Heathrow summer holiday shutdown threats

[C0rnfl0wer]

So having been sweating about BA pilots striking, then climate change drone attacks it now transpires Heathrow will be shut down the day we are due to fly due to Heathrow staff striking .

Fed up with holiday makers being held to ransome in the school holidays. We’ve had the shitiest of shit years, saved for ages for our trip and now have two weeks of sweating and probably a cancelled holiday as the shut down is due the day we fly.

Doing this the day schools break up and the busiest weekend of the year is just a nasty thing to do and surely kills off any possible sympathy for causes.

[AuntieStella]

How horrible for you!

Will your insurance cover you for new flights?

[C0rnfl0wer]

Who knows, the entire trip will be ruined if we don’t fly that day. We’re getting married when there and have things booked every day. It’s going to be utter chaos if we’re lucky. I’m a nervous flyer and will be shithing myself re safety. We’ve had the most awful year. Why do they have to cause the most upset.Every cause does it, the threats to cause worry and disruption it’s just horrible.

[BarbariansMum]

Why are they striking?

[C0rnfl0wer]

Pay which I get but seriously why do this to families who have been saving all year, had a belly full of Brexit and may well have had s shitty year like us. Why do they have to cause maximum upset when families are knackered and just looking forward to spending time together? They all do it and are just holding the general public to ransom. It’s shit.

[ememem84]

But that’s the whole point of strike. Max disruption.

Teachers went on strike here recently. Re pay issues. The comments from people - “why can’t they strike in the holidays....” not going to cause disruption if they do that is it?

I do feel sorry for you though. Is there any chance you could fly a day earlier?

[C0rnfl0wer]

I’m working and couldn’t afford extra flights X5.Teachers striking on any old day is one thing but choosing a time they know will ruin holidays families have spent all year saving for us beyond shit.

[C0rnfl0wer]

Also they’re plotting several dates.One of the latter dates is the day we’re due to fly back. We’d just heaved a sigh of relief that wed dodged the pilot strikes.It’s ridiculous.

[SabineSchmetterling]

They aren’t trying to ruin the holidays of ordinary people. They are going on strike for better pay when it will be most costly to their employer. The busiest times of year are those that have the biggest impact on the employer. They aren’t trying to hold you to ransom... unless you are responsible for paying their wages.

[C0rnfl0wer]

Of course they are. The collateral is the travel of hard working families. They know it will hurt them the most as most spend all year saving for it. It’s shit.

[PinkiOcelot]

Yanbu. That’s shit. Is it just Heathrow?

[C0rnfl0wer]

There is a BA pilots strike, google for details. Then Heathrow will be shut down for several dates. The drone attacks have been called off. Had a feeling there were threats to Gatwick and other airports for some other reasons and dates.

[SabineSchmetterling]

Being collateral is totally different to being held to ransom. What is it that you think they are trying to extort out of you? They aren’t expecting passengers to club together to fund their pay rises.
I understand that it’s stressful to have your holiday plans disrupted, especially with a wedding thrown into the mix. None of that is really going to be featuring too heavily in the minds of the people striking though. It’s not really their problem.

[C0rnfl0wer]

They’re dangling irate holidaymakers over the bosses noses. We ruin holidays for families or pay up. Utterly shite.

[C0rnfl0wer]

And not very sympathy inducing.

[wafflyversatile]

Why not be angry at their employers instead. Workers lose pay when they strike. They don't do it lightly.

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

From the bbc news website:

"Heathrow says it has contingency plans to remain open and operate safely"

It's shit yes but unless you can change your dates then I'm not sure what you can do unless your insurance covers strike action?

[PumpkinPie2016]

Is there any chance of swapping flights so that you fly from a different airport?

I totally understand why they are striking but equally understand why people like yourselves are so upset about it. Especially since you are getting married while away (congratulations!).

Every year there seems to be issues with flights whether it's massive delays/strikes/cancellations/overbooking. It honestly puts me off flying plus I am irrationally terrified of flying

I hope you get to take your flight of sort out an alternative.

[C0rnfl0wer]

They could do it at a time when families stuck with school holiday dates don’t lose money or something they’ve worked for all year. I have zero sympathy.

[DameXanaduBramble]

We’ll it bloody well should feature. BA weren’t great when i flew with them recently, they should be looking after pax, not alienating them.

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

Full article:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48968031

They have said all flights will be able to take off and land so C0rnfl0wer perhaps things will be fine.

[C0rnfl0wer]

I think other airports may well be hit for other reasons. Booking holidays and flights in the school holidays is turning into a lottery. It’s ridiculous.

[C0rnfl0wer]

It said they could take off not will and they’ll minimise disruption. Gives you not a clue what to do.

[Iltavilli]

Maybe take it up with the boss of Heathrow, John Holland-Kaye who got a 103% pay rise last year whilst offering less than 3% to staff who don’t even earn living wage in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

I’m sure Mr Holland-Kaye’s £4.2 million a year could cover replacement flights

(No I don’t work there)

[Weaponsgradeplum]

I'm so worried, we have a flight on one of those days specified. It's a long haul holiday for a special occasion - our insurance doesn't cover strikes (sure most doesn't) - we would lose all the money if they can't fly us out there, internal flights all booked, planned and paid for - so worried.

[NoBaggyPants]

The boss of Heathrow got a 103% pay rise.

They're offering staff 2.7% over eighteen months.

Some things are more important than your holiday. Good on the workers for taking a stand.