Jaunted

The ironic name BA choose for the new fleet, which we only found out when we caught wind of the news via @British_Airways, is "Mixed Fleet." Now that label would kind of imply that they're mixing their new crew with their existing employees, but that's the exact opposite of true. The entire point of this initiative is to carve out a separate work force. That's why Unite is fighting so hard to have the new employees work on the same planes as their members, and that's why BA is never going to let that happen. They want new people in a new environment working under new contracts.

The "Mixed Fleet" name is actually a reference to the new on-board team structure that customers will be seeing on the alternate fleet. Per the employment page BA has set up, "with great benefits comes great accountability to deliver something very special in the air and on the ground. The on board teams will be made up of a Customer Service Manager and Cabin Crew." That seems like a bit of a gimmick to us, since it's difficult to imagine what a customer service manager could accomplish in-flight, but it's where they get the name from so there it is.

If they really wanted to provide real-time customer service on flights, of course, they would just make sure there's a stable Twitter connection. Nothing gets the attention of a social media rep faster than "Let me break down the horrible customer service on the @whatever flight I'm on right now #travel #travelhell #getmeoutofhere."

[Photo: Panhard / Wiki Commons]

Related Stories:
· British Airways launches a recruitment drive for new flight staff [Guardian]
· Airline Industry [Jaunted]
· Travel News [Jaunted]