Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 4,178
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmster
Let's hope the worst is behind us.
Well, I really hope so. But given the dire gulf between the expectations BA built up (and really seemed to believe themselves, at least at the top level if not on the ground) and the reality, I think some pretty drastic action may be in order.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BahrainLad
Now, when the suits descend on Monday for the domestics, expect chaos.
....
Meltdown!
Indeed. I don't think it would be at all inappropriate for BA to reduce their T5 flight schedule by 20-40% (whatever it takes) for an extended period of some months to return service to a level close to expectations. Most of the passengers currently holding bookings could be re-accommodated on other flights or offered refunds.
This would enable them to clear backlogs properly (something they seem to be struggling to do now), train staff and employ further staff if necessary (possibly on a temporary basis), as well as giving proper attention to which aspects of the operation, such as the silly trays, need alteration.
As long as their are still huge delays and, even worse for most pax, baggage chaos at T5, BA's reputation can only go down with possibly severe long-term damage. If they can restore order in a few days, even on a significantly reduced (mostly in short-haul and domestic) schedule then they can rebuild from there.
Thanks Tom Tulpe . That's waht I'll do and is I'm arriving early afternoon should miss the rush. What a shame though I used to print out my boarding pass then straight through FCC to the T3 bus then got my boarding pass stamped at the lounge.
Programs: BA Gold, BD Silver, VS Silver, Platinum IC Royal Ambassador...
Posts: 1,629
I wonder when a decision will be made regarding the long haul transfer from T4, although any delay will hit the airlines moving in there. Certainly, the increased passenger volumes would be another significant challenge and one that BA cannot fail.
Also, do we think that the chances of a suitable settlement to the pilots' dispute have increased now?
Not sure a strike in a few weeks/months after this week would be tolerated by the Board, passengers and share holders.
Also, is the entrance to the First and Club Galleries in the same place, but the CR entrance is elsewhere? Thanks.
Programs: BD*G, PC P. [EK, BA, QR & LI Blue]. Formerly H.Esprit White
Posts: 3,195
Quote:
Originally Posted by squeeler
Better pack the Oyster then. Thanks to all for advice.
£1 with the Oyster, £3.00 otherwise!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LHR Tim
We pointed this out on the very first trial day and glad to see that despite giving feed back, square root of bugger all has been done
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeisureFirst
This there's-not-a-problem-I'm-just-here-to-tick-some-boxes attitude is the shocking thing about all this, and the root cause of the problems. They didn't do proper trials with realistic load levels over an extended period (e.g. testing typical passenger flow over an hour or two) and they compounded this error many times by not making serious attempt to learn lessons from the trials they did conduct which makes the whole exercise pretty pointless.
I don't suppose those involved in the trial were given/had an opportunity to make copied of their feedback before it was submitted, e.g. even if photographed rather than photocopied (assuming the feedback was given on paper)?
If there were copies around it would be hard evidence of failings of the trials; I think it would be interesting to produce a catalogue of what those in the trials mentioned and what has/hasn't been acted upon.
Programs: Mucci (Blue & needing a TP run), BAEC Silver, AAdvantage almost Lifetime PLT, CO, WN
Posts: 3,966
Quote:
Originally Posted by TravellerFrequently
I wonder when a decision will be made regarding the long haul transfer from T4, although any delay will hit the airlines moving in there. Certainly, the increased passenger volumes would be another significant challenge and one that BA cannot fail.
At 48 pages and counting, isn't it time to shift the emphasis? Time to get constructive? This, surely, is the REAL question. Since T5 was allegedly designed for growth and there are, what, 80% of half of current BA using it today, doesn't that mean the terminal is at, what, less than 30% of planned capacity? I hope to heck nobody miscalculated by a factor of 3, so doesn't that imply the problem(s) are somehow "per flight"?
Am I correct to remember BA were changing the working practices of the baggage handlers when they moved to T5? Could the problem be that it's costing more man hours to handle the bags for each flight, and they simply aren't getting the productivity they expected? With a fixed staff, that would explain how BA can run 80-90% of flights.
Also it sounds like the passenger bag drop capacity is below expectations?
I haven't seen T5 so I have no clue, but for those that have, and those that work there, are these problems that can be fixed, even temporarily, with more staff or is the design fundamentally flawed?
__________________
Frequent travel - it broadens a lot more than the mind....
Not at LHR (not even close!), but I've been watching the 7 o'clock news for a couple of days now, with dismay but no surprise... Mr. honu found this cute little article on El Reg, and it looks like the link hasn't been posted yet, so here it is: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03...econstruction/
Is part of it that they need more OLCI? If that is the case then offer everyone 5,000 air miles if they OLCI and then everyone will do it (even many of those travelling in F).
Unfortunately it sounds a little like the issue relates to security screnning as well. That is more difficult to manage.
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Rock on which HIDDYs perish, Object of Phil the Flier's Wildest fantasies
Posts: 8,335
Quote:
Originally Posted by graraps
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.
Darling,
1st April is two days away. I know that you are joking. Evem Italians prefer not to fly Alitalia. If there is an I at the end of the day then thbere is prbobably a strikewhich means that weekends are probably the safest.
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Rock on which HIDDYs perish, Object of Phil the Flier's Wildest fantasies
Posts: 8,335
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1P
No. I'm a UA flyer by choice - and I reap the rewards. Every time I fly BA, I live to regret it. My point was simply that I'd even fly Alitalia (I've never flown them before) to avoid BA.
So your point is that although you have never flown them you would fly them to avoid British Airways. Hm...frying pan and fire come straight to mind. Never mind - all the more room for the rest of us then.
Now back to T5. I think what has depressed most of us who regularly post here as those who have come to join us at such a happy and constructive time is that we all had a horrible feeling that this would happen. Nice people would not say I Told You So. But we know that we did.
Anyhow, for those of you with BA Sharea and/or who actually fly British Airways - have you written to the Board demanding the departure of Willie Walsh? Him Indoors has done exactly that.
Please excuse my rudeness in not recalling exactly who asked me the question about whether "they" know who I am. I was a little unsure of who you thought that "they" were. Do please PM me and I will be most happy to tell you. Most of the BA Board know and I do not feel that it is appropriate to discuss this here but I will be delighted to answer you.
Programs: BA Silver, BD Silver, Amex Plat, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 1,729
Quote:
Originally Posted by honu
Not at LHR (not even close!), but I've been watching the 7 o'clock news for a couple of days now, with dismay but no surprise... Mr. honu found this cute little article on El Reg, and it looks like the link hasn't been posted yet, so here it is: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03...econstruction/
Programs: BA Gold, BD Silver, VS Silver, Platinum IC Royal Ambassador...
Posts: 1,629
Volunteers at T5
From the BBC:
" A spokeswoman added: "Across the airline 400 volunteer staff have come in to provide the extra help needed. They are passionate about getting things right for our customers.
"In times of crisis we come to work and take the time off in lieu later. They are at the airside baggage operations going through the bags, and also in customer service roles."
Great to see staff volunteering and also relieved that they do get time off in lieu. Hope that this goodwill is not forgotten at the annual appraisal time as well!
Well done to all trying to make it work
Trust the same effort is occurring at Waterside!
Just heard from a friend about an annoying experience with BA - they were due to fly to LA at the weekend, but decided to postpone their travel as they were quite keen to travel with their bags.
Checked BA.com - advised that changes can be made to a different date.
They tried to change online a couple of times - no success.
Called up - and were advised that as the flight time had now passed, they were marked as No Shows, and they couldn't change their flight.
The fact that a) they tried to change online before departure, and b) the policy on BA.com makes no mention of the fact you need to change prior to departure was deemed irrelevant - their tickets are now cancelled and invalid.
BA should note that people affected by these problems are "regular" travellers - those that saved up for trips, trust MMB, and don't have £300 credit cards. With the current press climate, changing these tickets to an alternate flight (which has plenty of availability) should have been a no-brainer. But it wasn't.
