This Delta strike talk is getting me nervous
 

We are so screwed if Delta strikes. Our flights are on Delta heading to Europe on May 4 and returning on May 19...only 4 weeks away. Half of our hotels are past their cancellation time not to mention our Eurorail tickets that were cheaper because they are only 50% refundable.

:(

You and me both. After saving frequent flyer miles for three years, charging everything on AMEX, I finally got together enough points to get two business class tickets to Germany. I might add that it cost money each time I transferred the points from my AMEX to my Skymiles account.

When it was time to book (last October), I was not able to get the flights/dates I wanted and had to compromise, but even with a 5 hour layover in Atlanta, and a 3-leg return trip via JKF/SLC, I was happy to get the seats booked. Of course I had to pay another $60 per ticket in fees at the time I booked.

Then, I prepaid (non-refundable) for my first three nights in Munich because I got a special rate.

I've been planning the details of this trip for months and my departure date is April 15 - the very day that the arbitration commitee is set to announce their decision.

So here I am, flying on award tickets, with no idea of what reprotection I am entitled to, should the pilots strike. Even if we make it over there, I will probably spend the whole trip wondering if we will get home. Nobody seems to be able to answer my question regarding my rights to reprotection on another airline, in the event of a strike.

So, now it's nine days until departure and I have no idea if I'm really going to get there. And if I do get there, will I get home? Who knows?

:(

I feel your pain as we have Delta reservations for late April. Be cool and read all the posts about this. Realize that as much as anything it is each side playing a form of "chicken" with the other. Many have said it is highly unlikely a strike will actually occur.

Would YOU go on strike if you knew that doing so would mean the end of a paycheck?

And it isn't as if you couldn't GET to Europe if they go on strike. Admittedly it might cost a LOT more but would a strike really keep you at home?

Count me in among the concerned. We leave May 12 on Delta for Barcelona. Hopefully they will have everything worked out by then. Keep your fingers crossed!

Johanna

I have tickets on Delta to Germany in June that I just bought a few days ago. I guess I am relatively optimistic that the pilots won't strike and they won't go under.

We just went through this exact same thing a month ago when we flew NWA to Paris. Our flight departed the exact same day that pilots would have walked out if they were going to. It was a nail biter the day or so before, but things eventually ended up fine for us (not so hot for the pilots who had to agree to another pay cut). My guess is that this is exactly the same way this Delta thing will pan out. If it doesn't, we're screwed because we are booking tickets on our own for continuing intra-European flights from Germany.

I am leaving on Tuesday on Delta - keeping fingers crossed.

Let's think positive and keep this in mind .. "Ticket holders, fear not: Delta spokesman Bruce Hicks said the vote won't affect service, reassuring that, "Together with our pilots and all of our employees, we remain focused on our No. 1 priority, which is taking good care of our customers." He added that the No. 3 U.S. carrier is still committed to a consensual agreement with its pilots."

"Ticket holders, fear not: Delta spokesman Bruce Hicks said the vote won't affect service"

The vote may not affect service...but all the pilots staying home sure would affect service. I've been reading that a strike is unlikely as it would kill the airline...so I remain hopful.

Why not start a separate thread inviting those that have had their airline strike just before their transAtlantic flight recount their experience. Were they put on another airline? Did they arrive on the scheduled day? Was it a big hassle? Was it a total disaster? Such a thread might make you feel better (or worse).

One thing I have worked hard at learning over the years is not to worry too much, or get too stressed out over things that I cannot change.

I am flying Delta on Tuesday and back on the 21st. I REALLY hope that they do not go on strike. I saved years of FF miles for First Class tickets.

And if they do go on strike let it be while I am there. I would much rather be delayed coming home than going. Don't want to lose precious days in Italy!

Donna

I too am dependent on Delta.
Right now, my take on it is this:
If the pilots strike, it will be similar to murder and suicide.

Public opinion is against both sides in the dispute. The pilots are viewed as greedy, wanting to hang onto their 6,000 square foot houses in the suburbs. Management is seen as overstating the case and that management itself is the direct cause of some of the problem. (The most frequently cited complaint: Paying big bonuses to top executives when the airline was hemorrhaging money.)

The whole state of Georgia has a vested interest in the survival of Delta. If Delta goes under, the economic impact on the Atlanta region will be enormous. Moreover, Georgia is not the only state so threatened. Utah is also because Salt Lake City is a big Delta hub.

Another action might by Delta's management could be to let the pilots strike, but then secure a court order that orders the pilots to return to work or face contempt of court charges.

Right now, no specific news is being leaked to the press. Some business analysts see the vote to strike as part of a counter attack; it is about the only weapon the pilots' union has.

In this tit for tat survival spat, the union bosses accuse Delta management of union busting. Management accuses the unions of trying to drive the airline into bankruptcy.

I am not sure where the truth lies, but unless the auditors are lying, Delta is still bleeding big gobs of money, and technically the airline will soon have debts in excess of its net worth.

I don't know what will be done ultimately. But Armaggedon is at hand unless a compromise quickly surfaces.
April 15 is supposed to be a type of D day. That is the day on which the Federal arbitration panel is supposed to issue its findings.

Given the size of the airline and the economic threat to Republican states, my guess is that there will be Federal intervention IF the arbitration panel voids the contract and, in essence, pulls the trigger of the pilots' pistol.

Both sides have a lot of "what if" scenarios, but no body knows what to do in detail until the arbitration panel releases its findings and decisions.
The arbitration panel can impose terms on both sides of the issue, and my guess is that is exactly what is going to happen.

If I had to bet $1.00 on it, I would bet that the panel will dictate a compromise and theaten Federal court intervention to coerce those who do not comply with the Federal edict.

Stay tuned. If this mess delays much longer,the airline will go bankrupt regardless of what anybody does or does not do. The normal course of economic events will take Delta under because the net worth of the airline is just about to be critically less than its debt load.