Wiggy
As I said I take the point re fire arches but I have seen it done for other retiring pilots for other carriers at other airports, but as I said I do not know if BA did this as I no longer use BA or indeed LHR very much now, but he mentioned it. The gentleman said he had 30+ years with BA and had come back from SA on Monday last week, and was then made redundant, as he did not know it was to be his last flight it did not sound like voluntary redundancy to me, as normally you would apply for that beforehand so would know presumably that this would be your last trip. Anyway I sympathise with those losing their jobs, and indeed those having retirement forced upon them regardless as to how well off they have been, as these are people with hopes and dreams just like everybody else, and it did not sound like the way you would like to round out your career.
Kind regards
Mr Mac