Coronavirus

[C8RKH]

4 hours ago, ramjet said:

play around with your kids' and Bob's your uncle.

I thought if you played around there was a danger you could be "uncle" to lots of kids - it's not just blokes called Bob that play around you know!

[Barrykearley]

@Buddsy I know you are a doubting Thomas - so might like this. I grabbed the figures of uk death rates for the last few years from the ONS. April’s isn’t available yet. The figures are thousands.

[KAS-118]

But the statistics for 2020 which are available here https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/weeklyprovisionalfiguresondeathsregisteredinenglandandwales identify that deaths first occurred due to CV in the week 13 March 2020 - which records just 5 deaths.

The last figures for week 14 identify 16,387 deaths for 2020 compared to a 5-year average of 10,305; and for week 15 deaths of 18,516 compared to a 5-year average of 10,520 - so in approximate terms that's a 60 and 80% increase. 

Thankfully the people in charge consider that's a serious increase and something to be concerned about........

[andydclements]

In addition to the deaths "with COVID-19" which has been discussed here already (summarise as: People die form things like heart failure as their heart cannot handle the extra strain brought on by COVID-19) the deaths will increase because some people will not be treated for other conditions, we knew that from the start.  Putting it bluntly, if we allow the virus to spread freely and more people therefore contract COVID-19 the hospitals will be full and people will die from the effects of COVID-19 despite not having it themselves. 

 

In Norwich we are in a lucky state, so much so that we've even had patients brought from Harlow to ease pressures there, that wouldn't be possible if we didn't have quite a bit of spare capacity in N&NUH. Also, N&NUH had a new ward that was able to increase bed capacity.

[Barrykearley]

 

1 hour ago, KAS-118 said:

Thankfully the people in charge consider that's a serious increase and something to be concerned about........

I’m happy with what they are doing. Some time at home for me is no bad thing. Only time will tell what’s right and wrong - hindsight is not something that’s helpful once it’s too late. The government have made a decision - right or wrong at least they are showing decisive leadership. Don’t mention that prick kier though

 

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

I don’t know much about Kier Starmer, but to think a guy from Surrey, who was privately educated, went to Leeds and Oxford Universities, became a QC, DPP, Head of the CPS and then got knighted for his services to the Crown considers himself a left wing Socialist, shows how much things have changed in my lifetime. He makes even Tony Blair look like Michael Foot!

[C8RKH]

His middle name is Rodney so he must be a bit of a diamond geezer surely. 

[Barrykearley]

3 hours ago, LotusLeftLotusRight said:

I don’t know much about Kier Starmer, but to think a guy from Surrey, who was privately educated, went to Leeds and Oxford Universities, became a QC, DPP, Head of the CPS and then got knighted for his services to the Crown considers himself a left wing Socialist, shows how much things have changed in my lifetime. He makes even Tony Blair look like Michael Foot!

And probably his biggest claim to fame is he turned a blind eye to the antics of Jimmy Saville.

[ramjet]

Just heard this last night from my wife.
A 16 year old girl, friend of the daughter of a friends of hers, has just taken her own life. Her note said she couldn’t handle the lockdown anymore. She felt like it was worse than being in prison.

So much for all the pundits who say we are more connected than ever. 

[pete]

1 hour ago, Barrykearley said:

And probably his biggest claim to fame is he turned a blind eye to the antics of Jimmy Saville.

But not Paul gambacini

[Barrykearley]

Funny you say that @pete. The quote from the bbc report looks typical labour politician like.

 

The amount paid to Mr Gambaccini by the Crown Prosecution Service has not been disclosed due to confidentiality.

But the CPS confirmed: "We have reached an agreement without admission of liability".

[pete]

BA threatening to make 12000 redundant

 

[andydclements]

I suppose whether that's the "right" thing to do depends on how long before travel is resumed and to what extent it returns. If they aren't going to get near the old levels of passengers then redundancies seems unavoidable.

[KAS-118]

I think even  after all this is over - passenger numbers will be down for quite a while. 

[C8RKH]

48 minutes ago, andydclements said:

I suppose whether that's the "right" thing to do depends on how long before travel is resumed and to what extent it returns. If they aren't going to get near the old levels of passengers then redundancies seems unavoidable.

They've been wanting to get rid of a thousands of the long term staff members for years from the old long haul fleets etc. This is their opportunity. Oh, pilots too. Just wait till you see when they start recruiting again the difference in the packages they will be offering. This is a cynical move on their part right now to down size their wage bill for the future (i.e. get rid of people on experience old contracts and replace on cheap new ones). Just call me a cynical bastard though, I don't mind nor care.  But before you do remember in 2017 they made a profit (IAG) of £3.01bn, in 2018 £3.45bn and in 2019 £3.29bn. So in the last three years they made a total profit (all before exceptional items) of over almost £9.5bn!  Gotta ask yourself where did all that cash suddenly go.... Fuel (one of their biggest costs) is at a 30 year low price too so they will be hedging that for the next 2/3 years and they will be renegotiating their plane and engine leases too.

[Sparky]

Yes, I suspect this will be the end of Worldwide (and maybe Euro and Gatwick) Fleet, so BA will be able to dump all that expensive experience  in favour of paying peanuts to a Mixed Fleet workforce that recently had a turnover of almost 50% annually.  Last I looked they did indeed have about £9bn reserves.  They do have a huge liability in terms of paid bookings - over £3bn, I believe, so expect refunds to be difficult.  Also there are monumental costs involved in restarting a global flight network.

Walsh fully intends to be last man standing (I do hope it pans out, as I'd like to keep my pension), and with Virgin and Norwegian on the ropes, he can smell blood.

I doubt air travel will return to 2019 levels for years.  A lot of airlines will cease to exist, reluctance to travel will persist for some time, and I think we'll see fewer business travellers now that they've demonstrated to that video conferences can work, and at a fraction of the cost.

[C8RKH]

5 minutes ago, Sparky said:

(I do hope it pans out, as I'd like to keep my pension)

Your pension should be safe Sparky but your travel perks may be at risk but I hope not.  I hope they continue too but they do need to get some humility and they need to get back to being a company that "deserves", through its actions, to be our nations flag carrier.  If they cannot do that then they need to give up that status. 

[red vtec]

MARTIN LEWIS:

British Airways is allowing you to cancel future bookings in return for a voucher - think carefully before accepting (feel free to share)

British Airways is allowing anyone who has a flight booked before 31 July 20 which hasn't yet been cancelled, to cancel it for free and claim a voucher for its value to be used on future bookings.

It's important to be aware, if BA cancels a flight, you're legally due a full refund. Yet if you voluntarily agree to a voucher for an uncancelled flight, its likely you lose your right to a refund. So if you want cash, you're likely better off to hold on and see if it cancels.

Now of course BA is our flag-carrying airline, and the govt is unlikely to let it fail. So hopefully these vouchers have value, and indeed it'd help BA out if you took it. So for BA loyalists who can afford to, it's a decent thing to do. Plus if you may choose not to travel anyway, even if the flight's on and the govt's travel advisory changes, its gives flexibility.

Yet as they're price based vouchers, not vouchers for identical flights, there's no guarantee you'll get a decent deal, and could be better off flying with another airline, in which case again cash wins.

[PaulCP]

38 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

They've been wanting to get rid of a thousands of the long term staff members for years from the old long haul fleets etc. This is their opportunity. Oh, pilots too. Just wait till you see when they start recruiting again the difference in the packages they will be offering. This is a cynical move on their part right now to down size their wage bill for the future (i.e. get rid of people on experience old contracts and replace on cheap new ones). Just call me a cynical bastard though, I don't mind nor care. 

I don’t think that it’s a cynical view Andy, it’s close to the truth

. A friend of ours was a BA pilot until he retired 18months ago and has said exactly the same, “it’s an opportunity they could not  pass up on”

 

[Sparky]

4 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

Your pension should be safe Sparky but your travel perks may be at risk but I hope not.  I hope they continue too but they do need to get some humility and they need to get back to being a company that "deserves", through its actions, to be our nations flag carrier.  If they cannot do that then they need to give up that status. 

Mate, they lost that status years ago, and they no longer seem to care.  Frankly, towards the end, there was shame rather than pride for many of us.  Cruz was the final insult.  Staff Travel has long been a thorn in the side of BA leadership, so I expect it be be 'repackaged' at least.

3 minutes ago, red vtec said:

MARTIN LEWIS:

British Airways is allowing you to cancel future bookings in return for a voucher - think carefully before accepting (feel free to share)

British Airways is allowing anyone who has a flight booked before 31 July 20 which hasn't yet been cancelled, to cancel it for free and claim a voucher for its value to be used on future bookings.

It's important to be aware, if BA cancels a flight, you're legally due a full refund. Yet if you voluntarily agree to a voucher for an uncancelled flight, its likely you lose your right to a refund. So if you want cash, you're likely better off to hold on and see if it cancels.

Now of course BA is our flag-carrying airline, and the govt is unlikely to let it fail. So hopefully these vouchers have value, and indeed it'd help BA out if you took it. So for BA loyalists who can afford to, it's a decent thing to do. Plus if you may choose not to travel anyway, even if the flight's on and the govt's travel advisory changes, its gives flexibility.

Yet as they're price based vouchers, not vouchers for identical flights, there's no guarantee you'll get a decent deal, and could be better off flying with another airline, in which case again cash wins.

BA will want to keep as much cash as possible.  As Martin says, be aware that taking the vouchers and booking the same flight, for example,  exactly one year later could result in a significant fare difference.  I've already advised a few people to play a waiting game, and let BA make the first move if possible. It simply gives a little more flexibility.

[red vtec]

11 minutes ago, Sparky said:

Mate, they lost that status years ago, and they no longer seem to care.  Frankly, towards the end, there was shame rather than pride for many of us.  Cruz was the final insult.  Staff Travel has long been a thorn in the side of BA leadership, so I expect it be be 'repackaged' at least.

BA will want to keep as much cash as possible.  As Martin says, be aware that taking the vouchers and booking the same flight, for example,  exactly one year later could result in a significant fare difference.  I've already advised a few people to play a waiting game, and let BA make the first move if possible. It simply gives a little more flexibility.

I have AVIOS points that came from my Mum, guess ill keep an eye on them

 

[C8RKH]

1 hour ago, red vtec said:

I have AVIOS points that came from my Mum, guess ill keep an eye on them

 

I have just under a million BA Avios. They'll get devalued to.

[SFO]

Nothing surprising that BA is protecting its commercial interests, it’s not a charity. 
 

my flight was cancelled by BA. You had to call them for a refund. I called about 10 times before I finally got through. They agreed a refund, and amazingly, the cash was in my credit card account in three working days.

[C8RKH]

8 hours ago, SFO said:

Nothing surprising that BA is protecting its commercial interests, it’s not a charity. 
 

my flight was cancelled by BA. You had to call them for a refund. I called about 10 times before I finally got through. They agreed a refund, and amazingly, the cash was in my credit card account in three working days.

So your praising a company for doing what it is legally obliged to do?

No one is saying BA is a charity. All that has been pointed out is that they are cash rich (remember they told the Govt. Airlines don't need a bailout just a couple of weeks ago) and yet it is their staff who will bear the brunt and the suspicion is that BA is taking the opportunity to push out older, more expensive loyal staff to be replaced with younger cheaper staff on different T&Cs. Some of these people have dedicated 20, 30 years of their lives to supporting BA, it's a shame the company does not value their contribution.  Two ways to look at it (1) they are a commercial entity so so what (2) they are fooking over loyal staff and taking advantage.

BA positions itself very differently to Ryanair so my expectation is they would return the loyalty shown by their staff and customers. I've taken probably 60 flights a year for nigh on 20 years with them but as a customer my loyalty is being tested not by their dumbing down of the service but seeing how they are treating their staff, especially the cabin crew.

So nothing to do with them being, or not, a charity but companies used to value and look after their staff. My employer, a global company, has furloughed a lot, but is making up their pay to 100% so they don't suffer any financial hardship. To me that's laudible and something to be proud of and should encourage loyalty. I'm old fashioned I guess but these days it's increasingly just about the financial controllers spreadsheet. Fooking hate them..... Finance controllers that is. Spreadsheets can at least be useful. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[Sparky]

When Cruz first introduced himself to us at BA HQ, he first played a video he'd had produced at his previous airline, Vueling, full of staff telling us what a wonderful,  caring, knowledgeable boss he was.  Remind you of anyone?

Anyhow, off topic, apologies.