Talks between union leaders and the catering firm at the heart of a dispute which brought chaos to thousands of passengers are set to resume on Monday. This is a second page of your comments.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
If you walk out and encourage your colleagues to do so in an unofficial strike you deserve to be sacked. Striking BA staff are in the wrong. The catering staff had a job to do and they didn't do it. BA had a job to do and didn't so the strikers should be sacked too.
Adam, Bedfordshire
I am an Engineer for BA, and find the actions of my work colleagues disgraceful and un-justified. They have a totally inconsiderate attitude. To get involved in a dispute that has nothing to do with them, to deprive the people who pay our wages, of the product they so deserve and paid for. These actions cannot and must not be tolerated in the future, in order for BA to maintain itself as the finest most profitable airline in the world. If you don't like the company who employs you, then go and work somewhere else. I can only feel sorry for all our disappointed customers trying to travel at this time, and hope they come back again one day.
Mike, Guildford England
I find it amazing when people complain against actions like these - but only when they are directly affected. When the fire strikes happened though - a large majority backed them up - where is the difference? People may complain that their holidays are delayed but how many army families had to separated from spouses for weeks on end??
Cath, UK
My family were to fly to Boston on Saturday (13th) so I rang BA Friday evening to check my flight was OK, they said it was. Arriving at T4 this morning I was extremely angry to find out they had cancelled it and all flights to Boston were fully booked until Sunday week (21 Aug). Losing my temper I quickly realised some people were in a worse situation, the lady before me was from Newcastle Australia and her house had burned down the previous day, she was crying. However, how can they run a business with such incompetence and nil flexibility, I felt as though once I had taken the 2 minutes time from the BA staff (who had no information) I was being ushered into the tents in the car park. With my wife, an 8 yr old and a 6 yr old (crying) and very likely that my wait time was 6 hrs minimum, we have left for home (�100 taxi fares). Never will I fly BA again, we have US friends waiting for us to share a holiday which is now not going to happen. The PR of it "getting back to normal" is not yet true.
Carl Greener, Fareham, Hampshire, UK
We have just had our family holiday to the Caribbean cancelled by BA. We now find that BA intends to hold on to our money for a further 3 months before refunding it us. This is totally outrageous. The government should intervene to make sure that people our treated fairly and some compensation would be appreciated. I agree with the other passengers who say that the staff responsible should be sacked.
Alan Whyte, Bromley, Kent
I was caught up in Thursday's problems and flew to Toronto, a seven hour flight, with no catering. This was no great hardship and I had some sympathy with the Gate Gourmet workers. That has now been overshadowed by the BA baggage handlers, loaders and drivers whose "sympathetic" action has had the opposite effect. There can be no justification in this and it serves no purpose other that to overshadow the real issue.
Peter, London, UK
I find it hard to understand the people who are complaining about BA and saying they will fly with other airlines. It seems quite clear that the situation is not of BA's making and the fault lies with the misguided actions of the T&G union and Gate Gourmet's inept management. This could happen to any airline with a union (which is all of them).
Adrian, London
I was supposed to fly to the UK this week, now it's off. Unions play a great deal in the UK's decline in the world. I worked in a car factory in Oxford as a young man. Every other week there was a union strike or down tools for a couple of hours. That's the reason I left England for the US. No union problems here except in the schools.
Ron, Valley Center, Ca, USA
I am stranded in Washington Dulles Airport after receiving the information from the staff this morning about all BA flights to and from Heathrow. This is deeply going to affect my schedule for the rest of my journey and the only comforting line I get from the staff is 'Don't worry just go home'. This case should be better handled by the staff and the authorities; a sort of compensation to the passengers would be more grateful than thousands lying on the floor of airports.
Nnamdi Obigwe, Washington DC
 |  Gate Gourmet should not have taken the contract if they couldn't manage it |
My husband flies for British Airways and is stuck in Canada. His leave is due to start Saturday so he will miss the start of our holiday. However my heart goes out to the Gate Gourmet workers who have lost their jobs. They have so little (salaries of 12k - 16K) and poor working conditions. No wonder they feel they can't give any more. Where is the compassion in our society? American-owned Gate Gourmet should not have taken the contract if they couldn't manage it. They are the ones to blame for this mess. Not BA.
Debbie, Cornwall, UK I am currently stranded on an oil rig in the North Sea hoping to get to my wedding on Saturday. But, I will have to stay over the weekend and miss my wedding on Saturday because my working college who takes over my work is currently stranded in London. These selfish trade unions are the root of all industrial labour related problems in this country. Follow the Japanese example and curtail their activity. Better still ban them completely.
Adam, UK
I am BA cabin crew, many of us are appalled and the misguided actions of some of our ground staff staging this strike in support of the caterers. It is not the way to do things. We've been dragged into a dispute that is not of our making just as we were turning the corner. Please be patient with the majority of hard working customer service staff who want to help you. We do not deserve threats, abuse or intimidation.
Ian, Surrey, UK
I was due to fly with my parents to Heathrow from Aberdeen first thing on Saturday, on route to joining a cruise ship in Southampton. I have no confidence that BA will have sorted this and be able to get us there by then and have rebooked our three flights (at some expense) to Gatwick. I have flown with BA for business and pleasure for over 15 years, but would think twice about flying with them in future.
Marian Reid, Dundee
As part of cabin crew for BA all front line staff including staff from check-in have tried to pull out all stops to help all affected. Staff from all parts of the airline are volunteering to help in the terminals. As most of my colleagues are struggling to understand the reasons behind the unscheduled walk out by baggage handlers. All at BA are trying to resolve this as soon as possible and are working together to get operations back to normal as soon as possible.
James Martin, London, UK
| A job is a privilege and not a right |
After waiting for hours at Heathrow my flight was finally cancelled. The inconsideration of the ground staff has meant that me and my girlfriend will miss her father's 60th birthday, which was a once in a life time family reunion. This is not an occasion that can be replaced and has now been missed. So far it will have cost me hundreds of pounds in travel expenses to sort out myself and my luggage after having to return home. This was a selfish and unofficial strike and I hope the ground crew will be punished. A job is a privilege and not a right, if conditions are so ridiculously bad then find another job.
Andy, LondonAll my stuff for a friend's wedding in Germany is stranded on the tarmac at Heathrow. BA staff refused to return it, although we could see it from the window. So far overnight stay and the new flight we were lucky to get with another airline has currently cost an additional �250 plus per head for our wedding party. No idea how we are going to get home. But we are the lucky ones. We are not elderly, or in poor health or disabled. BA's hand-washing at Heathrow today had to be seen to be believed.
Adam Donaldson, Aberdeen, Scotland
Whilst I think the actions of the Gate Gourmet management were uncalled for and heavy handed and I am sorry for the workers who have lost their jobs. I am however, finding it hard to have much sympathy since I have now wasted vacation days, missed a friend's wedding and probably, due to further cancellations, a 30th birthday. Why is it every single year the same thing happens and why is it always at the height of summer meaning that people's hard worked for, once a year holidays are ruined?
Kerry, Hoboken, NJ
Just re-booked a flight back to the US on Delta, I'll deal with BA and getting my money back later, glad that people haven't started re-booking on other airlines yet. As usual they are more interested in complaining to the poor BA staff than just getting on with it and finding another way to their destination!
Todd, USA
I have a 14-year-old son travelling as an unaccompanied minor stuck in Boston. BA will not answer a telephone or an e-mail. BA will not liaise with the people taking him to the airport in the US as they didn't make the booking, I did. An absolute disgrace. But I still feel that BA should sack their staff that have gone on strike, they cannot hold people to ransom.
Joanne O'Connor, Loughton, Essex
My son is in Los Angeles enroute to Heathrow/Manchester. He is coming home for his dad's 70th birthday party on Saturday. If he is not here for the celebrations it will be a huge disappointment for all the family as well as a waste of money on air fares and the cost of the function which nobody will be in the mood to enjoy. I have never been in favour of unions and striking. Companies should have the right to deal with situations as they think fit.
Barbara Eves, Liverpool, UK This is an absolute disgrace. The only people that this really affects are passengers who have done nothing whatever to deserve being stranded. I have a group of friends who are due to go to the Edinburgh Festival by flying out from Heathrow. This screws up their plans and wastes a day of their time just because some people cannot grasp the concept of basic economics.
Andrew Male, London, UK
I'm expat not having seen my family for over a year. It looks as though they may not make it now. I do not know enough about the caterers' dispute to comment so I won't. But how can BA employees ever expect to be taken seriously by their employers or the fare paying public if this is their response to everything?
Locki, Australia
I am stuck here in San Francisco, first class and club passengers where switched to Virgin. The mugs like us who are flying world traveller plus get nothing. A free night at the Marriot and a meal voucher with no definite flight other than come back tomorrow at this time. Watch out for my taxi bills BA and if I miss my flight to Crete with my family this Sunday god help you, I always fly Virgin, why did I change for this one?
Paul Jenkins, London UK
We are already adequately stressed with our son in school in Europe this summer. He was due to fly home this weekend and we are at a loss as to how to help him through this from afar. Just how sympathetic do the BA employees expect us to be?
C Olmstead, Centennial, CO, USA
I think its disgraceful. My whole family have been looking forward to our 'big' holiday since the beginning of the year, when it was planned. Everything has been ready for months, and now this. Why can't people just come down off there high horses, and work it all out. Our flight is booked for Sunday, early morning, to the Bahamas. I just hope that they have some sense in them, to sort it all out before then.
Jon Brown, Southend
It's a different company altogether and not BA's fault. Why are BA staff going on strike? They should mind their own business and start considering the other people that this is affecting. By going on strike because a group of people are sacked is both inconsiderate and irresponsible to BA and travellers. Employees should understand that they are expendable and can't do what they want when they want.
Hay, London, UK
| I fully support their action and the solidarity from other workers in Heathrow |
I'm due to go to Australia next week to visit my wife who has been working there temporarily for the past month. My not being able to take the trip is no inconvenience compared to the barbaric way in which the workers in Gate Gourmet are being treated. I fully support their action and the solidarity from other workers in Heathrow and call on BA and GG to treat with respect the people who do the work that allows the rest of us to travel.
Bill, Cardiff, UK BA should follow the lead of the caterers and sack all the staff on strike illegally. This kind of lunacy almost destroyed our economy in the 70s - we cannot and must not allow it to resurface now.
Julian, Reading, England
I am currently stuck in Sydney, with a 23hr flight to look forward to anyhow - I am not amused!
Georgina Clements, East Molesey, England
Well, about 8 of us are stuck in Seattle at present. When we call up BA's Customer Service Line in the US, they tell us things will be back to normal from tomorrow - i.e. flight back to London is ok. When I pointed out that the flight from London to Seattle would not be flying out from London tomorrow and hence my return to London would not happen tomorrow, the customer service rep felt somewhat speechless.
Anonymous, London
Thanks for helping me make a decision on my flight plans- I have been tossing up if I should fly via London to Zurich from NZ or via Asia - now I am definitely avoiding Heathrow and spending my money somewhere else
Ian Greig, New Zealand
| It's about time something was done to get issues like this resolved fast and finally |
How can we expect to be a part of the modern world of trade, travel and commerce when we are obviously at the mercy of these squabbles? It's about time something was done to get issues like this resolved fast and finally.
Simon, Canada Being stranded anywhere is a major inconvenience. However bear a thought for the 600 people that have just been randomly sacked. These sub contract service companies cannot and should not be allowed to treat employees as such, obviously it's in BA's interests to ensure sub contractors are professionally and competently managed. Foolish and hasty off-the-cuff sacking on mass in any industry will always run the risk of significant and instant backlash.
Nick, North West UK
I can understand solidarity of workers, but I can't tolerate irresponsibility of those who just walked away leaving the customers stranded. So farewell BA. You won't see my money anymore. Just another reason not to fly through London.
Vlad Lissine, Sao Paulo, Brazil
My family and I have had to cancel our trip back to the UK, as we can't get a flight before Saturday night (instead of Friday morning). I don't blame BA or the striking staff. Sometimes people need to stand up for themselves - not get pushed around. I've flown BA many times, with no complaint - and I'll continue to fly them.
Anon, Boston MA
My family were stuck in Geneva on their way to London to pick up a BA flight to meet me in Singapore. BA staff worked hard and managed to re-route my family via Frankfurt to Singapore so that our holiday arrangements remained intact. I thank the BA staff fore their efforts
Chris Bradley, Switzerland
There is no justification not to give stuck passengers information. Also, it can't be that there is no contingency plan to get passengers off planes, or at least supply water. BA is not as innocent as it would like to appear, clearly they've cut their budgets to dangerously low levels. I have to fly on Saturday out of Heathrow and if they don't book me on another airline at their own expense I'll go legal on them. Needless to say, I'll never fly BA again.
Jim, Middlesex
My husband and I are supposed to be on a BA flight early tomorrow evening bound for Europe (Nice, France) for a much needed holiday with our daughter. We've been planning this trip for a year now and need the R & R. Houses have been rented for this trip in Europe, now what will we do?! Even if BA and the caterers sort things out, with such a back log of passengers, will it be possible to get on our flight tomorrow...probably not!! I am sorry about all those people being sacked from their jobs but really, to strike illegally affects too many people.
Anonymous, Canada, London, On, Canada
| The tragedy for us isn't the lost money, it's the dream of a long planned holiday with friends and family now in tatters |
We've just had it confirmed that the flight we're booked on tomorrow to Heathrow from Grand Cayman has been cancelled, preventing my family from making a non refundable connection to France with another airline. Car bookings, accommodation, flights all have to be either cancelled or forfeited. With no guaranteed end to the dispute we have decided to simply cut our losses and cancel our holiday. Hopefully go next year. The tragedy for us isn't the lost money, it's the dream of a long planned holiday with friends and family now in tatters. How will BA ever compensate everyone for this?
Daniel Percival Whilst I understand it must be tough on those travelling, spare a thought for the workers who were sacked for sticking up for their rights. My support goes to them, no one should be treated like that. Whilst some of the other posts blame the workers, how would they feel if there boss turned around and fired them without any notice or any just reason. Keep up the solidarity.
Harinder Mann, Harrogate
Secondary action like this was made illegal years ago. While I have some sympathy for the catering workers (it would be good to hear the full details) I have no sympathy for the striking BA workers. I hope BA will take appropriate action against these people quickly (ie sack them) even if this leads to further disruption; these workers clearly have no loyalty to BA and the company needs to lose a few staff anyway.
Alastair, West Sussex
Got back from London just a week ago. BA is one of the most efficient airlines going. The workforce great. But no one can guess/plan when up against the blackmail of the unions. The unions must be denied the ability to hold travellers to ransom or stop the movement of people.
Richard Harvey, Adelaide Australia
Perhaps this action beyond its control will make BA reconsider its cost-cutting decision to out-source its in-flight catering supply. BA's management are not entirely blameless in this, they only have themselves to blame for their lack of control over this business critical operation.
Gareth Hitchings, Ottawa, Canada
Even though I work for British Airways, but am totally sympathetic with the workers who have lost their jobs. Issues like these should have been solved at negotiation tables but sometimes poorly executed management strategies lead to not only unsatisfied customers but also employees. I just hope that both parties can start the talks again.
Capt. J, UK
I'm in Helsinki trying to get home after business. As normal total chaos when a plane is cancelled. I would of least liked to have seen these workers use 'due process', clearly their unions have no influence over them.
Jay Beddow, Woking Surrey
It is all very well for BA to tell passengers to contact the airline before turning up at Heathrow - how? All the lines are busy including the Executive Club. There appears to be no call queuing system and the whole thing is overloaded. The "policy" for rebooking or cancellation precludes transfer to another carrier. The whole thing is completely unsatisfactory, and I for one will not be flying BA again.
Dr D R Davies, Somerset UK
I am stranded in Boston along with so many other families heading to London from the U.S. All this as a result of some very selfish BA staff. How could they be so inconsiderate as to cause so much havoc and chaos; and also be so oblivious as the impact this may have on their jobs and livelihoods? If BA loses passengers, their staff will eventually lose their jobs. It is time BA staff and others like them woke up to the real world of corporate survival.
F. Aziz, Manama, Bahrain
I want to put in a word for BA I've lived in the States since 1965. I used to fly home on BOAC VC10's and I'm tired of BA constantly being rubbished by anyone and everyone with an opinion for things that are not caused by the airline - what BA gives me is clean aircraft, on time departures and arrivals, a thoroughly well-trained flight crew, an aircraft maintenance program I can trust and a cabin crew that knows how to look after children (especially the ones over 40) on long haul flights. Low budget airlines may be cheap and cheerful, but I don't feel as safe. You go BA, you can count on my business.
Jeannie Hardie, Santa Fe, US
| It is blackmail, pure and simple |
I'm currently stuck in Hong Kong with no way to get home - all the flights are full for the weekend, it is impossible to get through to BA either here or in the UK. Whilst I agree that it is unfortunate for the sacked staff, it is inexcusable the unions holding the airline, and its customers to ransom - it is blackmail, pure and simple.
Russ Dickerson, UK/in HK Gate Gourmet have handled this issue appallingly and what's worse is my own company's workers thinking that spoiling 1000s of people's plans will help! I will do all I can to help our customers but I fear there is little we can do! We are so sorry!
British Airways crew, London, England
I am stuck in Seattle. The Gate Gourmet staff who struck unofficially has only themselves to blame for losing their jobs and if the BA employees who struck in sympathy suffer a similar fate, they will only have themselves to blame. There is no justification for unofficial strikes by unionized workers. This is not the 1970s and it's not France.
Anonymous, Seattle, WA
I'm missing my 20 year college reunion as I can't get to London, as planned. How on earth can BA compensate me for this? The culture and relationships involved between BA and its business partners must be extremely poor. BA can't put its hands up and claim that it is helpless. It has not crafted the right dialogue in London.
Ved, Singapore
I'd gladly sit waiting for a flight; there is a Western world movement towards bullying the "worker" back into submission: I support all those who stand up against it.
Christian Obeck, Gibsons, Canada
I am all for union power, but to create such horrendous inconvenience, suffering and distress at the peak season, is beyond all reason. I cannot appreciate such an abject act of selfish and wanton vandalism of people's hopes and dreams. It's immoral to cause such havoc in such a way. I think the baggage handlers should be totally ashamed of what they have done.I say sack them, if legally possible, and replace them with more responsible people who support customer satisfaction and not some notion to strike at the most inopportune moment!
Keith M Warwick, Cambridge UK
We're due to fly out of Heathrow tonight and have been trying to talk to BA since 6 am this morning. All lines are constantly engaged and all the website tells you is to contact your airline. How can you do this when they have insufficient phone lines?
Carolyn Paul, London, UK
| We can't go back to this old situation with sympathy strikes whenever people feel like it |
The whole situation has nothing to do with BA and yet they are unable to operate their flights. We can't go back to this old situation with sympathy strikes whenever people feel like it. Is thanks to this happening in the 70s that we have no ship building industry and we are reduced to being grateful that a Chinese company may bail out our last significant car manufacturer after BMW gave up. BA ground staff should be ashamed.
Phil, Sussex UK I have full support for the BA and Gate Gourmet staff. Well done on taking a stand for your rights! And let BA be warned this action is likely just a practice run for the walk-out over the proposed pensions write-off.
Kevin, Swansea
The most frustrating aspect of this is that I am being told to call BA to find out what is happening to my flight but the lines are permanently engaged... this is so annoying!!
Leigh, London, England
Oh what a surprise. A small argument grows into yet another massive issue and the BA staff jump the bandwagon to stay in bed yet again. Passengers should vote with their feet and use other airlines as BA staff are unreliable and prepared to walk out at any time. It is only the passengers that get messed up by their actions as it doesn't really do the airline that much harm. Thanks again BA staff!
Scott, Camberley, England
Is it one strike every summer? Why fly BA and risk the disruption when there are so many other reliable airlines?
Geoff Chaplin, London, UK
| If BA has tried and tested procedures for taking care of customers during baggage handling strikes, these are hardly in evidence |
We were told on the flight from Lisbon at 11.40 am that this was only a catering strike and would not affect baggage handling. It was an hour after landing that people began to realise that the baggage was not arriving. No BA staff stepped forward or made any announcement about the baggage claim procedure in the hall. It was left to passengers to go to the desk or if the queue was too long to find a BA staff person and ask what to do. We were given a yellow form to fill in with a baggage numbers and told to call a telephone number to get a tracking number. Of course that telephone number has either been busy or put me on hold after dozens of attempts ever since. Without a tracking number I cannot get my bag back. If BA has tried and tested procedures for taking care of customers during baggage handling strikes, these are hardly in evidence.
Lisa Buchan, UKMy cousin and her new husband were married on Monday in Italy, and were due to arrive here in Vancouver for their first trip ever to Canada. Last I heard from them they didn't know when they would get here as they were stranded in London waiting for the connecting flight. What a great start to what should be a fabulous honeymoon. I'm not impressed.
Teresa Oakland, Vancouver, BC
I am waiting at home with my wife and 3 small children, as we are emigrating to the USA today. We at a loss to know what our options will be, as we have to move out of our UK house today, to make way for new tenants. Where do we go? When will we fly out? This is an appalling mess, and the second time I have been caught up in BA industrial relations, having been stranded by the Summer 2003 strike! I may be a BA "gold card" frequent flyer, but this is the last time I ever trust BA to transport me on an important flight. No other Airline has ever done this to me!
Stuart Crabb, Southampton, UK
| Although I sympathise with the sacked workers it is no reason for the others to take illegal strike action |
If a company with financial problems makes 600 workers redundant in order to save the other 2000 positions where is the problem? Surely that's better than 2600 out of work in a few months time without these redundancies. Although I sympathise with the sacked workers it is no reason for the others to take illegal strike action, and inconveniencing tens of thousands of travellers.
Simon Allan, GermanyWhatever the rights and wrongs of the Heathrow staff's cause, how can you legally sack someone who wasn't even there when the decision to strike was taken? I'm sure the TGWU's legal staff are working on it.
Richard Wells, Marden, Kent
I'm meant to be flying to Budapest today. I've been trying to call BA since 6am and can't get through? I understand these things happen and think BA are a good airline but would just like to be able to talk to someone and sort it out
David Todd, Sheffield
If I was on the board of Gate Gourmet I would shut the UK business down, take the money out, and start another. The directors are clearly not in control of this business. Needing to make such a large percentage of the workforce redundant in one go smacks of incompetence - why were staff not laid off earlier and in far fewer numbers?
Anon, UK
Ashamed - that's how the BA staff on strike should feel. There may be a rightful grievances by catering workers, but it is a different company and BA staff should allow that company to sort it out.
Peter Myres, UK
A disgrace is the only way to describe the reaction. Look, at the end of the day in a capitalist world, nothing is secure. Gate Gourmet is on the edge of going bust and the restructuring is the only solution to save the company. Yes it's unpleasant to be sacked - and it's happened to me in the past because my City employer thought it could make more money by firing me to hire someone else and I had a very miserable year of unemployment as a result and lost my home and family. But, you have to be strong and move on. I'm sorry for the Gate workers, but guys the world does not owe you a living.
Ducan Priston, London
Sad that a lot people writing here seem to think their inconvenience is more important than the livelihood of 600 people. Support them, you may want support too if people just sack you and you are the breadwinner of your family.
W Ng, Singapore
Aside from the other airlines directly affected by the strike, many will also be affected because - like here in Zurich - BA picks up passengers here for onward American Airlines flights from Heathrow.
Tonto Kowalski, Zurich, Switzerland
My brother- and sister-in-law are stranded in a German airport at the moment. I've just been on the phone to my brother. He said that while this is causing him a lot of inconvenience, it's a lot less hardship than being sacked causes those 800 workers and their families. Well done to all the people who walked out in sympathy with them. The catering company can't be let away with this.
Mark Phillips, Doncaster, UK
The BA helpline was extremely efficient in getting me on a flight out of Seattle but only by Saturday! I am surprised that we were not alerted to the flight cancellation by email as they take all of our details. I was told that my flight was cancelled by a colleague that alerted me from London.
Lauren Munton, London, currently in Seattle
My poor mum, she's been stuck for 8 hours by now, and still doesn't know if she would get to go home or stay in a hotel, not to mention the whereabouts of her luggage. Absolutely disgusting!
Meg, Wiltshire
We arrived at JFK early this afternoon to catch the BA 114 which departs at 2030. I sat next to one of the monitors just to keep myself alert while surfing the internet. Soon after the BA177 arrived at 1619 I realised the other BA flights, one by one, are cancelled. People started taking pictures at the monitors and making phone calls. I guess most people at the airports still have not figured out what is going on as there are still an awful lot of people queuing to check-in.
Leo Tang, New York, USA
I back the union workers 100%. It's unfortunate so many people have had their flights delayed. I'm planning on flying tomorrow, but I guess I can't now. We're talking about people's livelihoods here. Their jobs, their means of feeding their families. That's more important than my missed flight/holiday. I admire the BA staff who walked out in support of the Gate Gourmet staff.
Saqib Sabir, London, UK
| I have been in this plane now for over 6 hours |
We arrived from Frankfurt at approx 1930 on the BA0907. I have been in this plane now for over 6 hours (it's normally a 2 hour flight) and still on the tarmac in Heathrow!
Anonymous, Ayrshire We are stuck within sight of stairs to offload us from the airplane. We have been stranded on the ground since 3.10pm, with no good info from the flight crew. My fellow passengers and I will never fly BA again.
Passengers on Flight from Amsterdam, Seattle, WA
I'm in NYC at the moment, the first I heard about my flight being cancelled was when someone from the UK called and told me it was on BBC News. BA have my e-mail address, mobile number, why am I the last to know?
David Collins, Bedford, UK
I sat in T4 for about 5 hours waiting for my flight. All the BA staff that carried on working were doing the best they could from what I could see. They all stayed polite and patient regardless of any abuse and understandable frustration they were getting from a lot of the passengers. Well done to them.
Wayne, Uckfield, East Sussex
My daughter has been stuck on a flight bound for Seattle since 2pm. The flight has been cancelled, they can't get off the plane, we have been advised to go and get her as there are no hotel rooms and we have also been advised to report her luggage as lost as they can't get it off the plane. What a complete and utter shambles! Pathetic!
Jackie S, Peterborough Cambs
My father is currently on holiday in Ireland, returning tomorrow as he has to attend his brother's funeral in New York USA on Monday morning. We have managed to book him onto a flight through British Airways for Saturday but if the situation has not been resolved then what chance does he have. Consideration for other people wouldn't go a miss.
Mrs Matthews, Surrey, England
After waiting 30 years for the trip of a lifetime to Australia, it looks like the whole thing will fall through because of this strike. By all means strike legitimately but not wildcat - it doesn't help anyone at all.
Irene, Scotland
I am supposed to be flying on the weekend but I don't care. This disgusting behaviour by the catering company has to be shown to be unacceptable. I support all the strikers
Tony H, London
We are stuck in Heathrow. The information from BA is "contact your travel agent". We do - and they have no information. So the Travel Agent contacts BA. They are told by BA passengers in Heathrow can get all the information they need at the airport. A logical cul-de-sac!!
J Young, Brighton
| It's chaos down here in T1 but the dedicated BA staff who are still working are doing a fantastic job |
It's chaos down here in T1 but the dedicated BA staff who are still working are doing a fantastic job. The others quite clearly are just jumping on the bandwagon and should themselves face disciplinary action from BA for the unofficial strike. This kind of behaviour is what turns customers away and destroys the publics trust. Whenever do you see those at EasyJet striking? I'm 100% behind the staff if they are doing it officially but today's nonsense is of benefit to no one and will do their cause no good. Thank you to Jacqui and Mark at BA T1 for your help in getting me to my destination.
James, London I'm sat on BA99 to Toronto at Heathrow and the captain has announced that flights are being diverted and no one has any idea. This flight has already been delayed for 3 hours (with no food or drink) I'd rather be at Old Trafford.
Chris Davies, Paris, France
I am on a BA flight arrived from Vancouver this afternoon (Thursday), but we have been sitting on the taxiway at Heathrow for over two hours now, as the strike means that there are no gates being cleared to accept our arrival, nor (presumably) to clear the plane if we do ever get to a stand. There are a lot of frustrated passengers on board, though people are generally remaining quite calm - there's nothing more our cabin crew can do, after all. The lack of catering facilities which caused the situation in the first place is now exacerbating the problem, as the crew have little refreshment to offer.
James Thorne, Farnham, England
My brother is at Heathrow waiting to see if the flight to Montreal is going to take off. He is supposed to be here for my father's surprise birthday party as the family has not been altogether for at least 8 years. It is a huge disappointment and inconvenience.
Elizabeth Beale, Canada
I am cabin crew for BA and even though I truly emphasise with the sacked staff am sick and tired of BA ground staff walking out whenever they feel like it.
Anonymous
Our inbound flight did land, but has now been stranded on the tarmac for approaching four hours. While those in the terminal can at least get taken to hotels, or wherever, there is presently no way that we can even get off the plane. The catering shortages that were the initial consequence of the first industrial action are now making life rather uncomfortable on board, as people are tired (after a 9 hour flight), thirsty and hungry. There are quite a few small children on board, and their parents are understandably anxious to get them off ASAP, but the news we are being given does not promise a rapid solution.
James Thorne, Farnham, UK My parents are stranded at Heathrow, they are supposed to be visiting me and my pregnant girlfriend here in Stockholm where I now live, we had a restaurant booked tonight and it's my girlfriend's mum's 60th birthday tomorrow, we have tickets booked tomorrow and now it's a let down for me and my girlfriend and her mum because of her big 60th.
Tony, Stockholm (Brit)
I am not at Heathrow at the moment, but I work in a Spanish tour operator that works with BA. We are going to have a lot of customers complaining because they will miss their connecting flights. Hope everything goes back to normal for everyone's sake!
Nuria Masana, Barcelona, Spain
We've been at Heathrow for two hours since arriving from Frankfurt. We are still on the plane. We have been told there are 30 planes behind us and several more in front of us, and we can't get into any gates. We landed early, at 3.50pm, so I was quite pleased, but our pilot came and told us we could be here for a while. He turned off then engine and said we could be here for some time. And that was two hours ago. The pilot has told us we may drive into the new terminal 5, where they are bringing in more staff, and they will get us off 'manually' - whatever that means. People are fed up, although there's been no fights yet! Everyone is quite calm. There's no catering because of the catering staff on strike, so we have no food or drink.
Jane Taylor, Esher, Surrey
I am currently at the airport in the BA lounge and see that flights are delayed and around 4 got cancelled. The sad thing is that people trying to get information but the BA staff does not give any. I provided this article to the front desk person of the BA lounge and her reply was that the management told her not give any information. Interesting way how this company treats its customers.
Dominik Keite, Germany
My husband is off sick after he twisted his back at work loading an aircraft last Wednesday - we received the devastating news that he was "sacked" after an envelope was delivered to our home address overnight last night, between midnight and 6:30am. We yesterday put in an offer on a house and today have had to notify everyone about what has happened. We are totally devastated. Our lives have been turned upside down and those of friends at Gate Gourmet who are on holiday abroad and here in the UK South West. They have to face the fact that they will not be returning to work when they get back. My heart goes out to the people at Rover. I felt so sorry for them and now can wish them well from the heart. Surely the American's can't get away with this, Gate Gourmet is successful across the globe, especially in the US. The problems at Heathrow were wholly mismanagement and a rapid turnover in managerial staff in the recent past. The tears have stopped and now it is the fear for the future.
Carol Hughes, Bracknell, Berks, UK I am currently stranded in Berlin thanks to the total lack of consideration of the BA staff. It is no use them whining about the management even if they do have a case. They will be at home with their families tonight and I won't. Wildcat strikes are damaging to everyone involved and do not help their case.
Chris Oakley, Ripley, Derbyshire
I'm currently looking to book a long-haul flight to Bangkok. Unfortunately all the other carriers are now virtually full from people switching from BA and there are no special offers. If anything the prices have gone up from this morning when I started looking.
Martin, England
This is not BA's fault and this needs to be put across more on the media. My flight was cancelled but I agree with unions when they have to fight.
Anon, Windsor England
I am at the First Class lounge at Terminal 1 in Heathrow. The receptionist has received no information from management about what is happening and is being given a hard time by a stream of very irate customers. She has told me at times like this that she feels "degraded" by the way she is being treated by her management and "ashamed" that BA can't offer customers better help.
Anonymous, London, UK
| Passengers are patient but very disappointed at BA's staff |
A queue of approx 22 aircraft has been stuck - all passengers are unable to get off planes - there has been no news for nearly two hours. Passengers are patient but very disappointed at BA's staff. Don't they understand that the airline business is very precarious? Don't they understand that this sort of stupid action just threatens their livelihoods? And when will we be rescued from the tarmac - why doesn't management just drive out here with some steps and escort us to the terminal? There seems to be no contingency plan to get people off aircraft. Boo to BA.
Anonymous, London We had "emergency" rations on a BA flight from Vienna this morning. Best food on-flight I have had in along while. They should stick with it.
Mike Walsh, London, UK
Flight left Brussels with apologies for no catering. All went well. Made early landing. have sat on plane for 1.5 hours with no indication of when we will get off.
Clive, Tarmac, Heathrow
My mother is there and should have departed at 15.50. A flight has just departed some are on standby while others have been cancelled.
Sarah Priestland, Mansfield, UK
Being a courier company at Heathrow Airport a lot of flights we utilise are BA. Luckily only a small amount of consignments will suffer delays. It's very strange over here at the moment. I've never heard it this quiet before!
Ciaran, Heathrow
I can't believe this! I am stranded at Heathrow! We are all sitting around on our luggage just waiting! So disappointed - I will never fly BA again!
Julia Gallenetti, UK
I'm stuck in Copenhagen. The public are caught in a battle between vendors and suppliers - vendors want a low cost to sell goods at the expense of the supplier, who delivers a good product for skinny margins. Cotton on and pay the right price for a good product.
Chris, Newbury, Berkshire
My brother was flying back to France, hubbing in London, He s now without money, phone, home, lost in London. I received a desperate email from him, but couldn t answer on time. I got no news and am worried as well.
Fabien PESSOT, Singapore
I work for a horticultual export company in Africa. BA is one of our major cargo carriers.Our major customers are the UK supermarkets. The plane was supposed to leave Nairobi but aborted. All the products we're shipping are perishables. What a big loss to my company and inconvenience to our customers!!! The consignment is still lying at the Cargo centre.
orina wycliffe, Nairobi, Kenya
My son's flight did matter. He was due to fly to Hong Kong to spend some time with my stepson who we have finally got home for a few days inbetween operations and chemo treatment for bone cancer. The two get on particularly well and my stepson was really looking forward to my son's visit. He returns to hospital for another operation on Tuesday followed by more chemo, which makes him so poorly he is unable to enjoy anyone's company. Life and death? No. Just another blow to a 12 year old boy who is totally undeserving of everything that has happened to him over the past two months. We are trying to arrange an alternative flight but of course everything is full.
John Newby, Hong Kong
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