BA

Can you believe the British Airways cabin crew? They announce today a strike. For the 12 days of Christmas. Bastards.  BA has been losing money since God Knows When and trying to get their financial house in order, including the removal of one flight attendant on short-hauls and two for the long-hauls.  Union does not like this and threatens one-million passengers and maybe £500 million of damage to the airline. For the record, I like BA. I like their colourful logo. I like Terminal 5.  The service never a problem and BA ahead of the pack for online bookings, home-ticketing and seat selection.  They are good on safety.

British Airways has been around since '74 and really paid nobody any attention until Richard Branson's Virgin Airlines in '84 began a long-term love affair.  In '93, for instance, BA lost "one of the most bitter and protracted libel actions in aviation history," according to the BBC News, and had to apologise "unreservedly" for a "dirty tricks" campaign against Virgin. Oh, and they had to pay millions in penalties and cover Virgin's legal costs for good measure.

Today, BA has grown up and transports 33 million people a year on a fleet of 225 airlines and another 51 on order plus options on a further 45. They buy American, too, and Boeing accounts for 65% of the existings and 55% of the rest.  Turnover for the twelve-months ending March 30, 2009, £9 billion while loses £401 million. Hence the cabin crew. Now the union. And maybe a shut-down during the busiest time of the year, the holiday season for Christ's sake. Already there are hateful customers. These hostesses better know what they are doing since they are going after one of Britain's few global brands.

Photo from the AP.

Me: "Are you and Billy (Madeleine's play-date) looking forward to the carol concert tomorrow evening?"

Madeleine and Billy (who will sing), in unison: "No!"

Me: "Why?

Madeleine: "Because it is crowded. And uncomfortable."

Me: "Well, you and Billy could get some dice and gamble your money at the back of the church."

Billy:

Madeleine: "Really, Dad. You don't mean that. Billy he does not mean that."

Billy: "There is this guy who is so ugly they pay him."

Me: "Like, where?"

Billy: "I don't know."

Madeleine: "He has the best job in the world."