Thanks for a very interesting debate chaps - especially the pov from a pax.
I think easyJet will ride this out easily. Businessmen may be reluctant to take their chances regarding punctuality but, as with everything in life, you get what you pay for. Meanwhile at the other end of the market - my neighbour flew to Edinburgh and back in a day just for lunch with a friend. She accepts it's cheap and cheerful and was happy to put up with any chances of disruption (she was hoping for a night's delay...). The people who are discovering this new bus service are not going to go away. And the TV programme IS good
PR. Nothing sells on telly like a bit of shadenfreud (sp??).
Sorry I can't contribute more regarding the recruitment lottery.