BA Connect
Join Date: Feb 2005
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BA Connect is BAs plan to exit the regions,it is a side show of no use to big BA and rather than just shutting the whole thing down its a device to operate unwanted aircraft untill the leases expire.
If your expecting to get sucked into mainline when this happens then think about all the pilots from other bases that have been closed,they will happily take BACON cabin crew but not pilots.Good luck and get your CVs out.
Closed to date,CWL,LBA,NCL,PLY,GLA,JSY,SOU...whos next?
If your expecting to get sucked into mainline when this happens then think about all the pilots from other bases that have been closed,they will happily take BACON cabin crew but not pilots.Good luck and get your CVs out.
Closed to date,CWL,LBA,NCL,PLY,GLA,JSY,SOU...whos next?
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I guess with the recent advert from Flybe in Flight this week, there isn't to much to worry about. If you feel short changed by BACon then vote with your feet and go. Dash 8 crews required just make sure you get in there before they close recruitment.
Does'nt seem as if Balpa are going to put up fight for you guys and girls. Maybe I am wrong, maybe they will wake up and do somthing for all that money the crews have been forkin out in membership fees
Was it all worth it ?
good luck
Does'nt seem as if Balpa are going to put up fight for you guys and girls. Maybe I am wrong, maybe they will wake up and do somthing for all that money the crews have been forkin out in membership fees
Was it all worth it ?
good luck
I think the BALPA reps and Full timers are well awake to what is going on in BACON they are simply frustrated by a bunch of pilots who appear to have been sleepwalking through the last five years.
Of course they wake up when it's their turn, but only briefly.
Wouldn't be surprised if there is some big announcement soon, but some things simply don't add up. Why is Didsbury getting busier and busier? Why is the company apparently obsessed with building relations with the school in Jerez with PH and DE wining and dining their cadets. Why bother, when DE doesn't even speak or acknowledge the rest of the staff.
Something is up.
Interesting to note High Life running an article about BA Connect - "BA's regional subsidiary" starting an operation out of Yorkshire to Tenerief. What's all that about? No mention of GB.
Of course they wake up when it's their turn, but only briefly.
Wouldn't be surprised if there is some big announcement soon, but some things simply don't add up. Why is Didsbury getting busier and busier? Why is the company apparently obsessed with building relations with the school in Jerez with PH and DE wining and dining their cadets. Why bother, when DE doesn't even speak or acknowledge the rest of the staff.
Something is up.
Interesting to note High Life running an article about BA Connect - "BA's regional subsidiary" starting an operation out of Yorkshire to Tenerief. What's all that about? No mention of GB.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Computer Says No!
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Anybody want to place their bets on what routes/bases might be going? The only route within the UK that BA Connect seem to be profitable is EDI-LCY. I can soon see BA Connect bankrupt in years to come and the only profitable route they ever operated (EDI-LCY) will be given to mainline and all the other BA UK-UK routes will be mainline services to from LHR/LGW. With too much competition from Flybe (who are NOW the UK's biggest regional airline), bmi regional, easyjet, the list goes on and now I think the time has come
I'll give my say and say BHD-MAN will go first.
I'll give my say and say BHD-MAN will go first.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: uk
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Anybody want to place their bets on what routes/bases might be going? The only route within the UK that BA Connect seem to be profitable is EDI-LCY. I can soon see BA Connect bankrupt in years to come and the only profitable route they ever operated (EDI-LCY) will be given to mainline and all the other BA UK-UK routes will be mainline services to from LHR/LGW. With too much competition from Flybe (who are NOW the UK's biggest regional airline), bmi regional, easyjet, the list goes on and now I think the time has come I'll give my say and say BHD-MAN will go first.
I'll give my say and say BHD-MAN will go first.How will BA mainline operate this services?? There no BA mainlane crew certified to fly in anything smaller than a A319 , and there is nothing bigger than a A318 planned to ber certified into LCY.
Paxing All Over The World
biddedout
I noticed that they moved from the 'short haul division' to the 'regional subsidiary' some time ago. When they eventually sell them/ditch them, it will be so much easier to if the national anf financial news says merely that BA is selling a subsidiary - rather than that BA is cutting back on a whole and vital sector of it's business.
But then, I always was cynical.
High Life running an article about BA Connect - "BA's regional subsidiary"
But then, I always was cynical.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: uk
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just a thought and it is just an idea
BA buy bmi mainline,(its already striped ready for a sale just slots and air/ground crew perfect for willie once the pension is sorted out.)
bmi baby sold to the highest bidder then monies used for the purchase of
BA connect
result
jobs still for everyone so you can stay to see if you like it
willie looks if hes pulled the deal of the century
SMB has sh*t loads of dosh and still has a trainset to play with
rgds
K.I.L.
BA buy bmi mainline,(its already striped ready for a sale just slots and air/ground crew perfect for willie once the pension is sorted out.)
bmi baby sold to the highest bidder then monies used for the purchase of
BA connect
result
jobs still for everyone so you can stay to see if you like it
willie looks if hes pulled the deal of the century
SMB has sh*t loads of dosh and still has a trainset to play with
rgds
K.I.L.
Join Date: May 2000
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That said, BA management are unaware of any airport outside LHR/LGW so this probably hasn't even crossed their minds.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: UK
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Crazy as it seems, maybe, just maybe for once the announcement will be positive - its about time. The impending closure of SOU is unbelievale. Not too many years ago we had the place to ourselves, a fleet of new aircraft and a big affluent catchment area - quite how our management managed to trash that I will never know. Some base closures and fleet cuts were understandable, others (mine included) were just rationalisation for the sake of it, with profitable routes and bases being snapped up by competitors like Air South West and flybe. And yet...., the doom mongers who hover round waiting for us to disappear might be disappointed. We have delivered exactly what our owners wanted - some prime LHR slots, a dumping ground for aircraft they didnt want, a way of ridding themselves of a loss making regional operation and a place to try out risky new products. Far from being a basket case, BA Connect continues to be very useful to BA. They keep a presence in the regions, they can trial ideas like buy on board before moving them to mainline and now the LCY operation is making some serious money. Our average yield has dropped (it had to) but I have done more max weight takeoffs recently than I can remember - we seem to be getting more bums on seats at long last, proving that some long overdue advertising is paying dividends. Most of us want this to work. Who knows - top level management shake up and some new aircraft ??? - stranger things have happened.....
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Philias Fogg
You are so right. Just look at American Eagle or (is it) US express.
There is a genuine market for non loco (I won't fly with Ryanair again!) travel. A little more expensive, but a much better product. You tend to get what you paid for.
100 above. Agree
The worst is past. Next 'announcement' ought to be +.
On the other hand, if it isn't.................
You are so right. Just look at American Eagle or (is it) US express.
There is a genuine market for non loco (I won't fly with Ryanair again!) travel. A little more expensive, but a much better product. You tend to get what you paid for.
100 above. Agree
The worst is past. Next 'announcement' ought to be +.
On the other hand, if it isn't.................
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Yet again another BA Connect rumour......yawn yawn. There's at least one every week - there should be a seperate website all togther. I'd ignore this one along with all the rest. The only definite news for October are the Q2 results...which they'll want to paint as dire to avoid a long overdue payrise...but if they are then WW will not be happy - good ol catch 22!!
Join Date: Jul 2004
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But Brain Fade,
The LCC's are not necessarily cheaper than the regulars. often that is just a publicity stunt, on a recent trip a certain Dutch carrier was cheaper than a certain 'Tango' carrier and despite a certain German carrier's appalling sandwiches at least you get a sandwich and indeed a beer.
The LCC's are not necessarily cheaper than the regulars. often that is just a publicity stunt, on a recent trip a certain Dutch carrier was cheaper than a certain 'Tango' carrier and despite a certain German carrier's appalling sandwiches at least you get a sandwich and indeed a beer.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Have to agree with Phileas Fogg to some extent as I too used to prefer flying with a 'recognised' carrier rather than a lo-co. Consequently I always flew BA out of Birmingham unless going somewhere they didn't fly.
However since the wonderful decision to create Connect I have most definitely had a change of mind. When you pay 600 quid for a flight and still end up forking out for a cup of coffee then you know someone is taking the p*ss to be quite frank. Yes yes, I know there is one seat on the plane for sale at 29 quid but that's not much consolation when all of the other seats are twice as expensive as they used to be! I came to the conclusion months ago that if you're going to get Ryanair levels of service (which is what you get from BACON these days), then you might as well save some money and just fly with them anyway.
I used to fly with BA at least once a week on full fare tickets but haven't been near them for months now, and know many others that have done the same. The aircraft may well have more pax in them these days but the fact that the regulars are voting with their feet is what will doom BACON.
However since the wonderful decision to create Connect I have most definitely had a change of mind. When you pay 600 quid for a flight and still end up forking out for a cup of coffee then you know someone is taking the p*ss to be quite frank. Yes yes, I know there is one seat on the plane for sale at 29 quid but that's not much consolation when all of the other seats are twice as expensive as they used to be! I came to the conclusion months ago that if you're going to get Ryanair levels of service (which is what you get from BACON these days), then you might as well save some money and just fly with them anyway.
I used to fly with BA at least once a week on full fare tickets but haven't been near them for months now, and know many others that have done the same. The aircraft may well have more pax in them these days but the fact that the regulars are voting with their feet is what will doom BACON.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Richae,
Thanks for the warning regarding BA Connect, I hadn't appreciated they only offer a LCC service, I just need to fly with BA once every 3 years to maintain my accumalated Executive Club points, it's been about 2 years since I flew with BA so now so I can avoid them for up to another year.
My last trip was to Dusseldorf from Brum, I could have gone direct with BA or LH but paid a high price to thereafter sit in the hotel bar all night, instead I got a lower fare via Amsterdam and enjoyed a beer or three whilst transiting Schiphol. If BA do not want the business then there are others out there that do.
Thanks for the warning regarding BA Connect, I hadn't appreciated they only offer a LCC service, I just need to fly with BA once every 3 years to maintain my accumalated Executive Club points, it's been about 2 years since I flew with BA so now so I can avoid them for up to another year.
My last trip was to Dusseldorf from Brum, I could have gone direct with BA or LH but paid a high price to thereafter sit in the hotel bar all night, instead I got a lower fare via Amsterdam and enjoyed a beer or three whilst transiting Schiphol. If BA do not want the business then there are others out there that do.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Lichfield UK
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BHX ?
Years ago in the days of good old British Rail, I lived in Blackpool. desperate to achieve cuts they announced timetable changes that meant that trains from Blackpool arrived in Preston five mins after the London train had departed. 'But no-one uses the service now' they cried. We'll have to scale back at Blackpool South.
I only mention this because with some leave to take shortly, I fancied a quick hop abroad. Preferring to travel with BA I reckoned that that their new World Offers Sale would be just the thing.
Guess which major airport BA are not making world (well european) offers from?
BHX
Now call me suspicious but I suppose that BA really can't have increased customer demand buggering-up their rationalisation strategy
Years ago in the days of good old British Rail, I lived in Blackpool. desperate to achieve cuts they announced timetable changes that meant that trains from Blackpool arrived in Preston five mins after the London train had departed. 'But no-one uses the service now' they cried. We'll have to scale back at Blackpool South.
I only mention this because with some leave to take shortly, I fancied a quick hop abroad. Preferring to travel with BA I reckoned that that their new World Offers Sale would be just the thing.
Guess which major airport BA are not making world (well european) offers from?
BHX
Now call me suspicious but I suppose that BA really can't have increased customer demand buggering-up their rationalisation strategy
Join Date: Jul 2004
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RealFish,
Forget 'so called' World Offers, check out fares available on http://travel.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/c_172201_flights.html and then go direct to a particular airline website for the best deal as the travel agencies tend to add a few quid on top and then charge for a credit card transaction.
PF
Forget 'so called' World Offers, check out fares available on http://travel.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/c_172201_flights.html and then go direct to a particular airline website for the best deal as the travel agencies tend to add a few quid on top and then charge for a credit card transaction.
PF