Tuesday 27 August 2019

BA LIES

PETITION UPDATE

Lies, Deceit & A Monumental Cover-Up

Trudie Dadd
Crewkerne, ENG, United Kingdom
26 AUG 2019 — 
Photo: FlightAware.
British Airways - Aircraft G-BYGD - Boeing 747-400
Recent Fume Events:
28 July BA066 Philadelphia/London Heathrow - Fume Event Before Departure, In-Flight & Prior to Landing on 29 July.
(Aircraft grounded/in maintenance 29-30 July)
31 July BA067 London Heathrow/Philadelphia - Fume Event
31 July BA066 Philadelphia/London Heathrow - Fume Event
01 August BA112 New York JFK/London Heathrow - Fume Event before Take-Off and Prior to Landing on 02 August.
(Aircraft grounded/in maintenance 02-03 August)
05 August BA 189 London Heathrow/New York JFK - Fume Event on Take Off and Prior to Landing in JFK.
07 August BA 172 New York JFK/London Heathrow - Fume Event After take off and Prior to Landing at Heathrow 08 August.
(Aircraft grounded/in maintenance 08-10 August)
22 August BA 116 New York JFK/London Heathrow - Fume Event
(Aircraft grounded/in maintenance 23-25 August)
Crew members have been injured and have had to attend hospitals after inhaling toxic fumes on this aircraft - fumes from the aircraft engines which contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals known to be very hazardous to human health. Some crew are still sick and unable to return to work at this time.
Why is it an acceptable practice for crew to have to be checked over by paramedics after landing or to be forced to seek medical help at a hospital to have blood, heart and respiratory checks done?
British Airways stated in one instance of crew being taken to hospital after a fume event (on the aircraft shown above) that this was as a ‘precaution’ but they also state ‘We would not operate an aircraft if it posed a health or safety risk to our customers or crew.’ 
• IF THE AIRCRAFT DIDN’T POSE A HEALTH OR SAFETY RISK THERE WOULD BE NO REASON FOR ANY CREW TO GO TO HOSPITAL - EVEN AS A ‘PRECAUTION’.
As far as we are aware no passengers requested medical assistance or were affected at the time. Airlines are not required to inform passengers when there has been a fume event onboard an aircraft. Illness may follow days, weeks or months after exposure and the connection of ill health to a previous flight is very rarely made.
Despite overwhelming evidence from many studies and papers explaining why people are sick and dying, the airline regulator (CAA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and U.K. Government still allow passengers and crew to be exposed to contaminated air in aircraft.
A few examples of evidence that have been ignored and disregarded - not only by the CAA, the HSE and the U.K. Government but by airline regulators, safety agencies and Governments worldwide:
A Counterpoint to key misconceptions about exposure to aviation engine oil and hydraulic fluid fumes - Judith Anderson 2014:
http://fdx.alpa.org/portals/26/docs/053116_ESC%20Counterpoint.pdf
The Right to Healthy Indoor Air - Report on a WHO meeting in May 2000:
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/108327/E69828.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
BALPA Air Safety and Cabin Air Quality International Aero Industry Conference 2005:
https://www.aerotoxic.org.pdfs/BALPA-CAPC-London-April-20051.pdf
Aerotoxic Syndrome: A New Occupational Disease? - Susan Michaelis, Jonathan Burton, C. Vyvyan Howard. WHO 2017:
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/341533/5_OriginalResearch_AerotoxicSyndrom_ENG.pdf
Nanomedicine and Nanoscience Research - Is a Cumulative Exposure to a Background Aerosol of Nanoparticles Part of the Causal Mechanism of Aerotoxic Syndrome? - 07 February 2018 - C. Vyvyan Howard, David W. Johnson, John Morton, Susan Michaelis, David Supplee, Jonathan Burton.
https://gavinpublishers.com/admin/assets/articles_pdf/1519819962new_article_pdf2072382190.pdf
A PROPOSAL
to Bring the Problem of Contaminated Cabin Air Under Control - January 2017 - 
John M. Lind CPCU ARM, Retired
https://aerotoxicsinanutshell.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/aerotoxic-proposal.pdf
Hazardous chemicals on jet aircraft: case study - jet engine oils and aerotoxic syndrome - Chris Winder, School of Safety Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia:
https://hub.easa.europa.eu/crt/docs/viewcrdattachment/cid_40694/aid_449/fmd_3a0e0bad5d3f54f7e8b52aeaf36741a6
Chest Journal - Official Publication Of The American College Of Chest Physicians 
Air Pollution and Noncommunicable Diseases
November 2018:
‘Air pollution can harm acutely, usually manifested by respiratory or cardiac symptoms, as well as chronically, potentially affecting every organ in the body.’
‘Harmful effects occur on a continuum of dosage and even at levels below air quality standards previously considered to be safe.’
https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(18)32723-5/fulltext

‘Although air pollution is well known to be harmful to the lung and airways, it can also damage most other organ systems of the body. It is estimated that about 500,000 lung cancer deaths and 1.6 million COPD deaths can be attributed to air pollution, but air pollution may also account for 19% of all cardiovascular deaths and 21% of all stroke deaths. Air pollution has been linked to other malignancies, such as bladder cancer and childhood leukemia. Lung development in childhood is stymied with exposure to air pollutants, and poor lung development in children predicts lung impairment in adults. Air pollution is associated with reduced cognitive function and increased risk of dementia. Particulate matter in the air (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) is associated with delayed psychomotor development and lower child intelligence. Studies link air pollution with diabetes mellitus prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Pollution affects the immune system and is associated with allergic rhinitis, allergic sensitization, and autoimmunity. It is also associated with osteoporosis and bone fractures, conjunctivitis, dry eye disease, blepharitis, inflammatory bowel disease, increased intravascular coagulation, and decreased glomerular filtration rate. Atopic and urticarial skin disease, acne, and skin aging are linked to air pollution. Air pollution is controllable and, therefore, many of these adverse health effects can be prevented.’
https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(18)32722-3/fulltext
Final Word:
“The 'fake ignorance' presented by Airline Industry associated affiliates with respect to Cabin Air contamination is absolutely astounding.  After decades of denials, they are still hiding behind a façade of 'more studies are required' and continue to waste effort, time and money instead of focusing on fixing the problem of air contamination in a confined space.  How can they claim, with a straight face, that Cabin Air pollution isn't a serious problem? Since the introduction of the jet engine in the mid-1950's, ventilation and filtration systems consisted of an inferior design by allowing toxic contaminants and harmful bacteria to circulate throughout the flight deck and passenger cabin.  How is it that flight crew members have substantially higher detrimental health issues on a per capita basis compared to the general public?   How do they justify that flight crews are not subjected to contamination of toxic chemicals, such as components of nerve gas agents, at 10,000m on virtually a daily basis?  Even Boeing in their '1953 Decontamination Program' reported contamination issues of smoke and odour from the jet engines.  It's time for the Airline Industry face up to the problem, and for Politicians and Regulators to enforce implementation and improvements to health and safety issues.”
⁃ Reinhard Schuetz, P. Eng.
For further information on Aerotoxicity, Aerotoxic Syndrome, Help, Advice and Articles visit www.aerotoxicteam.com
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Sunday 25 August 2019

BA PILOT STRIKE

BA strike: dates in September 2019, how British Airways flights are disrupted by walkout and your rights if you have tickets

British Airways pilots will be walking out on Monday 9 September, Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September

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British Airways pilots have confirmed the dates of their strike, after 93 per cent of members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) voted in favour of industrial action.
A threatened strike over the summer period – one of the busiest times of the year – would have caused chaos for holidaymakers, and Balpa represents about 90 per cent of the airline’s pilots.
However, the eventual dates come after the end of the summer break: pilots will be walking out on Monday 9 September, Tuesday 10 September and Friday 27 September.
BA, who said it was “very disappointed” with the result, had failed in a bid to secure a temporary injunction from the High Court to put a stop to any plans for strike action.

Why are they striking?

The vote to strike comes after pay disputes between pilots and BA.
The airline had offered staff a “fair and generous” pay increase worth 11.5% over three years, but this was rejected – Balpa says its members deserve better in light of BA’s recent profits.
Three days of talks between the airline and the pilots’ union preceded the vote, and Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said the strong result in favour of striking spoke to the “resolve of BA pilots”.
He said that BA “must table a sensible improved offer if a strike is to be averted.”
“We do not wish to inconvenience our customers, which is why we have tried to resolve this matter through negotiation starting last November. It is BA who has regrettably chosen to drag this out into the summer months.”

Which flights could be affected?

The union was required to give BA two weeks’ notice if any action were to take place, and eventually announced the dates on Friday 23 August.
According to the airline’s website, the precise disruption to the timetable has not been confirmed yet.
However, BA advises: “If you have a flight booked with us on those dates, it is likely that you will not be able to travel due to BALPA’s strike action.
“We will be offering all affected customers full refunds or the option to re-book to another date.
“We’re very sorry about the impact BALPA’s action will have, and we’ll do everything we can to get as many people as possible away on their journeys.”
Balpa had said that the the cost to BA to settle the dispute would be “significantly less than the cost would be of even a single day’s strike action”.
A British Airways Airbus A380 lands at Heathrow Airport in London (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

What are my rights?

If your flight is cancelled, you usually have a legal right to either a full refund within seven days or a replacement flight.
However, if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond the airline’s control, such as an act of terrorism, a volcanic eruption, a strike, or extreme weather, the airline is not obliged to compensate you.
Read more:
Airport strikes across the UK this summer: from RyanAir strike threats to walkouts at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted
So in the event of industrial action, it’s at the airline’s discretion whether to compensate you.
You’re advised to check all your travel arrangements ahead of your trip, to ensure you have as smooth a journey as possible.

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BA BALLS UP..thanks PILOTS!!

British Airways strike: Passengers angry at airline 'silence'

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Media captionBen Pywell, from London, says he's tried calling BA more than 200 times
British Airways passengers have expressed their anger at being unable to get through to the airline following the confusion over cancelled flights.
BA pilots are due to strike on 9, 10 and 27 September - but BA also told customers with tickets booked on other days that their flights were cancelled.
The company admitted on Saturday that it had told some passengers, by mistake, to rebook or get a refund.
It said those who booked other flights could claim the extra costs back.
However, it has not commented on how many customers have been affected, or the reason for the error.
BA also said it received nearly 40,000 calls in the first 24 hours and was working around the clock to help fix people's problems.
After initially sending one email informing customers of cancellations - telling them to rebook or seek refunds - BA then sent a second email to some people saying their original flights would go ahead as planned.
But in the second email, passengers were not given a link to automatically rebook onto their original flight, meaning they had to contact BA directly.
Some customers say they have spent hours trying to get in touch with BA's customer services without success.
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One woman, Josie Simpson, told the BBC she called the airline 67 times to try to rebook a family holiday to Florida.
The company's Twitter feed has also been inundated with messages from frustrated people.
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In response to one passenger, a BA representative said: "We're extremely sorry that you're having difficulties trying to rearrange your flights.
"Our teams have been working tirelessly to help as many of our customers as possible, in these unprecedented circumstances."
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Analysis: A mess of BA's own making

By Katy Austin, BBC News business correspondent
This has not been a good bank holiday weekend for British Airways - but this was a mess of the airline's own making.
From the moment it made the mistake of sending out emails cancelling flights that it didn't mean to cancel, it has repeatedly left customers hot and bothered. People who would have preferred to be enjoying the August sunshine have instead been spending hours trying to phone the airline to understand what is going on.
Communication does appear to be the issue here - and although BA has apologised, it has yet to explain how those erroneous emails came to be sent. The airline's communication team has been very keen to send us statistics to show how many staff it has brought in to busily deal with the problems - and has today reassured those panicking about planned trips that any extra costs would be covered.
But that reassurance has limited effect while people still can't get through on overwhelmed phone lines.
Some affected passengers have told the BBC they will never again book with BA. It's a sign of the trust that's been lost during a scorching bank holiday weekend when BA has certainly been feeling the heat.
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Some customers who were told their flights were not scrapped after all have been left confused about whether their decision to accept a refund has now been cancelled.
Others said they fear being left out of pocket.
Ellie Kormis, from Surrey, spent the whole of Saturday trying to speak to BA after being told one of her flights for her family's package holiday to Greece was cancelled.
She said they ended up booking new flights - which extended their holiday by three days - and extra accommodation, costing more than £2,000.
"You're left in a situation where you can't speak to anyone - and you fear you'll either lose your holiday or be left out of pocket," she said.
BA then contacted her by email to say her flight wasn't cancelled after all.
She said it was "an epic mess up on their part", joking that she had lost hope she would ever get through to speak to someone at BA.
Ellie KormisImage copyrightELLIE KORMIS
Image captionEllie Kormis says she made over 70 calls to BA on Saturday but failed to get through
A BA spokeswoman said customers who were told their flights were cancelled in error and had booked alternative flights or incurred other expenses would be entitled to refunds if they submitted receipts.
Earlier, some people said they were told that wasn't the case.
Kaelee Matthews, from Cardiff, said BA had told her it wouldn't give her a refund for her flights to Orlando - which the airline had initially said were cancelled - because they were still operating.
She has booked new flights with Virgin for her and her partner - costing an extra £440 in total.
"We are disgusted with BA," she said. "We don't know what to do now. Virgin can't refund us, but we understand that. Travel insurers say we're not covered either."
Laura Gillespie, 48, from Perth, was also told by BA she was no longer entitled to a refund as her flight from London to Edinburgh was going ahead after all.
"I've now got flights booked with two different airlines going to the same place and I'm £140 down," she said.
"I know it's not a lot of money compared to some folk who have spent thousands but it's so annoying."
In response to customers being frustrated at not being able to get through to customer services, BA said:
  • It received 38,000 calls and 33,000 tweets in first 24 hours
  • Contact centres stayed open 24 hours to help resolve issues, with 70 extra staff
  • Around 100 staff were working to answer Twitter queries
The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said on Friday the strikes were a "last resort" born out of "enormous frustration" with airline management.
Pilots have rejected a pay increase worth 11.5% over three years, which the airline put forward in July.
BA says it carries 145,000 customers every day - with a fleet of more than 280 aircraft - and a BA plane takes off from somewhere in the world every 90 seconds.

What can I claim if my flight has been affected by the strikes?

BA advice says you can request a full refund, rebook your flight for another time in the next 355 days, or use the value of your fare to fly to a different destination.
If your flight has been cancelled because airline staff are striking, the the Civil Aviation Authority said, then this would be considered within the airline's control, and therefore you have a legal right to either:
  • A full refund, and this includes flights in the same journey that might be from a different airline (for example, an onward or return flight)
  • A replacement flight to get to your destination
  • Or, if you are part way through your journey and don't want a replacement flight, you are entitled to a flight back to the airport you originally departed from
In some cases, passengers may be entitled to additional cash compensation for the inconvenience - but only if you receive notice that your flight is affected less than 14 days before departure.
Have you been affected by the BA issues? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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