tomarkot

We've been reading more and more about a threatened general strike in Spain on Sept. 29. We're scheduled to leave the US on the 28th, arriving in Barcelona on the 29th, and are in a quandary about what to do. Although we normally book all travel ourselves, we booked this "trip package" of flight, hotels, etc. with a travel agency (European Destinations). Our flights are with Delta. Does anyone have any experience/knowledge/ advice about dealing with this potentially frustrating situation? From what we understand, if we elect to make a change to our flight reservation before there is any kind of "advisory" notice issued from Delta, we'll incur around a $275. fee plus any flight upcharge. If we wait (anxiously) until we're notified and offered to change flights by Delta, we won't incur penalities, but will run the risk that we may face a string of dates with fully-booked flights, thus affecting all the hotels, etc. already pre-paid. Fortunately, we did purchase trip insurance, but we're not sure exactly how much this would cover in our situation.

If any anyone has any updated knowledge about this Sept. 29 strike in Spain, or any experience dealing with change of travel plans in such a situation, we'd really appreciate your input. We think we're facing some Plan B decisions, and would value the ideas of other Fodorites.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Here's hoping everything turns out okay in the end. It's frustrating to have a cloud like this hang over your trip.

If it were me, I'd call the tour operator and ask what they recommend. I could be wrong, but I have a feeling Delta is not going to waive any change fees or increase in airfare because a strike shouldn't interfere with its ability to fly to and from BCN on your dates. They're still going to be able get you to and from Spain. I wouldn't expect hotels to waive any charges either. They should still be open for business, and they won't take responsibility for the fact that you might not be able to get from place to place once you're in Spain. I'm not sure if this last-minute dispensation you're expecting is ever going to happen. That would be my concern.

If the tour operator booked everything as a package, ask them: "What are we supposed to do here?"

J62

I agree with Jeff. You've paid for Delta to get you to Spain, and unless there is something preventing them from flying to Spain they'll be taking care of their side of the bargain. I would not expect them to issue any advisory or waive fees even if there is a strike.

julia1

Years ago we were scheduled to fly out of Paris the day a general strike was called. When we arrived at the airport the morning of our flight, by taxi because the trains and buses weren't running, the terminal was dark because airport employees responsible for turning on lighting were striking, but our airline was working by battery-powered torch and candlelight to check passengers in and load the plane.

Anyone with carry-on luggage only was boarded. Those with baggage for the hold faced a choice of abandoning luggage or staying behind, because airport baggage handlers were striking. Those of us who could fly were led out onto the tarmac and climbed the stairs to the 747 waiting for take-off, because airport employees tasked with operating the loading ramps were also striking. We flew back to the US in a quarter-full plane and landed in Dallas on time.

Lesson learned, and we always travel carry-on only, have done ever since.

tomarkot

Our question about Delta (or any airline scheduled to arrive in Spain on the 29th) is: If the airline controllers in Spain strike, will flights be permitted to land in Barcelona? Our scheduled arrival time is 8:55 AM on the 29th. As long as we can get to Barcelona, where we're booked in a hotel for 7 nights, we're not as concerned (but, of course, not happy) about the strike affecting our time there. We're very concerned, however, about the strike affecting our flight to Barcelona and what Delta might do to re-book us? We did purchase trip insurance but have never used such and are trying to decipher exactly what this might cover in case our travel itinerary is changed.

If anyone has any information or thoughts about flights from the US landing on the 29th, we'd really appreciate your input.

kayd

Sometimes when European transport workers stage a scheduled one day general strike, they exempt international flights from the effects. So some air traffic controllers go to work to handle only the long-distance flights, but intra-Europe flights do not go. I hope this will be the case for your flight.
If I were in your position, I'd expect to travel as planned -- but research possible alternate plans (e.g., leaving a day early or late) so I'd be ready to make a quick decision if the airline announces cancellation of your flight.
Good luck.

DonTopaz

You shouldn't be concerned that the flight will take off, destined for Barcelona, and would then land somewhere else because of a controllers' strike. Virtually zero chance of that happening. Worst case -- if the Spanish controllers are on strike -- DL will cancel the flight. As far as how DL would re-book you if that happens, you're not likely to get info from DL, as neither they nor any of the airlines are inclined to discuss what-ifs this far in advance. You, however, would do well to have a Plan A, B, and C -- for example, if the flight on the 28th is canceled and the direct flight to BCN (Plan B) is sold out on the 29th, what SkyTeam connections to BCN are available?

As for insurance, different policies cover different types of events. You will have to read your policy carefully to know what yours does and does not cover. I would not, however, be too optimistic. I haven't had many travel insurance policies, but those I've had would cover a loss only if some very significant portion of the trip (not 1 day out of 7 or 8) were lost due to a labor dispute.

tomarkot

We appreciate all the input from fellow Fodorites. We know that no one has a crystal ball, but if anyone gleans any information update on this strike situation, especially how it might affect international flights arriving in Barcelona on Sept. 29th, we'd really be grateful.

kybourbon

I think people are "gleaning" information on strikes and what happens. It's unpredictable and no one can tell you for sure as all strikes are different. I'm more familiar with Italian strikes, but usually there is a government website you can check to see exactly who is striking and the times. Most if the time European strikes are at exact times and are posted/scheduled (required) that way (ex:9am to 7pm).

I flew out of Rome Tuesday and the French air traffic controllers were on strike. This resulted in a one hour delay on takeoff as my flight (FCO to JFK) was supposed to fly over French airspace and couldn't because of the air traffic controllers on strike. We were rerouted over Germany.

As for travel insurance, most do not cover strikes, but you would have to read the fine print. I hope you didn't buy it from/through European Destinations. It's better to buy directly from one of the insurance companies in case your travel company ceases operations.

Matt

You are double posting on this. Again, the strike is a certainty, it's the fifth in Spanish history, it's a big thing. Near zero chances that the unions would backpedal at the last minute, and the government has already factored it in. So, basically it's a charade, but it will happen. Will it affect you? Probably, but nobody can tell for sure.

LindyinLA

United just allowed us to change our Lufthansa flight (using United miles so had to go through UA) to the 28th from the 29th out of Barcelona to Frankfurt .We were not charged for this because of the strike.

cruiseluv

Tomarkot,

I will tell you here what I told you on your other thread: Nobody can give you a definite answer to your question. There is not such a thing as a "cut-off" arrival time by which all planes will be allowed to land. As I said in my post, in 2006 , in Barcelona airport during a one day bagagge handlers and other airport personnel strike, our Continental flight from the US was allowed to land (around 8:00 AM). Ours was the last flight allowed to land, the other planes were diverted to other airports.

I can understand you looking for reassurances, but nobody is in a position to do that for you.If you bought a package tour, I would call them and find out what is their responsibility for making you whole in case you can't get to Spain in time for your tour.

If I were you, i would keep pestering delta and see if you reach a sympathetic agent that will switch your flights to a day prior. You could quote Lindy's experience with United and see if that would motivate them to change you flights at no cost. It's a long shot but I think your time would be better spent doing that.

tomarkot

Thank you to cruiseluv and other Fodorite's for the info and helpful suggestions. We'll just have to deal with the situation and hope for the best.