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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think Bristish Airways paying a wage of £12'000 a year to new cabin crew is a disgrace

58 replies

jdoe8 · 03/02/2017 07:32

I don't blame the new requites for striking over this. My cleaner probably makes over double this and cabin crew do have to go through rigorous testing. It's a bit of a national disgrace IMO.

OP posts:

Cinnamon12345 · 03/02/2017 07:38

Yes considering the profits and the amount Mr Walsh etc get paid ..

SexTrainGlue · 03/02/2017 07:42

Flight attendant has never been that well paid a position, and that's typical for a starting salary. Average salary is about £17-20k.

No reason why one private airline domiciled in UK should be any more a national disgrace than any other. It's not a state/flag carrier any more (changed in the 1980s???)

UpWithPup · 03/02/2017 07:45

Does it meet legal requirements?

Original poster

jdoe8 · 03/02/2017 07:48

I know it's not state owned, Qatar owns 10% of it :(, but it still carries the name and is known as the national airline.

I'm sure its all perfectly legal, just as google Starbucks and amazon are. But legal doesn't make it right.

OP posts:

LadyPenelopeCantDance · 03/02/2017 07:49

As ex crew I can say it's a lot more than that! That is the bare minimum salary, but on top they get paid flight pay, commission and allowances which makes up for the low salary.

PotteringAlong · 03/02/2017 07:49

They don't have to do the job! If your cleaner earns more they can do that. Why is it a national disgrace?

QueenMortificado · 03/02/2017 07:50

It's not right, but isn't that figure a bit misleading? My friend is BA cabin crew and she gets paid overtime for all the work she actually does - so long haul, the days spent away etc all adds to her pay. She ends up taking home about £20k which isn't massive but she loves the job and can take home more if she always does long haul rather than the short flights.

theaveragewife · 03/02/2017 07:50

Wow, no wonder they always seem so pissed off!

It's totally unacceptable for any airline to do this.

AndShesGone · 03/02/2017 07:51

Well low wages in whatever industry is a national disgrace

We are a country of low wages and low taxes for business.

Original poster

jdoe8 · 03/02/2017 07:54

Lady what are the other things and what does it add up to? Union rep was just on LBC giving the 12k figure.

OP posts:

Crumbs1 · 03/02/2017 07:57

My daughters 19 year old friend gets £12, 000 basic but also gets an additional hourly rate when flying plus all meals, accommodation etc when at work and all uniform ( so no clothes costs for work). I think it's an extra £3 an hour when away from base. She's quite happy with her lot and says they're a good employer.

angeldelightedme · 03/02/2017 07:58

Presumably your cleaner is self employed and has yo wrap up holiday and sick pay in her hourly rate

SingingInTheRainstorm · 03/02/2017 07:59

If it was an 18/19 year old that wouldn't be a bad starting salary, but for someone older I'd query if it meets NMW. There's perks to the job if you fly long haul like overnight accommodation.
My cousin worked for Virgin & loved every second, she got to visit tropical countries, always stayed in 5* hotels, plus as well as getting free flights herself, they allocated an amount for family too. So they might argue with the perks it's really not that bad.

peukpokicuzo · 03/02/2017 07:59

Market forces though.
Jobs which lots of people want to do and which lots of people have the capacity to do (in terms of mental and physical ability) are always badly paid.
If they can't fill their vacancies they will raise the wages.
If they can, they won't.
If there is a ready supply of people who have an ambition to work in the sector (ideally on flights between the UK and glamorous places like Dubai, Hong Kong etc) then they will be able to fill their vacancies.
If an employer doesn't raise wages in line with inflation or tries to take away benefits and conditions that were in place when someone started, that is a legitimate grievance but I don't think it's reasonable to strike just because you would like market forces to have a different outcome.

DirtyBlonde · 03/02/2017 07:59

That'll be the basic (non-flying) salary. If flying a full roster then it should be at least £20k.

Hoppinggreen · 03/02/2017 07:59

I had friends who were cabin crew years ago and I worke din a related role
We gut commission, extra pay for being away and didn't pay for food while working. We also got free hotel stays with meals and could get free flights sometimes too so as a package it worked out pretty well

Bluebellevergreen · 03/02/2017 08:01

It is low. But I was earning 17000 for a job in science with a degree, masters and languages. Lots of my colleagues with PhDs...

LadyPenelopeCantDance · 03/02/2017 08:02

£12k is purely the basic salary, so even if they spent the month not at work on stand by at home, that is the salary they are paid. I worked for a different airline, but was taking home home average of £1800 a month once all of the other pay was added on.

Crew don't do the job for the money, it's all about the perks and wallowing away the days on the beach, wandering around interesting cities and shopping in lovely places! They get lots of time off too so some choose to temp on those days. They know they don't get paid well but it is a lifestyle they choose.

Must add though, the long serving BA crew are paid very well - much higher basic salary plus their allowances.

maddiemookins16mum · 03/02/2017 08:03

The travel industry in general (so crew and other travel jobs) is known for being a low paid sector but with additional "perks", some being financial. My job gives me an additional 2K holiday discount on top of my basic wage.

ShatnersWig · 03/02/2017 08:06

Jdoe Ah, you assumed the Union rep gave a wholly accurate picture on the radio. Rookie mistake...

elephantpig · 03/02/2017 08:32

Just a nurse over here, crying in the corner.

rale124 · 03/02/2017 09:36

Is it above the appropriate NMW level?

Then what is the issue? If they don't like the pay they can always chose a different jobs.

Cleaners earn more because it is an undesirable job and hard to recruit for. People line up to be a trolley dolly and 14k isn't that bad for an entry level job, apprentices in engineering & construction can often make as little as £3.20 an hour.

Supply and demand and no one is entitled to become one. If money is importent to you chose a less subscribed field.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 03/02/2017 09:40

PotteringAlong

In today's jobs market often people have to take what they can get. That doesn't mean they deserve to earn a living that would essentially put them i to the category of "working poor". £12,000 for such a full on job, or indeed any full time role, is most definitely a terrible thing.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 03/02/2017 09:41

14k isn't that bad for an entry level job, apprentices in engineering & construction can often make as little as £3.20 an hour.

Which is appalling.

DJKKSlider · 03/02/2017 09:47

Sounds pretty good to me.

Isn't a Flight attendant doing it more for the job and not the money?
The travelling, experience, the people etc.
I'd actually think that people get into being flight attendants with money as a secondary concern.

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