@NorthSouth said
"readgeoff, re the decision to go to Redhill, NB that AFTER his client told him Battersea was open, the pilot texted his operator asking if Redhill was still clear, but the AAIB notes that the reply "Yes it’s fine still here" "was not read". So the pilot had no confirmation of conditions at Redhill, but had some inkling that Battersea might be possible. So I can't see that it necessarily indicates any kind of commercial pressure mindset. Couldn't it equally have been the client showing concern for the pilot, knowing he had taken off despite the client's advice, and trying to do his best to find somewhere for him to divert safely? He went to the trouble of phoning Battersea - apparently unprompted"
The AAIB report has the text to his operator also timed at 07.55 so it is plausible Mr Barnes was writing and sending this text before or while receiving the text from the client. Your interpreted sequence and suggestions are also plausible of course.
In my view it is entirely reasonable for a client to look for an alternative pick up point (or suggest an alternative wx diversion). It is then down to the pilot to decide the actual course of action.