|
|
 |
#1 ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 10:48 |
|
|
| hi all, have just been offered a cabin crew position with both ba and virgin. really need advice on which is best. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Senior Member |
|
| Posts: 58 |
|
| United Kingdom |
|
|
|
#2 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 12:47 |
|
|
| In reply to post #1... |
Hi Flybod,
There really is no right or wrong answer here - perhaps I can suggest taking some time to read through a few of the posts here especially the sticky "General Info About Mixed Fleet" - there's a whole host of information there. Also use the search tool to find answers of questions that are making you wonder which is "better"
No-one can answer that question for you, and you'd be a fool to listen to opinions on here without letting us further understand your own personal circumstances - whilst someone may be better suited to Virgin, another may be suitable for BA instead.
I'm personally joining Mixed Fleet starting on the 5th July, my own reasons are as follows:
- I have always had an affiliation towards the brand and I feel very proud to be working for a name like British Airways
- The destinations BA cover appeals to me, as much as people say "you only get 24 hours downroute", sadly I believe that will be the future of all airlines so might as well get used to it
- The promotion opportunities seem better than others, with promotion based on merit and not length of service
Good luck!
Dave |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#3 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 12:59 |
|
|
Virgin
Better money and better trips
Great swap trip facilitys and they are growing so good future prospects too
Other half is virgin and loves it he turned down future talent at mf and has no regrets |
|
|
|
|
|
| Senior Member |
|
| Posts: 511 |
|
| United Kingdom |
|
|
|
#4 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 13:07 |
|
|
| In reply to post #1... |
VS pays more after all things are considered (allowances and sector pay).
You will have more time off downroute and proper time off once back to recover.
The big drawback is that promotion will be very slow should you want to fly long term as a career.
Mixed Fleet is young and changing all the time. Promotion is slowing but once things pick up again after BMI etc, promotion will be fairly quick if you show ability and promise.
Mixed Fleet is as it says a mix of short haul and long haul which is great as both get boring if that's all you fly all of the time.
Good luck with your decision as others have said it all depends on what you personally want. Mixed Fleet is not really to be viewed as long term whereas VS can be.
Read the BMI thread as this opinion is voiced repeatedly on there. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 13:19 |
|
|
| In reply to post #1... |
virgin + 1 imho
better t/c , better pay ... |
|
|
|
|
|
| Senior Member |
|
| Posts: 63 |
|
| United Kingdom |
|
|
|
#6 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 14:33 |
|
|
| In reply to post #5... |
Ay Virgin +2, if it was 10 years ago I would of dragged you to Cranebank myself, god how times have changed 
Good luck anyway flying is a fantastic life |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#7 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 14:45 |
|
|
| In reply to post #5... |
If you are looking to stay for the long term, you might want to think about the relative financial viability of both companies. BA is a subsidiary of IAG and is publicly owned. Virgin Atlantic is privately owned with Singapore Airlines holding 49% stake in the company. BA is a member of the oneworld alliance of airlines. VA is not a member of any airline alliance. BA relies on a network of routes and has shorthaul travellers feeding onto its longhaul business. VA works on a point to point basis and is wholly reliant on other carriers for feeder traffic behind and beyond its routes. What does this mean ? Well, in a downturn in flying, BA can fly people from say Aberdeen to Dallas entirely on their own network. They can reduce the price of the Aberdeen to London leg in order to sell the overall journey. Virgin can only reduce the price of the London to Dallas route, diluting their revenue on the main moneyspinner, the passenger would be paying full whack for the Aberdeen - London sector which Virgin would not get any revenue for.
Whilst Virgin have been very careful to select routes that are good revenue earners, in a downturn these would still see a reduction in traffic. The competition for passengers would be fiercer. Passengers are more likely to go with a routing that involves fewest changes in terminal etc. unless there is a very significant price advantage.
If life gets very hard, it is unclear what Singapore Airlines might do with their 49% stake. They have been trying to sell it since 2008 when they reported that it had underperformed, but without success. This has to be worrying. If Virgin were considered to be a growth opportunity, a new partner would have been quick to appear. The inability of Virgin to raise a viable stake to purchase BMI from Lufthansa should also sound a few alarms. BMI had previously been providing some feeder traffic for Virgin and there had been several instances when a possible tie up between the two companies might have been on the cards.
With little prospect for growth on slots at LHR Virgin can only increase its revenue by employing larger aircraft. These come at a significant cost and long lead times. Moreover, in a cyclical business, filling them becomes more difficult. With rising fuel prices and an inability to pass on increased costs from other areas, the only route open to Virgin is tough cost control. The biggest area after fuel is employee costs, so expect major efforts to improve productivity, reduce wage increases, reward performers and remove those underperforming.
FWIW Richard Branson is alleged to have said that the only way to become a millionaire in the airline business is to start out as a billionaire. |
|
| 'And He asked the demons, "What is your name?" And they answered, saying, "Our name is Legion: for we are many." ' |
|
|
|
|
|
| Senior Member |
|
| Posts: 511 |
|
| United Kingdom |
|
|
|
#8 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 15:33 |
|
|
| In reply to post #7... |
..........which after 20 VS years, is exactly why I made the move 'we are legion'. I just hope my energy levels can keep the pace required for MF!
Your post is excellent and sums it all up beautifully - IF you're looking at this job as a long term career.
The other added beauty of MF is the short haul element which gets so overlooked. Most young new entrants generally want long haul to see something, no matter how brief, of that big wide world. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Groupie |
|
| Posts: 69 |
|
| United Kingdom |
|
|
|
#9 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 16:04 |
|
|
| In reply to post #6... |
| VIRGIN WITHOUT A DOUBT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#10 Re: ba v virgin Posted 16/05/2012 at 16:13 |
|
|
| In reply to post #1... |
Hi congrats on getting both!
I think it really depends on your own circumstances and what you want ?
It is also something that I have thought about and have friends on both airlines and this is just my opinion.....
For me the mixed flying at BA mixed fleet really appeals. I have been crew before and know what its like to be constantly jet lagged , unable to sleep etc. I'm not saying you won't get this on mixed fleet but at least you have the option of euro trips or there and backs if that's what you want.However you do also have the long haul trips if that's what you want too, or a mix of both. You can bid for the kind of work that you want, although its obviously not always guaranteed.
With Virgin you do get longer down route on some layovers and some obviously are 24 hours as well just like mixed fleet . If this really appeals to you then virgin may be a good choice. Although sometimes mixed fleet has routes with longer layovers too.However if you don't want to be always away for days on trips then mixed fleet may be better. Its totally down to you're own personal circumstances, and if you want to consistently do long haul.
Maybe you could have a look at the route network for both airlines Virgin have some great destinations which may really appeal to you. Mixed fleet have some great destinations too and they are changing between fleets all the time.
Do you live local to heathrow/gatwick or would you like to commute ? There is quite a bit of info on commuting on here and it seems it would be easier to commute with virgin however people do commute on mixed fleet too. Virgin have a month of standbys however , where at mixed fleet you get standbys every month where you need to be able to be at the airport for your flight within 2 hours if you are called.
At mixed fleet you can bid for the kind of work or trips that you would like.At virgin they have a swap system where after 6 months you can swap your flights with other crew and get the kind of trips that you want. I don't know if mixed fleet has anything like this perhaps someone could expand?
Then there is pay unless you have worked for both airlines I don't think you can really say who gets more , but I am sure the information will be on here somewhere.
Virgin made people redundant in 2009 and although this was 3 years ago it would be of a slight concern to me after a big recruitment drive as it is usually last in first out. However , with airlines nothing is ever 100% secure in my opinion, but you can make your own judgement I am sure especially taking into account the previous posts.
I think its really hard to say which airline is "best" , it totally depends on your own personal circumstances and what really appeals to you. There is a lot of things to take in to account if you really think about it and you probably could think too much about it but I really would say go with your gut instinct.
Hope this helps a little. |
|
| Edited 16/05/2012 @ 16:35 Revision #1 |
|
|
|
|
|