Virgin Atlantic pilots to ballot for strike

IMO this is a poorly written article that adds no new facts. It focusses on the scenario that no news means strikes, whereas no news could mean that negotiations are being productive. At least both sides are still talking.

The article then goes on to try to give 'Advice' whereas in fact what has been done is an adaption of some of the FAQs from the VS website. The author starts by referring to VS in the third person - ie Virgin Atlantic has comfirmed THEIR flight schedule....

He then comes unstuck by refering to 'OUR brochure terms & conditions' highlighting the fact he has lifted information from VS.

IMO this is a poorly written article that adds no new facts

Erm. You expect more from the red top trade???

This just in on the BALPA web site:

BALPA remains in talks with Virgin Atlantic. These talks are scheduled to finish today and BALPA NEC will be discussing the way forward tomorrow.

Fingers crossed.

This just in on the BALPA web site:

BALPA remains in talks with Virgin Atlantic. These talks are scheduled to finish today and BALPA NEC will be discussing the way forward tomorrow.

Fingers crossed.

BALPA NEC discussing the way forward tomorrow...Does that mean they have some sort of offer from Virgin and need to put it to the pilots to accept or not?

[Darren Wheeler]

It's a deliberately vague statement which could be read both ways.

http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/174605/20110705/virgin-atlantic-virgin-pilot-pilot-strikes-strikes-u-k-gatwick-heathrow-richard-branson-balpa-insura.htm

...worth a read...

Hm. The International Business Times.

With content such as

"Who is hotter? Nadal's or Djokovic's girlfriends?"

and

"Your chance to live the Ponzi schemer's life style"

It must be well informed!

I know this must be extremely worrying for those with flights coming up, but we won't know until we know - if you see what I mean.

http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/174605/20110705/virgin-atlantic-virgin-pilot-pilot-strikes-strikes-u-k-gatwick-heathrow-richard-branson-balpa-insura.htm

...worth a read...

I know this must be extremely worrying for those with flights coming up, but we won't know until we know - if you see what I mean.

I'm not worried at all

'BALPA National Executive Committee will be discussing the way forward tomorrow'

Surely if it was good news there would be nothing to discuss, if it was bad news however, you'd have plenty to talk about.

I really hope I'm wrong but I've got a bad feeling about this.

The thing that gets to me is no one is saying anything !! we go on the 19 july but we cannot get exicted in case we have to tell the kids it off we have booked holiday and passes with vh but not the house, but also the harry potter seems a bit of a con that you have to go to the meet and greet or book a extra trip to get this

Whilst I totally appreciate that nothing is certain until Balpa/Virgin make a formal announcement, I must admit that I am feeling a little better about the threat of strike action now having spent today a Law Conference in the company of Virgin Atlantic's General Manager for legal affairs. Of course he would speak in a positive manner, wouldn't he, but he also gave a very strong impression that things would be sorted very soon and that Virgin were not on "Red alert" - as he put it - at the present time. He also went on to say that he certainly would not have been spending the day at a Law Conference if strike dates were about to be announced.

I fly to Lax on the 007 this Friday so although my outbound should go ahead ok, my inbound on the 22 July could potentially be affected. I did feel a little sorry for the Virgin guy as I pounced on him, closely followed by Simon Calder and and a journo from Travel weekly.

I shall sleep a little better tonight
Flo

Simon Calder... the world's least knowledgeable travel 'journalist' ...i cant imagine anything worse!! :-s

Hope it is all looking good though....fingers crossed!

Simon Calder... the world's least knowledgeable travel 'journalist' ...i cant imagine anything worse!! :-s

Hope it is all looking good though....fingers crossed!

Ditto, ditto, ditto, Simon Calder, an embarrassment of talent aka so little gone so far.

[buns]

Simon Calder... the world's least knowledgeable travel 'journalist' ...i cant imagine anything worse!! :-s

Hope it is all looking good though....fingers crossed!

Ditto, ditto, ditto, Simon Calder, an embarrassment of talent aka so little gone so far.

Perhaps Prime Candidate for VP of Customer Services at VS ): He always gets it right

buns

Simon Calder... the world's least knowledgeable travel 'journalist' ...i cant imagine anything worse!! :-s

Hope it is all looking good though....fingers crossed!

Ditto, ditto, ditto, Simon Calder, an embarrassment of talent aka so little gone so far.

Perhaps Prime Candidate for VP of Customer Services at VS ): He always gets it right

buns

Oh steady on there Buns ! There are people who work there and am sure it would be against their human rights to inflict calder on him.

Besides I don't think he knows where Crawley is !

Um...just occurred to me Flo, I thought Jill Brady was the director of legal affairs...and you said 'he' ....... did you mean Jill or.....?

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/pressoffice/directors/brady.jsp

I spoke with Julian Homerstone, General Manager of Legal Affairs at Virgin Atlantic. I also suggested to him that if he wants some decent customer feedback he should pay a visit to v-flyer.com

This indicates that talks resumed at 11 a.m. this morning despite yesterday's announcement. Haven't been able to triangulate it though with any other source.

Regards
R3dV

[Darren Wheeler]

On the BALPA website now.

http://www.balpa.org/News-and-campaigns ... OFFER.aspx

New offer made, pilots to be re-balloted

Please follow link and do not copy/paste from BALPA website.

There are some possitive rumours from PPRuNe at the moment

[Neil]

Sounds positive, fingers crossed for a good outcome or both parties.

Sounds promising!

Here's hoping ^)

I'm pleased Virgin have reconsidered their offer, especially after the slightly underhand remarks and website updates. Why can't they of just said what they meant, oh wait they couldn't, so why didn't they just say nothing at all.

Great news all round for the travelling public (like me!), the pilots do a great job & deserve whatever they receive IMHO!

EXCELLENT news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope its fair all round