Aer Lingus Industrial Action

ixoy

So Aer Lingus have, once again, gone and served notice on industrial action. It's just in time to affect my flight for a dream holiday for me (it begins next Wednesday and I fly out the Saturday of that week).

Any idea what we can expect? They say it's a "work-to-rule" meaning passenger services won't be affected but could it delay flights? I'm only on this as a connecting flight to LHR so I need it to be on time. I can't miss my flight from LHR.

I'm half thinking of booking a backup flight, such is my absolute lack of trust in Aer Lingus but I don't want to jump the gun too early.

You'd think I'd have learnt rather than risk travelling with these clowns!

Fusion158

ixoy wrote: »

So Aer Lingus have, once again, gone and served notice on industrial action. It's just in time to affect my flight for a dream holiday for me (it begins next Wednesday and I fly out the Saturday of that week).

Any idea what we can expect? They say it's a "work-to-rule" meaning passenger services won't be affected but could it delay flights? I'm only on this as a connecting flight to LHR so I need it to be on time. I can't miss my flight from LHR.

I'm half thinking of booking a backup flight, such is my absolute lack of trust in Aer Lingus but I don't want to jump the gun too early.

You'd think I'd have learnt rather than risk travelling with these clowns!

Can't really blame Aer Lingus for this. Stupid Impact trade union and the members who won't do what they accepted to do. If I didn't do what I said I'd do at work I'd be sacked. I think Aer Lingus should do what they threatened to do last time; sack the lot of them and hire them back on new contracts. If they don't come back I'm sure there would be plenty of people on the dole queue that would gladly take the job.

I'm also in the same position as you. I have to get a 6am flight next Friday to Amsterdam to get another flight to San Francisco. I'm also looking at booking a back-up flight, even if it means I arrive in Amsterdam a day early.

ixoy

A backup flight is looking attractive alright - it'd cost me about €200 (incl. accommodation and, of course, half a day lost). A lot of money, but this is intended to be one of those holidays-of-a-lifetime that I don't want to jeopardise!

NullZer0

Crap - I've a flight on the evening of the 15th to JFK.
Should I expect problems/delays etc?

ixoy

iRock wrote: »

Crap - I've a flight on the evening of the 15th to JFK.
Should I expect problems/delays etc?

Dunno. That's the problem - we don't know. The strike is a "work-to-rule" meaning they won't follow new rosters and won't do stuff not strictly in their job description or overtime. I don't know enough about internal workings but it could mean some areas end up being short staffed if nobody covers for them which would cause delays.

The bigger concern is management fighting back - pushing in the new rosters. In that case the action would escalate to work stoppages and maybe an all out strike. I don't know if they can do that at a minutes notice or if further ballotting is required (I thought that once the union have a mandate for industrial action that they can do as they see fit without further consultation).

So it may spiral out of control quickly, it may be called off, or the action may not affect you at all. We just don't know and the uncertainty is stressful!

Back up flight is a good plan.They are bloody expensive at short notice though.
If it were me,I'd be booking a one way on bmi over to heathrow at least 3 hrs before the virgin flight.
Doing that may mess up plans to send your baggage all the way through to the final destination but check this with BMI as they are actually partners with Virgin so may send your bags through.

I have a similar problem possibly having to be in London for an early morning flight on the following week and am considering what to do.

In your case ixoy you are all on one pnr and possibly on a virgin booking so you are entitled to be moved to another carrier like bmi if your flight is cancelled.
But given the once in a lifetime nature of the trip,then having the back up already booked and suffering the loss if you don't have to use it,is peace of mind.
It's better to have that already booked and be sure of a seat ,than to be scrambling for a seat on the day and maybe not getting one.

My advice would be only to book a one way for the two of you on BMI though as you can worry about getting from heathrow back to Dublin after the holiday is over.A one way should be half the price on BMI assuming they allow you to do that.
At that point it's the last flight ,you are not connecting and you can leave it to Aer lingus or your travel agent to get you to Dublin from London.
What I mean is,they are obligated to fly you on both EI legs but you need only spend your own money up front on ensuring that you get to London in time for to get your Virgin flight to japan [iirc] if you follow.

CorkMan

I'm heading out on the 19th to Agadir in Morocco via Dublin. Hopefully it isn't affected.

ixoy

Deleted User wrote: »

Back up flight is a good plan.They are bloody expensive at short notice though.
If it were me,I'd be booking a one way on bmi over to heathrow at least 3 hrs before the virgin flight.

Good advice all above - the only thing is the flights are all expensive, except for one on Friday evening (13 hours before the maybe Aer Lingus flight). That'd be the attractive one as it's over half the price of the Saturday flights. Then the issue is that I don't show up for the Aer Lingus leg on Saturday and they inform Virgin who, in turn, cancel the Japan leg of my trip...

I'd be surprised if Virgin did that in the circumstance where your flight could be missed on account of an aer lingus strike.
I'd ring them,explain what you are potentially doing and get them to note it in your booking.
I'd also ask them at this stage while theres still time to confirm this by email.
Do you know if your travel insurance covers a strike? Some do which reminds me,my annual policy is out and I must get a new one.

Also have you considered flying into Gatwick on ryanair? they have a direct bus every half hour or so that takes less than an hour to heathrow,I've done that a few times.
Or any of the other london airports? cityjet to london city airport? They definitely price each way so , a one way is half the price of a return-you can take the tube out to heathrow from there albeit changing lines a couple of times.Allow 5hrs for that one.
Those options might be cheaper.
Keep tabs on the expenses as you should be entitled to claim flight costs back from EI or insurance.


This all said,the go slow action by ei staff might mean just one flight cancelled on a day for example in my experience and the risk is thats yours.
The risk also is delays meaning you miss the virgin flight.

It might all be resolved before you go either meaning you are out of pocket if you pay for the back up plan.Thats a call you have to make yourselves.

Fceking unions

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd be surprised if Virgin did that in the circumstance where your flight could be missed on account of an aer lingus strike.
I'd ring them,explain what you are potentially doing and get them to note it in your booking.
I'd also ask them at this stage while theres still time to confirm this by email.

Just to add to this part,it gets complicated when the flight itinerary was booked by a travel agent as sometimes the airline say they don't "own" the booking and refer you back to the travel agent [ebookers,club travel,travelocity or whoever].
I know BA definitely take that line as stupid as it sounds so be prepared for that further obstacle if Virgin do the same.
The travel agent will have a call centre so no problem there but do ask for and insist on writen email confirmation from the airline that having your back up plan won't jeopardize the rest of the itinerary.
If they've half a brain,they should be sympathetic and accommodate you under the circumstances.

Dacian

The media statement says it takes effect from Tuesday 12th.

Fusion158 wrote: »

......Stupid Impact trade union and the members who won't do what they accepted to do. If I didn't do what I said I'd do at work I'd be sacked. I think Aer Lingus should do what they threatened to do last time; sack the lot of them and hire them back on new contracts........

Actually the cabin crew HAVE accepted all mutually agreed changes to working conditions. (less time off between flights, less crew on longhaul flights, pay freeze for 2 years, 5% salary cuts, less annual leave, lower rates for overtime, and productivity increases of up to 20%) This has been in place since April 2010.

The problem is that the company have unilaterally imposed further changes that were not agreed upon in March. In addition since the LRC arbitration was released in August EI have not followed its directives and are continuing to roster crew up to 13 hour days with no break, or up to 50-60 hours per week when they are contracted to do 39 hours per week.

The cabin crew previously said they will work to rule on the March 2010 agreement which was accepted by EI management.

mikedragon32

Factual posts have no place here! Especially if they correct a rant.

I'm heading to Nice on 12th with Aer Lingus. There's a national strike on there that day too. If travel is disrupted, so be it. If the action is legitimate, then everyone's issues are with the airline, not the union.

Anyway, the merits of industrial action are a matter for other forums

ixoy

Dacian wrote: »

The problem is that the company have unilaterally imposed further changes that were not agreed upon in March. In addition since the LRC arbitration was released in August EI have not followed its directives and are continuing to roster crew up to 13 hour days with no break, or up to 50-60 hours per week when they are contracted to do 39 hours per week.

The cabin crew previously said they will work to rule on the March 2010 agreement which was accepted by EI management.

Okay, I'm assuming you're involved with Aer Lingus in some form? If there's a "work-to-rule" what can we expect? Since people are working less hours, surely there has to be some effect such as short staffing in areas. Otherwise what would these staff members be working at during the longer shifts? There has to be some disruption to the daily goings on, otherwise the industrial action is pointless from a union's perspective.

My fear isn't for flight cancellations but instead that there will be delays due to staff shortages and that I'd miss my connecting flight. I imagine it has some grounds if the rosters are going to be shorter.

ixoy

For what it's worth, Virgin's stance is that any changes to my itinerary are done through my travel agent.

I can book a backup flight for the DUB-LHR leg of my journey. However, I will need to then amend my Virgin booking to remove this leg from my itinerary. If I don't, I'll be seen as a "no show" from Aer Lingus (assuming they fly) and my entire series of flights (including the Virgin leg and return flights) will be cancelled. This amendment must be done through my travel agent.

So my decision is now:
- Do I book a backup flight now and hold off until Thursday/Friday before deciding whether to use it?
- Adopt a "wait-and-see" approach and then risk having to buy a high fee for a backup flight?
- Do nothing and hope for the best.

If I do chose to use a backup flight, then I also need to ensure there's enough time for the travel agent to update my original booking to ensure the entire thing isn't cancelled.

What a fun way to have to start planning for my holiday!

LevelSpirit

At the moment I make sure I never have to fly on any plane that has anything to do with France, because of all the industrial action.
Im going to add Aer Lingus to my list to. You just cant depend on them not to be having some sort of industrial action when you are flying.
Bye Bye Aer Lingus. Nice service, but too risky for me.

ixoy

ixoy wrote: »

If I do chose to use a backup flight, then I also need to ensure there's enough time for the travel agent to update my original booking to ensure the entire thing isn't cancelled.

What a fun way to have to start planning for my holiday!

Ask the travel agent can they change your EI portion to a BMI portion at least on the way out.
Try to argue for them to do that without charging you but don't accept the cost to be any more than the difference in fare between the two.

mikedragon32 wrote:

Factual posts have no place here! Especially if they correct a rant.

I'm heading to Nice on 12th with Aer Lingus. There's a national strike on there that day too. If travel is disrupted, so be it. If the action is legitimate, then everyone's issues are with the airline, not the union.

Anyway, the merits of industrial action are a matter for other forums

I disagree.Probably every other forum here would allow the discussion of the merits of a strike if it affected the topic of the forum.
Why should this one be any different?
If someone believes something is ridiculous,it's only a rant if one thinks they shouldn't say it because it has no merit.
That post did have merit and I'll put it to Dacian in my next sentence why.

Dacian wrote:

Actually the cabin crew HAVE accepted all mutually agreed changes to working conditions.

But you miss the point.
You can't be guaranteed mutually agreed cuts in an industry thats the most vulnerable of them all in a recession as regards discretionary spend and thats air travel.
The ultimate price you pay for that sort of a luxurious blindfolded attitude is the company folds.
EI is no longer a part of the civil service...

ixoy

Deleted User wrote: »

Ask the travel agent can they change your EI portion to a BMI portion at least on the way out.
Try to argue for them to do that without charging you but don't accept the cost to be any more than the difference in fare between the two.

I brought this up early today and they said that the only other option on the Saturday was with BMI and that was business class (which would be very expensive). I found more airlines than that myself, although most were at least 250 per person.

I imagine that, from their perspective, Aer Lingus haven't announced a strike and that it should be "business as usual". They were sympathetic to me but didn't see it as high risk yet and thought it would probably be okay. They pointed out that I'd be put on the next available flight, although we wouldn't know when that would be.

You'd want to tell them that bmi don't do business class from Dublin to London anymore and haven't for over a year!
It's all economy like aer lingus.

I'd try again to be honest and see if you get a better reply from a different call centre operator.
Don't let on that you rang already.

Two one ways from Dublin to gatwick on ryanair are €140 on the 16th arriving lgw at 1705
The bus would get you to t3 by 8pm and probably 7pm.
The quickest that bus has got me from lgw straight to the door of T5 and yes it will bring you directly there,T1 ,4 and 3 was about 50 mins.

If that allows you time to do the bag drop and get past security?

You could ask the TA to do up your ticket minus the first ei leg if you explain what you are thinking as I don't think FR allow ta bookings.

Cityjet to London city which,the TA can put onto your pnr instead of EI costs €220 for the 2 of you-the real cost of that should be less as they should deduct the EI portion as they are replacing it.

In both cases,you would have to lug your own luggage.

Messy.

Going the night before might be,the way to go if you both have understanding employers! Think of it as an add on to the holiday.
The sofitel T5 is one of the nicest airport hotels around with a great holiday buzz about the bar (maybe I'm biased as it has perroni ) and the hex from t5 to t3 is free.
Best of luck anyway.

ixoy

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd try again to be honest and see if you get a better reply from a different call centre operator.
Don't let on that you rang already.

No harm in trying tomorrow - I'll give it a go!

Deleted User wrote: »

Two one ways from Dublin to gatwick on ryanair are €140 on the 16th arriving lgw at 1705
The bus would get you to t3 by 8pm and probably 7pm.

My flight on the 16th is at 13:45, so I'd definitely need a connecting flight that got me to LHR.

Cityjet to London city which,the TA can put onto your pnr instead of EI costs €220 for the 2 of you-the real cost of that should be less as they should deduct the EI portion as they are replacing it.

I do believe the TA has a charge though for changing the booking details, but I'll make sure.

Going the night before might be,the way to go if you both have understanding employers! Think of it as an add on to the holiday.
The sofitel T5 is one of the nicest airport hotels around with a great holiday buzz about the bar (maybe I'm biased as it has perroni ) and the hex from t5 to t3 is free.
Best of luck anyway.

Thanks! I can get away the night before. It's a 20:35 flight, which would even allow me to work a full day and head to the airport afterwards. Not the biggest inconvenience I'd have ever faced.

If I did that, I could get paranoid my bmi flight would be cancelled and I'd miss my connection but get no substitute (as it's a different ticket). With that attitude though, I may as well just book seats on every plane...

mikedragon32

Deleted User wrote: »

I disagree.Probably every other forum here would allow the discussion of the merits of a strike if it affected the topic of the forum.
Why should this one be any different?
If someone believes something is ridiculous,it's only a rant if one thinks they shouldn't say it because it has no merit.
...

The merit of the action has no place as it has the potential to derail the thread. I moderated this forum for long enough to see that when someone inquires about how to avoid the effect of action the helpful advice gets lost in the discussion of who is to blame.

This post is now having the same effect!

Perhaps what I should have said is that the discussion of the merit of any action has no place in this thread.

Dacian

Deleted User wrote: »

....... I'll put it to Dacian in my next sentence why.......
You can't be guaranteed mutually agreed cuts in an industry thats the most vulnerable of them all in a recession as regards discretionary spend and thats air travel............
EI is no longer a part of the civil service...

Indeed EI has been a private company since 2006 and must be run like one. Can't argue with that. Thus you have EI scaling back services that are non-profitable, such as the 11 weeks of no flights from Shannon next year. And the staff have realised the reality facing them and ALL groups have voted yes to the Greenfield plan back in Feb/Mar 2010.

Since the CEO took over 12-13 months ago EI have reduced losses dramatically by reducing flights (almost 8% drop in capacity), several hundred staff have taken redundancy payments, the remainder have accepted salary cuts and productivity increases, EI have stated they are now managing yield from all flights rather than trying to sell all the seats at rock bottom prices.

So you have a private sector company dealing with the negative growth situation it finds itself in. (In my opinion EI is less vulnerable to the drop in discretionary travel than FR/EZ, conversely it is MORE vulnerable due to its reliance on the Irish market) Incidently figures released this morning show EI to have a load factor of over 80% which is pretty healthy.

In the recent half year results EI announced they have over EUR 1 billion in cash reserves, they made a small operating profit in Q2 2010 and they now expect to break even or make a profit for the full year 2010. These figures are a direct result of the Greenfield plan mutually agreed with staff. The next step apparently is the reduction of "back office staff by 40%" So expect to see more streamlining in Aer Lingus over the next 6-12 months. No new aircraft shall be delivered until 2012 I believe to reduce capital expenditure.

I am asking why a company that at least on the surface has turned the corner from where it was in Oct 2009 is imposing further unilateral changes on part of its workforce when all staff have already fulfilled their side of the agreement. I completely understand that situations change over time in business, and that previous agreements cannot be seen to be set in stone (like the civil service mentality) however the latest moves seem like opportunism on behalf of EI. They are only half way through the Greenfield plan yet are already going back on their word even as they are ahead of expected performance.

Dacian

Dacian wrote: »

In the recent half year results EI announced they have over EUR 1 billion in cash reserves, they made a small operating profit in Q2 2010 and they now expect to break even or make a profit for the full year 2010. These figures are a direct result of the Greenfield plan mutually agreed with staff. The next step apparently is the reduction of "back office staff by 40%"

I am asking why a company that at least on the surface has turned the corner from where it was in Oct 2009 is imposing further unilateral changes on part of its workforce when all staff have already fulfilled their side of the agreement. I completely understand that situations change over time in business, and that previous agreements cannot be seen to be set in stone (like the civil service mentality) however the latest moves seem like opportunism on behalf of EI

Because you have to be proactive in a private company thats competing with Ryanair,Europes biggest airline and other airlines that are constantly making changes.
I don't believe calling a strike is the answer on the employee's side in a private company that can very easily go from being profitable to serious losses in the bat of an eyelid and economic volatility.
I also don't agree that quoting the airlines reserves is reason to say they are sound either.
Spikes in oil and the volcano and the decline in pax at Dublin will have depleted a lot of that.
Planes are also very expensive to buy.

I'm inclined to partially agree with Mike in that something like this deserves a separate thread but on this board.Travel interest includes an interest in strikes in the travel industry.I'd suggest we not take this further unless it's in another thread.I won't.

Kotek Besar

Is there a website which shows which flights are effected by Aer Lingus strikes?

Fusion158

Kotek Besar wrote: »

Is there a website which shows which flights are effected by Aer Lingus strikes?

I don't think there is. At the moment all we know is that there will be a work to rule and the cabin crew will work old rosters. Whether flights will be cancelled is another thing and its that part that's most frustrating for passangers; nobody knows what effect it will have. If it was an all out strike then we could plan accordingly, but its the unknown effect that is leaving us in the situation of should I book a back-up flight now or wait and see how the first day or so goes of this industrial action.

Kotek Besar

Oh cripes. I'm flying on Sunday from Dublin to Hong Kong via London Heathrow with Aer Lingus and British Airways - two airlines not exactly unknown for strikes!

Hope we'll be ok.

Dacian

Kotek Besar wrote: »

Oh cripes. I'm flying on Sunday from Dublin to Hong Kong via London Heathrow with Aer Lingus and British Airways - two airlines not exactly unknown for strikes!

Media report says no work to rule until next week. Union in Ireland have to give notice of industrial action, no lightening strikes allowed.

And work to rule is different to actual strike action. The first is following the letter of your contract, the latter is walking out.

ixoy

Kotek Besar wrote: »

Oh cripes. I'm flying on Sunday from Dublin to Hong Kong via London Heathrow with Aer Lingus and British Airways - two airlines not exactly unknown for strikes!

You're fine. They have to serve notice of industrial action - 7 days worth. Your trip is only a few days away, so there's no issue there! They can't just strike on a whim.

In my case they've served industrial action notice due to commence prior to my flight so I may be affected, as may anyone else travelling on, or after, the 13th with Aer Lingus.

ixoy

Well I caved in the end and moved the first leg of flight (at some cost) to the previous day. The TA did try and (probably rightly) re-assure me that I would have been accommodated and looked after, with no cost, if action had resulted in me missing my connecting flight. However, there's no guarantee a new connection would have been found quickly if that eventuality had arose.
So to quell my paranoia, I changed and am now leaving early with a ridiculous amount of buffering time.

Lessons learnt: Don't book with Aer Lingus. This is the third (or is it fourth?) time that they've potentially impacted my flights. I didn't cave previous times but this one is too big for me to let go! Nice service generally but not worth the stress beforehand.

Don't look back so.
It is probable that your original flight will run or the go slow will be sorted but theres a price on peace of mind.

Now if you want to ease the paranoia that your BMI flight will be cancelled or delayed,you can start by checking it's punctuality every day from now to saturday week ... here

ixoy

Deleted User wrote: »

Now if you want to ease the paranoia that your BMI flight will be cancelled or delayed,you can start by checking it's punctuality every day from now to saturday week ... here

Excellent - I'll look at it every five minutes

Fusion158

Looks like Aer Lingus has up'd the steaks. Link.

I can see this going 2 possible ways. The cabin crew will stand down and return to the talks or there will be all out strike. I still haven't bit the bullet and booked a back-up flight but I'll be monitoring very very closely.

Locker10a

Fusion158 wrote: »

Can't really blame Aer Lingus for this. Stupid Impact trade union and the members who won't do what they accepted to do. If I didn't do what I said I'd do at work I'd be sacked. I think Aer Lingus should do what they threatened to do last time; sack the lot of them and hire them back on new contracts. If they don't come back I'm sure there would be plenty of people on the dole queue that would gladly take the job.

I'm also in the same position as you. I have to get a 6am flight next Friday to Amsterdam to get another flight to San Francisco. I'm also looking at booking a back-up flight, even if it means I arrive in Amsterdam a day early.

:eek: You cant blame Aer Lingus for this ?? Are you joking ? The staff accepted the new green field months ago and agreed the new condtions . However Aer Lingus without saying a word implemented different condations to the green field plan which to the staff agreed to . Some work up to 50% more hours for half the pay now! Fair enuogh every one has to do their bit but after the staff agreeing its unfair for managment to go and do something totaly different. I mean ever ryanair staff get their 2 days off togeather egwed n thurs off . Where EI dont . Fire them and re hire them -illegal !
I wouldnt bother bookin a new flight ! Its work to rule not strike!
And as for whos foult it is look ot EI managment. Sure look what they did with the redundancy thing ! Gave out redundancy got paid by the goverment and rehired the staff again but they got caught . There sly but it wont last .

Dacian

Fusion158 wrote: »

Looks like Aer Lingus has up'd the steaks. Link.

I can see this going 2 possible ways. The cabin crew will stand down and return to the talks or there will be all out strike. I still haven't bit the bullet and booked a back-up flight but I'll be monitoring very very closely.

In actual fact it is the mgmt who walked out of talks. Looks like EI want the hosties to strike so they can fire them all.

The crew union had a deal mappeed out on Monday with the Aer Lingus HR people to remove the contentious issues so both sides could implement the LRC arbitration but 'senior management' rejected any deal.

Apparently EI are interpreting the arbitration as allowing them to abolish any rule they feel like.

Reading a discusion on another forum that seems to have EI staff on it.

ixoy

Well I'm just glad I changed my flights and am not being threatened with being caught in the middle of the row...

Locker10a

Dacian wrote: »

In actual fact it is the mgmt who walked out of talks. Looks like EI want the hosties to strike so they can fire them all.

QUOTE]

Well that will mean no fights at all which wont happen!! They cant fire and rehire Cabin Crew ! This is Ilegal in Ireland!! If you are to make a position redundant you must prove there is not work for the person/group and cannot re hire for the same position for a number of months from my understanding !

CorkMan

I have a flight in 10 days time with them. If there was to be a strike, would it happen before then?

Kotek Besar

I'm flying tomorrow.

ixoy

CorkMan wrote: »

I have a flight in 10 days time with them. If there was to be a strike, would it happen before then?

Probably not. I think they have to ballot for a strike, which would mean a minimum of 7 days. They won't ballot for a strike until the industrial action starts, so the strike wouldn't start for a while yet.
I don't think they can strike without a new ballot - I'm open to correction on this.

Kotek Besar wrote: »

I'm flying tomorrow.

You're fine. No action begins until Wednesday.

Fusion158

ixoy wrote: »

You're fine. No action begins until Wednesday.

As far as I know its starting Tuesday morning. Yeah you were right

As for my flight I'm stuck as to what to do. If I get a backup flight and the aer lingus flight goes ahead I'll be taken off the passenger list for the Amsterdam San Francisco leg of the flight. The cost of cancelling the Dublin Amsterdam part is a bit over €340. Add on flights to get to Amsterdam and I'm close to the original cost of my flight :mad:

I am just really really really mad with Impact and unions in general :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

scorpioishere

I feel sick when i heard about Aer Lingus and all the drama they make. They always have some problem.

ixoy

Fusion158 wrote: »

As for my flight I'm stuck as to what to do. If I get a backup flight and the aer lingus flight goes ahead I'll be taken off the passenger list for the Amsterdam San Francisco leg of the flight. The cost of cancelling the Dublin Amsterdam part is a bit over €340. Add on flights to get to Amsterdam and I'm close to the original cost of my flight :mad:

I feel your pain! I was told that if I made my own way to LHR and then if it followed that the Aer Lingus flight did go, I'd be a "no show" for my LHR to Tokyo flight and it would be cancelled. I also wasn't even able to cancel the DUB-LHR element if I wanted to.
All I could do was change the first leg of the flight to a different carrier, going the day before. In fact I got the last two seats on the only other non-EI option....

Fusion158

Fusion158 wrote: »

As far as I know its starting Tuesday morning.

As for my flight I'm stuck as to what to do. If I get a backup flight and the aer lingus flight goes ahead I'll be taken off the passenger list for the Amsterdam San Francisco leg of the flight. The cost of cancelling the Dublin Amsterdam part is a bit over €340. Add on flights to get to Amsterdam and I'm close to the original cost of my flight :mad:

I am just really really really mad with Impact and unions in general :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Send the bill to aer lingus with a threat to go to the small claims court.
Meantime,for peace of mind,your only option is to do what ixoy did except,you'd have to ask for flights on non ei metal direct from dublin to the states with a transfer there to San Francisco.

CorkMan

ixoy wrote: »

Probably not. I think they have to ballot for a strike, which would mean a minimum of 7 days. They won't ballot for a strike until the industrial action starts, so the strike wouldn't start for a while yet.
I don't think they can strike without a new ballot - I'm open to correction on this.


You're fine. No action begins until Wednesday.

I'll be coming back on 4th November. Seems a bit dodgy. I don't want to be stuck out in Morocco.

Fusion158

CorkMan wrote: »

I'll be coming back on 4th November. Seems a bit dodgy. I don't want to be stuck out in Morocco.

I'd say you'd be ok by then. Hopefully something will happen to settle things down.

Has anyone heard any updates on whether the work to rule is going ahead or if some staff members have pulled out with the threat of loss of pay and benefits and what not?

deadlast

any news about this? i'm flying at 7am in the morning...

http://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/live-departures.asp

No problems with flights so far so 7am should be fine

Locker10a

Fusion158 wrote: »

As far as I know its starting Tuesday morning. Yeah you were right

As for my flight I'm stuck as to what to do. If I get a backup flight and the aer lingus flight goes ahead I'll be taken off the passenger list for the Amsterdam San Francisco leg of the flight. The cost of cancelling the Dublin Amsterdam part is a bit over €340. Add on flights to get to Amsterdam and I'm close to the original cost of my flight :mad:

I am just really really really mad with Impact and unions in general :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Well how did you travel plane work out ? There was no disruption to flights like you were told