If you are flying between LHR and AMS and you can't fly BA, I assume KLM is the only choice for flying direct, unless of course you fly with LCCs from another airport.

Can't you just minimise the time at the airport? If I were doing short haul flying with no connection I don't think I'd particularly miss the status. If you want the lounge access etc you could always upgrade with your own money.

Honestly flying on an airline on which I have no status doesn't feel particularly painful at all, especially when the airports are relatively civilised (neither airport is a vast, empty shell of a place - they both have enough to do).