Saint Richard of Woolston

I quite agree, fwiw. There is no such thing as a 'representative fan' so there can hardly be a Fan or Group of Fans being the Fans' Representative. Just my few pence worth. If you have an issue, write to the Club. Lots of people sent Christmas Cards when Il Duce was flavour of the month - now send him some letters about the withdrawal of the Installment Pan. I did, although I am unaffected personally.

One can only hope the Echo will be a little more responsible in its reporting now than it has been at times over the last 10 years or so. Sadly I suspect they won't learn and will revert to 'Red Top Wannabe' by the summer. Especially if we do not get to and win the play offs.

One can only hope the Echo will be a little more responsible in its reporting now than it has been at times over the last 10 years or so. I also suspect they won't learn and will revert to 'Red Top Wannabe' by the summer.

Everybody can see the improvement since AP arrived. Please God I hope he is given next season too. If we change come May then we will probably end up with what we deserve - turmoil.

Difficult to see us getting to QF of FA Cup. We still have an outside chance of play offs. BUT - difficult to argue really.

Whereas you are right about the age of the staff, speaking from my experience of more Atlantic Crossings than I care to remember in the last few years and several European jaunts each year, the experience of those staff stands BA in good stead and is an asset to them. Compare them with any other airline, major or otherwise, and they are a cut above and it counts heavily when we decide who to fly with privately. In my opinion, they are far better than AA & Virgin. Strangely, the only staff I would compare as being as good is South West Airlines in the US, which is an equivalent of Ryanair or EasyJet (broadly). I don't see BA as a dinosaur and am interested as to why you made those comments.

The few of you that know me personally may find this a bit odd coming from me as my politics are generally right of centre - not too far these days but nevertheless right of centre. But I also believe in fairness - not something that is being demonstrated in this thread. Whilst some of you seem to be championing the BA case (as you are entitled to do and indeed the company may have some valid points) there seems to be little balance in what the Union case is. Perhaps this statement, sent to me by one of the Senior Union Reps involved in this dispute but also available on their website so hardly privileged information, will at least help some people have a balanced view of the entire dispute. I find it amazing that some people are caught out by this. My wife and I are regular trans-atlantic BA passengers and indeed we are going this Christmas to Florida. But knowing this was in the offing in the autumn (widely written about in the press) we booked other airlines. So we lost a few thousand airmiles but could be reasonably sure about getting there. Anyhow, make whatever judgment you will. But please do so with ALL of the facts - or at least as much of the truth that is available. "As expected there have been some distortions of the facts that are being featured in the media regarding the dispute. It seems BA tactics are to feed the Press with some grossly misleading facts and figures, which they know will be fed to all media outlets and misquoted throughout the coming weeks. We refer to the grossly over-stated average earnings in particular. We will shortly publish the correct figures. Because of this misleading info, some of you will have to field some awkward questions from friends, associates and passengers over the next few days. As for on board we advise saying “it’s best I don’t comment” but off duty here are a few facts for you to consider and use when replying. Remember it is within BA’s power to stop this strike and restart talks now. All they have to do is to agree to revoke the imposition and replace (or pledge to replace) the crew that have been taken off. BASSA will find the £40m that this imposition generated. The ball is in Willie Walsh’s court although, sadly we have already noted he has rejected this offer. Quite simply the strike goes on because of him. The “12 days” decision was not taken lightly, but it would have been unfair to have held a series of 3 day strikes because that would have exposed the small percentage of crews taking action the first time around. BA are “suspend happy” at the moment and early reprisals could have had an impact on resolve, so it was important all members will be asked to take part. We are all in this together, not just crew working over a 3 day period. The Xmas decision was also given serious, serious thought. Although this action will cause real heartache amongst the public we have to consider our future employment and terms and conditions as a priority. Ruined Christmases will eventually be forgotten, certainly by next Christmas, but your terms and conditions are something you will have with you for the rest of your working life. Lots of crew are talking “anonymously” to the press. Some clearly are not genuine crew members, but most are. Remind the media who talk to you that your job is on the line should your identity be revealed. That shows just what sort of company we work for and what sort of atmosphere BA have created. A frightened, bullied workforce. BA have confirmed that five crew have been suspended on gross misconduct charges for making PA apologies to passengers for slow service – again this shows BA in its true colours. Some of these people are senior, well-respected CSDs who have given the company 30 years of loyalty. The media need to understand just how ruthless BA are under Willie Walsh. This is a man who said you get nowhere with negotiating. There has been some questions asking why strike when there is a legal judgement pending in February. This legal decision is fine, but we are taking a moral stand here, legal or not, imposition is morally wrong. Breaking of agreements is morally wrong. This is an industrial issue and it is important it is countered industrially as well as legally. Questions have also been asked about LGW already working to inferior terms and conditions. The reason for this situation is well known (especially at LGW) and has historic origins emanating in merging with other airlines. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the LGW agreement they were negotiated by the Unions and agreed with by the membership. Just because one group of people struggle to make ends meet and work their socks off doesn’t mean that is the future for all crew. Walsh is literally trying to turn the national airline of this country into Ryanair. Not only do we think the crew regard this as a step too far, but we are pretty sure most passengers do too. If you are contacted by BA in any shape or form regarding this strike – decline to discuss it. You have no obligation to give any assurances or information as to your intentions. Politely say you have no comment. We know the last 24 hours have been emotionally tough and come as a bit of a jolt to some. But remember we were backed into this corner by BA turning their back on both the negotiations and our offered savings, and then imposing changes to your terms and conditions. That simply left us with no choice to take the path we have all chosen by an incredible ballot result. At this stressful time, it’s worth repeating an old cliché - “it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees”." Ends.

The Echo has been a very poor 'red top' for some time, desperately trying to get the scoop and sensationalise everything. Peter East, Bob Brunskell, Johnnie May - a football following turns its lonely eyes to you. That said, the apparent action by the Club is very strange indeed. I cannot help but think there is more to it. I think the Lowe comment by the rag in question may be their attempt at irony in all fairness - there was certainly no love lost between Rupey and Echo Towers.

Pompey deny Admin rumours. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8405591.stm I guess they would say that.

Kelvin explains Lawrie's ego to mascot.

I seem to remember they will only have so long to sort this out until the PFA steps in. Once that happens, penalties are fairly automatic. It does also hint at the fact that Administration is not too far away and we know what can happen there, don't we. The amount of cash sloshing around the middle east aint what it used to be.

Well, Brighton did not cope with our attacking style much better than anybody else. We finished poorly. But they did push a little, quick man between Jaidi and Trotters and got them turning - result = disaster. Jaidi is a bit of a liability mobility-wise and may not be the answer we hoped.

I have a spare ticket for tomorrow. Going for £15.00. PM me for detail if interested but note that I shall be arriving at Northampton 2.30 earliest so will need to meet any taker outside the ground.

Heard the rumours.....never knew the truth.....would be a lot more concerned if one of the key players had left than a pen pusher. Bit of a non story, really imho.

Not time to scrap it but time to do away with all the 'add ons' e.g. interfering, 1st phase, 2nd phase and everything else that has made it so complicated. No offside at all would soon bring the game to a series of 'howitzer' balls up front and would make pretty painful watching.