To tweet BA pilots that I earn less than the INCREASE they're demanding?

[CheapSeats]

I earn 18000 a year. BA pilots are asking for an increase of 20000 a year. Yeah I know about skills and responsibility blah blah blah but AIBU to be upset that my holiday might be ruined? They're bleating in the papers today that they're upset that they now only get to stay in 4 star hotels instead of 5.

@DustyDiamond

A pilot simply couldn't do his job at all without an airborne aircraft - getting an aircraft airborne requires serviceable systems - that, my dear, is the job of the techie

I don't disagree with that.

What i disagree with is the previous statement you made.

the lack of crashes/accidents is more to do with the mechanics & avionics ground crew technicians than the pilots

Because it simply is not true.

Oh, and I am most certainly not your 'dear', I believe in a certain context it is intended to make the writer look better than the reader. The rest of your posts speak for themselves though.

the lack of crashes/accidents is more to do with the mechanics & avionics ground crew technicians than the pilots

That's simply hilarious you think that.

That's simply hilarious you think that.

Is it?!

It's funny you say that, because all the pilots I knew & worked with over the years were very aware of how their safety depended on the techies' work

@DustyDiamond

I don't think you realise but this

all the pilots I knew & worked with over the years were very aware of how their safety depended on the techies' work

Doesn't work as a response to this

the lack of crashes/accidents is more to do with the mechanics & avionics ground crew technicians than the pilots

Pilots nowadays have very little to do - they're there in case the auto systems fail

The first, nobody is disputing.

The second, just stupid.

It is the systems that fly the aircraft when all is well

Fuel transfer, stability, navigation, cabin atmosphere regulation, height etc - all automatic

It is techies who fix & maintain these systems

When all is well, pilots are simply monitoring everything - they are there (and deserve to be paid well) for when systems fail

This is neither a 'hilarious' nor 'stupid' statement - it is simply fact

*Are they paid less than the market rate and other airlines? How much do other airlines pay pilots?

Yes. They are one of the lowest paid in the world.*

If this is true then OP - YABVU

Never before have I heard Ground Engineers being referred to as Techies. Nevertheless, it's nice to see them being appreciated!

Oh, and OP, YABU. Apart from anything else, as Pilot1 has mentioned, don't believe everything you read in the papers.

Aren't most aircraft pretty much fully automated? There' s a standing joke amongst flight engineers that all cockpits should contain 2 pilots to reassure the passengers who prefer to see human faces, and a large dog to bite them if they try to touch the controls!

I was a RAF techie sheknows - that's just what we were called

I worked mostly fast jet but also did a few years on passenger aircraft

Also never hear A/C engineers referred to as 'techies'

BA pilots are certainly not the lowest paid in the industry UK wise.

Although I'm sure there is a huge difference as in other airlines with long serving crew being on old style contracts.

Ah it's a RAF ism

That explains

Fwiw I've seen pilots who have utterly amazed me with their cool-headedness in a drama

One which I'll never forget was a pilot who managed to keep control & land with the canopy detonation cord wrapped round his neck after a bird strike smashed the canopy open (the cord being an explosive cord)

He was amazing!!

You sound bitter.

I think pilots should be well rewarded. I can also understand how angry people are who earn f all and hear that their saved up holiday will be disrupted.

I do think it’s quite interesting to hear how fiercely people defend the wages of very highly paid occupations. Usually male dominated. You don’t see the same people coming out in defence of public sector staff who also have high levels of responsibility and are paid very badly.

Hells bells. Talking about auto pilot like it's bloody Airplane. The plane does not fly itself.

You know cruise control on your car? Can you really sit back and watch a film while it's on? No. You have to scan your environment. Be ready to move in an instant. You have to check your direction. Incoming cars. Fuel.

Imagine that 36000 ft in the sky 13 hours into a 17 hour flight with 500 people depending on you.

@DustyDiamond

When all is well, pilots are simply monitoring everything - they are there (and deserve to be paid well) for when systems fail

If you genuinely had an aviation background you wouldn't really be saying this.

If you genuinely had an aviation background you wouldn't really be saying this.

Why would I lie?

Do you have an aviation background?

@DustyDiamond

I don't know. Like I said previously, it's either not true or you are ridiculously arrogant.

You decide.

*Like I said previously, it's either not true or you are ridiculously arrogant.

You decide.*

😂😂

You're a peach!!

DustyDiamond
Pilots nowadays have very little to do - they're there in case the auto systems fail

Nonsense! The pilots fly the plane through the automation. Pilots are consistently having to command and manage various parts of the computer system.And how do you think the plane takes off?!!

It's interesting that someone who has 20 years experience in the field of aviation has absolutely no fucking idea what the pilots do.

Ok Dusty, I have no experience of military. However, it's not a term used in commercial Aviation.

There's quite a few misconceptions on this thread, on both sides.

Firstly, don't feel too sorry for any pilots you know, it is actually a good career and great fun. (And in no way am I denying the stresses they face by saying this.) It is also well paid, and believe me, they can afford to eat whilst away from home. However, as Borntobedifferent said, when a company is doing well surely all employees should benefit?

As other posters have said, it's such a shame to see the race to the bottom mentality demonstrated so often.

And now I'm off to name change!

This comment from ariawa on the first page has won the thread for me:

Youre complaining about £18000 a year when bangladeshi garment workers earn £25 a month for 14 hour days/ 7 days a week?

My ex was an aircraft engineer for Virgin. He called himself a techie 🤷🏼‍♀️

I fully support the BA pilots in the proposed strike action. They deserve the money.

I do know one cheeky thing one long haul pilot used to do. Get duty free stuff into the UK. Two boys at school their dad a pilot would bring back all sorts for them to sell at school, raybans, dvds, movie discs, etc. they were a great source of cheap stuff. I picked up my DS from their home one day, the kitchen was like a market stall, daddy had just got home with quite a haul of goodies.