BA Connect
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Planet Claire
Age: 63
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Phileas
Do your own research and make up your own mind. Likes of Easy jet et al AND Ryanair are often, but not always dearer than BACON.
Frankly the price of a drink and a sarni pales into nothing compared to the price diff. Also BACON tickets are transferable and there are other plusses too.
Like I said earlier. Do your research...........and let us know how you got on
Do your own research and make up your own mind. Likes of Easy jet et al AND Ryanair are often, but not always dearer than BACON.
Frankly the price of a drink and a sarni pales into nothing compared to the price diff. Also BACON tickets are transferable and there are other plusses too.
Like I said earlier. Do your research...........and let us know how you got on
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 18A
Age: 38
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Richae
You wouldnt believe how much the crew get moaned at by passengers about the price of their fare since BA Connect went live.what do they want us to do about it?we have been putting report after report into the fleet office,for them to pass onto management but as usual,they arent listening to us.Its taken them 5 months to give us extra beer and water on certain flights.
Id like to hope this upcoming "announcement" was positive.Its about time we did have something positive.Maybe DE is leaving...we can only hope.
You wouldnt believe how much the crew get moaned at by passengers about the price of their fare since BA Connect went live.what do they want us to do about it?we have been putting report after report into the fleet office,for them to pass onto management but as usual,they arent listening to us.Its taken them 5 months to give us extra beer and water on certain flights.
Id like to hope this upcoming "announcement" was positive.Its about time we did have something positive.Maybe DE is leaving...we can only hope.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: York
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hope it's not more bad news for BACON. When was there last any good news?
Seriously, Richae and Phileas Fogg raise very good points. BACON is neither fish nor fowl. Whether you like it or not, it ain't low cost (indeed as Richae said, many of the seats are now more expensive than they used to be!) Go figure??
And it's definitely not 'full service'!
BACON came in to being for many of the reasons previously alluded to. Five years ago, BA were provided with a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to exit regional flying. They grabbed it. But they had no concept, nor plan as to how they would go forward (unless you believe that they always intended terminating regional flying as soon as it was cheap enough so to do!)
I understand that commercially BACON are not setting the World on fire. That's a shame, because I understand there are many good people there. Tiggerific seems to be a good example. Mostly, it aint the troops on the ground that are at fault. The responsibility for the passing of BA from the regions will lie much further up the food chain.
Let;s hope the pessimism is unwarranted.
Seriously, Richae and Phileas Fogg raise very good points. BACON is neither fish nor fowl. Whether you like it or not, it ain't low cost (indeed as Richae said, many of the seats are now more expensive than they used to be!) Go figure??
And it's definitely not 'full service'!
BACON came in to being for many of the reasons previously alluded to. Five years ago, BA were provided with a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to exit regional flying. They grabbed it. But they had no concept, nor plan as to how they would go forward (unless you believe that they always intended terminating regional flying as soon as it was cheap enough so to do!)
I understand that commercially BACON are not setting the World on fire. That's a shame, because I understand there are many good people there. Tiggerific seems to be a good example. Mostly, it aint the troops on the ground that are at fault. The responsibility for the passing of BA from the regions will lie much further up the food chain.
Let;s hope the pessimism is unwarranted.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 8000 feet of cabin altitude
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The announcement is probably going to remind us we're losing a Dash 8 and the Belfast night stop......as well as starting the rumour mill again for the next announcement.
Personally, I hope it's to let us know we're gonna get a X-mas bonus this year!! Please don't laugh too hard
Personally, I hope it's to let us know we're gonna get a X-mas bonus this year!! Please don't laugh too hard
Connect is on it's way to the butchers slab
It's an open secret the WW has already decided to leave the regions - he is quoted as saying (last week) "it's got no connection with BA mainline and doesn't make anywhere near enough money"He went on to threaten LGW in similar terms .........
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brum
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: stansted
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Phileas,
Your site Kelkoo does not cover the market very well, for Europe at any rate. A superb tool for searching the best option is skyscanner.net , good graphics and an equal treatment of Loco and traditional offerings. Try it and see.
Your site Kelkoo does not cover the market very well, for Europe at any rate. A superb tool for searching the best option is skyscanner.net , good graphics and an equal treatment of Loco and traditional offerings. Try it and see.
I have travelled from Dusseldorf to Manchester and vv. about seven times a year for the last 15 years or so . I have seen the service deteriorate over the years but the crews were always great as usual , B737 , B146 or E145 ..... great , professional , helpful and with a sense of humour . However , this coupled with the over-the-top recent "security" measures , I now use the Rotterdam-Hull ferry with my car , overnight , yes but the timings are almost as good as BA , on the whole and I am in the flat on The Island within one hour of dis-embarkation early morning , as opposed to 3 hours in the train from Manchester (First Class- L95,00 return) . I'm getting used to this and BA is the loser . Working in aviation (ATC) I am saddened by this but that's life , I pay the (full fare) bill and I am more relaxed in the long term . BA you are on the wrong track .
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well said Tiggerific - it has taken management so long to listen to us - it was embarassing when we would run out of water on a Milan flight. At last we seem to have a couple of back up bars.
I am hoping that the announcement will be positive - not sure it will be but I am trying!!! I will honestly be gutted as I enjoy my job + I know I give excellent customer service. Sorry if I sound like a jobsworth but hey - I just hope I don't lose my job!
I am hoping that the announcement will be positive - not sure it will be but I am trying!!! I will honestly be gutted as I enjoy my job + I know I give excellent customer service. Sorry if I sound like a jobsworth but hey - I just hope I don't lose my job!
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Mainland Europe
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reduced routes/pull out of SOU was mentioned earlier.
What I have never understood is why SOU was/is not marketed. Anyone flying to near Europe, Scotland or Ireland that lives in central London or the M3 corridor can take a train (one of the few cheap networks - London Waterloo or points west to SOU return = less than Heathrow Express return!!) direct to SOU airport parkway, and walk 30m and be in the terminal. You can also drive, why endure the M25?
Central London to BRU via LHR, or via SOU? Quite simply SOU is faster! And the journey to the airport is more pleasant, check-in is faster (virtually no queues), a little stroll to the gate (not T4 marathon) and more flights leave on time than they ever do from LHR.
SOU like all regional airports is small, very fast to transit, very, very fast baggage recovery, small (if any) queues. Quite simply it is faster, less walking, so less tiring than LHR. People smile at you and are helpful, and yes it makes flying a pleasure again.
Have you ever, ever heard the advantages in speed, time and comfort flying from SOU nationally and properly marketed (radio, TV press) by any airline touting for business? Why not? Some people just are not doing their job.
Oh, how I miss flying across the ditch from SOU.
Oh dear!
What I have never understood is why SOU was/is not marketed. Anyone flying to near Europe, Scotland or Ireland that lives in central London or the M3 corridor can take a train (one of the few cheap networks - London Waterloo or points west to SOU return = less than Heathrow Express return!!) direct to SOU airport parkway, and walk 30m and be in the terminal. You can also drive, why endure the M25?
Central London to BRU via LHR, or via SOU? Quite simply SOU is faster! And the journey to the airport is more pleasant, check-in is faster (virtually no queues), a little stroll to the gate (not T4 marathon) and more flights leave on time than they ever do from LHR.
SOU like all regional airports is small, very fast to transit, very, very fast baggage recovery, small (if any) queues. Quite simply it is faster, less walking, so less tiring than LHR. People smile at you and are helpful, and yes it makes flying a pleasure again.
Have you ever, ever heard the advantages in speed, time and comfort flying from SOU nationally and properly marketed (radio, TV press) by any airline touting for business? Why not? Some people just are not doing their job.
Oh, how I miss flying across the ditch from SOU.
Oh dear!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LEVC
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is refreshing to read that there are other customers out there who are not interested in the basic LCC product. I do not consider BACON a LCC and last month enjoyed a return flight MAN-GLA-MAN with them for what I considered a good value fare. The product was well received:
1) When buying the ticket I did not have to decide if or how many items of checked baggage I may require and consequently have to extra pay for this service.
2) I received Frequent Flyer Points for my affiliation programme for another ONEWorld alliance carrier (Iberia).
3) I was allocated a seat at check-in and did not have to partake in a rugby scrum at the boarding gate.
4) The aircraft (Dash-8) was well prepared for service, clean, and the crew were caring and professional throughout the journey.
5) The ground support is there both visibly and behind the scenes if and when things do not go according to plan (e.g.: mishandled baggage, flight cancelled, lengthy delay, etc.).
6) The on-board service was an extensive menu and reasonably priced (the afternoon tea including 2 sandwiches, Devonshire Scone, and coffee for 4 quid being a definite winner!)
7) The choice of flight timing and frequency on this route at least was excellent, a good spread of flights throughout the day.
All in all I would, and have, recommended BACON. However, I only wish more managers would understand that not everyone wants an LCC experience and a desire for a "traditional" airline product still exists among many business and leisure travellers in the regions and from hub airports. For me BACON is not in the same business as a LCC for the reasons outlined above and should therefore not try to be........
CW
1) When buying the ticket I did not have to decide if or how many items of checked baggage I may require and consequently have to extra pay for this service.
2) I received Frequent Flyer Points for my affiliation programme for another ONEWorld alliance carrier (Iberia).
3) I was allocated a seat at check-in and did not have to partake in a rugby scrum at the boarding gate.
4) The aircraft (Dash-8) was well prepared for service, clean, and the crew were caring and professional throughout the journey.
5) The ground support is there both visibly and behind the scenes if and when things do not go according to plan (e.g.: mishandled baggage, flight cancelled, lengthy delay, etc.).
6) The on-board service was an extensive menu and reasonably priced (the afternoon tea including 2 sandwiches, Devonshire Scone, and coffee for 4 quid being a definite winner!)
7) The choice of flight timing and frequency on this route at least was excellent, a good spread of flights throughout the day.
All in all I would, and have, recommended BACON. However, I only wish more managers would understand that not everyone wants an LCC experience and a desire for a "traditional" airline product still exists among many business and leisure travellers in the regions and from hub airports. For me BACON is not in the same business as a LCC for the reasons outlined above and should therefore not try to be........
CW
Meanwhile, Ryanair's rapid expansion in recent years, which saw its passenger numbers increase from 19.4 million in 2003 to 24.6 million in 2004 and 30.9 million in 2005 is surpassed by easyJet who saw 28,291,000 passengers in 2004 turn into 32,100,000 in 2005 (up+13.5%).
These numbers are the real reason why the likes of BACON are having a hard time. For every passenger that wants a full or partial service on EU shorthaul or Domestic there are dozens and dozens and dozens that don't.
On every airport pair that Ryan or EZY have ever contested with a traditonal airline they have won. They are like the Borg. Lamentable, but, market forces at work.
Cheers
WWW
These numbers are the real reason why the likes of BACON are having a hard time. For every passenger that wants a full or partial service on EU shorthaul or Domestic there are dozens and dozens and dozens that don't.
On every airport pair that Ryan or EZY have ever contested with a traditonal airline they have won. They are like the Borg. Lamentable, but, market forces at work.
Cheers
WWW
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cloud 9
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
(For every passenger that wants a full or partial service on EU shorthaul or Domestic there are dozens and dozens and dozens that don't.)
Perhaps so but that will be why the likes of Ryanair will operate B737-800's and the likes of Lufthansa Regional, KLM Cityhopper and BACON will operate the likes of F50's & 70's or Bombardier & Embraer Pocket Rockets. It's a little like saying that there is no need for a High Street coffee shop because McDonalds is available.
Where BACON fall down as opposed to the other regionals I mentioned is that they do not offer the flight connections on a 'through' fare that others do. As an example BA and LH compete on the BHX-DUS route, with LH you have all the onwards connections but with BA your journey stops in DUS, there's only so many people that want to travel to DUS from BHX.
Perhaps so but that will be why the likes of Ryanair will operate B737-800's and the likes of Lufthansa Regional, KLM Cityhopper and BACON will operate the likes of F50's & 70's or Bombardier & Embraer Pocket Rockets. It's a little like saying that there is no need for a High Street coffee shop because McDonalds is available.
Where BACON fall down as opposed to the other regionals I mentioned is that they do not offer the flight connections on a 'through' fare that others do. As an example BA and LH compete on the BHX-DUS route, with LH you have all the onwards connections but with BA your journey stops in DUS, there's only so many people that want to travel to DUS from BHX.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Manchester, England
Age: 58
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fair points WWW, but 2 observations:
a significant number of the 60+ million pax would never have gone BA (or similar) in the first place, partly due to different routes, and partly due to the demographics of air travel in the UK being so different now to 10 years ago.
The idea of BA competing with a locost is interesting - a white flag before the ink has dried on the locost press release announcing a route seems to be the usual form!
Where I do think BACON (or its predecessors) missed the boat is the market that Flybe seem to be cornering - the equipment they had 5-6 years ago was well suited to do nicely there, but they seem to have been like rabbits in the headlights of all the other locosts.
a significant number of the 60+ million pax would never have gone BA (or similar) in the first place, partly due to different routes, and partly due to the demographics of air travel in the UK being so different now to 10 years ago.
The idea of BA competing with a locost is interesting - a white flag before the ink has dried on the locost press release announcing a route seems to be the usual form!
Where I do think BACON (or its predecessors) missed the boat is the market that Flybe seem to be cornering - the equipment they had 5-6 years ago was well suited to do nicely there, but they seem to have been like rabbits in the headlights of all the other locosts.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Roman Empire
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Southampton
Southampton was a jewel in the crown for BRAL, but it competed on a number of routes pretty well directly with LHR. For all the reasons that fat'n'grey mentions, it was a winner and had a huge catchment.
Our SOU personnel watched over the last 2 - 3 years as marketing was withdrawn, and competition surrendered to. They pointed it out over and over and over, and begged management to get the message. Management consistently said things were about to change, whilst doing the square root of eff all. The problem is that BA don't WANT a successful airline at SOU. It shows, however, their complete dunderheadedness that they don't see that FlyBe are poised to become the success that BRAL were. They deserve it too. But then, remember that BA were the strategic and tactical masterplanners who sold GO..............
I fear....."The End is Nigh".........
Our SOU personnel watched over the last 2 - 3 years as marketing was withdrawn, and competition surrendered to.
They pointed it out over and over and over, and begged management to get the message. Management consistently said things were about to change, whilst doing the square root of eff all. The problem is that BA don't WANT a successful airline at SOU. It shows, however, their complete dunderheadedness that they don't see that FlyBe are poised to become the success that BRAL were. They deserve it too. But then, remember that BA were the strategic and tactical masterplanners who sold GO.............. I fear....."The End is Nigh".........
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wouldn't you like to know !
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't know much about FlyBe, although we do seem to lose pilots to them. One of the best management trainers in BACON recently left to become their Head of Training, he is already badly missed because he also effectively ran the 146 fleet despite the best bungling efforts of our soon-to-be demoted fleet manager. Can Flybe possibly fail? All BACON ever does is capitulate when competition starts up.
Interested in any comments on Flybe - anybody got any comments on what they're like to work for?
Interested in any comments on Flybe - anybody got any comments on what they're like to work for?