B clam - Well said !. .. .Its not for everyone, but many pilots from many airlines are based at LHR, and live in nice areas within 30 miles from there on normal airline pilots salaries.. .. .At BA on shorthaul 99% of the report times are outside of rush hour.. .. .BA's bidline although favouring seniority still gives some choice of days off and trips, and even a normal type of airline roster (blindline) has the option of preferences.. .. .A far cry from my previous life and most other operators - I have never had a roster change that wasn't cancelling my trip .... at least my roster on paper is still the same at the end of the month. The standard of hotels is first rate and even the crew meals streets ahead. No running around airports to find met rooms and printing off your own notams, its all done for you at BA ........ . .. .Things could be worse at BA (the people who complain are the ones who haven't worked for another airline and seen what it can be like !).