I agree, I've flown with bmi to LHR and last week I took the train to London. It was a very pleasant, quick and comfortable journey, I can't complain at all. for p2p journeys the train is a no brianer, for onwards connections it's better to fly. That having been said its pretty easy to get to MAN from the Leeds area anyway, bus, train or car.
It is a sad thing that it has come to this, however.
Brian.