How did this happen?
Feb 12, 2012, 3:40 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Orchard Co. NI
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 607
As it turns out, the mystery pax wasn't dumped at an airport other than LHR and left to get himself home. Rather, he elected to go it alone rather than accepting the custom provided by BA (presumably hotel & meals before the next AM flight).
While it is certainly OP's friend's right to do as he did, it is unfair to expect BA to willy-nilly pay the out-of-pocket expenses which each individual pax fancies.
Of course it's less than ideal. A wide body full of pax off an ultra-long haul can't land and diverts, presumably when it becomes apparent that LHR won't be able to accept the aircraft before it runs dangerously low on fuel.
Not quite sure what BA could have done under the circumstance except perhaps remain in a holding pattern over LHR until the fuel ran out?
While it is certainly OP's friend's right to do as he did, it is unfair to expect BA to willy-nilly pay the out-of-pocket expenses which each individual pax fancies.
Of course it's less than ideal. A wide body full of pax off an ultra-long haul can't land and diverts, presumably when it becomes apparent that LHR won't be able to accept the aircraft before it runs dangerously low on fuel.
Not quite sure what BA could have done under the circumstance except perhaps remain in a holding pattern over LHR until the fuel ran out?
Feb 12, 2012, 3:41 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
As you claim to be a BA employee I am at a loose end as to why you have posted on here! Its not an ideal situation admittedly and surely by posting you are drawing attention to this situation on a public board?
Surely you have internal ways of addressing your concerns and questions?
Surely you have internal ways of addressing your concerns and questions?
General BA staff are not in the best place to know about how frequent flyers are treated. This would be the same in any large corporation. There are many flyers with all types of experience on this forum that may contribute a view. BA staff at discounted rates and would not normally be in a position to request for compensation, etc.
We would like to keep the forum as a place for gaining useful information not one with insinuations
Last edited by KenJohn; Feb 12, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Feb 12, 2012, 7:29 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
I think my intentions have been misunderstood.
I felt genuinely bad about what had happened and, knowing how many miles he racks up with BA, felt a pang of guilt when he relayed how he had been fobbed off by a few different CS agents.
However, my post was in no way in my capacity as a BA employee - it never is. Instead it was more out of curiosity as to whether the operational process of the reroute was standard practice. I do not work in flight ops of any kind so do not have experience of this.
I take posters' points regarding his compensation if he chose to travel to LHR on his own. It so happened he had to be in London for a wedding that afternoon and so could not accept the overnight stay and following day flight.
I hope you will accept this was more to get FTer's views and experience rather than to bring any failings of my employer into the public eye!
BAWG
P.S Totally OT - happy to see I have hit my 100 post mark after only 2 months - hopefully I am doing my bit at contributing to the community ^
I felt genuinely bad about what had happened and, knowing how many miles he racks up with BA, felt a pang of guilt when he relayed how he had been fobbed off by a few different CS agents.
However, my post was in no way in my capacity as a BA employee - it never is. Instead it was more out of curiosity as to whether the operational process of the reroute was standard practice. I do not work in flight ops of any kind so do not have experience of this.
I take posters' points regarding his compensation if he chose to travel to LHR on his own. It so happened he had to be in London for a wedding that afternoon and so could not accept the overnight stay and following day flight.
I hope you will accept this was more to get FTer's views and experience rather than to bring any failings of my employer into the public eye!
BAWG
P.S Totally OT - happy to see I have hit my 100 post mark after only 2 months - hopefully I am doing my bit at contributing to the community ^
rb211.
Feb 12, 2012, 7:45 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: South Florida
Programs: All the best ones.
Posts: 1,415
There is zero reason for the BA guy to feel bad. If someone flys a lot they know there is a risk of diversions and plans having to change. The important thing is that BA got him on the ground safely and agreed to give 275 compensation to complete his journey which will be adequate for most people. I used to get annoyed by weather diversions, but after going through a scary emergency landing, aborted takeoffs, and seeing other passengers suffer a heart attack and stroke on board flights - I am just thankful to get home safe after each trip. Remember to count your blessings.
Feb 13, 2012, 4:25 am
#35
formerly rxfleming
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: AUH, DXB (and GLA)
Programs: BA GGL, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat Elite
Posts: 2,458
He has only been offered 275. How can this be right? It doesnt even cover his costs for the detour, cab and delay.
I think the customer has been compensated enough after they 'went it alone' IMO.
Feb 13, 2012, 7:08 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 920
Diverting, whether it be to Timbuktu or Glasgow Prestwick, does not fulfil the contract to get the passenger to his contracted destination.
It was not beyond BA's control, they had to divert SOME flights, but those flights were selected by BA, not BAA.