BAA Strike
 

I can't wait until Monday - someone make me feel better. Any thoughts if this strike will really go forward? I fly into Edinburgh, via Heathrow, on September 3 - just get me through that flight, please. I have planned for two years and been saving for one for this trip.

And if it matters, we DID buy trip insurance offered by Orbitz, so hopefully that would cover things should my prayers go unanswered.

I flew from Denver to LHR and Berlin on May 22, when the cabin attendants of BA were on strike. Returned on June 5 from Munich to LHR and DEN when they were on straike again. If I hadn'd known they were on strkke,I would not have known it. Planes were on time, service was impeccable, just a few less dinner choices. Got a free upgrade from Economy PLus to Businees class DEN to LHR. By now, BA management is well experienced with dealing with these ridiculous and internal- union political strikes.

I set a Google alert for news of the BAA strike. Even though my trip is not until the end of September, I want to keep up with this because I am a nervous Nelly.
What if they negotiate for weeks and weeks and then decide to strike? I always sympathize with strikers who take action for reasonable pay and benefits but don't want it to mess up MY trip!

treplow - it's BAA, not BA, workers who could be going on strike.

If that happens then the quality of service in flight won't matter as the airports - including LHR & EDI - will be closed

"What if they negotiate for weeks and weeks and then decide to strike?"

They're required to give a week's notice if they want to strike if talks break down.

The strike only affects Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. It doesn't affect Luton, Gatwick, London City or any other regional airports, so it won't affect most flights between Britain and Continental Europe. It's not clear how practical it will be for flights to be diverted elsewhere in Britain, though undoubtedly some airlines will use Manchester, Birmingham or continental hubs.

Unlike BA strikes, it seems impossible for BAA to operate if the strike goes ahead (emergency firemen are among those likely to strike). But it's a routine pay rise negotiation (unlike BA, which was about reducing worker benefits) and it's likely to be very, very unpopular among workers' neighbours. Strike ballots are simply a negotiating weapon workers give their union: if I were a betting man, I'd put money on BAA upping their offer a bit and the strike being called off

raven01, There is considerable hope I think. As noted above the strike threat is at this stage only a negotiating stance and by no means will it go on to a full strike. If they do it is almost certain they will choose a date over the August bank holiday weekend [30th august] for maximum impact on English holiday makers and hence maximum publicity. Many English holiday makers will be returning from summer holiday over this weekend as schools start back for the next year that week [my son at a London school is due back 2cnd September]. Strike is likely to be only a single day or maybe a couple of stated days [i.e. not an ongoing open ended situation] Your date is later in the week and I believe much, much, less likely to be chosen so you are hopefully going to be totally OK. A weeks notice must be given by law and as not all UK airports are affected there may be options of re routing into another one and proceeding onwards by train/coach/hired car etc. If the worst does happen however it seems probable that there will be a good chance of getting through a day or so later. Good luck.

To clarify, BAA (British Airports Authority) owns and runs airports mostly in the UK, specifically Heathrow, Stansted, Glasgow International and Edinburgh airport, Aberdeen and Southhampton. As opposed to BA or British Airways, which is an airline.

So if BAA's workers strike, it would close those airports.

BBc news is reporting tonight that the matter is now resolved and no strike will take place. Have a great trip.

Best. News. Ever. Thanks.