Like lambs to the slaughter

That British Airways Cabin staff, already among the highest paid in the industry, are prepared to let themselves be lead by the nose into a labour dispute with absolutely no foundation whatever and, thereby, into oblivion by a militant ex-shipyard worker with limited communication skills, education or intelligence beggars belief. Arthur Scargill would be proud.

I actually stopped flying British Airways many years ago. Mostly it was because I could find better deals and a better travel experience by shopping around but the arrogant attitude of many of the cabin staff had a lot to do with it too. These same people are now supporting the strike.

In a world where everyone has a university degree (of whatever dubious quality) and is (supposedly) super-educated, one wonders why the BA CC feel it necessary to fall back upon an anachronism like a trades union at all?

If this strike really goes ahead resulting in further massive losses for BA then, perhaps, it might be a good thing. BA will probably go under freeing the company from the very people who caused its demise and without having to pay ridiculous and inflated severance packages.

Much better to let British Airways die now and let an alternative rise from the ashes with a sane and sensible set of employment and salary conditions that helps to put the company on an equal footing with the competition.



Huzzah for the Fat Controller!

So, there is this Labour Lord Adonis (how can you expect any street cred with a name like that?) who has come up with a plan to build new high speed rail lines in the UK.
And just before a General Election.
And at a time when the incumbent administration are on the bones of their (collective) arse.
Those who point out that this announcement is nothing more than a cynical election ploy are right.
Those who say that it is an indirect way of keeping hopes of a third runway at Heathrow alive are right too.

These are the frantic wrigglings of a moribund, defunct and played out administration who see the exit door already open, ready to eject them into the cesspit of total political failure.
What is the point in spending billions of pounds of taxpayers money (which we don’t have anyway) when the end product is to shave 30 minutes or so off current intercity express rail journey times?
Why further upset people by bludgeoning new rail lines through what remains of Britain’s ‘green an pleasant’ lands?
The existing rail network (or whats left of it) is perfectly adequate. It needs to be upgraded (like the east and west coast main lines have been) so that new and faster rolling stock can be used. If additional links are required then build them on elevated sections above existing motorways where the environmental impact has long been forgotten.
As for new rolling stock, Virgin Trains showed the way buying brand new train sets that made rail travel a pleasure again. Other companies should do the same rather than simply repainting the exteriors of ancient carriages with expensive designer paint schemes. Commuter trains should be double-decked with seating only – no standing. I once commuted regularly from Bishops Stortford to London. To say that the experience was ‘hell on wheels’ at peak times is an extreme understatement. This included being able to use the much hyped Stansted Express. It is impossible to imagine what must have passed through the minds of foreign visitors to London sitting in carriages packed to overflowing with businessmen standing shoulder to shoulder, bleating into their mobiles, trying to read the newspaper or putting the finishing touches to a spreadsheet (I kid you not – cradling the laptop in one hand and entering data, one fingered, with the other).
The London Underground is just as bad. A lot could be done to improve that particular ‘descent into horror’ by removing all the seats and adding one more carriage to each train set (access to the first and last carriages to be made through the rear and front halves respectively).
If money is really available to be spent as the polly’s will have us believe then, for God’s sake, let it be spent wisely.
Britain is a small country in terms of distances between centers. Air travel between English, Welsh and Scottish cities is pointless. Before rushing off to book a flight just because some Irish huckster says it’s a good idea, check how long it will take you to complete the same door to door journey by using the train. And use the Apex fares system. Sure, you have to plan a little in advance but look at the real fare – no hidden extras!