In 2001, at a meeting of Britannia LGW pilots, the new MD, Kevin Hatton, was asked how Britannia was going to respond to the competition of the emerging Easyjet. Unfortunately, I can't quote his exact words, but generally he stated that Britannia was a charter airline and would never be in the same market as Easyjet. He also commented that due to the lack of slots at LGW, Easyjet would not be able to expand there. Obviously, dramatic events then changed the aviation industry. KH then took Britannia into the Low Cost market to compete directly against Easyjet - about 4 years too late, and in a manner which has had limited success. His sudden departure from Thomsonfly indicated a lack of loyalty and his overall motivation. Seems that only at the 11th hour has KH really understood that Easyjet is a remarkable organisation that he has underestimated. Good luck to all at GB. I think that this will turn out to be a sound acquisitiion for Easy, and a good result for GB pilots.