In response to the Unite statement:
They claim only 9 Heathrow departures today. In fact nearly 40 British Airways operated long haul flights departed today with passengers - the loads were good on the vast majority that were not re-instated flights (eg EBB) - I can't be bothered to count the short haul flights as there were 6 operated by BA with passengers in the first 2 hours alone. Approx 30 long haul flights departed empty across the whole day.
The blown slide rumour has already been covered a page or so ago.
The 40 aircraft at CWL/SNN have now magically re-appeared at LHR (85 parked aircraft is now 140).
Delays have been minimal across the day.
Regarding staff travel being removed, I brought 2 crew members back from an outstation today. Both had been sick down-route on day one of the strike and had been informed by their manager that their ST has been withdrawn.