Welcome to BA Boycott
If you’ve got to this site you’ve probably already heard about the row over whether a BA worker named Nadia Eweida can wear her small cross to work on the check-in desk.
British Airways state that she cannot wear it visibly, but can wear it under a cravat, or be transferred to a non public facing role. This is in spite of of other faiths being able to wear their outward symbols of faith, like headscarves and turbans.
In the lack of true equality, i.e. no-one can wear any religious garments, Miss Eweidas problem seems to be that her symbol of faith is unpretentious and too small. If it was unable to be hidden, then she would be treated like the other religions.
BA have refused so far to review the ruling and Miss Eweida is persuing the matter further with the help of her union.
This constant discrimination against our Christian heritage cannot go unchecked.
I’ve cut up my British Airways Executive Club card - will you?
November 22nd, 2006 at 10:05 pm
I work for BA and think their treatment is horrid. most of my colleages support her but don’t want to get sacked. There is a lot of anger building up in Heathrow right now.
November 22nd, 2006 at 11:00 pm
I think the whole of England should boycott BA, there treatment has been disgraceful and I will never fly with them again.
We must never forget that without US, the people BA are nothing, we have the power to make them change. We must force change and if they do not then will must hit them where it hurts, in their pockets.
Time for a rallying call
November 23rd, 2006 at 12:09 pm
I am a Moslem, working side by side with Christians, Sikh’s, 7th Day Adventists and many other people who have religion in their lives - we all get along and respect each other, as well as our religious beliefs. No-one cares if one wears a turban to work or a cross - we are who we are. I cannot understand why BA are being so stupid? As an organisation, you seem to pander and fall over yourselves to allow us, the non-Christian sector, to be allowed to wear whatever we like to express our religious beliefs but one woman, who wears her Christian cross with pride, is made to feel like a criminal. Please BA, see reason, stop your stupid, arrogant way of dealing with something that is no more than a desire for one person to say that she is a Christian and proud of it.
November 23rd, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Just booked my ticket for next week’s meeting through Air France instead of British Airways, That’s £276 less they’ll be getting next week
First the attempt to do away with the flag and anything British, now this. I would imagine that the vast majority of people they carry are Christian(ish) British people - why all the attempts to alienate their biggest group of customers
Nice to see other faiths condemming them as well
November 23rd, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Glad that you are trying to motivate people on this.
I shall boycott BA until they start to treat their staff like people, and that includes their arbitrary and callous treatment of Miss Eweidas.
November 23rd, 2006 at 5:13 pm
I suggest that if anyone spots any BA staff wearing jewellery that they should be reported to their managers and presumably they will be suspended too?
November 23rd, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Flogged my shares and with it my reduction on tickets. Glad I did it
November 24th, 2006 at 3:40 am
As a Christian in a Christian society I am tired of being ignored, discriminated against and attacked by secular political correctness. BA had better wake up along with a lot of other organisations. I will use someone else for my flights until there is a public apology and no more occurances of this event.
We have had enough. I will boycott shops that promote this moronic political correctness. Christ is the reason for the season. You are in a Christian country and virtually every aspect of our history and lives are a result of that.
November 24th, 2006 at 4:54 am
I am not a Christian, but I abhor this nonsensical decision, my frequent flyer card has been cut up and returned to BA and my secretary instructed not to book me on any BA flights, only by withdrawing our custom will the idiots running BA begin to reflect upon their actions.
For me at least it will come too late when they do.
November 24th, 2006 at 6:02 am
I am not a Christian but I think BA’s decision on this issue is quite indefensible. I have already phoned BA and made my views known. I have told them I will never use their airline again until such times as this ludicrous piece of politically correct dogma is reversed.
November 24th, 2006 at 7:18 am
I have been “boycotting” BA after several unpleasant flying experiences anyway but this is beyond a personal issue and affects the rights of us all,regardless of religion.I cannot seeing this kind of thing happening in any of the many countries I have visited and I wonder what the stance would be of an Arab airline, as most of the middle-east countries have a Christian minority.For people wishing to push the image of the UK internationally, this is yet another slap in the face because with the exception of the good reviews on the new Bond film,the antics of the so called celebrities(Kate Moss, George Michael et. al.) this news and things like the Welsh Dragon sausage renaming stupidity is about all the foreign press seem to be reporting these days.
November 24th, 2006 at 7:19 am
We make about 10 trips to South Africa each year and numerous domestic flights - I have told my staff not to use BA and I cut up my card a minute ago.
I expect the “executive” in charge of this discrimination has a nice separation package lined up.
November 24th, 2006 at 7:50 am
BA’s decision is yet another sign of the ever increasing tide of nonsensical political correctness in which Britain is rapidly drowning.
November 24th, 2006 at 7:50 am
As someone who worked for BA for many years before retirement I had cause to disagree with certain decisions made by the company. However on this matter I am wholeheartedly in agreement with them.
As a uniform wearer you knew the rules one of which was no visible sign of jewellery. This is what this is - non Christians wear crosses as a fashion accessory.
You are ‘advertising’ other airlines - I trust you have checked their uniform policy before giving them this cheap publicity.
It would appear that this has now become a political matter and been hijacked by an organisation determined to push their agenda.
All companies have rules and if every individual thought they could adjust them to suit themselves then management would no longer be able to manage!
David
November 24th, 2006 at 8:12 am
Disgraceful behavior by British Airways
November 24th, 2006 at 8:41 am
I wonder if the founders of the England we are now living in would not but these quislings to the sword. Who are they to shame the simble that was fought so hard to defend now being hidden.
Eric George Briscoe-Matthews
November 24th, 2006 at 8:43 am
British Airways’ main revenue stream comes from transatlantic business travellers. If you are a transatlantic business traveller or you have responsibility for booking transatlantic business travel for your company DO NOT BOOK BRITISH AIRWAYS. They can use the empty planes to increase the frequency of their Middle Estern routes.
November 24th, 2006 at 8:49 am
I will be joining the boycott, not only because of the cross issue, but also because apparently BA has a policy that unaccompanied male travellers should be assumed to be paedophiles and not allowed to sit next to children. We all despise political correctness, so let’s start to fight it!
November 24th, 2006 at 9:13 am
I suggest that everyone flying BA should wear a CROSS - OPENLY & BOLDLY.
Britain is a Christian country & as such people who live here should be allowed to show this openly & without hinderance!
Anything less makes a mockery of the Freedoms we enjoy here.
November 24th, 2006 at 9:25 am
I am not a Christian but have no problem with people wearing crucifixes, crosses, stars of David turbans and similar faith symbols. People have died for the right to express their beliefs and where someone feels [and it is up to them to judge for themselves] that they want to identify with a set of beliefs they should be able to do so. Frankly this country needs more religion, not less. I too won’t be flying BA until they back down on this issue. Being “politically correct” on this issue was obviously a commercial decision for them. They need to know that it was a bad decision and they will lose more business than they gain. Wait till the Christian right in the USA get hold of this - BA will probably lose their landing rights. What idiots!!!
November 24th, 2006 at 9:29 am
Good for you! I, like many others, am a cultural Christian and am thoroughly hacked off at Christianity & English culture being kicked around. I have never worn religious symbols before but this weekend I am off to buy a cross as this just angers me so much.
November 24th, 2006 at 10:05 am
As an Australian I fly Qantas as first choice but BA has been my second preference for overseas travel. Not any longer.
And while we are at it let’s find out what other companies enforce similar anti Christian attitudes and boycott them as well. I am sick and tired of the anti Christian attitudes that permeate modern western culture. Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
November 24th, 2006 at 10:28 am
Anything with “British” in its title is anti-English.
British Airways is no exception and undermines Englishness at every oppotunity.
I’m with Marcus Stafford on this, it is England under yet another assault.
The sooner we get independence and look after ourselves, our country and our culture the better it will be.
England is being destroyed for the sake of a spurious “Union” well past its sell-by date.
A “Union” promoted by British Airways which has also gone a bit mouldy.
November 24th, 2006 at 10:33 am
Don’t wait to boycott, do it now so that the pressure is already there.
November 24th, 2006 at 10:40 am
We at American Airlines fully support the action our brothers are using to force the management to be realistic about this rule. It is blatantly discriminatory to allow certain groups to display religious clothing, facial symbols etc. while forcing Christians (the official religion of the country) to hide their identity. Next will be Bradford council disallowing Sari’s to be worn on the street……
November 24th, 2006 at 11:01 am
It is not all that long ago that BA - our “National Airline” - found the Union Flag to be offensive and replaced it with graffiti on the aircraft tail fins. We know what BA is against i.e. all fundamental British culture and traditions. But what are they FOR? If you have to fly BA perhaps a very small lapel cross worn by every freedom-caring passenger of every denomination will get the point across to patronising, arrogant anti-British BA management?
November 24th, 2006 at 11:21 am
BA’s stance is ludicrous - to say they accept the cross is not jewellery, then say staff can’t wear jewellery makes no sense; to suggest the cross must be hidden but other symbols, turbans, bangles, the hijab etc. can be visible is nonsense. The constant quoting of their “uniform regulations” fails to mention they obviously altered the regulations to ALLOW the turban, bangle, hijab etc, but apparently can’t alter them to allow a tiny cross to be worn by a Christian.
November 24th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Our family is dismayed at this ruling by British Airways and will be using other airlines to travel to our family gathering in England early next year. We are a scattered, large, family and travel extensively, but no longer with British Airways.
November 24th, 2006 at 11:54 am
I am totally disgusted that our supposed national carrier can be so blinkered and ignorant of true public opinion. When is someone going to wake up to the fact that political awareness taken to the extreme is utterly abhorent to the vast majority of ordinary people. BA deserves to suffer for treating their staff, and their customers with such contempt.
November 24th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
The only comment I have to make is that BA’s stupidity in banning the wearing of the cross is only surpassed by their arrogance in refusing to reconsider.
The only way to bring them to their senses is through their profits,the more who refuse to fly BA the better
November 24th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Willie Walsh, the Irish firebrand chief exec has taken personal charge of this we are told and will not move.
Why don’t all BA staff choose a day and appear wearing a small discreet cross in defiance? I guarantee that this nonsense would be over immediately.
November 24th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Thank you for setting up this website. My family travels to the US at least five times a year - mainly on business class - but until this ill-advised and arrogant decision is reversed, we will definitely buy our tickes with an American carrier instead of BA!
How BA executives cannot see that for Nadia, wearing a small cross is not simply a piece of jewelry, but an important part of her faith? And if this is the case, why is she being treated differently to an employee who might be sitting next to hear wearing a hijab?
BA keeps going on about uniform policy and rules. Has it not occured to them that something must be fundamentally wrong with that policy, if it allows wearing a hijab or a turban, but not a small cross! Employees should be allowed either to wear any religious symbols or none at all.
November 24th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
How about this site selling a bright lapel badge - with a cross as logo and something like ‘Not with BA’, with all profits to a Christian charity.
November 24th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
The truth is this woman has been a menace to her colleagues and passengers for years. She has very little support amongst BA staff for this reason and that`s why there will be no protest from BA staff!!
There is no politcal correctness here, she is allowed to wear her cross underneath her uniform.
Boycott BA? I don`t think so! Fly an American carrier instead?Definitely not!! On your first flight to the USA on another carrier you will realise why you choose BA and why you will next time!!
As for the politicians who have got involved in this I`d rather they spent their time on Iraq/Iran/Lebanon/Terrorism/Anti Social Behaviour/Immigration/Law and Order/NHS or any of the other myriad of issues we vote them in for!!
If I find ny MP has voted on this he will not be getting my vote next time!!
November 24th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
BA are supposed to be our national Flag Carrier and their policies & actions are observed by many thousands of people across the world. Rightly or wrongly, some of these people assume that BA’s views are shared by the country they are supposed to represent. WRONG!
I suggest BA relinquish their national carrier status and pass it to an airline that DOES represent the national view.
I certainly won’t be travelling BA again until they see sense.
November 24th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Pound to a penny Pete Wilson works for BA! Looking forward to his bonus?
November 24th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
In a way this is a follow-on comment; see post no 3 by Fozia Abbas. Fozia as a Christian I see the true opposition to my faith not people of other faiths but the secular humanist agenda which seeks to rubbish all searching after God. In years to come this will be a huge problem. We all know in certain parts of the world there is religious strife and this feeds the secular agenda. BA is culpable on two counts since it seeks to discriminate against Christianity, but also place people of faith at odds with each other with regard to their different treatment. Thank you for your comments.
Interesting point; if a BA worker were a Plymouth Brethren Christian would she be allowed to keep her headcovering.
November 24th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
Stifling Christianity has become widespread in the USA, too. Welcome to the post-Christian era, England–and didn’t we know it was coming? I only wish I was a frequent flyer so I, too, could join your boycott.
November 24th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Hi
I can’t believe BA’s attitude. They should be ashamed of themselves. Pathetic. Good luck with the site.
November 24th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
Political Correctness? Pathetic Crap more like. Where did all this intolerance come from - the PC brigade themselves?
November 24th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
The hostility to Christianity in Britain is part of the lefties strategy to take over the countryand destroy the old country we all love and hold dear. The Church is part of the old needs to be trashed, so it is denigrated in all the leftie strongholds - the media, schools, universities, national goverment, social workers. Regardless that this will (is) resulting in mindless cold blooded murders, feral people with no morals wondering because these people have been denied a part of the rich cultural heritage - the liturgy, music, buildings of God. They have been denied it and the country suffers from their venal vileness. Do the lefties care? Of course not. It is just a power trip to them. We need to fight them now. They number only a few 1,000 while we number in millions…. The fight starts now. to get our country, our beloved England back.
November 24th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
It is good to see people acting against BA’s political correctness gone mad. Now if someone would rise up and do the same against the BBC there may be hope yet! Stop paying TV tax to support their PC agenda!
November 24th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
The person in question could solve the problem quite easily by wearing a longer chain for her cross. She is just seeking publicity and the poor me type of person.
November 24th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
the comments do not seem to have the full facts or are not understanding the facts.the cross is not the problem or what it represents it is the fact it is jewellry.Ba is not the only company with this policy or airline with this policy.There seems to be an element which is using this situation to make grievances towards Ba or stir up religious tension.why has no one raised questions regarding the police officer who refused to work for religious reasons or the removal of crosses from certain schools.This is being used as an excuse to further political careers or Ba bash.if your company has a uniform policy that everyone abides to then why should one person decide they will not follow policy?
November 24th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Having watched Willie Walsh’s mouthpiece on Newsnight last night, it is easy to see how BA got into this mess. Geoff Want,a shifty BA Managament plonker, as he ducked each question, just kept spouting two mantras - that this was a ‘jewellery’ not a ‘religious’ issue - and that other businesses have dress codes. With such a blockhead in charge, little else can be expected.
November 24th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
In short: to HELL with ALL religions.Barmy! all of them! Taking old folks tales and making a fuss about it! When will humanity wake-up? Never, likely…
November 24th, 2006 at 4:06 pm
If a member of the BA check in staff at Heathrow reported for duty wearing a veil what would be the comments then. Nadia Eweida was fully aware of BA dress code, and as such does not get my sympathy. This whole episode seems to have gone beyond a joke, the sooner it ends the better.
November 24th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
It seems to us that it is becoming true that almost anything is allowed under ‘Political Correctness’ provided it is not Christian.
We understand that there are some 3% of Muslims in Britain. Other ‘religions’ each presumably amount to less. More than 10% of our population say they go to church regularly and if the new churches were included, probably considerably more. A majority of UK citizens would probably list themselves as ‘Christian.’ One seldom attends a funeral conducted in anything other a Christian rite.
So why are laws being passed which threaten the traditional Christian culture of Britain? We have in mind school books promoting a same sex view of ‘marriage,’ and the proposed inability of Christian schools or congregations limiting their staff to those who subscribe to Christian belief and practice. There is also the recent case in Exeter where there was an attempt to force non-Christians to assume a leadership role in the Christian Union.
November 24th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
BA has recently become a rather creepy airline anyway with its absurd tailfins of spears and shields..laughable attempt to be PC and completely misjudging what real Britons think.
IT follows blindly the prejudices of wimmin like Polly Toynbee who beieve all men are child molestors and as far as smoking is concerned….
This time they have gone too far and offended millions. Along with the BBC they should lose the prefix British
Steffi
November 24th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Is this why the pilot tells cabin crew “Arm Doors and Cross Check”?
November 24th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Good on you Boycotters, I have long boycotted BA, flown American carriers with courtesy and good service. BA are creating their own demise over a stupid policy directed against CHRISTIANS
November 24th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
It is a real shame. I never thought I would live to see a day like this. That Cross is so small, it would not be an impediment in any function associated with a check-in staff’s duties. So, it is definitely not a hazard. It is definitely not a piece of jewellrey. It is a small Christian Cross and I am afraid, the only way one can interpret this is that BA is ant-christian. My family and I will definitely not patronize BA anymore.
November 24th, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Reminds me somewhat of the debacle caused over the dropping of the flag some years ago. BA has always been a company synonomous with arrogance. Being in the aviation industry myself (and a christian!) I hope they get taught a lesson in decency to peoples of ALL religions. Good on the Muslims in the debate who are backing this woman.
November 24th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
I sent the Daily Telegraph (24.11.’06) to B.A. Comair here in South Africa.. their comment came back in minutes..
Oh dear !! ……
B.A. Comair :-
“Thanks for your fascinating comments.
We do not enter into moral rights and wrongs, since the majority of web
sites that have sought to do so have simply put across a very biassed
set of opinions.
We do read the more detailed facts behind such cases, and are somewhat
surprised at comments made by the uninformed. No jewellery does normally
mean no jewellery - a rule one accepts when signing a contract of
employment, so why do people think they can flout this?
The wearing of a crucifix in the normal manner is not an offence to
anyone - to blatantly pull it out from the normal position of wear and
hang it over the front of a neckscarf is clearly an attempt to attract
attention!
What on earth this has to do with a BA franchise is nonetheless a
fascinating mystery!
regards,
David
———- Last Message ————
From: Comair Forum
Sent: Fri, 24 Nov 2006
Subject: Seat Forum
November 24th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
We are just about to book our flights to New Zealand and Australia (where our daughter lives).
The timing of this debacle was perfect because I am now changing my allegiance forever,
I was annoyed when BA originally changed the tailfin of the planes. To challenge the wearing of the cross in a Christian country is beyond belief.
I live in a predominantly muslim community and the consensus here is that if you had made the same rules in a muslim country against the local
religion you would have been burnt out of existence.
Be thankful you live in a stable community.
I will never patronise BA again and I hope that someone who made the decision in senior management is dismissed.
When BA meets its demise I hope you do not come bleating to the taxpayer to bail you out.
November 25th, 2006 at 4:05 am
It is absolutely unbelievable that such blatant discrimination (persection?) occured but on the other hand, at least we all know what BA DOESNT stand for and we can thank them that they advertised their religious bigotry so we can make a choice for another airline! This old girl, her freinds and family will not help keep them in business.
November 25th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Poor old BA………Always a popular target for bashing. Partly, and unfairly, due to the enduring image of what used to be the privileged, protected Flag Carrier and nationalised Corporation. ( BOAC and BEA )
Underneath it all BA is run by a reasonable mix of reasonable people. It has attracted a high proportion of employees of different religions, because with family roots in distant parts of the planet, heavily discounted staff travel is a valued feature of employment. As an always well treated non management ex employee, it merely seemed odd to observe the management so in thrall with the potted Harvard Business School dogma, and the whole mawkish Californian PC route, complete with salutations to tear jerking Mission Statements, cringe making slogans, and imported corporate slang. At least this was the case in print, but not much in conversation, which makes the point. This approach ignores rather obvious more cynical traits in British, if not European indigenous culture. Same as trying to impose Cricket on Californians. It’s hardly surprising that sometimes,your must-appear-to-be-right-on PC pro-active managers, ousing synergy, ambition, and Diversity briefings, are tripped up by the received doctrine. I don’t pretend to be familiar with current BA uniform regs., but uniform means people all dress the same, for a uniform effect. Borrowing from the military, and given sufficient numbers, turbans can be impressively smart, face coverings, unless painted like Geishas, or Red Indians, less so. Necklaces, with small Crosses, Crescent Moons, Star of Davids, rabbit’s feet etc., hardly noticeable on females, but I suspect common sense, and good humour is all that was needed, not indignant grandstanding. Acknowledge the rules, whilst protesting through channels. Unilateral action is bound to upset any large disciplined organisation.
Still, just as well the lady isn’t a member of that Malaysian sect that worship a giant teapot…….
BA remains possibly, the most reliable, wide ranging, and, together with Virgin, the safest longhaul operator. They deserve support, not threats of boycott over media exploited emotive events.
November 26th, 2006 at 12:34 am
BA is right. No jewellry. The cross could have been under her scarf. Wearing it prominently does not make her a more devout or ‘better’ Christian.
Boycott BA for their poor service, not for this petty reason. Good to see idiotic Christians getting upset. They should all visit the Church of England, headed by the Queen. Yes, you morons believe that the Queen is the rightful religious head - I pity you.
December 7th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
I have decided to boycott BA because of their attitude towards the Christian fiath.
I now will fly with Virgin.