BA Crew at LGW havent had any memo or crewlink messages about this. Its GB crew that have received the memo , so any GB crew out their and are online can you clairify ?

But interesting about the Handling of GB !

Indeed....I believe it can only make things better for us as well, all summer we have had flights coming in late at night at the same time of some GB ones and baggage delays were just unbearable.
Coming back from NAP in september, we landed at 1245am and our bags arrived at 2am....when I asked for clarifications our bosses told me that the few baggage handlers available had 4 GB flights and the late MAD and PSA to do as well so 1hr15min delay wasn't that bad after all!! :oh:

When I got back from ATL yesterday, the BA baggage handlers were on a go slow due to GB changing the contract.

Knowing BA, it won't mean more loaders, they will use this as an excuse to lay some of them off perhaps? Less flights to handle equals less employees needed?

Route licenses are irrelevant now for any routes within the EU.....which is the main part of the GB network. Any EU airline can operate the routes.....therefore even though the "BA" code would be lost, GB can happily keep on operating.

However, slots are a different thing.....do GB operate everything on their own slots or do they utilise any BA slots?

Very interesting point !!

GB's own slots and no memos about the franchise - only the baggage loading.

GB will continue as it has done in the past despite BA trying to de-rail it, in fact, GB may have to do more work for WW around xmas due to the impending strike action from BA staff re pensions....:}

This might all be rather good for GB. The BA product has been useless on so many routes, after all they have had to withdraw from Seville, Murcia, Valencia Jerez and worst of all from MAN/AGP where they were thrashed by Jet 2. The delays are a real issue with customers and hopefully they will get better service from handling agents who care about on time service. But I suspect that they might have to find another business partner in order to get some real strength in the market. What is certain is that freed from BA their costs will tumble and their revenues will increase. These threads have speculated in the past about the bearded one being interested. Maybe easyJet will be tempted. Who knows?

flyer 55,

No-one in GB has received a memo about the franchise ending.

There was a memo today recognising speculation on many rumours and stories, but that's it.

However, this is the right forum for a rumour i guess??!!

Didn't WW actually tell a BA forum recently that there would be no franchises next year?

BPM

Assuming that the worst case conspiracy theorists could be right, and I hope they aren't, are BA able to move all og Gatwick long haul to Heathrow.
I thought some US routes HAD to fly from Gatwick and this was the reason that ahigh yield oil route like Houston had to operate from here.

The routes involved are southern US and Carribbean :
Atlanta, GA
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Orlando, Fl
Tampa, Fl

Bermuda, Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, Tobago and Kington.

Also thought this was why American had to fly their Dallas services from Gatwick when it would make sense to consolidate at all London ops at Heathrow.

Kind of, he told a BALPA company council meeting that he did not expect GB to be a franchise next year. No mention of Bmed etc.

I think thats what Duo thought at BHX but selling tickets to Faro as the unknown GB airways (to the punters) may be harder that you think with strong well known competition around. I dare say that if this is the route GB/BA take then BA will start operating the best routes in their own right, the move to summer sun destinations seems to be going quite well at LGW already. GB will effectively be new to the market, and of course as thing stands GB have no "back office" ticketing/reservations dept to speak of, so its a fairly large short term expenditure.

No some of the US routes must remain at LGW until a new bilateral with the US is worked out, so it could be a while. Additionally BA are expected to announce fleet expansion for LGW/LHR shortly, management have indicated that A330's may be a possibility and they will be based at LGW sending 777s up the road. If this happens it is likely the short haul aircraft replacement will be A319s.

'GB have no "back office" ticketing/reservations dept to speak of, so its a fairly large short term expenditure'

Going to new a new reservations system would have no large short term expenditure. The main GDS suppliers only charge per booking, and that covers the costs of putting the system in. In fact they would be able to contract a lower booking cost than they get from currently from BA, so there will be a fairly large short, medium and long-term reduction in cost. It would also allow them to begin their own on-line bookings which have an even lower cost still.

As for route licences, they would not have any issues at all getting the right permissions for any of the their current destinations.

BA have been making good money out of GB in every area for years - which has been mutually good for both companies. The new MD isa former head of BA sales and BA cargo - I feel he knows what he is doing when he is moving things away from BA.

GB-BMED-New LCY Operation
 

Any truth in the rumour going round that either GB or BMED will pick up the EDI-LCY operation (This new outfit being planned) and that being the case, they will also do the EDI-LHR/LGW routes during the quiet spells of the day ie Use the AVRO to releive pressure on the Airbus/B757/B737 fleets. Afterall, EDI is expecting 10 Avros to be based there once all the handovers and changes take place at the end of March 07...

Failing that... Ive heard that whatever this new subsidiary is called, they may be asked to use the AVRO to LHR/LGW during the quiet spells of the day...

Tristar cant see that happening , but you never know !

Hotel mode interesting you mention about the 777 / 330 and the expansion due shortly do you have any other inside info re this ? Can PM me if you like ?

The Gatwick We Loved
 

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I have just asked Google Earth for a look at Gatwick.

Now I know that some of their images are not quite up-to-date, but...............................

MM

Gatwick - Reduced Distances Operation
 

To enable a major reconstruction of Taxiway A, Runway 08R/26L will be operating with reduced distances and a temporary threshold for 26L on Sunday-Thursday nights from 21 Jan to 29 March. Check out UKAIP Supplements S1&S2/2007 for the details.

Etihad pulling out at the end of the winter season. They have bought a Heathrow slot from United and are moving the daily LGW-Abu Dhabi service up the road.

Not good for LGW, but the pax loads on Etihad were not particularly strong, so I guess it depends who takes up the slots as to whether it works out better for the airport in the long term.

Gatwick RW closed last night? 19/2/07
 

Anyone know why Gatwicks RW was closed for a "period of time" last night? Re-opened around 21.15, with all flights getting radar vectors to visual as no ILS.

Cheers

Jamie

Night work at Gatwick
 

Jamie,
Sure thing, we're carrying out major works to completely reconstruct the holding area at Alpha. Some of the plant will obstruct the protected approach surfaces for the main runway so we've created a temporary threshold and aiming point (additional PAPI units and lighting) further down the runway. When this is in use, we can't use the ILS because it would direct the aircraft to the old aiming point. It would be too big a job for this temporary set-up to create another ILS installation. The downside is that the weather is more restrictive for this operation, no CAT III - just visual approaches from RADAR vectors, as you say.
We need to have a gap in the traffic when we're changing all the lighting over, so that we can physically inspect to make sure they're showing the correct lights and all the barriers are in place protecting the work site.
Go to the AIS website (you'll need to log in) and look for a supplement to the AIP S1/2007, which explains everything in great detail. Also look at NOTAM A0432/07 for further details of the lighting changes.
In addition to reconstructing, we're taking the opportunity to widen the access to the runway, to accommodate the A380, future-proofing the world's busiest single-runway. 34 million pax this year, aiming for 40 million by 2010. What's the next-busiest single runway???
Cheers,
The Odd One

Worlds second busiest runway
 

San Diego?????

Looking at the Delta operation for this summer, it seems that the two new-ish JFK services have squeezed out two Atlanta services. So ATL-LGW drops to 2 x B767s as opposed to 4 x767s in 2005 and 2 x 767s and a 777 last year.


So no expansion in real terms at Gatwick for Delta after all the headlines etc.
Are slots really so tight at the minute? Or is it gates at the North Terminal with Continental moving across?

Does anybody know why Continental moving into North Terminal and where they going to park ?

Flyer55, GAL have made some changes to the check-in and baggage sorting areas, which opens up some capacity in the North terminal. At least it does in those areas. There are no more parking stands than there were last year. CO will be using the stands allocated to airlines other than BA, i.e. from stand 51 down to stand 46.

LGW Refuellers to be balloted on strike action
 

Due to a row over union recognition the refuellers at LGW are to be balloted over strike action:http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/local...ike_action.php

GRS are one of four refuelling companies at LGW. Dunno what percentage of the business they have, but it's a competitive game. Not sure if the others would take up the slack. Anyone got a definitive list of who refuels whom?

TheOddOne

GRS
 

Not sure how much they do at LGW, if an airline has a sole contract with one of the brands GRS cover then getting any fuel will be very difficult.

We at MAN are still trying to find out any info on their reasons for action...:ooh:

Read the link in my original post-it explains why.

Strike
 

It seems to have gone quiet down at GRS, is there anymore news on an outcome, or has it all been sorted out????

Is the Continental move to the North Terminal off then?

No the move is still on for early June

Latest date i heard was June 12th

VK moved to the North to fill the void left in Zone B by the loss of the daily EY service as far as I am aware.
Not sure the exact reason behind CO's move, it will make travelling CO more pleasurable than using the South and I think BAA have/are increasing their security space in the South which has encroached on where CO check in now and BA need to save money and each desk I think (?) costs around £100,000 per year to operate so BA are losing Zone F and concentrating on just Zones C, D and half of E, especially with the introduction of the new baggage facility (TBF) at the North allowing BA to check in bags to any destiation at any desk.
I head CO were having Zone F desks 7-20 I think, the current 'Bag Drop' desks for BA, if true who will be taking F1-6?

Also does CO really need so many desks?

Does anyone know what's going on at Gatwick with all the demolishing on the south side? The old BA crew report centre has gone and is now a small car park. I see the hangars are being knocked down and removed one by one. A lot of work and a lot of expense, but not really much publicity! Is there a connection to the recent changes in planning laws that should make protracted Terminal 5-type planning procedures a thing of the past? (ie what's it going to be, new runway or new terminal?). Whatever it is, it all seems to be unnaturally quiet.

Its not been unnaturally quiet at all. It has been much publicised round LGW! They are comming down to make way for more carparking, more crew rooms, and a new multi aircraft hangar. They are all comming down except for the BA one at the end.

Thanks- that all went by me. But why are they removing perfectly servicable hangars to make another one?

The terrible state of the UK's flagship airport
 

Follows a letter sent to BAA and DfT over three weeks ago. On a second prompt I received an acknowledgement from BAA but that is it.

To Whom It May Concern,

I have previously written to the BAA to complain about, in particular, a filthy toilet at London Gatwick; and in general, about the general tackiness of our “flagship” airports. I am often appalled at the state of facilities, particularly toilet facilities offered to those passengers not fortunate enough to use the airport lounges (I do not always have that opportunity but it is welcome when available). Terminal 4’s baggage collection area is particularly gross.

My recent experience on return from a business trip from Australia only serves to reinforce my contention that there are serious management failings regarding infrastructure, its maintenance and the attitude to passengers.

I arrived at LHR on Qantas QF 029 at around 1330 on May 16th travelling Melbourne/Heathrow/Newcastle. The aircraft could not pull in to its remote stand since the guidance system had not been switched on; no problem, these things happen. However, even with it working the aircraft could not pull in due to improperly parked cargo equipment on the stand. We finally deplaned at about 1400.

The British Airways bus that conveyed us to Terminal 4 was filthy; worn seats and a dirt-encrusted floor and fittings (I know that BA’s vehicles have little to do with BAA but it gives an impression of general sloppiness at the airport). The Flight Connections bus from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 was also dirty. I was embarrassed to hear some Australian passengers – rightly – disparaging our shared experience.


Worse, however, was the condition of the “Flight Connections” security area at Terminal 1. There were plastic bottles and other litter strewn about the area. The carpet was dirty, torn and in places repaired with tape.
What sort of impression does this give visitors to the United Kingdom?
I am fortunate to travel to many places around the world and most airports I use – even those in countries we consider “Third World” – have better airport facilities than we have in the UK. In fact, during the trip described above, I used Melbourne and Hong Kong, both examples of clean and tidy airports. One does not have to travel far to see how to make an airport look good; visit Amsterdam, Brussels, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Düsseldorf, Köln, Frankfurt or Helsinki if you fancy a day out.
Further away, Almaty and Karachi are decent airports; we do not have to discuss Dubai or Singapore. They all make Heathrow and Gatwick look like what they are: shabby and unkempt shopping centres.

If you deign to reply, kindly do not offer platitudes about forthcoming improvements. What matters is the state of the airports and the level of service offered to passengers today.

Well done, if nothing else it humms a note of discontent from the PAYING public. BAA is a prime example of the "we're doing you a big favour" or "don't you know we own Heathrow and Gatwick" attitude.

Let 'em have it :D

Agreed - was in Term 3 on Monday. The Gent's toilets near the check in area were a disgrace. Most cubicles and all hand dryers were out of order. This indicated by barely literate notices taped to the offending objects. Unbelievable.

Teminal 3 altogether is a right hole, years old and no sunlight in the place at all. That roof inside the terminal, which when you look up at you become dizzy by all those squares (you get the idea?), is also a bit of a health hazard, I mean I couldn't tell you the number of cobwebs:yuk: I walked into, we'd probably be here til Christmas!

Terminal 1 nearly one time did me an injury, I was exhausted at carrying all that luggage for ages, sat down on a filthy, white, plastic garden seat (which there was loads of by the way), only to just about stop myself from getting hurt, as a leg on the seat snapped in half. Airpot worker came over and said would you like another seat, didn't even ask me if I was ok, and don't ask me how I didn't lose my temper, I really do not know! I just picked up my luggage, pretended she didn't exist by not replying to her, and just went to check-in.:ugh:

you want to see the state of the airside toilets:yuk: