The reason you are getting 'appalling service' at MAN is because the BA ground handling boys and girls are being right royally shafted and aren't exactly bothered whether or not your flight is on time or powered up.
Not all stands have FEP and even if it does, it doesn't necessarily work all the time.
APUs are often turned off as required. Just because the aircraft is on GPU/FEP doesn't mean the APU is b*ggered.
The bags are loaded & offloaded by the same people now as they were for BA.
Finally, it is common practice, if not SOPS to switch batteries off when leaving the aircraft without pilot/engineering present.
