jlo Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I don't know whether any of you will be affected by this or whether Christian may have any further info. We are due to fly on 23 December with BA and come back on 2 January. I am really hoping that something can be sorted out - not just for us but for everyone who is trying to get away or get home for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I am flying with Virgin, and am it'll be alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Jlo, looks like you'll have to change airlines. Just seen the news, 'BA staff to strike for ten days over Christmas'. Hope you get away OK with another airline, or that it's all sorted out in time. fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 My Mum was booked BA to fly up on the 22nd, as soon as she heard on the news that the strike had been voted for she quickly rebooked on BMI, she got a seat at £70.80 one way but an hour later the same seat was £196!! ( she checked!) Hopefully she will get her BA fare refunded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Nothing helpful to say but I don't understand why they keep doing this to themselves. BA was a trusted, quality airline, now thousands of people don't even consider them as a second choice. It really seems like shooting yourself in the foot, ultimately I guess a lot of employees will lose their jobs through these strikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 My sister is flying to Florida on Sunday with BA and they are due to fly back during the strike. They have booked a return flight with Virgin now as they cant take the chance of being stranded. They did think for a while that they would book the whole return trip with Virgin but as they were watching the screen the price went from £850 to £2200!!! What BA staff are doing is bad enough but it is sheer profiteering for other airlines to cash in like that. They are lucky that they have enough money to be able to pay for the return flight - most people couldnt do this on the offchance and it is so sad that a holiday which has been saved up for - sometimes for years - is going to be ruined. All those people who were visiting relatives for Christmas - I feel so sorry for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 It's a tough decision to re-book, and understand completely why people are doing it. Just be careful though, as even though they have voted for a strike, it does not mean that a) they will strike b) the length of the strike may not change and c) that ALL flights will be cancelled. BA are working at the moment to bring in as many agency (non-union) staff as they can, and they will probably work to keep the major flight destination routes still running - even if there is a reduced service. So if for any reason your flight still goes ahead (even if it is delayed by umpteen hours!!) or they can get you on an alternative flight, you won't get any refunds/compensation. You have to love BA.... Why the Cabin Crew are doing this now - don't they realise they are making things worse for themselves? Striking over Christmas is not going to get them any sympathy, and cause the company even more problems. As bad as the flippin Tube train drivers, striking every 5 minutes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 We are holding tight at the moment. We are with Trailfinders and have insurance. The worst that can happen is that we don't go and we get refunded. It is the people that are off on the holiday of a lifetime or are trying to see relatives that I feel really sorry for. I am most impressed with my children - they are being very philosophical about it all - more so than I am to be honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 It really isn't fair to do this to people. Your kiddiwinkies are growing up Jlo! Will keep fingers crossed anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I've avoided them since reading how they tried to put Virgin out of business with a really dirty tricks campaign! http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/11/newsid_2520000/2520189.stm They also forced Freddie Laker out of business! Competition is one thing but they play dirty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Hello, just back from work. I don't really want to answer this publically, so have PM'd you Jlo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 This is all just awful for everybody booked with BA and I have to echo the despair voiced by others for those expecting a trip of a life time or a visit to sons and daughters "down under." I wonder if there are any figures for the number of employees, as a percentage, who actually voted in favour of strike action? How many non-union staff are there? This may all however be academic. BA has been losing badly to cut price operators and it begs the question whether any restructuring, radical or cosmetic, will save the business. It seems unthinkable that our "national" airline should go bust but how many of us remember the USA's flagship carrier Panam, having operated for nearly 60 years, went to the wall due to an earlier energy crisis and over supply of airline seats across the whole industry; sound familiar? One might argue that the hijacking in Pakistan and the Lockerbie bombing were paramount in the airlines demise but they were just the nail in the coffin ...... sorry rambling here. I despair for the staff .......... for this may indeed be the nail in BA's coffin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Just be careful though, as even though they have voted for a strike, it does not mean that a) they will strike b) the length of the strike may not change and c) that ALL flights will be cancelled. BA are working at the moment to bring in as many agency (non-union) staff as they can, and they will probably work to keep the major flight destination routes still running - even if there is a reduced service. I agree. Quite often with these strikes they are called off at the last minute, which is of course of no help to the customer who is in limbo up until that point and also for the staff who have to deal with the stressed passengers. I really feel for BA customer service staff at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 ..... I really feel for BA customer service staff at the moment. me too, I can just imagine the abuse they're having to take at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 They've also accepted a cut in pay until BA sorts itself out - not looking good either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Looks like you're all in luck, as the strike has been ruled illegal thanks to irregularities in the ballot process! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 All systems are GO - FAB Virgil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
