"Secondly, I've noticed that its very rare to get a miserable or rude FA in isolation. Generally everyone is efficient, or maybe jokey, but sometimes you get entire crews with a bad attitude - its as if it comes down from the top.
Does that mirror how it is?"
Spot on Pinkman. The large majority of CSD's are great to work with and really know how to motivate their crew. There are a small minority that are the total opposite though, every one hates working with them and they put a general 'downer' on the whole trip. You will notice this most if you are unlucky enough to be sat in the cabin nearest the CSD's office.
SLF 3, you are also right in many of your comments. BA does need to pay more attention to the general presentation and cleanliness of their aircraft. As with most things cleaning is 'out sourced' and rarely seems to be audited by BA. As with most other departments within BA, our engineering department (which mend most of the small cabin issues such as lose seals or broken armrests/lights etc) have faced numerous culls and there just don't seem to be the numbers anymore to tend to all these presentation issues.
I've also noticed that whenever it is 'announced' something new will replace something old (for example the IFE), in the interim until the new equipment arrives, the exisiting equipment is rarely fixed when it breaks down (IFE screens etc).
As for steps off the aircraft instead of jetties. This is nothing new and something BA has little control over. Stands are allocated by Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) and around 15-20% of our flights on a daily basis are allocated 'off pier' stands. Even when we move to T5 this will not be remidied until 'T5C' will not open until 2011. T5A (main Bldg) and T5B (initial satellite) will be used from 2008. Something that DOES embarass us with off pier arrivals though, is the often long wait for busses @ LHR.
In terms of a long haul Club passenger not receiving their first meal choice, yes, I do find it embarassing having to let them down. I don't think any airline caters 100% for every meal choice (say we have 4 options and 50 passengers in club...would equal 200 meals, 150 of which would be wasted) but I certainly agree that passengers not getting their first request happens all too often and some extra buffers certainly wouldn't go astray. The absolute MOST embarassing scenario (which SHOULDN't happen but occassionally does) is when neither the passengers first, or second preference is available.
As for shourt-haul, I think what is offered is still fairly good. I think it is just as good, or in most cases better, than the other european 'flag' carriers. I use my staff travel a fair bit to go and visit friends around europe and often fly some of the other european carriers (and are often lucky enough to be upgraded). I must say, I think BA are streets ahead of the last two competitors I used (KLM and Iberia). On the other hand I flew Olympic to Athens (which I was dreading) and they turned out to be amazing!
In short, the best thing you can to as SLF (especially if a frequent flyer) is to ask the CSD for a 'GPM' (those surveys that most people hate completing). Or alternatively, a 'comments card'. Sometimes when passengers to complain about the state of the aircraft or catering, i actively encourage them to complete one. BA DOES log the stats of what comes back on those forms, both positive and negative. So, next time you are on a filfthy flight, put pen to GPM and tell them just how dirty or tatty you think those aircraft are!
PS. Club World will be receiving a complete new cabin as well as new seats and galleys this summer. IFE will be new (AVOD) thru-out the aircraft. Maybe they can re-do the loos and carpets down the back as well! (fingers crossed)