highupinthesky

Well. If you read this tread, you will see that SAS's position is the strike is out of their control and therefore except them from paying the EU compensation. I'm sure this will be tried in court, but giving them a bad rating because of their position on an area which is in a gray zone after the last court ruling (I think it was a ryanair strike). That is unfair IMHO. Just because one of the leeches says you are entitled to compensation doesn't mean it's correct. They will say anything to get a chance to have a look at your case.
The fact is that almost all reports I've heard during the strike praises SAS for the way they handled the disruptions. They were fast at rebooking, provided accommodation and food when needed, paid the difference between the booked flight and the alternative transportation if PAX's find alternative them self, paying out refunds etc. etc. etc. The only area where they failed is in the EU compensation area, but if you have filed your claim, I'm sure one of the leeches who do EU compensation claims for a % of the compensation will take them to court, and if SAS looses you can reopen your claim. But this is a gray area at the moment due to unclear phrasing on the last ruling.

nacho

I don't believe that - so far I have perfect experience claiming EU 261 with SAS. Go direct to SAS's own website and don't let these agents take part of your money (unless you want to) - the process is extremely easy and it took me less than 15 minutes to file claim for 4 passengers directly with SAS.

I have already alerted the Moderator because I suspect that you have an interest in promoting a business which is not allowed on FT. You have joined FT recently and made 6 posts and it's all regarding EU 261. There are a lot of proper non-profit resources regarding EU 261, the one you quoted is from a business.

highupinthesky

Did you get EU compensation for a canceled flight due to the latest SAS strike?

fassy

I did send in a EU261 claim last week for a cancelled flight on 28th April, which was cancelled due to mechanical failure and have the compensation already in my account. I was afraid they would try to wiggle out and blame it on the strike situation but No, they were honest and again show that SK is probably the best airline in the world when it comes to EU261 compensation claims.

nacho

No, fortunately I wasn't hit by the strike. What I wanted to point out is SK is very honest about EU 261, if you are entitled to it, they will pay. I don't believe that they won't pay if you apply online and they suddenly pay if you go through an agent.

I must say SK customer service is really good.

highupinthesky

As I read John2233's post, he is referring to denied compensation for flights canceled due to the strike, where SAS from day one has stated they believe they don't have to pay EU compensation for flights canceled due to the strike.

But my experience is the same as yours. SAS is very fair when dealing with the EU compensation, and if they decline a claim due to bird strike or something similar, you can rest assured it's the reason, and it's pretty point less to try the leeches.

ksu

The CEO of SAS earns about 12 times as much as an experienced SAS Captain. I am sure that if he wants to head Lufthansa instead (whose CEO earns about three times as much) he is more than welcome to go there instead! AFAIR, Lufthansa pilots strike quite regularly as well.

What surprises me, is that you find it quite appropriate that a CEO should have commensurate compensation, whereas the people who actually do the business are blackmailers when the one of their (clearly negotiable) demands were to have a percentage raise, the same way that the CEO had (and to stress your own point: percentage, not absolute amount). Certainly: the SAS CEO's public handling of the strike was not particuarly worthy of a high salary, whining in the media that the pilots should stop the strike immediately, without showing any willingness to negotiate. That is not the way to successfully run a business here.

You should not forget that the very regulated relationship between emploers and employees, combined with good social security systems, is one of the main reasons for the high political and economical stability of the Nordic countries. Average income is high, differences in income are small, and the countries are politically stable. The right to strike is part of the checks and balances that keeps this system stable. If you take one part away, because you dislikes it, or it has caused you personally some hassle, this might upset the entire system.

GUWonder

ksu

Differences are smaller than in other countries. They are not non-existant! No-one has claimed that SAS pilots earn less than the average.

Average monthly income in Norway through all sectors was in September 2018 (full-time equivalent) NOK 45.600 before tax. The list in the link (in Norwegian) shows average income in a number of professions. Senior doctors earn NOK 83140/month, specialist nurses NOK 48550, pilots on average 89490/month, ATC controllers 82580/month.


https://www.dinside.no/okonomi/sa-my...annen/70728791

u2vox

I'm pretty sure I know the answers here, but you never know...

I was booked in C, one way, NRT-CPH-TXL, when the SAS pilot strike happened. Booked through Orbitz, since it was the only place available to get the fare (which as still $4K+ US). Reason for this is I was flying on 4/27, the start of the major holiday and emperor transition, so there was basically nothing available even weeks before, in biz, on just about any airline - LH, NH, etc., all included.

At the T-minus-24 hour mark, got the note that my SAS flights had been canceled. Had to travel that day, so ultimately canceled the SAS flights through Orbitz, and ended up booking on Alitalia with an overnight in FCO, for $7K+. That was quite literally the only biz flight to Europe I could find across airlines for that day. Ugh. Questions:

- Do I have any compensation recourse over the extra $3K+ I had to pay?
- As UA MM, I had originally intended to credit my SAS mileage to UA. Any recourse in doing that?

Thanks in advance...

trooper

I suspect the fact that you cancelled the trip "voluntarily" is going to come back and bite you here. Did Orbitz offer any alternatives? Ahh..cancelled close in...did SAS offer any alternatives???

malmostoso

EC261 should apply here, since it's a cancellation within 14 days of departure. I suggest you seek more guidance in the SK forum, they surely have some thread going. Beyond the 600€, it's all for your travel/credit card insurance.
That's for UA to decide I believe, so it's a fight you have to pick there. Since you canceled the ticket and not let yourself be rebooked by the airline I doubt they will abide though.

u2vox

Thank you both for the replies. Will look into what might be happening in the SK forming as well...

highupinthesky

SAS has stated from day one that the strike is out of their hands and therefore no EC261 compensation, but they also stated they will refund a fare uplift for alternative transportation when pax rebook them self. This also includes additional hotels etc. So file the claim incl a claim for EC261 compensation. If SAS loses in one of the many court cases, I'm sure we will see, you can reopen the EC261 claim afterwards. If you don't file the EC261 claim, you risk being to late once the court ruling are in.
If you read this tread, you will see that SAS so far has been pretty large and fast with the compensation, except for the EC261 related compensation.

Please read this tread before you start assuming something. It's stated multiple times that SAS's view is the strike is out of their hands and therefore no EC261 related compensation.

fassy

I think it wasn't the smartest move to cancel your booking and book a new flight. According to the regulation, you got what you were due. A full refund. SK might come around and pony up the $3k for the alternate booked fare, but I seriously doubt they will. Even though they said, they will compensate for alternative travel arrangements.... I guess they draw a line somewhere and I'll suspect your case will be on the wrong side of that line.

Best option would have been to ask them to rebook you on the flight via FCO.

Also, as you obviously booked a new trip on another alliance with no link to the original Star Alliance booking I see no chance to get mileage credit to you UA account. If SK would have put you on Alitalia, you could have claimed ORC (Original Routing Credit). Often enough, even double dip and credit the flight to a program in each of the alliances