BA CANT, COULDNT AFFORD TO, and WONT replace the 737s like-for-like with Airbus
Err, yes they will. Most of the 737s are on leases, at least three have already been returned and more and more A319s are being shifted over to replace them as the LHR fleet acquires more A320s. BA have 14 more A320s on order (G-EUUZ + G-EUYA to G-EUYM) for delivery over the next two and a half years. There is no way the LHR fleet could fit that much expansion (even with more 757s going), so something has to give and it will be A319s down to LGW.
As said above there are only 28 737s, and it is certainly the plan that LGW will within a few years be an all A319 base.
WHBM
Fare was less than half what BA were charging
So what? Almost invariably on legacy carriers flights to a destination via an intermediate point are priced cheaper than a direct flight, how else do you think airlines would get customers to travel with them? Try booking a flight from say CDG to JFK, almost invariably BA via LHR will be much cheaper than AF direct - or they wouldn't get any customers.
The connection in Germany was 30 minutes, which had reduced to 22 minutes on arrival. There was a ground agent at the door with my name and a transfer van, out of the aircraft, along the ramp, into the connection and we left on time. All for half the BA Y fare, don't forget.
So, you booked an extraordinarily short connection, and a ramp agent was there to make sure you made it? Do you really think that treatment is given to every single LH passenger? The only reason they did that was because you were cutting it so fine. This example has absolutely nothing to do with BA providing an inferior service, if anything it shows they are being sensible by not permitting such short connections.
Could anyone at BA even CONCEIVE of doing transfers at T5 in such a passenger-friendly manner ?
No, and nor could LH, or any other airline (imagine how must it would cost an airline to have agents ready to escort each and every connecting passenger to their next flight). I guarantee there is no way they would have given you that service had you not been cutting it so fine. And in a similar situation BA will do much the same thing; they often hold flights if an inbound flight is delayed and have agents at the door waiting to get the passengers over quickly.
line up and long wait for a minimally-staffed security recheck with many of the checkpoints unmanned, despite already being cleared in the UK, further walk to make sure you pass each and every duty-free shop
And what has that got to do with BA? Who decides how many security checkpoints to use, who put the duty free in? BAA.
staff smirking with a "Tough $hit attitude" at your misfortune. Go and join that huge rebooking queue way over there, and kiss goodbye to your plans for the rest of the day
This is just ridiculous. If you don't give ample time for your connection, that's your problem. Frankly I am shocked LH even allowed you to book a half hour connection.
You can argue as much as you want but there is no denying T5 is a fantastic airport experience, easily among the best in Europe and lightyears ahead of the rest of LHR.