Once again, this IS a major event, it IS one of the main news, and has been talked about forever in the last few weeks. It's strange for someone to live in Spain and not know about this.

Just to prove it is in the news............Here are some links (in Spanish)
http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/8101...forma/laboral/
http://www.ccoo.es/huelga29s/menu.do?Inicio:96437
http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20100909...a/353043.shtml
Note the last one is from TV España. There are loads more examples on the web.

Thanks for the info, ribeirasacra. With our very basic Spanish, we tried our best to understand where things stand, and we're unable to do that. Would you be kind enough to tell us if any of these news' discussions included effects on international flights on the 29th? Thanks so much!

It is important to note that the guy in the photos contained in the first link posted by ribeirasacra is *not* Mr Bean.

tomarkot,

I note your posts on here and elsewhere. I understand your consternation but, with respect, you should understand by now what will happen is impossible to forecast. Whether a specific group of workers are striking or not and causing disruption to flights or not at all, there is possibly/likely/probably going to be a 'knock on' effect caused by another group.

I see nothing in the info. provided by ribeirasacra which will assist you in any definitive answer.

Best wishes.

Until/unless some announcement is made a day or so before the 29th of known totally disrupted activities, I am afraid there is not much more to be said. By law, there must be minimum services, however, the law sometimes is not respected.

Popular support is not high yet.

tomarkot
it is not important as to whether or not you understand what is being said or written I posted those links to illustrate to you that this is being discussed in the press. It is a big issue and both sides say they have the support of their actions.
As my forum friend WomBatt has said many times we just do not know how this is going to affect vacationers or those of us who live and work in Spain.

We are sticking with our plans. Delta will have to get us there one way or the other. We have till Oct. 1st to make our cruise. So, 2 days of wiggle room. I am going to consider this an adventure. I would advise a private car for pick up at the airport.

We're realizing that we'll just have live with continued "uncertainties" in all this. We're attempting to stay flexible, but sticking with our current plan. We, too, have arranged a private car for airport pick up. Thanks to all for information you shared or continue to share.

We decided yesterday to change our flight and arrive a day earlier to avoid this disruption. The anxiety was finally getting to me and spoiling my anticipation of a wonderful trip.

For all of you sticking with your plans - our best wishes that this works out.

Royal, we can understand how the anxiety would get to you, and cause you to change your flight. We've been trying to concentrate on other things going on with us and forget about our trip for a while. . .though normally the anticipation and prep for the trip is part of the fun. We'll just see how it goes. When we booked our flight, we paid more for a more desirable itinerary, intending this to be a relaxed trip. So we're hesitating to spend even more to change it. For now, we're just hanging in there. We'll check periodically to see if any updated information becomes available. We'll post any change of heart. Best wishes in your planning and your travels!

Watching the news the unions are stepping up their campaign for the strike. But it is still not clear as to the affect it will have on the public.

Once they start making unions receive their monies form their members, not from us, the taxpayers, we will see the REAL union support in this country.

Ribeirasacra..how many millions of euros had they been given for their operations?

Linca......No I dear.

My SIL is presently in Spain but booked her return date Sept 29 months ago. She has tried to change it but American Airlines in their infinite wisdom has said no. Thus she will be one of thousands at Barajas trying to change her ticket.

Brilliant American Airlines.

We were booked to leave Barcelona on 29 September. Our return path was BCN-CDG-SFO. Air France was happy to change our BCN-CDG leg to one day earlier. So we now get a day to enjoy Paris. When asked why I needed to change the connection, I replied "general strike in Spain 29 September". She entered it into their system and that was that. I suggest calling the res centers multiple times to get a reasonable agent, perhaps that will help?

Patrick, out of curiosity, is your ticket a FF miles ticket or is it purchased? If the latter, you certainly were very lucky to get such an understanding agent.

cruiseluv - Purchased. I agree. I'm just saying there is always a chance to get a human being who groks the situation. The first time I called, a few days prior, I was told I had to wait until a few days before the strike - or when the chaos is potentially starting to erupt. That is a formula for much pain. So I called back, and the Fates rewarded me. Worse case, I would have booked a train ride and eaten the first flight. I almost always book a two hopper, it affords flexibility when this stuff happens.

Patrick- Thanks, you did luck out but it happens! Reservations agents have a lot of discretion and can make it happen if they want.

Delta is still not changing ours; probably because it is FF miles Business Class. Well, it is up to them to find us a flight. We hope to arrive early in the morning on the 29th. Our cruise doesn't leave till Oct 1st at 6 p.m. Anyone I speak with abou this doesn't seem to know anything about it. Go figure. Maybe we will end up in Paris for the night. Who knows?