I would just like to offer my most sincere condolences to the guys and gals at SOU. I remember, (as has already been said) when it was the jewel in the crown, and so many old hands are still based there. They worked so hard, (I remember operating in and out) Cath W pretty well built the base with her bare hands, and so very many put so much effort into its success; I can hardly believe it has been sold down the river like this. I remember BALPA saying over and over during the last four years how important it was not to let Flybe get a foothold, how we should fight for the base, how the loads were slipping. But no, it clearly did not form part of the great BA plan (ha ha) and was allowed to die a death of 1000 cuts. Even then, Hutchings could not be @rsed to tell everyone together, he had to leak it to the engineers, who naturally informed everyone else. I almost wish I had still been part of BACON, and been able to listen in to what I'm sure was a fairly frank debate at SOU today. Tosser!!!!
These absolute management pygmies should be ashamed of themselves. Terry and Norman at least had business acumen, and recognised winners, which was what SOU was; that's how they built up a hugely profitable business, only to see it ruined, de-motivated and hacked about by biased accounting practices from Waterside. What a pity Norman took his eye off the ball and let Hutchings in! Hutchings - HAH!
Hutchings, Witts and Evans have just let Flybe walk in an open door, completely disgraceful.....but I think it will remove the competition SOU posed to LHR, which BA never liked.
I'm with that competition now, (and not ashamed of it, though I would rather the move had never been necessary) and I have to say it reminds me of BRAL/Manx in the good old days. Not everyone is happy, there's the usual grousing and grumbling, but at least I feel part of the team, not despised as an expensive component. Even our new Head of Training is a BACON escapee!!
What now? What will close next? Who would buy BACON when they could just wait for it to fall over, and then step into the routes. I have a fair slice of pension with BACON, and therefore an interest in its survival, please tell me there is hope......
