I too would use BA longhaul via LHR except for the fact:
1. The shuttles are far too unreliable ( delayed or cancelled )
2. It is over priced ( eg a flight HAM-LHR-LAX would be cheaper than MAN-LHR-LAX etc).
My lack of BA flying since the demise of BACON is purely because the current offerings do not suit my requirements, not because of some spat over their policy.
If you want to transit at LHR not with BA, then it involves a pretty awful terminal change, whereas at AMS FRA ZRH or MUC it is usually pretty effortless
For those reasons my longhaul requirements are usually met very well, very reliably & reasonably priced from MAN with Delta / Swiss / Lufthansa / Qatar.
By supporting these airlines here in Manchester, we are supporting our airport, our jobs and our local economy.
keep up the good work Shed.