Helen, couldn't have put it better myself. I am a senior with VAA and currently clear 950-1000 pounds per month. Like yourself i love my job, and the lifestyle. As proffesional people we do not intend to hold any holiday makers to ransom so to speak! However VAA require their cabin crew to live within 1hr 45mins. This is not possible on our current salary. I also think some people seem to think that we are striking because we want to be on a HIGH salary, again this is not true. We just want to be even with other people doing the same job, no more, no less. I read a comment where somebody doubted that VAA cabin crew earned less than easyjet and ryan air. I can assure you we do earn far less than staff for these two companies. This i know as my sister is a flight attendant for easyjet. this is fact!!!!!!!! VAA offer us excellent concessions for our staff travel, its a shame that very few of us get the opportunity to benefit from these fantastic deals, with such low salaries.

KAA, edinburgh,

I have been working for Virgin atlantic as crew for 21 years. I started as a junior on of 8,200 pa and am now a flight Service Manager, the top bod under the Capt. I now earn just under 22,000 pounds a year. Yes we get flying allowances, but that depends on where we fly. A trip to India rewards me £50, by the time I've eaten during my stay, I can maybe bring 20 pounds home. We can fly up to 18 hours without any legal rest on the aircraft, that means being on your feet for most of the flight. The company even removed the crew bunks from some of our aircraft so that rest couldn't be taken, as a cost saving measure.

We fly 5 or 6 times a month, returning from a 10 hour flight from Jo'burg for example only entitles you to 2 days off before flying again.

Does anyone think that less than trebling your salary over 21 years of working for a company is a good reward? We don't receive increments so all Flight service managers irrespective or length of service are on the same wage

Jon, London , United Kingdom

As a former crew memeber I think most of the general public are unaware what these guys do. They look after 400 passengers on an average day, that day can be up to 17 hours duty. They protect company assets worth millions.They are firefighters,security officers, first aiders,customer relations as well as serving the customers onboard. They are permantly jetlagged probably cross the atlantic 12 times a month and are dedicated professional people. I think it is about time they were renumerated for the arduous job they do.

Sean, ayr, uk

I work for VAA as a jnr and clear about £850 - £900 (which includes trip pay which we don't get if we are off sick) a month, don't get me wrong i love my job and am proud to work for Virgin but i don't see any of the money that goes into my bank a/c. The majority of trips i end up staying in my room eating the cheapest food i can find in order to bring back my allowances, I also do a part time job as well to make ends meet - i'm sorry if it sounds like a sob story but its true!!! If only all we did is serve tea and coffee but what do you think happens when someone has a heart attack/stroke/drunk and aggressive, we can work 11 hour flights without a break not to mention we check in 2 hours before just like you guys and it takes most of us a few hrs to get to work as we can't afford to live near the airport. I hope that nobodys travel plans are disrupted but its the airline thats at fault this has been building up for years!

Helen, Birmingham ,

It strikes me that most of the general public who have posted here are worried about themselves and the holiday they might miss. You say you will blame Virgin crew if you miss out on your holiday. Why not blame virgin management for allowing this to go on so long. The pay negotiations were strung along to this time of the year(xmas) to give the company more sway when the ballot went out. The offer of back dated pay was the dangling carrott the company hoped would make people vote yes, who wouldn't want a nice lump sum in time for xmas... It didn't work because the crew really have had enough.
Our pilots are about to start pay negotiations and with a stronger % of members they tend to get what they desrerve, hense the 23% rise over 3 years they recieved to bring them into line with industry leaders. Why shouldn't we be in line with industry leaders because as you all know the crew are the reason people come back and the reason the company wins numerous customer service awards annually

Neil, London,

with regard to annie from worcester, unless you work in the aviation industry you shouldnt comment on what cabin crew do as a job. we are first aid trained and at 37.000 ft have to deal with many situations which if you had on the groundyou could call on emergecy services and other areas for help. hence just not serving tea and coffee. b.a constantly threathning strike because of a huge work force and a strong union. b.a workers earn average £40,000 to £50,000 a year why is it wrong for virgin staff to expect the same?

gina, birmingham,

Annie from worchester, we can justify this because: Cabin crew are Defibrillator trained and have on a number of occasions restarted peoples hearts and saved lives, we are trained in passenger restraint and expected to deal with disruptive passengers when they jeopordise the safety of the aircraft, passengers and crew. I'm sure you work very hard sat in your office, but then you're entiled to a 15 minute break after 4 hours and 30 mins after 6 hours. We don't have this luxury, I flew back from Nairobi recently 4 crew down. The flight was 9 hours and none of us sat down, not even for 1 minute. Im proud to say the passengers didn't even realise we were crew down, and we had some great comments about our service. I could have cried with exaustion at the end of the flight, and its about time our pay reflected our hard work and dedication. I'm sure there are hundreds out there willing to do our job, but believe me most of them could not handle it!

Beth, Brighton,

I work as crew for VAA and i get no more than £850 in my bank account every month, that is including my fly pay...

Yes, we do get allowances on top of that such as £70 for operating a flight to Delhi, $148 (around £70) for operating an Orlando, $143 for a New York.... that is to cover our costs while down route (food and drink). So, if i do an average of 5 flights a month, who says that we are taking an average of an extra £500 a month on allowances??? I dont think so...

I recently operated a flight to Jamaica, we didnt even get to stay there, instead, we waited at the airport and positioned straight back to london on the same aircraft, we might have not worked on the way back but the allowances we got were just £25... i had to pay over £19 to get to and from the airport...

Please, to all the people who can afford a holiday away with the family... send us a post card so we know what it is like...

George, London,

One of the posters seems to think their pay should be comparable with Police Officers, Nurses etc. Sorry, with respect, how can you justify this? I work in an office full of hard working loyal customer service staff who work long hours - they would never advocate that the should be paid the same as a nurse or a police officer. What makes you different because you serve the public food, beverages etc. in the sky? You work hard but lives are not in your hands in the same way as nurses and you dont risk life and limb on the front line every day (no more than any traveller does anyway).

To keep using BA as a comparator is distorting the truth. BA still suffers from the old days of its state owned status and all the archaic staff perks etc that came with it. I suspect it is not reflective of the industry as a whole, which is why BA staff seem to repeatedly hold the company to ransom.

Annie, Worcester,

Here here! Craig Bell, ours is the same story, we are due to fly Virgin on 2nd Jan 2008, first holiday in years, saved like mad....kids on about it every day, had a dreadful year with family deaths etc.. i feel like crying....we can only go this time of year due to being self employed in the seasonal construction industry and as the kids are on set school holidays. Make them redundant then they can winge for real. There are loads of wannabees waiting to step in thier shoes. Get real, you are in the service industry!!, do your job you money grabbing back stabbers.

J Day, Newbury, Berkshire

Well Well well - everyone is a know-it-all these days!
First of all I work for Virgin as senior.
I work 6 flights a month on average and work in upper class. For those who say you get allowances downroute and flight pay - really want to know what it is....... as a SENIOR crew member I get £18.70 per flight and as for allowances - these are to purchase our food and beverages whilst away - and VAA don't give more than they have to so its minimal!!
This month I took home £934.19 - god only knows what a Junior crew member gets. Many people comment on 7 free flights - its nearly the end of the year and guess what I have 5 left because I can't afford to go anywhere!!
I am very proud to work for Virgin & Virgin always say ''its the people who make up Virgin Atlantic who make Virgin Atlantic'' - stand by your words and show your pride in us!! Oh and Richard - take a leaf out of your good friend Stelios' book - a fair wage for a fair days work. I like many others will strike to make a point!

Barry, Derry, Northern Ireland

To all the people who are worried about their holidays, do you think that as cabin crew we don't have the right to strike? If we were employed by the NHS I am sure that we would have nothing but sympathy from people. I am sure you will find that the people who voted no to the last pay deal are crew who have been with the company for a long time and are fed up with being the worst payed in the industry. It is not about having the latest mobile phone or a smart car, it is about being able to afford a mortgage, pay bills and maybe save up to take our children on holiday. And as crew we work many 15 hour shifts............

sarah, gatwick,

i have saved for a xmas holiday in florida for the past 3 years.My kids have been counting the days since we booked and it looks like virgin cabin crew are really going to spoil it .Well if they do i hope they explain to every child they upset .Unite shop steward said that virgin cabin crew feel they are underpaid and work really hard which i am not doubting .But guess what i have worked my fingers to the bone to pay for this holiday we are talking 15 hour shifts .Just remember even if you dont strike the dammage is already done so dont make it any worse by striking you might strike yourself out of a job .Remember while you lot are on strike with no pay for how ever long it takes the shop stewards still get their pay .Just mention if we dont get paid how about you the shop steward dont get paid .Bet they are not so keen to strike then .If you think your underpaid go elsewhere

craig bell, whitehaven, england

I am also a crew member for Virgin Atlantic. I agree with both Steve and Amy's comments. Virgin do take advantage of the fact we enjoy our jobs. I have many friends who fly for other airlines who think I am a fool for staying at Virgin. I compared a recent pay slip with a BA crew members and he earned in August more than 3 times I did. In the past I have always defended Virgin because of our other benefits and generally, pleasant working environment but I have now had enough. Its about time Virgin put their hands in their pockets and gave us the pay we deserve.

Nathan, London, UK

Mr Stoner, It would be a very big shame if your holiday was ruined, but the thousands of people who are unhappy with their pay are the 4,500 cabin crew at Virgin!!!! I think that is a big enough statement and hint to say that Virgin Atlantic have mis judged their own financial planning and not invested in their front line workers by giving them the proper renumeration from day one!! Lets hope you get to go on holiday and enjoy the service we provide, but its not the fault of the crew if you dont! we have been telling the company since March this year that we want more money! Prehaps you should write to Sir Richard Branson and ask him for a refund? Why did they in the knowledge accept your booking without warning you that there could be some kind of inductrial action in the future!!!

Amy, London, UK

This is to 'Betty C'
Who sounds not far from an office based Linda we all know!
You obviously spend too much time in the wrong car park and have been looking in flight crew cars! I heard a while ago these comments had been made by you and hear this ringing... it's true! The crew are hard working and love the job and just want VAA to acknowledge this. Money Talks and sorry but most people work to live not the other way round.

Skint , North,

Totally agree with the comment from james,Things have changed in Virgin over the years,someone with 21 years service in virgin is now not getting any reward for loyality,where most companies offer extra leave etc we get nothing,no extra leave,no financial reward,all loyality stops at 5 years service,no reward for experience either an FSM with 21 yrs service will earn the same as an FSM who is promoted today.
The problem with vigin is to many middle management being paid huge salaries and not doing their jobs and should be sacked,there is no accountability in virgin and that is the issue ie mid class,j2000 seats,OTP,new catering contract,all cock ups that cost us money etc
Job grades mean nothing FSM are classed as middle manegement,responsable for the well being of 18 crew 24hrs a day for up to 9 days, are accountable when things go wrong and yet we are paid less than the post manager at the base..
If anything this will make the company realise we will never be walked over again..

steve FSM, Gatwick,

Perhaps crew do have some issue with pay but so do thousands of other people in this country.
Do they think that striking at Xmas & ruining the holidays of thousands of children who have been looking forward to
a magical Christmas will really help them?
If they ruin my holiday, I for one (will never fly Virgin again)!

James Stoner, Plymouth, UK

Well as a crew member for Virgin Atlantic for nearly two years it is amazing to read the varied views, some of whom come from our customers and the voices of my fellow crew memebers, It would be a sad day for the cabin crew to strike and a last resort option. When we say "we enjoy our job" we infact do, we all feel becasue of this that the company takes advantage of our dedication and the love for the job. The Virgin brand is always linked to value for money and oh boy they get real value for money from its front line workers!

Amy, London, UK

Victoria Smith in Huddersfield. You have a very short sighted view of this situation and seem to be a very selfish person. Basically all that is bothering you is your holiday to Australia. Maybe in a few years if you have matured enough to find yourself a career your views of just switching jobs every time you are in a situation you don't like may change. I know any potential employees may feel the same when they see your lengthy C.V.
Try paying a mortgae and bringing up a family on the salary we are recieving. Then again that may be too much of a commitment for you. Or would you just put the kids up for sale when you have had enough!

Mel , Manchester,

Thankyou for those who support us. We do love our job, i love mine however Crew Office Managers are paid £10,000 more in basic salary than a Flight Service Manager, this is not fair! 4.8% on a Junior Cabin Crew salary of £10,000 per annum is nothing! This is not just about this pay deal, its about years of frustration building over pay and the first time we have had the strength to do this, solve the problem once and for all and wake up VA! I barely accepted the last offer however will like others in the same situation Support Strike!

Jo, London, UK

I am shocked at certain peoples comments about how selfish we as cabin crew are being. To "DAN" are you a flight attendant? I didnt think so. I would love to see how quickly your opinions would change after being a flight attendant for 1 day. After working 16 hour days, busy, long and demanding flights we expect to be paid a decent wage. I am shocked that some VAA crew are taking home £700 a month how can they survive?
I am a flight attendant for SINGAPORE AIRLINES, VAA own a big share of our company yet i take home around £2500 a month. I am shocked at the Vaa crew pay when i am being paid this much for the same routes.
Also "DAN" and others who have left nasty comments, did you know that cabin crew are only paid once the cabin door of the aircraft is closed! Once the cabin door is opened on landning that is the end of our pay period. What happens to all the extra hours we spend with passengers and in the airport we are not freee during these times we work. Its about time crew STRIKE!

Krish, london,

The people who will pay for this action is the general public who have put their trust in Virgin and its staff. I have a flight booked at Christmas to Australia, it is the holiday of a lifetime that I have worked long and hard for, and it will fall to pieces if this goes ahead. If Virgin cabin crew do not like their pay and conditions, they should go and work somewhere else. That's what I would have to do if I did not like my pay and conditions. I would not expect others to suffer on my behalf.

Victoria Smith, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

I live with two other crew for VAA and we all struggle on the money, we are actually expected to live 1hr 45mins from LHR, yet I as an OBM can only get a mortgage for £97'000, so if anyone knows of anyone selling property around London for this price then please let me know.
Having looked through some of the obviously naive comments made by people who do not know the ins and outs of our job perks I would like to clarify a few things. For example- Our '7 free flights' are on a standby basis. and due to the fantastic crew that we have our flights are predominantly completely full or oversold, thus resulting in having to leave our loved ones in various destinations, and we also pay the airport tax for those tickets so not technically 'free'. Our 'free' food onboard- Due to Virgin making continuing cutbacks onboard, our crew often have to give up their meal to disappointed customers. The list goes on but there is not enough space on here but please support us...we do deserve more money

Loves her job but isn't paid enough, The very outer skirts of LHR,

The problem with VAA is that they under value the Cabin Crew and the role that they play in the image and reputation of the airline.

Richard if you find yourself reading this please take a long hard look at the quality of your Directors , Ridgeway, Stranby, Lee etc ,and the amount of middle management you have and do not need.

I have spent over 10 years working for you and 4.8 percent of very little will always equal very little!!!

James, london, UK

The management at Virgin really need to begin to value their unique resource, the resource which keeps the customers coming back time after time, that is their cabin crew who are paid less than their counterparts in other airlines. It is these people who will keep the punters coming even when BA move to T5 with the 5 minute journey from the M25 rather that the hell of trying to get to T3. To undervalue their trump card that they hold over their rivals is gross corporate negligence at best and financial suicide at worst. Come on Virgin management stop being so tight or you will end up sitting and watching BA's shareprice climb counting the limo drive cars driving into T5 as you tot up the empty Upper Class seats that pay your wages.

Harri Scadbonar, Kidlington, Oxon

I write in reference to the comments made by "Dan-London"

I am crew for Virgin and am somewhat dissappointed with his comments.

As a longhaul airline Virgin are required to accommodate there crew whilst away on company business, regardless of 1 night or 7.
Ryanair / easyjet (list goes on also do the same when a layover is required.
It is unrealistic to state that Virgin employees have it great that they stay in hotels for free and get free food on the plane. would you suggest that we bring our pack lunches for a 14hr work day.
Free car park - Im sure most companies (regardless of industry) have parking facilities.
Dry cleaning - not unlimited and NOT an exclusive perk for Virgin
Trip swap - A nicety supplied by the company but as you have incorrectly stated. BA can change certain trips ( but not all - "back-to backs")
Staff travel - Unquestionble the best in the indrusty.

My main point is you ask.. THESE DO NOT PAY OUR MORTGAGE AND CREDIT CARD BILLS!. and cost VS £0.00

VS and Broke, Southwest, UK

I also work as crew for Virgin, for more than 10 years i have been a dedicated hard working crew, I also think that Virgin is a great airline to work for, and i also dont want to strike, but enough is enough,!!! Virgin seem to think that rewarding their employees with parties, discounts on other virgin companies and pitifull profit shares can compensate for the abismal salary we get paid!
My heart sinks when coincide with friends that work in BA and tell me that for exactly the same job ( much better in many occassions) same route, they can get as much as 900 pounds more!!!!!!!!
Managers say theres no money! well, 10 new aircraft orders, new Terminal wing at Heathrow, new base building, new seats, new routes, yes, ofcourse this are necessary to keep us at the top, but ladies and gentleman at the top....... so do your employees, all those new products will mean nothing with a demotivated, underpaid, overworked crew who will not feel proud to work for Virgin.

Gemma, london, england

Oh buy the way everyone "'Ian from Crawley'" could this be one of VAA senior managers.... head of crew logistics maybe! umm thats the contempt and veiw of this, and of us the crew! need i say more. no says it all really!!!!

Ian we love our job and put alot into it, we also love virgin and the things it brings to us, we just would like to be paid a decent wage for the work we do! ridiculous!!! we dont think so!
maybe you should take time to re read the comments made by the crew! (you know the people who bring the customers back time after time so they can pay your large wage)

FSM, London,

When anyone joins Virgin Atlantic the pay scales are available.
If you think you can't live on the salary offered, don't accept the job! If the pay is so low, how come the staff car park is filled with the latest reg luxury cars and you see the crew with the latest cell phones, cameras, MP3 players and other expensive electronic devices. Is it that they are trying to live beyond their means and then expect the airline to pay for it?

All VAA staff are paid below industry standard, not just the cabin crew, but money isn't everything. Many staff (especially cabin crew) leave to go to BA and other airlines thinking 'the grass will be greener' and frequently they return because the culture is so different.

The crew need to realise that VAA is a small airline compared to BA, easyJet and Ryanair and stop fooling themselves that their similar, otherwise we may all be out of a job!

Betty C, Crawley, UK

To those people who deem us 'selfish' and 'ridiculous' for wanting more come and do our job for one month and live on our wage for one month and then get back to us.. As for the simpleton DAN, London.. yes we do get free hotels and cash allowances and trip pay.. the cash allowance is enough to cover the cost of living whilst away, the trip pay is taxed and as for the free hotel every long haul carrier offers this, they don't just dump there crew in a far off country and say 'find accomodation,' who would do the job.. nobody.... you can't compare Ryanair and Virgin. I love the company so much and have been with them for a long time now.. my wage hasn't changed, but the cost of living and travel has, how is this fair? I don't want to strike it is damaging to all areas of the company and things will dramatically change to a company i truly love to work for, but as my dedication to customer service has only been rewarded with 'Thank You's' over the last years, If i have to I will strike.

Name withheld, LONDON,

All the people writing negative comments about the VAA crew should attempt to do the job themselves for that pitifull pay, oh perhaps they tried and failed the interview. The levels of service onboard Virgin has dropped to a terrible low and no wonder, pay the crew peanuts then you get a monkey service, thank god Branson, Rigeway and the rest of the Virgin management muppets have a solid professional cabin crew to hold things together, pitty they will not recognise it, I'm travelling BA in protest. Good luck VAA crew, stay strong and vote with your feet.

Jim Taylor, London

Jim Taylor, London,

I have been cabin crew for Virgin for the last 3 years and thoroughly enjoy what I do. However, I am absolutely in agreement that the current proposed paydeal, which equates to £8 a week for me, is absolutely ridiculous. I mean what does that get you in London these days? I am fortunate enough not to have a mortgage but for those who do, l do not know how they manage to live in and around the capital. We do not get a london weighting which one might expect for flying out of London airports. Virgin really need to wake up and realise the contradictory efforts they have made this year in saying there is no more money to offer us. If this is the case how do they afford to buy new A380's, 767's, build a new Base training centre, and refitt all of the 747 fleet with new interiors? It doesnt add up Im afraid. And the vast majority of people I know feel that we are underestimated and seriously undervalued.
The cost of living and property in this country are only going up. Shame the wage isnt

Alli, Crawley,

Virgin needs to recognise that crew are ambassadors for the airline. They are the face of virgin. For too long now they have been undervalued. All 4 ranks of crew are underpaid. I have spoken to a crew member who most months resorts to tomato ketchup and bread to keep his food costs low so he can pay his rent. This is a sad state of affairs. The reason most dont leave is because of loyalty and a genuine love for the job. I have been employed at Virgin for 16 years. I have compared my salary when I joined as a junior to that of a junior now. There has been approx, £17 per annum increase over 16 years!!! Is that fair or equitable, NO its slave labour. Take stock Virgin. Maybe you should re mortgage our office The Base which you invested millions in! You should be investing in your people. Crew are standing strong and want recognition for what they train to become: Highly Trained Safety Professionals. Nurses, de-fib operators, fire fighters, police!! Claire London- On Board Manager.

Claire, London, uk

I think the Cabin Crew at Virgin are being totally unrealistic. Although they can claim their basic is £800 a month, in reality its not! They still have allowances paid to them in cash on every trip in addition to trip pay, this can total to £500 a month additional pay (over the average wage for the UK!).

The cost of living for them is a lot less as they dont have to travel to work as much as those who work in an office monday to friday. (4-5 times a month). The company provide free car parking, free uniform & dry cleaning, free hotel accommodation whilst on duty AND free food & drink on the aircraft. IF they went to Ryanair, they would have to pay for all of that.
The Virgin crew can also request trips, days off and swap trips, BA dont allow any of the above!
Virgin also has fantastic staff travel benefits (7 free flights a year), whereas other carriers dont.

So, if they want more money, go to BA, but BA will not look after them as well as Virgin!

Dan, London, UK

I am cabin crew for VAA and have been for 10 years. Firstly, I would like to say how much I enjoy my job and the experiences I have had over the years travelling the world are priceless. I genuinely thought I would be only "do" two years of flying, ask many of the crew and they will say the same. Well here I am 10 years later and still enjoying the job but with many, many more responsibilites as an on board manager. On board coaching new crew. If I do not adhere to these Company Procedures, introduced in the last 4/5 yrs then I could face disciplinary action from my Office Manager. This has not been reflected in my pay in the last 5 years. The amounting stress and responsibility with Aviation Security/Terrorist threats are of paramount respsonsibilty to our passengers and there is so much that goes on behind the scenes that the general public are not aware of are many of the reasons a good and decent pay increase is neccessary. Not to mention the cost of living in the UK

Emma , Weybridge, Surrey

As an ex-VAA crew member, can I just say that it is NOT selfishness wanting more. I left partly because some months i was taking home arounf 700 pound on my pay slip. 4.8% - woopeedoo. 4.8% of harldy anything. That percentage was only offered if the crew made concessions in other areas, such as flying with fewer crew members on certain trips, or operating more stand-by hours. It's giving with one hand and taking with another and I can see why the crew have had enough. Yet, I guarantee all the press will quote is the amazing 4.8% offered to crew, and not all the rubbish that went with it...

If i still worked for VAA, I'd be very miffed. And for people to say "go work for another airline", you obviously have NO clue as to how hard it is to apply, become accepted, train and qualify to work for an airline as crew. Last year out of 64,000 applicants, only around 800 were offered jobs as crew and even then some people never got through training...

Anon, LONDON,

Go Virgin Cabin Crew!! It is about time they stood up and took a stand. The Union for Virgin has been very weak in the past, it is about time they actually got some guts and listened to the work force. Virgin Cabin Crew are one of the lowest paid crew, and Virgin just say they don't have any money to pay more, yet they can invest billions in other areas. Look after your employees!! that is what makes your business!

Adam, London, UK

I back the crew 110%. I previously worked as crew for VAA and the way they treat staff is dispicable. They are the hardest working crew in the sky. There is this general perception in the public of Virgin being a fun airline that crew love to work for! Its called a good media department! Look below the surface and you will find crew are stressed and worried about the amount that they are payed and if they will make ends meet.

Crew should not be penalised for discepencies in other areas of the company that are generally ineffecient. BA can afford to pay crew 10K more and their net margins and ROI are much higher than VA. Therefore, VA should focus on fixing its internal inefficiencies and give crew rewards for their hard work by bringing the salary levels to industry standards of full service airlines.

Melanie, London,

As a customer of Virgin Atlantic I support the cabin crew who are paid very poorly compared to Virgin's competitors. The in flight service on Virgin has detoriated significantly in recent years, and Virgin doesn't seem to attract and retain the good quality crew members that it used to.

If you want to attract and retain good staff you need to pay a competitive wage and treat staff with respect.

Leo, London, England

I fly for the other airline mentioned in this iarticle on Shorthaul and still take home more money than the VAA cabin crew. I know there is a lot of history between both airlines, but I do feel for VAA crew... I dont know how they do it. I would not be able to live on the take home salary of between £1000 and £1300 a month and live in and around the south east. Very best of luck to them all in getting what they deserve. Industrial action is never a nice way to have to take things, but when needs must...

Simon, London,

Very interesting to to read by`Joe Public` like me who is the `customer and not privy to what happens inside th Branson Empire.

`Branson` is very keen to use his `Mr Nice Guy` image - he is a PR maverick perporting to be `everyone`s friend`! i first flew VA over 20 years ago and it was really a breath of fresh air. I remember speaking to people in the USA and when we told them out airline was `Virgin` they couldn't believe it, was very risqué then, hard to appreciate that now! Over the recent years I am seeing the `commercial` side of Mr B and not too impressed to be honest. His halo has slipped a bit and the sparkle is somewhat tarnished.l Good luck to the crew!

Kevin , N Devon, KU

I am a Purser for British Airways at LHR, 6 years service. My partner of 8 years who has worked with Virgin for 18 years, the last 10 years as a Flight Service Manager takes home the same pay as me, sometimes less. Virgin has excellent staff travel, Private health care and Life Insurance. If my partner was at BA as a Cabin Service Director equivalent role, responsibilities, with the same service he would be earning 11k more in basic salary. The allowances, pay structure are more at BA than VS. We are not asking for the same pay as we have a life style because of his job, we enjoy the benefits that VS bring us. We are asking that the basic pay is increased fairly and proportioned equally. There are no pay scale increments at VS unlike BA. Allowances at VS are paid cash in hand, when crew apply for mortgages this is not taken into consideration as it is not reflected on a pay slip making salaries even lower.
They deserve a life style, as they dedicate their lives to a challenging role.

James Bird, Staines, UK

I travel at least 4 times a year with Virgin Atlantic and as far as i'm concerned are the best in the industry. I thought the fares that i pay would be reflected in the airline salaries.

The cabin crew should be rewarded accordingly, and i'm afraid that if you want a successful business then the workers should be shown appreciation. Mr Branson take note!

P Thomson, London, UK

Virgin crew are among the lowest paid in the industry, for a long time there was no union and people just left to find other jobs.

In recent years people have been staying with the company and trying to make a career (which Virgin now try to encourage!) but crew can't afford to make ends meet. Cabin Crew are not just asking for more pay there is a whole range of issues to be addressed including the payment of subsistence allowances, stand-by duties, and many issues which take toll on family and hme life.

The fact that 60% have rejected the deal should alertthe company to take another look and really listen to their underpaid, overworked employees.

Nick, Manchester, UK

60% and 92% is a militant minority ? Sounds like the majority to me. Good luck crew, as a passenger I wish you all the best -It has has been said before 4.8% of nothing is nothing. Many people such as passengers with flights booked will tell you how bad you are for doing this - I back you 100% it's about time you were rewarded accordingly. Those people suggesting leaving and working elsewhere obviously do not understand the concepts of airline employment and seniority.

A.C., London, Greater London

Branson has been getting away for years paying his staff less than in other industries and now he wants to get his hands on Northern Rock - the govt would be nuts to let him

gerry mahon, london, uk

comments all fair enough but it's not really as simple as 'just go and work for another airline'!! Not everyone at VAA could apply for jobs elsewhere and moreover, BA aren't recruiting for longhaul at the moment. Surely it's not just as easy to switch!! People who work for VAA have invested time etc. and don't want to drop everything but it must be remembered that, whilst a 4.8% increase is relatively high, 4.8% on such a low salary is not actually worth much at all!!

John, London,

If they can go and earn 10,000 pounds a year more at B.A., what are they waiting for? I know what I'd do. This is a delicate industry - it wouldn't take much to tip the balance the wrong way! I hope the crew make the right choice about this.

Terry, Reigate, Surrey

join a another airline why should we everyone deserves a fair wage and sadly virgin atlantic have a lot to answer with reagrds to this!! move to another airline after the loyality and service that you have given the company
and you still get paid buttons

mike, heathrow,

Frankly ridiculous, if they're being offered the best pay increase in the airline industry and they're still trying to stike it's just selfishness. They knew what they were getting themselves in for when they got the job - if the job doesn't meet their standards then they should try working for another airline.

Ian, Crawley,

I have been following this story since April, and it would seem the problems Virgin are in now have been caused by a militant minority of crew who have stirred up trouble via websites, including one they started on their own called We Deserve More Money. They have ignored the recommendations of their own Union and used intimidating language whenever someone tries to put an alternative view forward.

What they can't see is that strikes will cause irreparable damage to an airline that just doesn't have the means to withstand the invertible costs that come with industrial action. Even if a strike doesn't happen, they have taken it far enough to cause nervousness in passengers who may book with competitors to avoid any uncertainty.

But yet they seem smug now in their ability to push this so far, even though there is an above-inflation deal on the table. They seem to think Virgin has unlimited resources that could provide £10K pay rises for all. They are naive, and will bring Virgin down.

James Barrows, London, UK