perhaps it was nothing to do with BMI or its crew and a LHR problem
The flight crew apologised on the intercom several times that there was nobody around to extend the airbridge but were expressing the hope that someone would show up soon. We had already experienced a delay with the aircraft stuck half way into the stand while they found someone to set the docking system. (that was in addition to the 18 minutes). What way is that to run a business. This has happened too many times to be a coincidence and if it's not bmi's fault, as you suggest, they should do something about it. 18 minutes to get the doors open is just not acceptable. If it isn't that we have been shunted around the airfield until two or three bmi aircraft have exited the domestic terminal and we finally finish up there and having to be taken to the correct terminal by bus which causes further delay.