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HW Chris
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22-11-2005 03:34 PM
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Joined: 06 Nov 2003
Posts: 1703
My Profile
| Services at Birmingham Airport could be disrupted at Christmas after union members voted to strike over plans to alter pension provision for workers.
Staff are angry at plans to close the final salary pension scheme to new employees and replace it with one that gives lower returns.
Full Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4067365.stm
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Mal 54
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25-11-2005 05:26 PM
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Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1687
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| Hopefully we won't have any problem when we fly from Birmingham on 5th December, bit worried about the 12th though when we arrive back, a strike is scheduled for that date.
Does anyone know what happens in these situations, surely if they have to close the airport we will be flown to another...any ideas anyone?
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Blue Crane Aparthotel, Limassol (10/10)
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GJB
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02-12-2005 07:16 PM
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Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
| According to the Birmingham airport website, the strikes are going ahead, and as my girlfriend is flying from Paris to England on the 31st December, I called BA for the second time. They tried to tell me they didn't know about the strikes, or at least they know about one of the dates only (8th December), but say as far as BA are concerned all flights are on as normal.
I tried to dispute this contradiction, but the official line for BA is that all flights are on, even though it would appear they are not. I told the lady I was being passed from pillar to post trying to resolve this, and although she was sympathetic I have not got any further. The airport has to give BA 48 hours notice, but I don't want to be left with just 48 hours not knowing what is going on. I have hotels and things booked for the 31st, and at that time of year I am not going to be able to rebook another flight easily, so I'm pretty frustrated at the moment and can only wait until the day of the 1st strike and see what is happening with that situation. I also emailed Birmingham airport and told them if the strike is on then they ought to make this clear to BA and the other airlines so some rearrangements can be made!
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brian121
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02-12-2005 08:54 PM
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Joined: 26 Jan 2005
Posts: 178
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| Not looking to good at the moment check this link for the latest news:thumbdow:
http://www.amicustheunion.org/Default.aspx?page=3200
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Mal 54
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02-12-2005 08:54 PM
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Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1687
My Profile
| It will be interesting to see if you get a reply from Birmingham Airport, we should be ok for Monday 5th December, it's the 12th December which bothers me.
Must be a big worry for you, hope you get sorted, or you could loose a lot of money, I believe there's no componsation for cancelled flights etc due to strike, had a quick look at my insurance policy just to see where we stand.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Blue Crane Aparthotel, Limassol (10/10)
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Mal 54
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02-12-2005 08:56 PM
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Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1687
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| Thanks brian, I have already checked that site, that's how I new the 12th December was not looking good.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Blue Crane Aparthotel, Limassol (10/10)
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GJB
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02-12-2005 09:24 PM
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Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
| Must be an even bigger worry for you, because the 12th is much closer than than the 31st, and you will be away and won't know what is happening until you're do to come back! :icon_grrs
I will let you know if Birmingham airport get back to me. I'm thinking about giving them a call tomorrow too, and if I don't get anywhere I'll probably ask to speak to someone more senior for all the good it might do!
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Mal 54
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03-12-2005 09:05 AM
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Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1687
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| Hi GJB, Yes it is a worry, no we won't know what is going on. According to the news if the strike does go ahead the airport will be closed. I presume we would be transferred to another airport? The problem there is a taxi is booked to collect us on our arrival. Usually he checks the tele text so he knows if the flight has been delayed etc. We shall have to ask the taxi driver Monday morning what he will do if there is a problem.
Thanks I would be grateful if you could let me know if you get anywhere with the phone call. It's awful when you just get fobbed off.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Blue Crane Aparthotel, Limassol (10/10)
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GJB
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03-12-2005 11:46 AM
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Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
| That is a problem with the taxi - I'm sure the taxi driver's will be aware of the strikes too though. If they do transfer to another airport, I think it will render my Stratford theatre tickets useless as I may not be able to get there in time to see the play. :( Still I think I'd just be happy if my girlfriend can get here at all on that day - if I lose all my money on the hotels I've booked too it'll be an extremely miserable New Years.
She phoned expedia today, who she booked the holiday through, and they won't let her transfer her flight. She paid extra for insurance on the ticket too, but the small print won't cover you in the event of the strike, so I'm totally at the mercy of BA and Birmingham airport sorting out alternative plans.
Unfortunately I can't ring customer services at the airport today because they only operate on working days, but I'll give them a call on Monday.
Will keep you updated. ;)
"Hi GJB, Yes it is a worry, no we won't know what is going on. According to the news if the strike does go ahead the airport will be closed. I presume we would be transferred to another airport? The problem there is a taxi is booked to collect us on our arrival. Usually he checks the tele text so he knows if the flight has been delayed etc. We shall have to ask the taxi driver Monday morning what he will do if there is a problem.
Thanks I would be grateful if you could let me know if you get anywhere with the phone call. It's awful when you just get fobbed off." --- mother
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Mal 54
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03-12-2005 01:19 PM
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Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1687
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| Are you spending Christmas in Stratford? We have'nt been to the theatre for years, is it the Shakespeare theatre you have tickets for, anything good on? We actually live in Stratford 10mins walk from the town centre.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Blue Crane Aparthotel, Limassol (10/10)
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GJB
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03-12-2005 06:52 PM
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Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
| I live in Leicestershire close to the Warwickshire border, but my girlfriend is from Paris, loves Shakespeare, and hasn't seen Stratford before, so I was planning to pick her up from Birmingham and drive the short distance to Stratford for the day - go to Shakespeare's house, see the butterfly farm etc. The play is at the Royal Shakespeare theatre (must be very close for you!), but they didn't have any Shakespeare plays on, so we "should" be going to see Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. :)
It must be strange for you, walking into the town centre and finding that locals are a minority there! Last time I went there were a huge number of American and Japanese.
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GJB
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05-12-2005 11:08 AM
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Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
| Not sure I made a great deal of progress. I called the airport, but you get stuck with a long list of options, eventually ending with an operator, and the best she could do was put me through to a BA representative at the airport. That took a long time because it went through to a voice message saying all lines are busy, and gave me 3 alternative numbers to call. All 3 numbers kept coming up as busy and gave me the same 3 alternative numbers to call!
After much dialling I eventually got through to somebody at the airport.
This time they didn't deny the strike (as a woman I spoke to before did!), but said because the airport has not announced it officially they are working on the premise that all flights are on as normal, including the 8th December which is very fast approaching!
I was also told if the strikes happen, BA will try and make rearrangments for passengers, probably to land at another airport. I was told to keep ringing BA closer to the date, because although they will try and make provisions for everyone, the chap said there's so many people flying, that they might not be able to sort out everybody! Didn't exactly fill me with confidence!
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GJB
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05-12-2005 06:40 PM
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Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
| Yipee!!!! That cursed strike threat has been called off!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VERY HAPPY! :occasion1
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Mal 54
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15-12-2005 11:56 AM
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Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1687
My Profile
| Hope all goes well for you and you have a lovely time in Stratford.
We don't really have a problem with tourists this time of the year, the summer is the worst.
During the summer we have groups standing on the footpath, usually we just have to push through them, staying "excuse me is a total waste of time". They look at you as if you have just dropped off another planet.
We also have problems in the summer with groups of students mainly from Italy and France, doing a bit of shop lifting and pick pocketing, they can't be prosecuted because they are too young, usually under 16. And they know this.
Enjoy your Shakespeare experience and the butterfly farm :wave:
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Blue Crane Aparthotel, Limassol (10/10)
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