Most dictators eventually end up as Gadaffi has done. And some even end up negating the few ‘good’ things that they have done during their reigns. Many western (and some eastern) govts and arms suppliers have Libyan blood on their hands, despite that, his regime WILL fall. No amount of foreign mercenaries or support from other rogue states will prevent that. I only hope that the regimes members, and those instrumental in supplying and supporting them can sleep at night. But then again, monsters never seem to have that problem:(

That is avery good point indeed. However, I think that if you saw the government withdrawing TV progs such as Strictly, whatever on ice, X Factor etc, along with massive hikes in the prices of DVDs, mobile phones, clothes in Next, the abolition of pub/club ‘happy hours’ and so on, coupled with a freeze on kids ‘allowances’ then a govt.could be sailing close to the wind. If only the things motivating the brave Libyan revolutionaries were that trivial.

God knows the Libyan scenario is an affront to humanity. It is a timely reminder to all, that these poor b******s are spilling their blood daily, for the most basic of human rights that very many of us in the ‘west’ have long taken for granted. Kinda puts things into perspective, no?

Caravelle, any version, Bristol Britannia, Vickers Vanguard, Tupolev Tu114.

I was lucky enough to be onboard a Redcoat Cargo Britannia, that was doing engine tests on the ground at LTN. To be onboard with the engines at full power was something I’ll never forget…so near yet so far:(

I concur whole heartedly with your last line. I miss the ‘insider info’ it was usually possible to get when I was still employed;)

I would still like to know what these alleged preferential treatments are. The whole airline industry in this part of the globe, and thereby in other areas as well, was affected by the volcano scenario. The security issues at British airports are well documented and have affected all airlines for a long time , LoCos included. Its the type of scenario that I have seen and posted about many times. Palmair as I understand it, was a long term and well patronised airline with many top service awards under its belt. It was held in very high regard by the travel industry and by the people that used it, and supported the local airport for many years. Then along comes a well known LoCo to BOH, promising heaven and earth, going in with the usual regime of low, loss leader fares, and garnering those ‘preferential treatments’. Everything in the garden is lovely! But be warned, picture this. The ‘sun goes in’ and those ‘treatments’ for whatever reason, become a little less ‘preferential’ and no longer to the LoCos liking. The grey clouds of ‘toys in the corner’ syndrome gather, the LoCo doesn’t like what it sees, and with its usual aplomb, shall we politely say that it goes away. The loser as ever, the loyal, and in many cases, local customer. Now before certain members ‘rear up’, as is their right, and long may it be so, I fully accept that we are shackled by the free market system, and that LoCos are part of it. What I have illustrated here, IMO paints what I think is a possible future scenario for both BOH and the potential customers in the area. I sincerely hope that I’m proved wrong.

I read an article today in the current issue of Airliner World, quoting the owner of the now defunct Palmair. In this article he states that a major factor in the demise of his airline, was the ‘preferential treatment’ given to a certain LoCo operator using Bournemouth airport. Interesting, and very relevant to this thread I think. I dare say that neither the owners of Bournemouth airport or the LoCo in question will be too forthcoming in the details of what the ‘preferential treatment’ consists of.

We must all of course speak as we find. I agree, people who use RYR and the others, should not complain when the experience turns into ‘a box of frogs’.. A couple of years ago myself and 3 friends took a 5 day break to Malaga. The other couple used RYR, we found a very good fare on Iberia. We ended up saving around €50 on the roundtrip fare that our friends paid on the ‘LoCo’. We enjoyed our allocated seats, our free newspaper, not for me I hasten to add, no surcharge for daring to take luggage and oh yes, our hot breakfast, no complaints on our part. So there you go, speak as you find. I totally respect those who choose to fly Ryanair, or any others like them, but they are not for me