bmi website survey very dull - skip it
 

Went to flybmi.com and got a pop-up survey. No points but a prize draw thing. Don't bother unless you're really bored. It's very dull and all about "do you like our website" with lots of ridiculous questions (many of which don't even apply to bmi)_.

An identical survey is doing the rounds at the BA website. Every single question was the same...

Why do they want our opinions now?

Nodded off half way through doing mine http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Still managed to struggle through and complete it, the only thought that kept me going was that I could tell them how poor I was finidng having to log in each time I wanted a new page of my membership up.

Well I enjoyed the opportunity to geive feedback. I'm not a bmi customer but I did book a *A award on a couple of their flights.

The reason I went to the site was to check-out the equipment used and to find a seat map. I'll be on an A321 but for the life of me couldn't find a seat map. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

American Airlines used the same survey company last year, IIRC. I like the fact that the survey is tailor-made based on my answers. Neat!

There's actually not an awful lot of point in a seat map as there is no allocation of seats in advance. The reason for this is the plane's configuration can vary and is not decided until 24 hours before the flight.

However, the rules of thumb for check in are that if you're in business you want A or C rather than D/E/F (there is no B), and if you're in economy the best two seats are A or C of the very front row of economy - everything else is much of a muchness. The exit row can be in economy or business, depending on the loads.


[This message has been edited by Wingnut (edited 02-10-2003).]

The first I saw it, I was laughing hysterically -- you never see this in North America...

Are the seats literally 'snap on snap off' in ten seconds or something?

No, they're inflatable. Takes only a couple of minutes with an air compressor.

[This message has been edited by Wingnut (edited 02-10-2003).]

Had an e-mail from the bmi website manager saying that seat maps were under development - perhaps only for transatlantic flights though.

On the Airbus A321 I prefer 9A - It has the extra space between the next seat and it's an exit row. Don't have it pre-allocated though - I want it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Nick

I'll have an A seat please Bob.

Did I say seats? Whoops, I was thinking fabric... I guess those are inflatable too? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

Thanks Wingnut. I assume A is a window and C is an aisle? Is D also an aisle? So is the configuration 2-3? I'm flying on an international F ticket so I think I'll be in the C cabin. How many seats can this vary by in business?

Configuration is 2-3. A/F are window; C/D are aisle. And F flies in C in only two classes of service.

Cheers YOWkid!

They have this exact same thing on AC...

[This message has been edited by YOWkid (edited 02-11-2003).]

Are you a member of DC? If so, telephone check-in 24hrs before flight is as sure a way as any of pre-allocating!

By the way, any clue on how long it takes to process DC applications?

I've seen the business curtain as far back as row 23 and as far forward as row 4 this week. It just depends on the loads, but row 8/9 is a good bet. It's 2+3 in C (A/C+D/E/F) and 3+3 in Y (the A/C seats are unscrewed to release the B seat). The curtain is often set at the start of the aircraft's rostered sectors unless loads are so varied that it needs to be moved. The aircraft usually work at least five sectors in a day. At the risk of prompting hysterical laughter from YOWkid, the B seat can be released using a key a bit like those hopeless metal things you get in an IKEA assembly pack. A and C move further apart and the armrests for B are released from a slot in the sides of A and C. So now you know.

The over-wing exit row seats can be pretty good on the A321. Not much point in using a seat map to find these since BD's A321s are configured differently (G-MIDH is different to G-MIDJ, for example) but you can ask at check-in or phone Diamond Club to find out which seat map applies to your flight. The length of the A321 and the size of the over-wing exits means a solitary crew member has to sit in the jumpseat on the F side facing backwards. Great way to get to know crew http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Hope this helps.

YOWkid, application is normally processed with 10 days, but the membership pack can take up to a month depending on which way the wind is blowing. Also, I notice the blue membership packs still contain programme brochures which list Ansett Australia and which show Heathrow to Warsaw, Faro and Barcelona on the points tables. If only!

To stay on topic, I completed the survey (eventually) but I am sure I filled in the same questionnaire on the BD website about six months ago. How many times to they need to ask before they actually do what you recommend in the 'suggestions' box?

ajamieson, thanks for your excellent explanation.

24 hours??? Last week they reconfiged the seats after passengers had boarded.

Ah, but just because it's been decided, doesn't mean they got it right!