Flybe/Bacon - 4
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: NE Surrey, UK
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Er, so why schedule these flights in the first place? Surely the Bank Holiday didn't come as a surprise to FlyBE? They tend to be arranged several decades in advance.....
Something doesn't add up here!
Something doesn't add up here!
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Seloco, you may think that but I can assure you it ain't so. Planning would be a whole new concept.
Some of those flights may have gone if it had remained BACON but it was standard practice to cancel everything, except usually the late rotations, on bank holidays.
Whole thing most likely a screw up during hand over with so much to do and so few people to do it. As for messing people around, you just can't fly aircraft around with 2 people on them, which on a bank holiday on those routes, would have been the likely loads.
Some of those flights may have gone if it had remained BACON but it was standard practice to cancel everything, except usually the late rotations, on bank holidays.
Whole thing most likely a screw up during hand over with so much to do and so few people to do it. As for messing people around, you just can't fly aircraft around with 2 people on them, which on a bank holiday on those routes, would have been the likely loads.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: where ever i wake up!!!!
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Perkin the Embraers you see belong to Flybe they have not had the BA paintwork removed since the Flybe takeover of BACON ,and in all probability they wont ,Flybe are free to put them on any route that they wish. The codeshare you refer to is not codesharing in the conventional sense but a stop gap measure until Flybe phase out the BA flight numbers and it becomes just Flybe BE flight numbers.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Doncaster
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When it became known that BACON were being taken over by FlyBE, it seemed obvious that there would be a lot of teething problems. I fly to Brussels frequently and so religiously stuck to SN flights when I booked even though their times may not have been as good as the FlyBE/BA codeshares. But give it a year or so to settle down and I'm sure things will improve.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Embraers
Perkin
The E145's are now Flybe's they came with the acquisition. Over the next few years Flybe will phase out all the embraers and replace them with Q400's.
The BA codeshare only exists on Flybe routes that were ex BAcon routes for example EDI-MAN (ex BAcon) but not EDI-NWI (Flybe).
I don't think the codeshare continues indefinately, if I remember correctly there was and end date for it but can't remember when. Someone else might be able to help out with that one
The E145's are now Flybe's they came with the acquisition. Over the next few years Flybe will phase out all the embraers and replace them with Q400's.
The BA codeshare only exists on Flybe routes that were ex BAcon routes for example EDI-MAN (ex BAcon) but not EDI-NWI (Flybe).
I don't think the codeshare continues indefinately, if I remember correctly there was and end date for it but can't remember when. Someone else might be able to help out with that one
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Basically you were commenting about the aspects of ground handling through all your points if you notice. That is who im defending.
You arent the only one who will not use flybe again. Passengers have had problems post takeover, thats their perogative whether they fly with flybe or not. From simple things like not being able to check in online (as they had a ba reference) to more serious cases.
The majority of biz pax as a whole seem fairly happy with the product as it is, and all aspects of it. Sure there are some big differences between them and BACON but nothing that people wont get used to in time.
Theres a big difference between LH and BE prices, high price doesnt always mean high quality which is the main point my previous post was about. Low price shouldnt have to mean low quality of service, which unfortunately sounds like you got but as i said, i cant defend the check in staffs attitude if they were rude. But i agree with what you said, most people dont have a choice in airline due to financial situation.
We are unable to control the times passengers want to check in for their flight, which if a lot are departing around the same time people will all join the queues, involving waiting time. This cannot change and people are checked in as quickly as possible, although sometimes matters get complicated and staff that are new need help or things only the ticket desk can do i.e problems with the bookings.
Overall as i said, only a minimal amount seem unhappy with the changeover and will not fly again with the airline. Most will return who say that but some wont. Look at easyjet with all the bad PR on airline yet business with them has improved tenfold.
If you choose to fly flybe again then good on you and i hope you have a better experience. Should you not, i wish you all the best and hope you get a better standard of service in the future.
You arent the only one who will not use flybe again. Passengers have had problems post takeover, thats their perogative whether they fly with flybe or not. From simple things like not being able to check in online (as they had a ba reference) to more serious cases.
The majority of biz pax as a whole seem fairly happy with the product as it is, and all aspects of it. Sure there are some big differences between them and BACON but nothing that people wont get used to in time.
Theres a big difference between LH and BE prices, high price doesnt always mean high quality which is the main point my previous post was about. Low price shouldnt have to mean low quality of service, which unfortunately sounds like you got but as i said, i cant defend the check in staffs attitude if they were rude. But i agree with what you said, most people dont have a choice in airline due to financial situation.
We are unable to control the times passengers want to check in for their flight, which if a lot are departing around the same time people will all join the queues, involving waiting time. This cannot change and people are checked in as quickly as possible, although sometimes matters get complicated and staff that are new need help or things only the ticket desk can do i.e problems with the bookings.
Overall as i said, only a minimal amount seem unhappy with the changeover and will not fly again with the airline. Most will return who say that but some wont. Look at easyjet with all the bad PR on airline yet business with them has improved tenfold.
If you choose to fly flybe again then good on you and i hope you have a better experience. Should you not, i wish you all the best and hope you get a better standard of service in the future.
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Edinburgh
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Flybe like the majority of European carriers file repetitive flight plans with the central flight planning unit in Brussels. These are plans held on services which operate at regular intervals with a high degree of commonality. These RPL's, as they are called, are filed just twice a year at the start of the summer and winter schedules and are used so that airline operations departments do not need to send out flight plans every day. Instead they just need to inform Brussels of any changes that might occur on a particular flight, such as an aircraft type change or time of departure. They are also expected to inform Brussels when the flight is not intending to operate as this will have an effect on flow management predictions, ATC and airport operations.
The cancellations referred to are simply Flybe complying with this requirement due to the bank holiday on Monday and will be mirrored by similar cancellations amongst other point to point carriers. Hub and spoke type operators and those who operate spoke services as part of an alliance will see fewer cancellations due to the difference in their business model.
The cancellations referred to are simply Flybe complying with this requirement due to the bank holiday on Monday and will be mirrored by similar cancellations amongst other point to point carriers. Hub and spoke type operators and those who operate spoke services as part of an alliance will see fewer cancellations due to the difference in their business model.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Fantaman the embraers and dashes will probably be "whitetailed" to remove the BA markings for legal reasons once the BA codesharing is phased out, i doubt if Flybe will go to the expense of respraying airframes to the full Flybe paint scheme when they are looking to get rid off them.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: England
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Birmingham - Malpensa
It would be appreciated if someone could advise whether the Flybe service out of Birmingham to Malpensa will soon have a larger aircraft than the Emb 145. I was a regular Ba Connect flyer on this service and was horrified this morning to see that the flight was already full for the day I wanted to go next week. I can't book more than a week in advance so unfortunately Heathrow looks the only alternative.
I had a mona at their customer services. They explained that there were more passengers due to the merge/take over. For the small price of £487.96 pence I am less than happy.
Having read the comments above about Flybe my initial fears of the take over from BA Connect are coming to reality.
I had a mona at their customer services. They explained that there were more passengers due to the merge/take over. For the small price of £487.96 pence I am less than happy.
Having read the comments above about Flybe my initial fears of the take over from BA Connect are coming to reality.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: England
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as mentioned above I cannot book earlier. I visit Milan to accept new helicopters when the manufacturer advises that they are ready which at best is within seven days.
Any other useful advice?
Any other useful advice?
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CGN
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I have flown on FlyBE (former BACON route) 8 legs in the last 3 weeks. As described above in many examples, it seems obvious, that with the takeover of BACON, the planning dept in FlyBE is simply overloaded and not up to it - as good as they may have been when they had to manage only "their" flights before the takeover.
Frustration amongst the crews seems to be high as not only this example from page 1 of this thread shows:
I have experienced comments like this on the PA every time arriving or leaving BHX in these last weeks. Cabin crew tells, they are being sent to wrong stands all the time - only to discover upon arrival at the stand that it's not "their" a/c parked there. Many more examples like this could follow - I have decided for myself not to fly with them for the time being as I doubt flight safety is at an all-time high while such circumstances reign crew's life at the airports...
Frustration amongst the crews seems to be high as not only this example from page 1 of this thread shows:
"due to things that you wouldn't believe at Manchester, it's really ridiculous there at the moment".
Join Date: Oct 2006
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3. Bused to wrong plane this morning (by that stage, beyond stressful and extremely laughable).
That my friend isnt the handling agents problem, that is a different company who handle it.
4. No push back vehicle for app. 30 / 40 mins after boarding. It's normally ATC restrictions causing lack of push and start, not equipment (even more laughable).
That again is a different company, Ringway's problem.
That my friend isnt the handling agents problem, that is a different company who handle it.
4. No push back vehicle for app. 30 / 40 mins after boarding. It's normally ATC restrictions causing lack of push and start, not equipment (even more laughable).
That again is a different company, Ringway's problem.
I don't care about ATC problems, strikes, oversleeping pilots, unhelpful handling agents, or that the fuel truck has a flat tyre. I pay my money and turn up at the airport when you tell me to. After that, it's the airline's problem. When things go wrong, which I accept that they will from time to time, I expect the airline to sort it out. By all means go and bollock the handling agent if that's what you wish to do, but don't come to me with excuses.
I've just been watching a documentary about the Kodak Box Brownie. Their tagline was 'You push the button, we do the rest'. I think that sums up perfectly what any customer service company should be about.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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With respect back;
An airlines job is to get you from A-B, sometimes getting from A-B takes a little longer. If you had no information then there would be cause for complaint. However at least you understand things do take a turn for the worst on occasion. A tech delay is a little far from an 'excuse' for not leaving dead on time though compared to the fuel truck having a flat tyre.
An airlines job is to get you from A-B, sometimes getting from A-B takes a little longer. If you had no information then there would be cause for complaint. However at least you understand things do take a turn for the worst on occasion. A tech delay is a little far from an 'excuse' for not leaving dead on time though compared to the fuel truck having a flat tyre.
Join Date: Aug 2000
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J-Man, first rule of retail - the customer is always right. Your's typifies the attitude so common in the airline industry. Sure, things go wrong and always will but you and your company is there to provide a service. No service, no passengers. And the cancellations on the 'bank holiday' excuse is a disgrace. If you run a service you run; if the aircraft is half empty then tough - you take the hit. It's your problem, not the unfortunate passengers who booked those flights in good faith expecting SERVICE.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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And the cancellations on the 'bank holiday' excuse is a disgrace.
Canx due to bank holiday?
Ive seen loads with 3 people on that still have opped, so i cant understand why flights have been canx due to this? It sounds like a bogus reason to which then it is a disgrace as pax have been lied to.
Canx due to bank holiday?
Ive seen loads with 3 people on that still have opped, so i cant understand why flights have been canx due to this? It sounds like a bogus reason to which then it is a disgrace as pax have been lied to.