saintjay77

Sounds pretty similar to the yanks version. Not sure how there qualifacations compare to ours but the Uk one seems more like the level i would have expected. Extra training goes into NVQ levels which is supposed to be equivilent to A-levels or something isnt it? If so when based against other jobs that require similar qualifications then the current salary seems to be inline with other sectors. So that goes back to who is earning the mega bucks? If 80% agreed to the strike then surly there cant be 80% still there on the T's & C's that were agreed over 13 years ago? I have no idea on the figures but using fag packet maths say 30% of that 80% were from the old guard and on the fat cat wages. Bare in mind they have been this way since at least 13 years ago so would probably be living the lifestyle that goes with those wages and would find it very hard to replace with another job or something. I can understand them wanting to fight even if I dont understand how they can justify being paid so much. That still would leave 50% on the contracts that seem pretty reasonable. So why did people on the current T's & C's agree to strike? Whats in it for them? Thats why I still think there may be more in the whole mess than is being let on. Maybe we will find out and maybe we wont. It would be nice if it can all be sorted out to suit everyone before any more holidays are ruined but it doesnt look like either side want to back down.

Why are we still looking at chances of death in work? Ive lost track of what that has to do with anything.

I think they get a little more than basic 1st aid. If you can be bothered here is an American explanation of that is expected of a flight attendant. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos171.htm Most of it is P's and Q's but I was supprised how highly qualified they are expected to be to get the job.

I dont think there would be any problem in getting people interested but being young and pretty is not the job discription any more. There might be allot of people that apply but not many will be suitable on either health or education grounds. The army wouldnt let me in when I tried. Not for either of those reasons. more down to not impressing in the interview I suppose. I dont see any shortage of people joining the forces either dispite the low wage and crap conditions.

There could be an argument that the reason for such a low risk these days is down to the high level of training the staff get involved in keeping aircraft in the air. There must be more risk of having a normal heart attack in a plane than crashing in one but I bet a trolly dolly is more qualified to deal with a heart attack then say a bus conductor. None of that justifies or explains why any BA heathrow staff are paid more than anyone else doing the same job mind. But I am not so sure the BA/Union sketch is just about what a few people get and may be more about setting the level that is fare for both company and employee's

I find it hard to disagree and I havnt said I support the strike (or any for that matter) I just try to see what both sides are saying and try to figure out why they feel so strongly about taking what ever action. Its obvious that losing over 500 mil is enough to cause any business to take action but then when plans to cut costs are agreed with the work force and further messures are tabled to cut even more costs, what is the motive to scrap all the plans and push back against the work force? Maybe BA laid the bait for the union and the union took it? Despite some of the actions of BA looking harsh the general public opinion seems to be against the union. If this goes badly for the union over all then there will seem little point to future unions and therefor open up companys ability to push its staff around further. we've got grand parents and great grand parents that fought for what they thought was the right thing to do even when the general public suffered because of there action. Its a shtty thing to happen anywhere but out of it usualy comes some kind of good that will help others further down the line. How can any of us know if the action being taken now will benifit or hinder us later on?

Just playing devils advocet and all that but with more planes in the sky being the comercial variety I would have thought that for a Pilot to die the flight attendant's chances would not be too high. I also cant seem to remember that many aircraft crashes that would bring about that many fatalities of its pilots.

Ive not kept up with the facts and figures but there seems to be many numbers floating around which depending on which side of the fence people are on will depend on which figures are to be used. I think both sides are guilty of spin but it doesnt make either side more right than the other. The figures BA are putting out seem to be a small percentage of the work force that have based there income to be as it is over much of there working life but then 80% of the balloted voted for the strike. I dont understand how all of that 80% were wishing to keep the perks and benifits that the long standing staff get when it wont effect them in the slightest. So there must be more too it from both sides. It seems the sensible solution is to get everyone talking to come up with something that suits everyone. Obviously BA need to do something or they will go under and everyone involved will lose out. It will be very damaging for the union to lose maybe not for this lot but for future workforce's. My guess is if 80% voted for the strike they were either conned into believing it was the right thing to do or there is allot more to the way they are being treated and enough people believe its time to try to do something about it? But if the union roll over what does it mean to future decissions and changes?

Ive met a few trolly dolly's when they were on leave and all were great fun to spend time with. Ive also met a few squadies on leave and ive not met one that wasnt a dik in thier civillian leave time. People in the forces are often highly trained to do really tough jobs in extreme conditions. Social and civillian skills are often not high on the list of prioritys. trying to compare the different jobs people do is not a very good argument. I wouldnt want a trolly dolly defending our country but then I wouldnt want a soldier serving me tea at 30'000 feet either.

Its usually those at the top that are creaming the most out of company's that are also the last out the door. Cost cutting usually starts with the staff at the bottom while the fat cats sit tight collecting there bonus's.

Pure Gold lol

Tax free tour?

Pinnacle Mark I was soon followed by Marcus Mark Savior Of all things Saints!!! Lets hope Pinnacle Mark II is not followed so successfully.

Says the same on SSN. I cant believe he is still harping on about it not being the teams fault. The same team that wouldnt have all those players in the 1st team had the club not friggin cheated in the 1st place. The same team that have just played there last game for the club because they are the only things in that siht hole that are either worth any money or are bleeding the remains of the club dry. That team is the direct result of that clubs cheating so why shouldnt they be punnished along with the club? Only thing I almost agree on and this should be the same for any club, is the people that made the decisions to get any club in this situation should be held to account and punished for there part in it. How many clubs have been run poorly only for the people in charge to let the club go into admin and then bugger off to run another business into the ground? Anyone think Rupes and co should have been held more accountable for the mess we were in? There should be something in place to protect clubs against people that run things as bad as Storrie teller and co.

I would have thought he would have kept James as he seemed to rate him early on. Suprised about Poke too as we have been bringing him through for a long time and he is a good keeper. Maybe Bart indicated he is happy being #2 and he is further ahead than Poke so worth sticking with him. Shame for Gillet as he hasnt impressed Pardew yet proved he can do a job at CCC level a number of times. Maybe he just doesnt fit into our system so it will be a good thing for him to get a fresh start. Good luck to him. I wonder if we will see Papa or Antonio back by the end of the summer? I think had we gone up to the CCC we might have taken the option to buy on Papa but getting Antonio off Reading I suppose will be down to how much they want and how much we are prepared to offer. Interesting to find out who is on the wish list for next season which I guess there are a fair number with the amount we have let go. 4 or 5 to come in maybe?

Cause he probably wont be fit enough this coming season. If we do buy another decent striker of DC's standard but less injury prone then DC will be gone IMO. I would rather keep DC but we need 3 decent strikers that are going to be fit week in week out. Cant see Cortese allowing the team to carry DC for the sake of a handful of games. Idealy DC will be fit for one more season and we wont need another striker till the season after. But Automatic promotion is a serious target so IMO the management team will be looking towards the future a bit more closely.

I think they would like to get shot of a fair few but allot will depend on anyone else wanting them. Poke has done well at Torquay and will no doubt be pushing for the reserve keeper if he comes back so it may depend on us 1st keeping Davies (dont think that will be a problem) and then it will depend on any offers coming in for either Bart or Poke. Cant see Forecast in any of the plans TBH. Pards seems to rate James highly as one for the future but I reckon he will send him out on loan unless Wooton is shipped on. If Calderon comes in and Thomas, Murty and Semi are all gone then James will prob stay. If DC can last a season then Barnard may see even less games so I think DC might end up out the door with one more decent striker coming in. Ricky, Barnard and 1 other should be a decent rotation up front. Lallana, Puncheon, Antonio and Papa would be the 2 for each position on the wings but I would be amazed if Antonio and Papa are still here next season so I would have thought those to will be replaced with a couple of CCC standard wingers. If Jaidi is up for another season I think Martin and Seaborne will be the cover while Jaidi and Jose will be the starters. That should be enough for a 1st team squad so Gillet and a few others will prob be off-loaded. Jake Thomson hasnt been able to get into the Torquay team for a few weeks now so I doubt they will want him back either. Think the biggest moves will be at under 18 level. With the big shake up they want at Staplewood and the focus they want on bringing our players up ourselves I bet there will be a big push to attract the best kids they can get to try and get some ready for our 1st few seasons back in the prem.

Hey I am liking this approach and when the dust has settled and we dont hear much from NC I will be a happy bunny as that means the team is heading in the right direction. Things are looking good so far

I was on about that bit. That is not the 1st time you have put such a statement on record. If next season starts shockingly I fully expect NC to be asking questions and I doubt Pards will be giving much argument either. Making the play-offs this season would have been like getting a Get out of Jail free card. Pards missed it and now 2nd place will seem like a bit of a let down next season so the expectations are high. Anyone that fails next season will more than likly be up for the chop.

I think NC wants the comunication to be open between himself and the fans but also wants to sit back and not become the celeb that some other chairmen have tried to become. I guess its pretty tricked finding that ballence and its something quite different than we have been used to so it may take more time for us to get used to the way things get done now. I dont think we can be blamed too much for worrying as after having 10 years of Rupes its almost ingrained in our nature to think its all going to go arse up or the manager merry-go-round is ready to spin again.

Tell everyone again Stu, I dont think they saw your post's before.

Kin fantastic statement, although its maybe a shame that the likes of MLT and Franny dont appear to be a welcome part of the club as it is now. NC did say he was unsure of some of the motives so maybe in the future the legends and ex players can be a big part of the clubs history and future. I have never been so optomistic about the saints future though. Actually considering putting a bet on us winning the Champions League one day!!!! Can such a bet be placed? Cant wait to find out the shape of the 1st team next season with no doubt a few leaving and some more coming in.

prwned!!!

So what time is this meeting and is there a press conference planned? Has anyone phoned SMS to check yet? Its going back to the old days..... Friday anyone?

Didnt think it was personal but thought about saying something before as a few times it has looked like Duncan is taking a bashing from a few people. In this day and age I think its really hard to support strikes. Which is probably why there is so much anti on here.