bye bye bmi
Oct 3, 2005 | 1:30 am
#16
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BD Blue Plus, BA, VG
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by BA or bust
So when do you change to 'Hello BA here I come'? And when will you be 'moving' over to the BA Board? 
Oct 3, 2005 | 1:33 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Anwhere ex-MAN
Programs: Nil
Posts: 2,709
Here, Here!
Originally Posted by ByeByebmi
I've made a couple of posts on the BA board. However, I remain on this board as the ongoing 'enhancements' do offer some entertainment (as watching a clown in oversized shoes trying to ballet dance might) and the comradeship of others in the face of adversity is welcome.
^
Oct 3, 2005 | 1:38 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: MEL
Programs: BA Gold; VA Velocity Gold; LH FTL; Marriott Gold; ICHG Platinum AMB; Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,393
Originally Posted by Frequent flyer 101
I'll give them one thing. Being able to buy a bacon sandwich on board in the afternoon isn't that bad.
Out of all the changes they made, this is the only one I'm even remotely happy about.
Out of all the changes they made, this is the only one I'm even remotely happy about.
Two of these were ex-LHR so either they are cutting even paid catering to the bone or they have some logistics issues!
The whole menu thing is very badly thought out too - why not just leave the menu in the seatback pocket like easyjet? Or put up details of the menus in the gate areas? Speeds up service and actually gives not-so-regular travellers time to have a read!
Oct 3, 2005 | 10:19 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: LBA
Posts: 374
Well I don't know what good this will do (although I feel much better for writing this) - I've sent the following to our corporate travel department. Let's see if anyone from British Midland responds:
Dear Corporate Travel Department:
Thank you for your understanding on the phone this afternoon.
I would be pleased if you would pass on the following feedback to your
contact at bmi, and, request a response to be sent to me.
I have been a loyal British Midland (what does bmi stand for?) customer for
many years. Coming from Loughborough I had several friends who worked for
BMA at Castle Donnington - my first ever flight in 1968 was with British
Midland from EMA to GLA with my best friends father (a pilot with BMA)
flying the plane! (a BAC 1-11 I recall).
I fly regularly though infrequently with British Midland (every three months
or so) usually on the LBA to LHR route for both pleasure and business, and
hold silver status with Diamond Club (6xxxxxx).
I would like to compare and contrast two recent flights with British
Midland - pre and post the introduction of their new 'modular' service:
Pre-Modular:
LBA-LHR-LBA
25th July 2005
Business Class Flexible 329
Business Class (wider) seating
On-board newspaper
On-board cocktail (2 x G&T's)
On-board meal
On-board tea and coffee
Happy, smiling on-board service
Dedicated Business Class service personnel
Post-Modular
LBA-LHR-LBA
19th September 2005
Economy Class Flexible 319
NO business class available on this route
NO newspaper
NO free alcoholic drink
NO free meal or snack
NO free tea, coffee (or even water!)
Grumpy staff selling food & drink from a cart
Quite a contrast - similar to Ryanair or Easyjet on-board service yet the
fare remains the same (I assume the 10 difference is because the 'economy'
service attracts a lower Government tax).
Please ask your British Midland contact how such a reduction in service can
be justified yet the price remains the same?
Why should I continue to patronise bmi from Leeds Bradford rather than
driving an extra 10 minutes down the road to Manchester to use the services
of British Airways who still give free food, drink and full service even in
*economy* class?
I look forward to receiving your and British Midland's response.
Yorkshire Traveller
Thank you for your understanding on the phone this afternoon.
I would be pleased if you would pass on the following feedback to your
contact at bmi, and, request a response to be sent to me.
I have been a loyal British Midland (what does bmi stand for?) customer for
many years. Coming from Loughborough I had several friends who worked for
BMA at Castle Donnington - my first ever flight in 1968 was with British
Midland from EMA to GLA with my best friends father (a pilot with BMA)
flying the plane! (a BAC 1-11 I recall).
I fly regularly though infrequently with British Midland (every three months
or so) usually on the LBA to LHR route for both pleasure and business, and
hold silver status with Diamond Club (6xxxxxx).
I would like to compare and contrast two recent flights with British
Midland - pre and post the introduction of their new 'modular' service:
Pre-Modular:
LBA-LHR-LBA
25th July 2005
Business Class Flexible 329
Business Class (wider) seating
On-board newspaper
On-board cocktail (2 x G&T's)
On-board meal
On-board tea and coffee
Happy, smiling on-board service
Dedicated Business Class service personnel
Post-Modular
LBA-LHR-LBA
19th September 2005
Economy Class Flexible 319
NO business class available on this route
NO newspaper
NO free alcoholic drink
NO free meal or snack
NO free tea, coffee (or even water!)
Grumpy staff selling food & drink from a cart
Quite a contrast - similar to Ryanair or Easyjet on-board service yet the
fare remains the same (I assume the 10 difference is because the 'economy'
service attracts a lower Government tax).
Please ask your British Midland contact how such a reduction in service can
be justified yet the price remains the same?
Why should I continue to patronise bmi from Leeds Bradford rather than
driving an extra 10 minutes down the road to Manchester to use the services
of British Airways who still give free food, drink and full service even in
*economy* class?
I look forward to receiving your and British Midland's response.
Yorkshire Traveller
Last edited by Yorkshire Traveller; Oct 3, 2005 at 10:44 am
Oct 3, 2005 | 11:33 am
#20
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BD Blue Plus, BA, VG
Posts: 136
Yorkshire Flyer
I suspect that you will get an answer along the following standard line (if you get one at all);
Need to change
Survey of 10,000
Not abandoning frequent/high value customers.
Further enhancements for Diamond Club members being negotiated.
Hope to have you back.
But not answering Why fly bmi?
I suspect that you will get an answer along the following standard line (if you get one at all);
Need to change
Survey of 10,000
Not abandoning frequent/high value customers.
Further enhancements for Diamond Club members being negotiated.
Hope to have you back.
But not answering Why fly bmi?
Oct 4, 2005 | 8:16 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Midlands, United Kingdom
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 331
I gather from someone I usually regard as reliable (no names, but I worked at Don Hall for nine years and I still know a few people) that the new short-haul model hasn't so far delivered the turn round that was hoped for... 
If so, I wonder how long it'll be before they decide to mess with the formula again (hopefully to our advantage this time!)?
If so, I wonder how long it'll be before they decide to mess with the formula again (hopefully to our advantage this time!)?
Oct 4, 2005 | 9:09 am
#22
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BD Blue Plus, BA, VG
Posts: 136
[QUOTE=Skymonster]I gather from someone I usually regard as reliable (no names, but I worked at Don Hall for nine years and I still know a few people) that the new short-haul model hasn't so far delivered the turn round that was hoped for... QUOTE]
No doubt they are not particularly bothered about the 2k they have lost from me, but no doubt with all the others on this board who have abandoned bmi, even an accountant might notice something is wrong.
QUOTE]No doubt they are not particularly bothered about the 2k they have lost from me, but no doubt with all the others on this board who have abandoned bmi, even an accountant might notice something is wrong.
Oct 4, 2005 | 9:41 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Posts: 126
Is the new model working?
Subjective (I did ask 10,000 fellow passengers for verification 
)
5.40 this morning Manchester T3, 9 passengers checking in for BD581.
I seem to remember queuing 4/5 deep at the SSCI machines before 1 August, this morning I could have had 1 to myself, except I carried on walking and fully enjoyed the delights of the Terraces lounge and my cooked breakfast on the way to LGW The BA flight was, incidentally, rammed full.
Chris
) 5.40 this morning Manchester T3, 9 passengers checking in for BD581.
I seem to remember queuing 4/5 deep at the SSCI machines before 1 August, this morning I could have had 1 to myself, except I carried on walking and fully enjoyed the delights of the Terraces lounge and my cooked breakfast on the way to LGW
The BA flight was, incidentally, rammed full.Chris
Oct 4, 2005 | 4:20 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,135
Originally Posted by Skymonster
the new short-haul model hasn't so far delivered the turn round that was hoped for
Don't.
Say.
spoke today with bmi staffers (frontline staff, not WHQ, ahem) and the line they're obviously being pedalled is "nothing is permanent, it's a transitional time, if something doesn't work we can always change it back"...
Oct 5, 2005 | 2:22 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Scotland, UK
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, PC AMB, Hyat Diamond, HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 478
I have been a loyal British Midland (what does bmi stand for?) customer for
many years. Coming from Loughborough I had several friends who worked for
BMA at Castle Donnington - my first ever flight in 1968 was with British
Midland from EMA to GLA with my best friends father (a pilot with BMA)
flying the plane! (a BAC 1-11 I recall).:
many years. Coming from Loughborough I had several friends who worked for
BMA at Castle Donnington - my first ever flight in 1968 was with British
Midland from EMA to GLA with my best friends father (a pilot with BMA)
flying the plane! (a BAC 1-11 I recall).:
Oct 5, 2005 | 2:27 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: LBA
Posts: 374
Originally Posted by surturminn
Think you'll find it was a DC9 (probably a -30) iso a BAC1-11
Happy memories - flew on the jumpseat on the return GLA-EMA, it was November 5th - great fun seeing all the bonfires and fireworks. Memories.
YT
Oct 5, 2005 | 2:35 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 13,675
Well, FWIW, I've made only one BD flight since the 'new business model'.
Since then, I've tried some alternatives and... Well, having discovered that Ortlieb panniers are great, and that SW8-LCY is easily doable on a bike, all my business has gone to KLM. Short of running a full-service ER4 on LCY-AMS, there's not a lot BD could do to regain my business now: the damage is done. That's a weekly PE return down the pan, but I can't even be bothered complaining. If they fancy scanning some BD*G accounts, they'll see what's going on...
Since then, I've tried some alternatives and... Well, having discovered that Ortlieb panniers are great, and that SW8-LCY is easily doable on a bike, all my business has gone to KLM. Short of running a full-service ER4 on LCY-AMS, there's not a lot BD could do to regain my business now: the damage is done. That's a weekly PE return down the pan, but I can't even be bothered complaining. If they fancy scanning some BD*G accounts, they'll see what's going on...
Oct 5, 2005 | 6:56 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: EDI
Programs: BD DC, KL FB, HH
Posts: 181
Originally Posted by Yorkshire Traveller
Well I don't know what good this will do (although I feel much better for writing this) - I've sent the following to our corporate travel department. Let's see if anyone from British Midland responds:
Oct 6, 2005 | 6:54 am
#29
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Midlands, United Kingdom
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 331
Originally Posted by surturminn
Think you'll find it was a DC9 (probably a -30) iso a BAC1-11
Andy
Oct 20, 2005 | 10:59 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: LBA
Posts: 374
Well, I've received a reply from bmi Customer Relations who failed to address a single point made in my complaint:
Dear Yorkshire Traveller
I am writing to you, following your journey between Leeds Bradford and London Heathrow, on 19 September.
I was very sorry to learn of your disappointment with the recent amendment to our business model and the impact this had upon the above journey. As you may have read in the press, the decision was taken by the Airline following a six-month study surveying the views of 10,000 air travellers.
I hope you will be able to appreciate that the environment and markets in which we operate have undergone significant changes over recent years. This has meant we have had to modify the way in which we do business and to make appropriate adjustments to our products and services. The changes will however mean our customers will have a wider choice of very competitive fares from Heathrow, although I appreciate, that frequent flyers will not be able to earn miles on all of these fare categories.
The decision to become Europe's first modular airline has seen us move to a single class cabin on most services, although we are still offering a two class service on five routes including, London-Heathrow to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast City, Dublin and Brussels. Whilst the changes have meant the withdrawal of complimentary catering within the cabin, we now offer a wide range of quality products for purchase. I am however aware of your particular disappointment with this aspect, but would assure you that all other elements have been preserved, which include lounge access and the full service previously offered by our ground staff.
As a frequent flyer and valued member of our diamond club, I would like to assure you that we have carefully considered these recent strategic changes and will be making every effort to ensure our frequent flyers receive a consistently high level of customer service.
On behalf of bmi, may I extend our sincere apologies to you for the disappointment caused. I do very much hope however that we might continue to be of service to you.
Yours sincerely
Laura Hurst (Mrs)
customer relations executive
I am writing to you, following your journey between Leeds Bradford and London Heathrow, on 19 September.
I was very sorry to learn of your disappointment with the recent amendment to our business model and the impact this had upon the above journey. As you may have read in the press, the decision was taken by the Airline following a six-month study surveying the views of 10,000 air travellers.
I hope you will be able to appreciate that the environment and markets in which we operate have undergone significant changes over recent years. This has meant we have had to modify the way in which we do business and to make appropriate adjustments to our products and services. The changes will however mean our customers will have a wider choice of very competitive fares from Heathrow, although I appreciate, that frequent flyers will not be able to earn miles on all of these fare categories.
The decision to become Europe's first modular airline has seen us move to a single class cabin on most services, although we are still offering a two class service on five routes including, London-Heathrow to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast City, Dublin and Brussels. Whilst the changes have meant the withdrawal of complimentary catering within the cabin, we now offer a wide range of quality products for purchase. I am however aware of your particular disappointment with this aspect, but would assure you that all other elements have been preserved, which include lounge access and the full service previously offered by our ground staff.
As a frequent flyer and valued member of our diamond club, I would like to assure you that we have carefully considered these recent strategic changes and will be making every effort to ensure our frequent flyers receive a consistently high level of customer service.
On behalf of bmi, may I extend our sincere apologies to you for the disappointment caused. I do very much hope however that we might continue to be of service to you.
Yours sincerely
Laura Hurst (Mrs)
customer relations executive