This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Having had a drink at Dine Boston per usual and watched the end of the Fox replay of Chelsea and Aston Villa (4-4) it had seemed a good start to a nice holiday visiting family and friends; escaping from the ice and snow that has locked in New England from mid December to more seasonal weather, long walks and a good New Year.
I zipped my laptop back into its double nest in my backpack (*note--the VS UC scanners at LHR T3 did not even require me to remove my laptop from bag much less from zipper shell) I had a wander through Borders to see about a book or two paid with dollars rather than pounds and went down to a crowded Aer Lingus Lounge to check e-mail and make phone calls. The new Boston VS Lounge is still not completed....and once again the dinner buffet was snarfed up by Aer Lingus and Icelandair pax (there were very few VS pax in the lounge) and sadly no Bento boxes left by the time we'd made our way through. No worries, I looked forward to a good leisurely meal on the plane.
Called for boarding, lift to gate 8 and seated in seats 10A and 11A, wheels up fairly quickly but our FA was not a happy camper. She immediately asked us if we would like dinner, noting that we had probably eaten in the lounge but when I said that no, actually only people enroute to Ireland had eaten in the lounge, she offered us a cold tray and a turn down which we both declined in favor of a hot meal and a glass of champagne. The menu was quite limited--choice being tomato and cheese ravioli or chicken-- which was passable but no Bento box.
Once she'd wandered off, not to be seen again until landing, and our dinner was done, we went to the bar, which was where I had the great good fortune to meet a FA with whom I could talk strike. In fact we talked until the seatbelt sign was on and then continued our discussion back at my seat. This flight crew were wonderful, save the bored and aloof FA assigned to our seats for whom her colleagues profusely apologized. As I was awake most of the flight I saw them continually checking in on pax, keeping the plane tidy, refreshing and cleaning the toilets, offering drinks, making up or taking down beds and, perhaps most importantly, doing it as a unified crew who seemed to care about and support each other. There was definitely an aura of potential unknown and those who were not directly supporting the strike were certainly not taking it out on those who were; it was more a sense that they were very aware that colleagues were taking the heat for them.
So what did I learn? Probably not nearly enough, but a glimpse into why feelings are so strong. Many crew travel a good distance to get to work as living in London or environs is financially impossible--some from as far away as Glasgow--one even based in Miami, and although they get special rates, it's four hours there and four hours back and it costs money. Crew who began as twenty-somethings, lured by the whoopee life of traveling the world, SRB party bonanzas and all the rest of the VS 'family' glitter often leave as they 'grow up' settle down and start families of their own. Turnover is high. Those who love the job because they love the job, stay but it's at great personal cost. I heard no whinging about being away from home and family for extended time but to be away from home and still not be earning a decent salary is hard. The standby rota is even harder, especially for parents of young children. Parents who work part time are not liable for this but how many people can afford to just work part time? There is little incremental for years served or expertise. Being a VS hero is lovely but it doesn't pay the bills. Those who love working for VS, who are good at their jobs and who want VS to be their career, pay dearly for the dedication unless they are fortunate enough to make FSM. There are few other opportunities to increase salary, despite the constant 'training' and oversight that veteran crew do on every flight of newer, younger FA.
As we talked, I was very aware of a certain camaraderie amongst crew that was quite different than that which exists when a certain crew just clicks. There was a great deal of personal courtesy: small touches, a pat to the shoulder, an offer to take that tray to the galley, a smile, a hug. Someone brought me a cup of tea, someone else turned my bed down. The crew, with the exception of our disgruntled FA who looked as though she was eager to walk away and not look back once we'd reached Heathrow, were more or less seasoned, with an average of seven years or more of service at VS. They clearly knew their jobs and were committed to doing them well. I felt safe, cared for and very, very fortunate to be there. I thought of all the VS flights I have taken, of the excellent flights and the awful ones, and that the greatest differential was the experience and dedication of crew. When crew spent the flight gigglingly stationed in the galley, forgetting or avoiding the passengers in their care, it was not the experienced FA.
As we came into London, the FSM (who was a fill -in from engineering for post holiday no-shows)did a creditable job of organizing us for arrival. As we exited from the aircraft, I felt very much that I was saying thank you and goodbye to crew who cared. I hoped that there would not be recrimination nor firings for anyone who had thoughtfully supported the strike . We were off, through immigration, bags retrieved and at Revivals and in showers within 20 minutes.
I meant this to be just a TR and it seems to have come out more of a diatribe and I do apologize, but sometimes flights include conversation or experience which arise from the time and place, as this one did. I am very happy that the VS strike did not happen but will also keep a close eye on further, forward thinking developments that support fairly and equitably retaining a VS flight crew that make every flight safe and excellent.
RR
[:(]
Roadrunner
