Aug 1, 2019, 2:54 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
This thread is about the now deferredindustrial action (strikes) by Heathrow Airport Limited staff. Click here for the official and detailed BA advice, particularly for departing and connecting passengers.
The strikes planned for Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 August have now both been cancelled and normal services can be expected, with the possible exception of some catering changes on shorthaul services. A revised pay offer is being put to the workforce and in the meantime strike action has been postponed.
This is a different and unrelated dispute to the possible BA strike (there is a separate thread for this). It only affects LHR but all airlines, all terminals
As things stand the next strike days are Friday 23 - Saturday 24 August, there may be further dates announced. The impact is on departing and connecting passengers, with restrictions on hand baggage (one small item only), no First Wing or Fast Track security, and changed catering arrangements on some shorter services. See links above for details, there are no changes noted for passengers arriving into Heathrow, other than the catering changes. On Sunday BA will announce any service changes, usually this comes around 17:00 hrs London time. BA is offering a Twilight Check-In service from 18:00 hrs the night before travel to allow passengers to get their bags into the system before the day of travel.
BA is allowing short haul bookings from LHR on 5-6 August to be rebooked to either LCY or LGW - or to other dates from Heathrow on or before 12 August so long as they avoid 5-6 August. This include redemptions. Tickets need to be booked on or before 31 July. It would appear that currently flights TO Heathrow are not in scope.
The strikes planned for Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 August have now both been cancelled and normal services can be expected, with the possible exception of some catering changes on shorthaul services. A revised pay offer is being put to the workforce and in the meantime strike action has been postponed.
This is a different and unrelated dispute to the possible BA strike (there is a separate thread for this). It only affects LHR but all airlines, all terminals
As things stand the next strike days are Friday 23 - Saturday 24 August, there may be further dates announced. The impact is on departing and connecting passengers, with restrictions on hand baggage (one small item only), no First Wing or Fast Track security, and changed catering arrangements on some shorter services. See links above for details, there are no changes noted for passengers arriving into Heathrow, other than the catering changes. On Sunday BA will announce any service changes, usually this comes around 17:00 hrs London time. BA is offering a Twilight Check-In service from 18:00 hrs the night before travel to allow passengers to get their bags into the system before the day of travel.
BA is allowing short haul bookings from LHR on 5-6 August to be rebooked to either LCY or LGW - or to other dates from Heathrow on or before 12 August so long as they avoid 5-6 August. This include redemptions. Tickets need to be booked on or before 31 July. It would appear that currently flights TO Heathrow are not in scope.
LHR strikes (HAL employees) - 23/24 Aug 2019 [called off for now]
Aug 3, 2019, 4:42 pm
#301
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From the Unite the Union Website https://unitetheunion.org/news-event...n-pay-dispute/
Please note that this was dated 22nd July
Over 90 firefighters and fire and rescue staff at Heathrow Airport have become the latest group of workers to vote for strike action at the UK’s busiest airport in a dispute over pay, their union Unite announced today (Monday 22 July).The vote, which saw fire and rescue workers back strike action by 97.6 per cent on a turnout of 90.2 per cent, means they will join over 4,000 Heathrow Airport workers in their second and third two day strikes planned for Monday 5 August and Tuesday 6 August, and Friday 23 August and Saturday 24 August.
Please note that this was dated 22nd July
Over 90 firefighters and fire and rescue staff at Heathrow Airport have become the latest group of workers to vote for strike action at the UK’s busiest airport in a dispute over pay, their union Unite announced today (Monday 22 July).The vote, which saw fire and rescue workers back strike action by 97.6 per cent on a turnout of 90.2 per cent, means they will join over 4,000 Heathrow Airport workers in their second and third two day strikes planned for Monday 5 August and Tuesday 6 August, and Friday 23 August and Saturday 24 August.
Aug 3, 2019, 5:19 pm
#302
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They would not let me rebook for any other day yet (though they did say that might change based on what's decided tomorrow) so it is quite annoying to see other airlines proactively allowing this.
I know it's only first world problems but going from 5 mins via First wing to lounge with hand luggage only so out of airport quickly other end to 1 to 3? hours checking in and going through security with a billion other stressed people and then waiting for 600 bags at the carousel the other end is annoying. Oh well.
Aug 3, 2019, 6:15 pm
#303
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But... T3 serves a number of airlines besides BA. As far as I can tell, only BA is telling its passengers to confine themselves to one small piece of hand baggage. I foresee a degree of frustration standing in the security queues on Monday with the BA-prescribed one bag, behind a bunch of passengers travelling on other airlines with “normal” carry on luggage.
Aug 3, 2019, 6:21 pm
#304
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As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I am flying in on JAL F T3 on the 6th connecting to BA T5 (less than 2 hour connection time, expecting to miss my flight to YUL). There is nothing on the JAL website, that I can find, mentioning any restrictions to LHR. I will keep monitoring obviously
What would be a couple of flights affected for JL across their entire network, it would be a very high proportion for BA if a lot of their passengers are held up at security and they'd end up missing their flights - which might result in flights being held or being rebooked but then, it could really unravel due to having already been on a cut-back schedule because of the strike, and cumulative delays causing curfew issues. That would be even worse than the already-announced cancellations and harder to recover from both from passengers' (e.g. getting rebooked quickly would be very difficult) and the airline's perspective.
Considering those aspects, I don't think we can really blame BA even if they are the only carrier restricting hand luggage to small pieces only so that they can avoid further issues.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Aug 3, 2019 at 7:31 pm
Aug 3, 2019, 10:23 pm
#306
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I think it's fair to characterise this as a "me, me, me" matter. But if security is willing (and presumably able) to handle the baggage screening for 2 bags per person, then it is reasonable for customers to expect this be done. To allude to those who want two bags as not being sensible is perhaps too strong a response. Indeed, to suggest Heathrow would otherwise be closed down is a bit excessive.
Aug 4, 2019, 1:30 am
#307
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I am flying in F LHR to SFO Tuesday - called BA and was told (they had to go check first) that yes same restrictions apply. I asked whether there would be any type of compensation as I actually chose a380 specifically due to good space for my wheeled case and small bag and they said "that might be worth doing afterwards",
They would not let me rebook for any other day yet (though they did say that might change based on what's decided tomorrow) so it is quite annoying to see other airlines proactively allowing this.
They would not let me rebook for any other day yet (though they did say that might change based on what's decided tomorrow) so it is quite annoying to see other airlines proactively allowing this.
I really can't see BA offering any compensation for this. The agent was right to say it might be worth doing afterwards, since the agent could not know the company's policy on this, but I think you'll have to make do with a slightly apologetic sounding email. The 1 to 3 hour stretch at SFO seems an exaggeration to me since the way that would work would be when a significant minority of passengers are HBO but most have to reclaim near simultaneously when their bags are delivered to the belts - and a few other aircraft are doing the same. Given the way SFO now works, and given the kiosks, I doubt this is a valid scenario any more, I doubt it would add more than about 20 minutes to the process in SFO. And 20 minutes is within the span of flight time between London and California. Now I don't like hanging around baggage reclaim either, but trying to get an A380 to depart on time from Heathrow over the next few days is going to be a bigger challenge and potentially more tedious, I suspect.
Aug 4, 2019, 1:49 am
#308
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If the strike goes ahead, assuming those using LHR are prepared to do so we could with a thread containing some real time on the ground reporting of how it is all going.
I’m not due at the airport until 2pm. I’m happy to play reporter but would certainly appreciate some intel before I arrive.
I’m not due at the airport until 2pm. I’m happy to play reporter but would certainly appreciate some intel before I arrive.
Aug 4, 2019, 2:12 am
#309
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If the strike goes ahead, assuming those using LHR are prepared to do so we could with a thread containing some real time on the ground reporting of how it is all going.
I’m not due at the airport until 2pm. I’m happy to play reporter but would certainly appreciate some intel before I arrive.
I’m not due at the airport until 2pm. I’m happy to play reporter but would certainly appreciate some intel before I arrive.
If people who are flying earlier on both days could do the same I would be extremely grateful!
Aug 4, 2019, 2:37 am
#312
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We're travelling at the tail end of the disruption to SYD, 21:30 on the 6th. Thanks in advance for all the potential real-life reports which I have no doubt will help all of us steeling ourselves to travel out of LHR in the coming days. We'll also share our experiences for what they're worth.
Aug 4, 2019, 2:44 am
#313
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I am on the BA1474 to GLA at 0820 tomorrow and going to aim to be at the airport for 0500ish!
We we shall see how successful that is - will report back!
Just noticed this is my 2000 post too!
aks120
We we shall see how successful that is - will report back!
Just noticed this is my 2000 post too!
aks120
Aug 4, 2019, 3:05 am
#314
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Depending on level of disruption tomorrow I’ll be calling BA about changing my long haul flight given tight connection in JFK (BA booking / AA flight). I know that strikes can get them out of EU261 compensation but if they’re selling tickets on earlier flights from LHR and don’t let let me move given the highly predictable consequences of a missed connection (overnight stay in JFK many hours late into SFO) it should be helpful to any claim. The “reasonable efforts” obligation doesn’t fall away just because of extraordinary circumstances...
Aug 4, 2019, 3:23 am
#315
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If the strike goes ahead, assuming those using LHR are prepared to do so we could with a thread containing some real time on the ground reporting of how it is all going.
I’m not due at the airport until 2pm. I’m happy to play reporter but would certainly appreciate some intel before I arrive.
I’m not due at the airport until 2pm. I’m happy to play reporter but would certainly appreciate some intel before I arrive.