I sympathise, but it really is a case of "welcome to the real world".
Is that the real world where millions of people haven't made proper provision for their future through ignorance and/or shortsightedness by ensuring they have an adequate pension fund ?
The real world where the Chancellor of the Exchequer 10 years ago changed the rules for pension funds to their detriment ?
The real world where the MP's who are probably aghast at the impact a strike could have on UK plc, all have final salary index linked pensions ?
Perhaps that's why there is an issue here. Maybe the "real world" just ain't a really good place to be for everyone, and perhaps that's why some think it's worth protecting, or fighting for, what they've got.
pensions that are held up in companies such as BAA
No, there are no pensions held in BAA stock - that stock was sold at a profit when BAA was taken over.
Aside from the pensions issue, what I'm also reading among the comments here is a fundamental misunderstanding on the way BAA is regulated - virtually told how much money it can make by the CAA. It is set a fixed rate of return based on various forecasts, therefore in order to beat that it has to earn more from non regulated sources ( shops ! ), or cut costs, and the regulator keeps an eye on both of these as well to ensure service quality isn't compromised ( hence the service quality rebates the airlines get paid ).
The problem is, a lot of people, including some analysts, city boys and the new owners don't seem ( by their actions ) to comprehend this - there isn't a quick buck to be made here !
The only way the airports have a chance to become more profitable for their owners is when they are deregulated and sold off.
Then you'll be in another world.....