BMI

[TCX69]

Lots of delays across the bmi network today... The Check-In & Despatch systems have been down &
across most of the network & everything's been manual!

[bmybaby81]

LH Italia to cease from winter 2011

Its a shame to see the LH Italia brand disappear. Is the bmi brand strong enough in the UK market to continue operating LHR-MXP?
It would be interesting to see what LH does with the LHR-MXP slots.

[Aircrew101]

Heard lots of rumours about SN brussels buying out regional. Anybody know of any truth to this?*

[nef]

I thought SN were owned by LH group, just like BD, so how does that work if they're both part of the same parent company anyway?

[G-AWZK]

Very unlikely that SN would be interested.

[clareview]

SN and Regional

Reason for the rumour could be LH wanting to consolidate its operations under fewer banners

[G-AWZK]

If DLH were to sell bmi, they would prefer a job lot of all the group companies rather than splitting it into bits.

[JSCL]

Exactly, hence why baby is still around.

[brian_dromey]

Probably just rumors as Regional operate 2 ERJ's for SN.

Speaking of regional is it still "bmiRegional" or now "bmi British Midland International Regional"?

[Say again s l o w l y]

It's still called Business Air by some...!

[airhumberside]

Reason for the rumour could be LH wanting to consolidate its operations under fewer banners

But regional uses the main bmi brand anyway?

[ayroplain]

bmi's appalling treatment of passengers arriving at LHR from ROI continues. Arriving from DUB this week it took 18 minutes (yes that's 18) for the doors to be opened. The Flight Attendants who, as always, did the airline proud were left floundering in embarrassment as we finally got off.

[Barcli]

ayroplain ,
perhaps it was nothing to do with BMI or its crew and a LHR problem , jetty not working , lack of groundstaff, no aircraft chocks, aircraft not parked due stand obstructed or 100 other things outside of the control of the crew ? Have you wondered what would be gained by BMI or the crew by waiting and p...ing you off ?

[Barcli]

ROI - Thailand ??? where is that on BMI;s route network ? how can they be at fault on your ROI-LHR ?

[CabinCrewe]

Sarcasim will always come back to haunt.... ROI is a well known international acronym for Republic of Ireland and is entirely reasonable in this context

[ayroplain]

perhaps it was nothing to do with BMI or its crew and a LHR problem

The flight crew apologised on the intercom several times that there was nobody around to extend the airbridge but were expressing the hope that someone would show up soon. We had already experienced a delay with the aircraft stuck half way into the stand while they found someone to set the docking system. (that was in addition to the 18 minutes). What way is that to run a business. This has happened too many times to be a coincidence and if it's not bmi's fault, as you suggest, they should do something about it. 18 minutes to get the doors open is just not acceptable. If it isn't that we have been shunted around the airfield until two or three bmi aircraft have exited the domestic terminal and we finally finish up there and having to be taken to the correct terminal by bus which causes further delay.

[frontcheck]

Bmi took over the groung handling contract for Lufthansa on 1st June. Understand approximately 200 staff are having to be trained on the BD system and the existing BD staff are being trained on the LH product, therefore staffing numbers are tight due to so many being on training at same time. Unlike the crew ,where you have spare crew on standby and therefore can never go below the prescribed minimum levels,there are no minimum staff levels for ground work, you just have to work harder and get on with it.
Not making excuses for bad performance but I am sure The staff are running around ragged until things settle, the staff levels are finalised and everyone gets used to working together.

[Say again s l o w l y]

The guys and gals who work the front end at LHR are nothing short of superb. I'll have achat and find out why this happened, but it is guaranteed to be nothing more than an anomaly.

It shouldn't happen, but given the compentancy of the peeps involved, then there must have been a darn good reason for it. BMI might have lots of problems, but it's customer facing and operational staff aren't the cause of it.

[Mr Flaps]

Regarding the move of staff from MZA to BD. At the present time all old MZA FOH staff are dealing with LH and OS flights only. BD staff are dealing with BD only flights.
The dispatchers from what I have seen are the only ones doing both at the present time.
LH and OS still use Pictures to check-in while BD is on Frontcheck.

[bmybaby81]

G-WWBD back and looking good.

I've noticed that G-WWBD has returned and sports the full bmi livery. I have not flown on it since it has been back. Does anyone know if any work has been done on its interior (seats, carpets etc.)?