all i remember is the nurse calling my name and i was so so tired and wanted to tell her to shut up and leave me alone.
I explained that morning that the doctor had called and they were very concerned about my sugar levels and if i was to take ill i had to call an ambulance.
As i had been "out" for quite a while the ambulance arrived and took me too ST Helier on a stretcher, i had more tests done and allowed home three hours later.
I had no idea how to get home on a bus and not enough money with me for a taxi so i walked and it was three and a half miles....i felt awful when i got home.
Went to the doctors a few days later and sugar levels should be within 5-8..8 being high...mine was 16.5.
I was sent for more blood tests and now i am Type2 Diabetic, no injections needed just diet, excercise and medication.
I do feel tired most of the time and need to slow down and look after myself.
Mum and dad call most days to see how i am but no one else has bothered.
The blood test was done the next day at an outpatients hospital and telephone message a few days later alerted me to the fact i had very high blood sugar ( glucose), i was unaware what the figure was at this time but was advised to go for another test, this one was not so simple.....on arrival i had fasted for about 14 hours so no food or liquids.....as i sat in the chair to have the blood taken i collapsed, all i remember is the nurse calling my name and i was so so tired and wanted to tell her to shut up and leave me alone.
I explained that morning that the doctor had called and they were very concerned about my sugar levels and if i was to take ill i had to call an ambulance.
As i had been "out" for quite a while the ambulance arrived and took me too ST Helier on a stretcher, i had more tests done and allowed home three hours later.
I had no idea how to get home on a bus and not enough money with me for a taxi so i walked and it was three and a half miles....i felt awful when i got home.
Went to the doctors a few days later and sugar levels should be within 5-8..8 being high...mine was 16.5.
I was sent for more blood tests and now i am Type2 Diabetic, no injections needed just diet, excercise and medication.
I do feel tired most of the time and need to slow down and look after myself.
Mum and dad call most days to see how i am but no one else has bothered.
Monday, 15 March 2010
THIS IS WHAT BRITISH AIRWAYS ARE DOING TO ITS CREW
What follows is a synopsis of where all the suspended crew are as we
> speak. It is a shameful, shocking tale of bullying and harassment that is
> a disgrace in this supposed country of free speech. BA have become a
> sinister, vicious, aggressive employer who with the aid of a small bunch
> of pilots have created a regime of terror akin to a tin pot third world
> dictatorship. All this is done with the express approval of Willie Walsh
> and Bill Francis, two men who should be utterly ashamed at their thuggish
> behaviour.
>
> Real people, excellent crew members who up to now have loved their jobs
> and the company they worked for are now literally too frightened to leave
> their home. Quite a few are on anti-depressants and some are just in
> shock. We have to say were it not for the actions of some flight-deck 99%
> of the below incidents would not have happened - these men are nothing
> more than cowardly abetters to a sick and discredited management who think
> threatening employees is the right way to subdue crew and quell dissent.
> This is not hyperbole - what follows is an actual list of shame for BA.
> Remember these are your colleagues and there by the grace of God go most
> of us.
>
> Currently, fourteen cabin crew are suspended for discussing the existence
> of a list of pilots training as cabin crew, on two private Facebook walls.
> At no time do they mention any names. Three crew are suspended for
> receiving and forwarding the list to friends through their own private e
> mails. Two crew are suspended for discussing the existence of the list on
> BASSA's members only forum. One crew member having a private conversation
> with a friend in the foyer of SEP was accosted by a pilot who assumed she
> was talking about the list of pilots. She was not. She has been suspended.
> One crew member with a perfectly clean record of thirty four years with
> the company asked a ground staff woman checking her suitcase in, in a
> light and jovial manner, if she was thinking of training as cabin crew.
> She has been suspended. One cabin crew member expressing her dismay
> regarding the existence of the graffiti board at Waterside on which was
> written "cabin crew scum", to a manager has been placed in the
> disciplinary process. This list is not exhaustive.
>
> The owners of the Crew Forum website have been contacted by BA demanding
> they provide them with four actual names of crew writing under pseudonyms
> on their forum. A motorcycle courier was sent to the home of BASSA's
> Branch Secretary at nine o'clock one night with a forty five page legal
> document demanding he provide BA with the names of thirty two crew writing
> under pseudonyms on the BASSA forum. (He declined and always will).
>
> Some of the suspended crew were contacted whilst down route, one of whom
> was told by a manager by email to not think about it and concentrate on
> looking after the passengers on the way home. When managers couldn't
> immediately contact some, emergency contacts were telephoned. Some were
> given UK management days on their rosters to be suspended. Some were met
> by two managers on landing and accompanied from the aircraft, others were
> marched out of briefings or met by managers when they swiped in for their
> trips. One crew member, unable to come in because she was caring for a
> seriously ill child was instructed to bring the child with her. One
> pregnant crew member on bed rest in danger of losing her baby was
> suspended by letter as was another crew member recovering from surgery.
> None had an initial assessment meeting at which ordinarily questions are
> asked, allegations discussed and a decision made as to whether it is
> appropriate to suspend or not. In all cases, the decision to suspend had
> already been made. Indeed some were merely handed the letter of
> suspension. All were suspended for Bullying and Harassment, some
> additionally for breaches of data protection. All had their IDs taken from
> them and were accompanied from the premises.
>
> The Preliminary Investigation Team exist specifically to investigate all
> charges involving Cabin Crew. There is no equivalent in any other
> department. They have been involved in every single EG901 Disciplinary
> case. Until now. Uniquely all these cases are being investigated by a
> separate group of engineering managers. These managers have in some, but
> not all cases, variously suggested that crew are not entitled to
> representation, have encouraged crew to have their preliminary
> investigation meetings over the telephone, have encouraged crew to have
> their managers accompany them to their meeting and have ignored the
> specific instruction of Doctors. They have contacted the crew they are
> investigating with a frequency unprecedented despite crew stating that
> they feel bullied and harassed by the level of contact. One crew member
> was contacted thirteen times in one day. Most have had similar levels of
> contact. The speed with which these managers are acting is similarly
> unprecedented. Crew are being suspended one day and the managers seeking
> to conduct the PI the next. PIs are being held over the telephone, in
> person or if the crew member is sick, in their absence and the company,
> having in all cases found that there is a case to answer, are seeking to
> hold the hearing within days.
>
> Several of these crew members have gone sick with stress and depression.
> One has had the police attend their home such is the level of their
> distress. Another has been admitted to an urgent treatment centre due to
> their mental health. One is under the care of a psychiatrist. Several have
> letters from their GPs clearly stating that they are unable to attend a
> meeting with the company and in some cases should not be contacted at all.
> In every case British Airways Health Services occupational therapists have
> overridden every GP. Despite crew being highly distressed and in some
> cases hysterical on the telephone, BAHS has passed every single one fit to
> attend hearings. In one case the occupational health therapist told a GP
> that it is as though their patient were a burglar and that as such the
> Doctor was in no position to attempt to interrupt a legal process. Indeed
> on occupational therapist has used a private interview with a suspended
> victim to later give evidence against him in his disciplinary.
>
> BA has a clear policy on Bullying and Harassment, EG102. It states that if
> you feel bullied and harassed you should attempt to resolve the matter
> informally through discussing it with the alleged bullier. If you feel
> unable to do this because of the nature of the bullying, you may ask a
> third person to intervene. If the matter remains unresolved you should
> raise a grievance with your manager who should investigate. If the matter
> still remains unresolved the grievance moves into the formal stage and a
> second, higher level manager is duty bound to investigate the charge,
> which would involve interviewing the alleged bullier in a formal meeting.
> If the bullier is found guilty of the charge, they may then be moved
> accordingly into the EG901 disciplinary process. This process has not
> occurred in any single one of these cases. No crew member has been
> contacted by any individual, third party or manager informally or formally
> at any time. The company has dispensed with its own policy in its
> entirety.
>
> When the cases move to the hearing stage, the crew member must be given a
> copy of the entire file including the details of the accusation and all
> evidence to enable them to prepare a defence. The files currently in the
> possession of the crew member at this stage contain no original accusation
> nor the details of any individual or group of individuals who have alleged
> bullying and harassment and subsequently made a complaint. It must be
> inferred that BA is either withholding vital information or that no one
> has actually made a complaint.
>
> On February 2nd and 3rd, Balpa members and reps discuss on their forum
> that they are happy with the tips pilots have provided them with thus far.
> They give details of how to copy a social networking page and suggest that
> this would be particularly useful. They discuss encouraging individuals to
> make complaints. They state that they hope crew will be made examples of,
> expressing their hope that BA bypass internal processes and go for instant
> dismissal. They suggest that were this the case, more pilots might
> volunteer. They continually express frustration at the length of the
> processes and wonder whether policies might be rewritten to address this.
> A well-known BALPA rep, heavily involved in the recruitment of pilots into
> cabin crew jobs states that on the 3rd of Feb they met with the Head of
> Industrial Relations and spoke with Willie Walsh. They note that the
> company machine is ruthless and that Walsh himself approved 'something'
> that will assist in expiating these investigations. He assures pilots that
> they can only be frustrated by the length of the internal process because
> they are not privy to the information he gleaned from his meeting. They
> talk of BA being happy to deal with trivial legal cases after the fact.
> They discuss their desire to tie any of this specifically to BASSA and the
> gratitude that BA has for them and their volunteers.
>
> These are the suspended parties
>
> FACEBOOK
>
> * Crew member 1: His facebook page. Several comments re his desire to
> name and shame list of scab flight crew though he never actually does.
>
> * Crew member 2: Several comments regarding wanting to know the names
> and gossip regarding one of the flight crew who is never named but whose
> identity is confirmed as being "the one they both know"
>
> * Crew member 3: One comment: Send me a private msg. Good to know who
> not to trust x
>
> * Crew member 4: His facebook page: several comments re the fact that
> he is in possession of the list of flight crew training as cabin crew, how
> he is in two minds what to do with it but how he will not post it publicly
> because he knows one of them personally very well.
>
> * Crew member 5: Asks for the list and says she will pass it on.
>
> * Crew member 6: One comment: Name and shame, honey, I say!
>
> * Crew member 7: One comment: Can you private message me please?
>
> * Crew member 8: One comment: Please forward the sms to me
>
> * Crew member 9: One comment agreeing with calls to name and shame and
> adds that she wants all the necks she can get her hands on.
>
> * Crew member 10: One comment: Name and shame
>
> * Crew member 11: One comment: suggesting the name be sent to a third
> party for that party to name and shame.
>
> * Crew member 12: One comment: saying he would like to know the names
> and asking to be texted.
>
> * Crew member 13: One comment saying do not post the names in any chat
> rooms or forums and to pass the list to BASSA.
>
> * Crew member 14: One comment asking for the list in a private
> message.
>
> As of Sunday 6th March: All of the above are suspended. Crew member 1 PI
> was stopped by the rep because the company had failed to follow procedure.
> It has gone case to answer. Crew member 4 PI was held in his absence since
> he is off sick and has gone case to answer. Crew member 13 had a PI which
> has gone case to answer. Crew member 2 PI was abandoned because she was
> too stressed to continue. Crew member 6 has had a PI and as yet has heard
> no outcome. Crew member 14 had a PI and it has now gone case to answer.
> She was admitted to an urgent treatment centre yesterday feeling suicidal.
> Crew member 12 PI done in his absence and gone case to answer. Crew member
> 8 is pregnant and in danger of losing her baby. She has gone to Australia
> and is uncontactable. Crew member 9 felt pressurised into having her PI
> over the phone and this has now gone case to answer. Crew member 5 is off
> sick and has not had a PI. Crew member 11 is off sick and has been told
> that his PI will be held in his absence. Crew member's 7,5,3 and 10 are
> off sick and have not had a PI.
>
> TEXT MESSAGES
>
> * Crew member 15 texted the list of pilots to a friend. He is off
> sick. The PI was held in his absence and it has gone case to answer.
>
> * Crew member 16- Received and shared some information via text.
>
> * Crew member 17- Received and shared some information via text.
>
> EMAILS
>
> * Crew member 18 received an email containing the list. She forwarded
> it in error. PI held in her absence. Gone case to answer.
>
> * Crew member 19 received the list by email and forwarded it. She is
> off sick recovering from a major operation. Under pressure from The
> Company she had a PI over the phone and it has gone case to answer.
>
> * Crew member 20 received the email and forwarded it. She is off sick.
> PI held in her absence. Case to answer.
>
> BASSA FORUM
>
> * Crew member 21: Wrote that he was fed up with all that's going on
> and when he leaves the company, he will blow a slide. He adds LOL HA HA
> HA!!! Anti-terrorist laws were invoked and anti terror police were called.
> There was no charge brought. He remains suspended and hasn't yet had his
> PI.
>
> * Crew member 22 wrote that he had the list of suspended pilots. His
> PI was stopped by the rep because BA had failed to follow procedure. He
> awaits the outcome.
>
> * Crew member23: Asked on the forum if a particular FO was on the list
> of pilots training as cabin crew. Awaiting a PI.
>
> BA FORUM
>
> * Crew member 24: In discussion with two other crew members regarding
> the dispute. He writes: If you carry on with that claptrap, I will be
> happy to issue you a rejoinder and calls the management bullies. He
> remains suspended and is off sick.
>
> SPEAKING
>
> * Crew member 25: Asked a ground staff woman who was checking her case
> in, in a light hearted manner, are you going to be training as Cabin Crew?
> Her PI was stopped by the rep because The Company had failed to follow
> procedure. She awaits the outcome.
>
> * Crew member 26: Got into an argument with M P (manager) who called
> her negative when she suggested that the comments made about cabin crew on
> the graffiti board in Waterside were undermining. She has been placed in
> 901 for misconduct.
>
> * Crew member 27: Was discussing the existence of the list with a
> friend whilst sitting in the foyer of SEP. She was evidently overheard and
> later tackled by a Captain who had not heard the conversation himself.
> They got into a heated exchange. She has been suspended and awaits the PI
>
> * Crew member 28: Got into a conversation with a passenger who was
> annoyed that the service was taking so long. Guy asked him to bear with
> the crew since they were not used to working with one less crew member and
> everything was taking longer than usual. He awaits the outcome of his PI
>
> * Crew member 29: Allegedly said in a briefing that anyone training as
> crew were scabs and in relation to a messed up positioning sector, this is
> a fucking mess, to a DOM. He awaits his PI.
>
> PAs
>
> * CSDS who allegedly made some comment re working with one less crew
> member on the PA:
>
> * Crew member 30
> * Crew member 31
> * Crew member 32
>
> TU REPS
>
> · Crew member 33 suspended PI heard in absence
>
> · Crew member 34 suspended for allegedly talking to media
>
> speak. It is a shameful, shocking tale of bullying and harassment that is
> a disgrace in this supposed country of free speech. BA have become a
> sinister, vicious, aggressive employer who with the aid of a small bunch
> of pilots have created a regime of terror akin to a tin pot third world
> dictatorship. All this is done with the express approval of Willie Walsh
> and Bill Francis, two men who should be utterly ashamed at their thuggish
> behaviour.
>
> Real people, excellent crew members who up to now have loved their jobs
> and the company they worked for are now literally too frightened to leave
> their home. Quite a few are on anti-depressants and some are just in
> shock. We have to say were it not for the actions of some flight-deck 99%
> of the below incidents would not have happened - these men are nothing
> more than cowardly abetters to a sick and discredited management who think
> threatening employees is the right way to subdue crew and quell dissent.
> This is not hyperbole - what follows is an actual list of shame for BA.
> Remember these are your colleagues and there by the grace of God go most
> of us.
>
> Currently, fourteen cabin crew are suspended for discussing the existence
> of a list of pilots training as cabin crew, on two private Facebook walls.
> At no time do they mention any names. Three crew are suspended for
> receiving and forwarding the list to friends through their own private e
> mails. Two crew are suspended for discussing the existence of the list on
> BASSA's members only forum. One crew member having a private conversation
> with a friend in the foyer of SEP was accosted by a pilot who assumed she
> was talking about the list of pilots. She was not. She has been suspended.
> One crew member with a perfectly clean record of thirty four years with
> the company asked a ground staff woman checking her suitcase in, in a
> light and jovial manner, if she was thinking of training as cabin crew.
> She has been suspended. One cabin crew member expressing her dismay
> regarding the existence of the graffiti board at Waterside on which was
> written "cabin crew scum", to a manager has been placed in the
> disciplinary process. This list is not exhaustive.
>
> The owners of the Crew Forum website have been contacted by BA demanding
> they provide them with four actual names of crew writing under pseudonyms
> on their forum. A motorcycle courier was sent to the home of BASSA's
> Branch Secretary at nine o'clock one night with a forty five page legal
> document demanding he provide BA with the names of thirty two crew writing
> under pseudonyms on the BASSA forum. (He declined and always will).
>
> Some of the suspended crew were contacted whilst down route, one of whom
> was told by a manager by email to not think about it and concentrate on
> looking after the passengers on the way home. When managers couldn't
> immediately contact some, emergency contacts were telephoned. Some were
> given UK management days on their rosters to be suspended. Some were met
> by two managers on landing and accompanied from the aircraft, others were
> marched out of briefings or met by managers when they swiped in for their
> trips. One crew member, unable to come in because she was caring for a
> seriously ill child was instructed to bring the child with her. One
> pregnant crew member on bed rest in danger of losing her baby was
> suspended by letter as was another crew member recovering from surgery.
> None had an initial assessment meeting at which ordinarily questions are
> asked, allegations discussed and a decision made as to whether it is
> appropriate to suspend or not. In all cases, the decision to suspend had
> already been made. Indeed some were merely handed the letter of
> suspension. All were suspended for Bullying and Harassment, some
> additionally for breaches of data protection. All had their IDs taken from
> them and were accompanied from the premises.
>
> The Preliminary Investigation Team exist specifically to investigate all
> charges involving Cabin Crew. There is no equivalent in any other
> department. They have been involved in every single EG901 Disciplinary
> case. Until now. Uniquely all these cases are being investigated by a
> separate group of engineering managers. These managers have in some, but
> not all cases, variously suggested that crew are not entitled to
> representation, have encouraged crew to have their preliminary
> investigation meetings over the telephone, have encouraged crew to have
> their managers accompany them to their meeting and have ignored the
> specific instruction of Doctors. They have contacted the crew they are
> investigating with a frequency unprecedented despite crew stating that
> they feel bullied and harassed by the level of contact. One crew member
> was contacted thirteen times in one day. Most have had similar levels of
> contact. The speed with which these managers are acting is similarly
> unprecedented. Crew are being suspended one day and the managers seeking
> to conduct the PI the next. PIs are being held over the telephone, in
> person or if the crew member is sick, in their absence and the company,
> having in all cases found that there is a case to answer, are seeking to
> hold the hearing within days.
>
> Several of these crew members have gone sick with stress and depression.
> One has had the police attend their home such is the level of their
> distress. Another has been admitted to an urgent treatment centre due to
> their mental health. One is under the care of a psychiatrist. Several have
> letters from their GPs clearly stating that they are unable to attend a
> meeting with the company and in some cases should not be contacted at all.
> In every case British Airways Health Services occupational therapists have
> overridden every GP. Despite crew being highly distressed and in some
> cases hysterical on the telephone, BAHS has passed every single one fit to
> attend hearings. In one case the occupational health therapist told a GP
> that it is as though their patient were a burglar and that as such the
> Doctor was in no position to attempt to interrupt a legal process. Indeed
> on occupational therapist has used a private interview with a suspended
> victim to later give evidence against him in his disciplinary.
>
> BA has a clear policy on Bullying and Harassment, EG102. It states that if
> you feel bullied and harassed you should attempt to resolve the matter
> informally through discussing it with the alleged bullier. If you feel
> unable to do this because of the nature of the bullying, you may ask a
> third person to intervene. If the matter remains unresolved you should
> raise a grievance with your manager who should investigate. If the matter
> still remains unresolved the grievance moves into the formal stage and a
> second, higher level manager is duty bound to investigate the charge,
> which would involve interviewing the alleged bullier in a formal meeting.
> If the bullier is found guilty of the charge, they may then be moved
> accordingly into the EG901 disciplinary process. This process has not
> occurred in any single one of these cases. No crew member has been
> contacted by any individual, third party or manager informally or formally
> at any time. The company has dispensed with its own policy in its
> entirety.
>
> When the cases move to the hearing stage, the crew member must be given a
> copy of the entire file including the details of the accusation and all
> evidence to enable them to prepare a defence. The files currently in the
> possession of the crew member at this stage contain no original accusation
> nor the details of any individual or group of individuals who have alleged
> bullying and harassment and subsequently made a complaint. It must be
> inferred that BA is either withholding vital information or that no one
> has actually made a complaint.
>
> On February 2nd and 3rd, Balpa members and reps discuss on their forum
> that they are happy with the tips pilots have provided them with thus far.
> They give details of how to copy a social networking page and suggest that
> this would be particularly useful. They discuss encouraging individuals to
> make complaints. They state that they hope crew will be made examples of,
> expressing their hope that BA bypass internal processes and go for instant
> dismissal. They suggest that were this the case, more pilots might
> volunteer. They continually express frustration at the length of the
> processes and wonder whether policies might be rewritten to address this.
> A well-known BALPA rep, heavily involved in the recruitment of pilots into
> cabin crew jobs states that on the 3rd of Feb they met with the Head of
> Industrial Relations and spoke with Willie Walsh. They note that the
> company machine is ruthless and that Walsh himself approved 'something'
> that will assist in expiating these investigations. He assures pilots that
> they can only be frustrated by the length of the internal process because
> they are not privy to the information he gleaned from his meeting. They
> talk of BA being happy to deal with trivial legal cases after the fact.
> They discuss their desire to tie any of this specifically to BASSA and the
> gratitude that BA has for them and their volunteers.
>
> These are the suspended parties
>
>
> * Crew member 1: His facebook page. Several comments re his desire to
> name and shame list of scab flight crew though he never actually does.
>
> * Crew member 2: Several comments regarding wanting to know the names
> and gossip regarding one of the flight crew who is never named but whose
> identity is confirmed as being "the one they both know"
>
> * Crew member 3: One comment: Send me a private msg. Good to know who
> not to trust x
>
> * Crew member 4: His facebook page: several comments re the fact that
> he is in possession of the list of flight crew training as cabin crew, how
> he is in two minds what to do with it but how he will not post it publicly
> because he knows one of them personally very well.
>
> * Crew member 5: Asks for the list and says she will pass it on.
>
> * Crew member 6: One comment: Name and shame, honey, I say!
>
> * Crew member 7: One comment: Can you private message me please?
>
> * Crew member 8: One comment: Please forward the sms to me
>
> * Crew member 9: One comment agreeing with calls to name and shame and
> adds that she wants all the necks she can get her hands on.
>
> * Crew member 10: One comment: Name and shame
>
> * Crew member 11: One comment: suggesting the name be sent to a third
> party for that party to name and shame.
>
> * Crew member 12: One comment: saying he would like to know the names
> and asking to be texted.
>
> * Crew member 13: One comment saying do not post the names in any chat
> rooms or forums and to pass the list to BASSA.
>
> * Crew member 14: One comment asking for the list in a private
> message.
>
> As of Sunday 6th March: All of the above are suspended. Crew member 1 PI
> was stopped by the rep because the company had failed to follow procedure.
> It has gone case to answer. Crew member 4 PI was held in his absence since
> he is off sick and has gone case to answer. Crew member 13 had a PI which
> has gone case to answer. Crew member 2 PI was abandoned because she was
> too stressed to continue. Crew member 6 has had a PI and as yet has heard
> no outcome. Crew member 14 had a PI and it has now gone case to answer.
> She was admitted to an urgent treatment centre yesterday feeling suicidal.
> Crew member 12 PI done in his absence and gone case to answer. Crew member
> 8 is pregnant and in danger of losing her baby. She has gone to Australia
> and is uncontactable. Crew member 9 felt pressurised into having her PI
> over the phone and this has now gone case to answer. Crew member 5 is off
> sick and has not had a PI. Crew member 11 is off sick and has been told
> that his PI will be held in his absence. Crew member's 7,5,3 and 10 are
> off sick and have not had a PI.
>
> TEXT MESSAGES
>
> * Crew member 15 texted the list of pilots to a friend. He is off
> sick. The PI was held in his absence and it has gone case to answer.
>
> * Crew member 16- Received and shared some information via text.
>
> * Crew member 17- Received and shared some information via text.
>
> EMAILS
>
> * Crew member 18 received an email containing the list. She forwarded
> it in error. PI held in her absence. Gone case to answer.
>
> * Crew member 19 received the list by email and forwarded it. She is
> off sick recovering from a major operation. Under pressure from The
> Company she had a PI over the phone and it has gone case to answer.
>
> * Crew member 20 received the email and forwarded it. She is off sick.
> PI held in her absence. Case to answer.
>
> BASSA FORUM
>
> * Crew member 21: Wrote that he was fed up with all that's going on
> and when he leaves the company, he will blow a slide. He adds LOL HA HA
> HA!!! Anti-terrorist laws were invoked and anti terror police were called.
> There was no charge brought. He remains suspended and hasn't yet had his
> PI.
>
> * Crew member 22 wrote that he had the list of suspended pilots. His
> PI was stopped by the rep because BA had failed to follow procedure. He
> awaits the outcome.
>
> * Crew member23: Asked on the forum if a particular FO was on the list
> of pilots training as cabin crew. Awaiting a PI.
>
> BA FORUM
>
> * Crew member 24: In discussion with two other crew members regarding
> the dispute. He writes: If you carry on with that claptrap, I will be
> happy to issue you a rejoinder and calls the management bullies. He
> remains suspended and is off sick.
>
> SPEAKING
>
> * Crew member 25: Asked a ground staff woman who was checking her case
> in, in a light hearted manner, are you going to be training as Cabin Crew?
> Her PI was stopped by the rep because The Company had failed to follow
> procedure. She awaits the outcome.
>
> * Crew member 26: Got into an argument with M P (manager) who called
> her negative when she suggested that the comments made about cabin crew on
> the graffiti board in Waterside were undermining. She has been placed in
> 901 for misconduct.
>
> * Crew member 27: Was discussing the existence of the list with a
> friend whilst sitting in the foyer of SEP. She was evidently overheard and
> later tackled by a Captain who had not heard the conversation himself.
> They got into a heated exchange. She has been suspended and awaits the PI
>
> * Crew member 28: Got into a conversation with a passenger who was
> annoyed that the service was taking so long. Guy asked him to bear with
> the crew since they were not used to working with one less crew member and
> everything was taking longer than usual. He awaits the outcome of his PI
>
> * Crew member 29: Allegedly said in a briefing that anyone training as
> crew were scabs and in relation to a messed up positioning sector, this is
> a fucking mess, to a DOM. He awaits his PI.
>
> PAs
>
> * CSDS who allegedly made some comment re working with one less crew
> member on the PA:
>
> * Crew member 30
> * Crew member 31
> * Crew member 32
>
> TU REPS
>
> · Crew member 33 suspended PI heard in absence
>
> · Crew member 34 suspended for allegedly talking to media
>
Friday, 12 March 2010
The day from Hell
My poor dog is poorly, her arthritis is making her drag her back leg and it is breaking my heart to see her like this, she is currently asleep after finding a comfortable position and snoring.
My union advised us that we will be going on strike 20-21-22 and 27-28-29-30 March from British Airways, all i know is that the crew love this airline and passionate about the jobs they do and it is the management who have dragged us into the gutter.
My doctor called to say after my recent blood tests that my sugar levels are too high which is effectively Diabetes......i have to have more tests and make an appointment with the doctor six days after the next blood test!
Can anything else go wrong.............God Give me Strength!
My union advised us that we will be going on strike 20-21-22 and 27-28-29-30 March from British Airways, all i know is that the crew love this airline and passionate about the jobs they do and it is the management who have dragged us into the gutter.
My doctor called to say after my recent blood tests that my sugar levels are too high which is effectively Diabetes......i have to have more tests and make an appointment with the doctor six days after the next blood test!
Can anything else go wrong.............God Give me Strength!
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Cruise 15th-24th January 2010
The Journey started at 0730 with a taxi rode to Heathrow Terminal 3. our flight was not on a stand so we were coached out, our seats were in Club Europe on a Boeing 757 seats 4A and 4C, it was a brunch service of a salad, some fresh fruit and drinks including tea and coffee, the flight was only One hour and forty minutes so it was adequate.
We landed in Barcelona off stand and coached again to the terminal, luggage arrived promptly and we then had our pre arranged chauffeur driven car to the ship in the port of Barcelona.
The Norwegian Jade
The ship was once called NCL's Pride of Hawaii and was based in Honolulu cruising around the Hawaiin islands, it is now based in it's new home in Europe under it's new name.
She can carry a maximum 2800 passengers and there were many nationalities on board, mostly english speaking with 800 British cruisers and many Americans, also there were Spanish, Italian and French.
There are some great entertianment rooms on board, a great theatre, many bars and of course th 13 dining options from Tepanyaki, chinese, italian and the other main restaurants, you can dine anywhere at anytime however some of the speciality restaurants have a service charge, eg Italian $25 per person.
Kelly Clarkson who won American Idol and few years ago was on holiday with a group of girls, they had the courtyard villa with its own pool area, white piano, large lounge as well as other luxuries like a private butler and a box in the theatre reserved especially for them. She was not seen out and about much, maybe she caught the Norovirus too!!!
The Norovirus I was woken up by severe stomach cramps and by the time i got to the bathroom i had severe sickness and diarrhoea, the nurse was called and i was confined to my cabin, the ship had come in from it's previous cruise with 280 cases of the virus and we were given the option to cruise or accept a refund, but as we had just flown in from London to Barcelona it did not seem worth returning home. Our cabins were not ready when we embarked until 4pm and people were becoming restless in the stairwells waiting to get into their cabins. My diet, when i had an appetite was grilled chicken, rice and jelly, as well as copious amounts of Imodium! The ship was sanatised from top to bottom daily, no self service buffet was available all self served, no salt and pepper pots on tables, menu inserts were destroyed and replaced when read by guests, the public toilet doors were wedged open so people did not have to use the handles and our hands were sprayed as we entered every public area, sanatising dispensers were all over the ship and in the elevators. 
Casablanca and Agadir These two ports mean nothing to me as i was confined to my cabin with the Norovirus, dreadful sickness and Diarrhoea, however Ged managed to take a few pictures which are featured below including the largest mosque in the world. 
MADIERA.. The sail in was great and we arranged to meet our new friends off the ship, we managed to get a taxi driver to take us around the island for a decent price, this included a trip to the top of the island, the basket ride, a trip to the botanical gardens and a cute little fishing village The basket ride from the top of the island is a must do for tourists, at a cost of 25 Euro per couple ( £25 with todays exchange rates) it is expensive but thrilling. You are sitting in a basket with two Madieran men controlling and breaking for you by just hanging on and breaking with their special shoes on the already slippery shiney road caused by non stop basket rides. What i was not aware of that the traffic still uses the road in both directions so they have to dodge cars, motorcycles and other vehicles on the way down. The most impressive thing was we had our picture taken half way down and by the time we reached the bottom it was printed off and already in a folder with a free CD of Madieran dance music, that's technology!! 
As we sail into the sunset leaving Madiera behind, i was certainly touched by it's innocent beauty, all year round moderate climate and friendly people, definately a place i would wish to return too for a longer period of time. 
MALAGA The journey from the ship to the caves passed through some stunning southern Spanish scenery, the January day was warm and and clear with hardly a cloud in the sky, we also wait to get on the very last tour bus as it is never full and you always have more space, many rush for th first one or the front seats but waiting until the end always works for us! 
Our first stop on our tour of Malaga were the caves of Nerja, set into the mountains and found by two young boys in the 60's, turned into a tourist attraction and visited by millions of people every year, mostly in the summer months but as our cruise was in January we missed the crowds and enjoyed a spacious tour of the caves and its amazing stalagtites and stalagmites. 
After a short coach ride from the caves we arrived at the small but beautiful village of Nerja, its narrow streets and typical Spanish buildings, and the "balcony to the world" did indeed display one of the most picturesque views i have ever seen. 
We arrived back to the boat, took a last photograph of the splendid Norwegian Jade before the last leg of our cruise back to Barcelona and an entire day at sea. 
We landed in Barcelona off stand and coached again to the terminal, luggage arrived promptly and we then had our pre arranged chauffeur driven car to the ship in the port of Barcelona.
The Norwegian Jade
The ship was once called NCL's Pride of Hawaii and was based in Honolulu cruising around the Hawaiin islands, it is now based in it's new home in Europe under it's new name.
She can carry a maximum 2800 passengers and there were many nationalities on board, mostly english speaking with 800 British cruisers and many Americans, also there were Spanish, Italian and French.
There are some great entertianment rooms on board, a great theatre, many bars and of course th 13 dining options from Tepanyaki, chinese, italian and the other main restaurants, you can dine anywhere at anytime however some of the speciality restaurants have a service charge, eg Italian $25 per person.
Kelly Clarkson who won American Idol and few years ago was on holiday with a group of girls, they had the courtyard villa with its own pool area, white piano, large lounge as well as other luxuries like a private butler and a box in the theatre reserved especially for them. She was not seen out and about much, maybe she caught the Norovirus too!!!
The Norovirus I was woken up by severe stomach cramps and by the time i got to the bathroom i had severe sickness and diarrhoea, the nurse was called and i was confined to my cabin, the ship had come in from it's previous cruise with 280 cases of the virus and we were given the option to cruise or accept a refund, but as we had just flown in from London to Barcelona it did not seem worth returning home. Our cabins were not ready when we embarked until 4pm and people were becoming restless in the stairwells waiting to get into their cabins. My diet, when i had an appetite was grilled chicken, rice and jelly, as well as copious amounts of Imodium! The ship was sanatised from top to bottom daily, no self service buffet was available all self served, no salt and pepper pots on tables, menu inserts were destroyed and replaced when read by guests, the public toilet doors were wedged open so people did not have to use the handles and our hands were sprayed as we entered every public area, sanatising dispensers were all over the ship and in the elevators. 
Casablanca and Agadir These two ports mean nothing to me as i was confined to my cabin with the Norovirus, dreadful sickness and Diarrhoea, however Ged managed to take a few pictures which are featured below including the largest mosque in the world. 
MADIERA.. The sail in was great and we arranged to meet our new friends off the ship, we managed to get a taxi driver to take us around the island for a decent price, this included a trip to the top of the island, the basket ride, a trip to the botanical gardens and a cute little fishing village The basket ride from the top of the island is a must do for tourists, at a cost of 25 Euro per couple ( £25 with todays exchange rates) it is expensive but thrilling. You are sitting in a basket with two Madieran men controlling and breaking for you by just hanging on and breaking with their special shoes on the already slippery shiney road caused by non stop basket rides. What i was not aware of that the traffic still uses the road in both directions so they have to dodge cars, motorcycles and other vehicles on the way down. The most impressive thing was we had our picture taken half way down and by the time we reached the bottom it was printed off and already in a folder with a free CD of Madieran dance music, that's technology!! 
As we sail into the sunset leaving Madiera behind, i was certainly touched by it's innocent beauty, all year round moderate climate and friendly people, definately a place i would wish to return too for a longer period of time. 
MALAGA The journey from the ship to the caves passed through some stunning southern Spanish scenery, the January day was warm and and clear with hardly a cloud in the sky, we also wait to get on the very last tour bus as it is never full and you always have more space, many rush for th first one or the front seats but waiting until the end always works for us! 
Our first stop on our tour of Malaga were the caves of Nerja, set into the mountains and found by two young boys in the 60's, turned into a tourist attraction and visited by millions of people every year, mostly in the summer months but as our cruise was in January we missed the crowds and enjoyed a spacious tour of the caves and its amazing stalagtites and stalagmites. 
After a short coach ride from the caves we arrived at the small but beautiful village of Nerja, its narrow streets and typical Spanish buildings, and the "balcony to the world" did indeed display one of the most picturesque views i have ever seen. 
We arrived back to the boat, took a last photograph of the splendid Norwegian Jade before the last leg of our cruise back to Barcelona and an entire day at sea. 
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