Re AF/KLM changing H/A's I think that Groundhog, legalize & ops1978 have all missed the point that this is a game that airlines play every so often. Rules are as follows:
1) Airline wants to drop the handling price (possibly losing money or require the capital for another takeover??)
2) Approach current H/A & ask for price drop.
3) H/A says "you've got to be havin a laff"
4) Airline audits other H/A's at same airport & lets the current H/A know this.
5) current H/A will review the contract status, talk to airline & compromise on SLA/prices to drop 1-2%.
6) Airline says thanks very much, stays with current H/A & evryone lives happily ever after!!!
This game has already been played so far by Monarch, Flybe, Continental & Lingus all with some success for the Airline, this game will continue to be played again and again until the UK H/A's come up with a minimum service pricelist that they can agree on and then airlines will move on quality of service alone. this has got to be the answer otherwise the H/A's will drop staff & standards of training which ultimately will result in Health and Safety issues.
If AF/KLM do issue notice it will be on price alone as there is no way that "the Circus" or "Pissport" could match the service they currently get.
