Air traffic controllers possible strike France October 7-10
 

I’m in Paris now, spending the final week of my Basel/alsace/Paris trip, and reading whatever I can find about this strike. It was postponed from September to give the new government time to respond to the air traffic controllers demands.

Does anyone have any further news, or did you experience the strike in JULY? I’m due to return to Los Angeles on October 8 on Air France. Right in the middle of it all.

To make things even more “interesting”, the day I was due to fly LAX to Amsterdam to Basel, the ground staff at Amsterdam Schiopol went on strike. I was watching it, called the minute I saw my flight was cancelled, and offered to fly out a day early, via Paris, to Zurich. Then I got a train to Basel. Then a tram. Hey, I’m 77 and it was…an adventure. I do NOT want another “adventure” like that one.

Thanks! Hangin’ in there! 🫣😵‍💫

Sometimes these strikes get postponed, but, word is that this one won't. We have changed our flights to this weekend.....just in case it is a GO.

Traviata, you’re going early? Or returning early. And did you need to pay the difference. When I tried to change planes on my outbound flight, I was told that until my flight was cancelled by the AIRLINE, any changes I made I was responsible to pay the difference in fare.

It is necessary for us to be there, so we re-bought tickets using points, etc. and, will hope for a refund later...wish us luck, we are on our way....!

We’re also monitoring the situation as we have a flight from Barcelona to London on 10/8. Flights over France air space are likely to be affected. I have alternate flights we can ask BA to put us on, but it’s too early to make any changes

We decided to make the changes ahead of time. Not sure this is totally accurate, but we read that on October 5, the union will determine how many people are striking; they’ll then let the airlines know on October 6, and then the airlines will make modifications. Repeat each day of the three day proposed strike (Sounds like each day, they get new information - which says to me that we wouldn’t know until the day before our flight). If this is not accurate, please correct me!

Who knows, it might not come to pass - but it’s just too stressful for us to wait and see what happens, so we’re taking the early Eurostar direct from Paris to Schiphol airport, then each flying home. I called Air France and they made the change for me. I’ll have to pay for the train, but I DON’T CARE. It’s worth it. I called my husband and he agreed that it was a better idea (he mentioned that many people may decide to take the train, so glad I was able to book now).

Hoping no one gets stuck! Let us know your experiences. Fingers crossed for everyone!

I don't think the concern should be only on the France/Europe side.

If the U.S. government shut-down continues long enough, there could be delays and cancellations of flights that touch the U.S. because of a potential shortage of air traffic controllers. Although they are classified as essential workers, controllers are not paid during a shut-down. In the last shut-down (2019, 35 days), controllers staged an unofficial sickout.

Thanks, Jean - you’re right. My husband mentioned the same thing but I breezed right past it.

good grief. This is gonna be be a vacation for my memory books. 🥴😳🤪

Did I just read that the strike if OFF???????????????

i read the same…

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ree-day-strike

I am going to SCREAM. We saw it last night at dinner, scurried back and called Air France French customer service. On hold 20 minutes (which is fine) and told yes, can change back but there will be a charge. I’ll connect you to that department. On hold an hour and disconnected. Tried calling back French, no pick up after one hour.

called US customer service, got darling guy after 25 minutes. A little more info: first change free, back office determines charge for second change. Will email me within 24-48 hours.

waiting for email.

I’m detailing this is case someone else is in a similar situation at some time - this is how it works (at least on AF).

I didn’t do this to be difficult! I actually thought I was “helping” because they’d be snowed at the last minute with craziness. Arrrgghhhhh.

Question : ***how often are Eurostar trains cancelled? If it’s crazy $$ to change back, am I taking a big risk relying on getting to Amsterdam on my train? If I miss my plane THEN I’m totally on for cost of plane ticket.

thx. 🙏 for me guys.

Flight delays and cancellations due to shortages of air traffic controllers are beginning to happen in several U.S. airports. Newark, Denver and Burbank impacted today. Likely, more airports tomorrow.

Thanks, Jean….i am just praying it’s ok. I DID finally get approval to change back to my original flight, at no charge. Need to get seat assignment at CDG, but at least I’m on the plane.

All I can do is stay hopeful, positive, and grateful I’m able to travel.

at least that’s what I’m telling myself. 😵‍💫😂🫣

The misery map:

https://www.flightaware.com/miserymap/

Chicago O'Hare leads the pack.