A bit of a record on this thread, two consecutive reasoned arguements from "Ray" and the "Mouse", looking at possibilities for the future yet to be "made" rather than trawling over real or imagined past slights or injustices that cannot be changed.
Before the mood is lost a few more comments about the future.
It is certain that the big players like AF and LH are closely following what is happening with "Open Skies". It is also highly likely that when the dust has settled around OS ,and if it proves successful, that there will soon be a "Ciel Ouvert", "LH Lite".....flying out of airports outside their countries of origin including of course the UK.
Whilst "CO" , "LHL" could represent welcome employment opportunities for some British pilots the T&c's will inevitably be modelled on those of "OS".
So whereas in the past it might be true to say that T&C's in one country did not impact on another, it may take some time but in the future it is highly likely that this will no longer be the case. The existing LO Co's have already started the process and the advent of any "Legacy Lites" will only accelerate and accentuate it.
BALPA have obviously realised the potential importance of "OS", the real importance, at least from the perspective of BA Management, will be revealed by it's stance in front of the threatened strike.
It is important to realise however that what happens at BA in the coming months could have an impact in due course, to a greater or lesser extent , on all pilots throughout Europe at least. How big the ripples will be will depend upon just how big "big a stone" OS really is or turns out to be.