OT but as posted here, will answer here:
MAN loads are erratic. A lot of people sure but with 11 rotations a day there is plenty of quiet ones amongst them.
Erratic? Plenty of quiet ones? Huh? Apart for the last 2 southbounds, and an early afternoon northbound, vast majority of flights leave with over 100 on them, which, with a minimum of 132 seats on the A319, hardly 'quiet' or 'erratic' or any cause for concern. Staff travel is a bloomin nightmare on MAN-LHR-MAN, always someone on waitlist whereas most other domestics are a straight on scenario.
What also helps MAN is the large number of prem and GGL card holders.
Lastly, WW has said MAN will only ever be cut if HS2 shows it can take over the role of the air route, given HS2 is 20+ years away, MAN is quite safe.
Re LBA What is most encouraging is the very high percentage of transfer
traffic it generates but there simply aren't enough bums on seats at present.
But, bums on seats is the issue and why LBA is being monitored, not connections. 54 seats out of 132 is still less than half full, regardless of how many are connecting.