<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
Do you really think the service there is what it was? The dedicated terminal, agent check-in, Club check-in, service desk, BA staff, international flights, full Terraces Lounge have all disappeared in the last couple of years. Less than 2 years ago you could fly to several UK destinations but now they only have a few London shuttle flights a day all serviced by Agency staff. Even BMI offer a better shuttle these days.[/quote]
I can't honestly say that I have noticed anything to be hugely different. Personally I quite like the check-in machines. Anything that gets me from the car park to the lounge/gate without having to queue I think is a bonus. Would I prefer to deal with a check-in agent? For sure. I love dealing with people rather than machines. Would I prefer to deal with a check-in agent after a 20 minute queue rather than breeze through a machine. No way! Give me the machine and the relaxing cup of coffee any day.

Not having a direct flight to Orlando from Manchester has never really been a problem for me. If I fly via Gatwick I can check-in at Manchester an hour before the flight (or sometimes quite a bit less hey Rosie [msnwink]). The flight is only 40 mins and if the connection time at Gatwick isn't huge it means my check-in time at Manchester is not a million hours away from the time I would have to check-in at Gatwick if I was playing by the rules and aiming for 3 hours before the flight.

Alternatively we get the train down to Gatwick the night before, stay in the Sofitel and have heaps of sausages for breakfast. [msnwink][msnwink] Now that's a relaxing way to travel!!

If I want to fly Manchester direct to Orlando on a scheduled flight I have, approximately, one option. Virgin. To be honest I can take them or leave them given their service. Virgin direct MAN-&gt;MCO or BA indirect MAN-&gt;LGW-&gt;MCO I'll choose BA every time.

If I want to fly with a different carrier such as American or Continental I'm still travelling indirect, just that I'm changing at the US end rather than at the UK end.

Machine check-in and indirect flights to me are just not such a big deal. What is more important is the comfort and service on the plane, the confidence that it will depart and arrive more-or-less on-time, and the confidence that if the aircraft does go technical BA have some spare ones to swap in. Just my view.