Programs: BA Silver (hard landing) and Mucci des Sacs Exotiques.
Posts: 467
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeedbirdLHR
...If she did go to the main connections area, then she went the wrong way entirely.
Should I take this to mean that the description of the FCC by bazzatel is accurate? Or was it a temporary glitch and I will be able to "proceed calmly" through the connections center "in 20 minutes", as promised in the promotional material ?
Now I don't get it, are they asking the staff to work without pay, or to simply postpone their vacations/days off?
Just to clarify BA have been seeking staff to come in on days off, after their shifts end, etc and they have been paying them to do this. They have also asked for assistance from staff at LGW. Because staff do not like to see the distress passengers have been caused many have gone in to help out.
I have to say that, on the whole, passengers have been very understanding and for that we are grateful. However, some have been abusive which is never pleasant to deal with but we do understand the frustration.
Location: LAX and LHR. UA 1K MM, HHonors Silver Gold, Hyatt Gold Passport, Hertz #1 Gold 5*, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,452
BBC now saying that cancellations will continue at least until Tuesday. 20,000 bags stranded is an understatement. Etc, etc.
So glad that I only fly "the world's favourite airline" once or twice a year, at most. I'm even flying Alitalia to Rome early next month, just to avoid BA, and I don't even belong to AZ's FF programme.
Everyone else has already said it about BA: disinterest in pax, lousy frequent flyer programme. All my friends gave up on BA years ago. What I can't understand is why so many on this forum have put up with it for so long. I currently have all my transatlantic flights from/to LHR until mid-August confirmed, all already upgraded with miles or systemwides, all seats already assigned in biz, with a slab of other upgrades sitting waiting to be used later in the year. None of this would ever be possible with BA. Why wait? Switch now - you know it makes sense!
Seriously, an airline that is so arrogant that it leaves people to sleep on terminal floors, even brand new ones, and only provides hotel accommodation and compensation when it is pushed into a corner, needs to look at its service priorities instead of trying to pretend that it is worthy to be a national carrier (Hah!) and muscle the competition off the radar.
Friendly request to stay as much on topic as possible. Debates about politics or which country screwed up the most are not welcome here, take that to Omni.
even if it means I have to reserve my detailed judgment on the relative merits of Caroline Hawley , the lovely Kate Silverton , Emily Maitlis and Sir Trev for another day.
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Nem melhor, nem pior, só Campeã! Salgueiro, explode o Coração!!
Mr Calder reveals the incompetent testing policy that failed to detect T5's shortcomings. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7318540.stm
"They had six months to test this to destruction. What have they been doing?"
Indeed. I'm also wondering why they transferred such a large amount of traffic from the old terminal to the new one all at once, on day one. Publicity or something? From a systems standpoint it would have been far more sensible to move things over gradually, switching a few destinations at a time, to give the systems and staff a chance to "ramp up" and do "load testing" instead of just throwing everything at them at once.
And yes, I realize that would have meant more people having to change terminals for connecting flights in the interim, but plenty of us were already accustomed to having to change terminals anyway.
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I think of Delta as the New Worldwide Airline.
I'm even flying Alitalia to Rome early next month, just to avoid BA...
Everyone else has already said it about BA: disinterest in pax, lousy frequent flyer programme. All my friends gave up on BA years ago. What I can't understand is why so many on this forum have put up with it for so long.
Do you work for another airline? Alitalia? Come on, you have to be kidding. Next you'll tell us you're flying TAP because the food is superior. Why do we "put up" with BA? Hmmm, cabin crew exemplary, flat beds, excellent lounges, to name a few. Sure they have some issues, but all airlines do, and certainly nothing approaching the utter indifference I have suffered on Alitalia's mezozoic-era planes.
Came through T5 this evening and found it to be a reasonably pleasant experience.
Short haul to Europe. No luggage and OLCI.
Having done the trial a few weeks ago, I was relatively familiar with the terminal
I arrived on the Piccadilly line, and was shocked how few people continued on to T5
from T123. (around 5pm) around 2-3 people per carriage.
Impressed with the access from the underground – seems a lot closer than T123.
Terminal itself was almost deserted landside (5pm) and I sailed through security very
quickly. Having done the trial, I was ready for the “automatic” security bins, but they
seemed to be causing problems with other people.
The walk from Security to Club Galleries Lounge is quite a trek and I can see that
becoming a pain quite quickly.
I spent around 2 hours in the Club Galleries.
The lounge itself was impressive. I am a sucker for history, so I spent a while
photographing all those old posters and Imperial Airways flying boat diagrams. If I
am picky – I found the temperature a little cool and the muzak annoying – but was
pretty impressed nonetheless
Went on line (free internet wifi) and checked the status of the flight on BAA website.
when it showed “flight boarding” I packed up and left… boarded straight away at
nearby gate (coincidentally – the same as the one in the trial !) left 40 minutes late
and arrived at the destination 20 minutes late.
Nice flight. Excellent Crew. All was well !!!
Except…..
A few things disturbed me….
The departures screens (as previously reported) were not working in the lounge.
When I arrived in the lounge there was someone doing manual announcements. After
half an hour or so this person vanished. Presumably without checking to see if her
replacement had arrived. The announcements stopped.
About an hour later, I witnessed a couple of PAX finding out that they had just
missed their delayed (and last of the day) flight - It had gone during the
announcement blackout period. They had, of course, assumed the flight would have
been announced.
A small incident – avoidable with just a bit of planning – and resulting in 2 more
P***sed off PAX and two more hotel bills !
Generally, the lounge staff seem leaderless and in need of motivation. I actually felt
sorry for them.
On the plane, the excuse for the 40 minute departure delay was that the crew got stuck
in a lift. One of the FA’s described this to me as “just like a film” – they were there
for 20 minutes or so !
CSD told me that 200 (can’t be true surely?) ground staff did not report for work
today. They are fed up with abuse and they called in sick.
On arrival at the destination, the Captain announced that as not everybody’s luggage
had made the flight, he would be available himself to take responsibility
He was willing to talk to any passenger about lost luggage. He was out of the
cockpit and standing near the exit door quick as a flash….
Anyway… I was out of the destination terminal in 10 minutes. Downtown in the hotel
within the hour.
Came through T5 this evening and found it to be a reasonably pleasant experience. Short haul to Europe. No luggage and OLCI... I spent around 2 hours in the Club Galleries.
So knowing that things are FUBAR at T5, you didn't bring bags, and left plenty of time. Smart passenger, making the best of a bad situation. Good for you. I don't think this means the bad situation doesn't exist, though.
Reminds me of the time a flight was delayed 23 hours and I didn't care, having left an extra day in my schedule. For some reason, nobody else around me shared my views.
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I think of Delta as the New Worldwide Airline.
Do you work for another airline? Alitalia? Come on, you have to be kidding. Next you'll tell us you're flying TAP because the food is superior. Why do we "put up" with BA? Hmmm, cabin crew exemplary, flat beds, excellent lounges, to name a few. Sure they have some issues, but all airlines do, and certainly nothing approaching the utter indifference I have suffered on Alitalia's mezozoic-era planes.
Nowt wrong with the Super 80, especially if you're in the big seats up front.
Cabin crew attitude significantly improves if you're friendly (as opposed to just "professional") towards them and/or attempt to speak some Italian.
Ever had IROPS while travelling AZ? They really do pull out all the stops for you, especially if you have a shiny FF card.
They may not have good lounges or a "trendy" image, but they're a far better airline than they're perceived to be.
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Signature temporarily removed- apparently somebody hasn't seen me trying to speak Chinese.
I'm even flying Alitalia to Rome early next month, just to avoid BA,
ha ha....is it April 1st or something?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1P
I currently have all my transatlantic flights from/to LHR until mid-August confirmed, all already upgraded with miles or systemwides, all seats already assigned in biz, with a slab of other upgrades sitting waiting to be used later in the year. None of this would ever be possible with BA.
Which tells you all you need to know why the US carriers' premium cabins pale in comparison with BA. My last UA J flight was worse than my recent Aeroflot J experience. BA (or VS) will hopefully never go down the 'upgrades for all' mentality of the US airlines which make their premium cabins far from premium.
I'm due to fly BA in J from T5 to LAX soon - even with the current problems, I wouldn't ever consider switching to UA's direct service (although I'd take a VS ticket if offered )
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even if it means I have to reserve my detailed judgment on the relative merits of Caroline Hawley 
Ryanair aren't that bad and it has an excellent record wrt not losing bags.
